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Double Bass Harmonics

L

lloccmttocs

Jan 12, 2007
211
0
37
Storrs, CT USA
#1
Hi, I'm doing the Dragonetti and I was doing fine but now I'm on the last page and it has a whole different set of harmonics and someone explain to me where all the harmonics are (the non movable ones) or if one exists could someone show me a sort of "map" of harmonics.

Thanks!
 
#2
I know there is a map on here someone posted it somewhere. I know I am not help there.

I can tell you exactly where the harmonics that you are having trouble with are. Though, I don't know what you are talking about, there are not really a whole different set of harmonics. Though the Dragonetti uses allot of harmonics, they are the same throughout from movement to movement.

Please, give me a measure, of a movement, and I'll tell you exactly where to put your fingers.
 
#3
If you talk to a brass player, they will give you a whole lecture on harmonics.

If you look in an orchestration book, there'll be a page in the brass section on the harmonic series.

If you are wondering where the C and E harmonics are located on the D string though, here they are:

The C harmonic can be found between the high A and the super high D harmonics. This harmonic is naturally a little flat. I usually play it with my third finger.

The super high E is found in two locations. One is just beyond the super high D harmonic. The other is between the 2nd harmonic D (two octaves above the open string) and the F# harmonic. You need to have the bow in just the right spot to pop it out. I find this second location sounds better and I can vibrtate on it better, as well.

The notes F natural and super high A can be found on the G string.

Try playing simple bagpipe tunes and English folk songs on harmonics to familiarize yourself where the spots are located.
 
#6
I was talking about the last set of harmonics the one that goes on for about 4 lines on the last page, you should know what I'm talking about if you've played the piece. But I think I figured it out with trial and error.

Now how do I get them to sound good? I'm trying to bow as close to the bridge as possible but the high ones squeak a lot and sometimes they arn't 100% on.
 
#8
lloccmttocs said:
I was talking about the last set of harmonics the one that goes on for about 4 lines on the last page, you should know what I'm talking about if you've played the piece. But I think I figured it out with trial and error.

Now how do I get them to sound good? I'm trying to bow as close to the bridge as possible but the high ones squeak a lot and sometimes they arn't 100% on.
Click to expand...

lloccmttocs said:
An there's a part at 1:10 of it's just going accross the strings 310 310 310 13 013 031 but it always sounds horrible when I do it, like it looses it's sense of definition and just be comes blah blah blah blah. Any ideas?
Click to expand...


First of all, don't ever say last page. I assume you are talking about the last page of the first movement since you cited that in your youtube post.

You should be able to read measure numbers, no? I lent my score of the Dragonetti to a friend a week or so ago. So I can't give you a exact fingering. I can only go by memory (It has been a while since I played the dragonetti).

What exactly is your problem? Do you not know where the harmonics are? Do you not know how to finger them?

If you have a scratchy sound playing to close to the bridge that is because that is what it sounds like. Try not being super close?
 
#11
jallenbass said:
:eyebrow:
Click to expand...

Because, you don't know if he is talking about the last page of the first movement, second, or third. And saying that the bunch of lines with harmonics isn't very helpful to locating a spot. The Dragonetti is full of harmonics on the last page of the first and third movements. Just saying, a measure number would help him more than just, "...on the last page and it has a whole different set of harmonics..." would help him. Especially since the Dragonetti basically follows the same harmonics throughout.
 
#12
My measure numbers are all messed up because this version follows a condensed piano part, I don't know why, but a lot of the few measure rests are different in this version, so saying measure numbers would mean nothing, And everything is all about the first movement until I'm done with it. This is the first time I've ever done more than one harmonic in a row, so I'm going by ear and feel.
 
#13
lloccmttocs said:
My measure numbers are all messed up because this version follows a condensed piano part, I don't know why, but a lot of the few measure rests are different in this version, so saying measure numbers would mean nothing, And everything is all about the first movement until I'm done with it. This is the first time I've ever done more than one harmonic in a row, so I'm going by ear and feel.
Click to expand...

I guess I can understand, be more descriptive on the spot if you don't have measure numbers, or even count from the end.
 
#14
You've said that you've located the harmonics yourself by trial and error? Ok, good. Now, you seem to be trying to get a clear sound out of them? If your sound is scratchy, then it's likely that you're playing too close to the bridge. The fact is, each harmonic has one particular bow point in which it is most refined and clear. There is actually a recent thread somewhere on here that discusses this (I believe), so for more detailed information you could search that out. My short, simple advice is that you play it extremely slowly, and make each harmonic sound smooth before moving onto the next one. Adjust vertical bow position, and the amount of pressure applied. Also, adjust the length of the bow used. Find your sweet spot. It's different on every bass, but you can find it through experimentation. Check out that other thread, if you can find it.
 

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