Double Bass How to prepare

[AllegroConBasso]

When I won the audition for principal bass in Astoria I focused on detroying the competition; the other guy didn't stand a chance.

One thing I find effective is the systematic degradation of peoples pyches in the warm-up room by playing the same excerpt they are warming up on louder and faster and better right beside them while staring them in the eye! Talk about fright-night!

In preparation for the battle: I awoke a 5 am for 8 months and played through list immediately at tempo. This is a good way to practise playing when you don't feel comfortable. Practicing outside in cold weather is great for simulating audition jitters (keep a plywood bass on hand in case of cracks!)

I've never really had to pick apart the licks but it is advisable to make sure you have enough rosin on to punch out the strokes. More rosin will keep the bow flying and get to whole ROOM ringing - not just your bass. The machinegun sound seems to win jobs.

As far as your solo is concerned I like the Sarabande from the 5th suite -AS WRITTEN. It is warm and sonorous and lets the commitee know that you have an extension (or in my case a sweet five-string.) From Concertos play Dragonetti, but play it loud. Really, the scalar nature of the first movement is like a big excerpt. Don't worry about the classical style. With enough rosin, it will surely come out.

Hope this helps and remember its all a mind game. I consider myself a great guy, but in the audition you have no friends!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[jneuman]

One thing I find effective is the systematic degradation of peoples pyches in the warm-up room by playing the same excerpt they are warming up on louder and faster and better right beside them while staring them in the eye! Talk about fright-night!

Whatever. If someone attemped something like that with me while in the hyped up pre-audition state, I'd probablly have to get physical with them and their bass. "Oops ,no audition for you today, sorry", or better yet, I would laugh at them while staring them in the eye. But really, You have to be kidding right? That is the most ridiculous thing I have ever read. I would think that any Jacka$$ that needs to resort to tatics like to win a spot must need the gig more than me so they're welcome to it. I miss the days when bassists were mostly cool people with ethics. You might as well be playing violin with an attitude like that. Disgraceful.

Jon

 

[prelims222]

hilarious..

 

[G-force]

dude I bet your incredibow sounds awesome at 5 am....
I love your style but where is this astoria orchestra- I would love to come and study with you.....
G

 

[Johnny L]

I've never really had to pick apart the licks but it is advisable to make sure you have enough rosin on to punch out the strokes. More rosin will keep the bow flying and get to whole ROOM ringing - not just your bass. The machinegun sound seems to win jobs.

This is such good advice, I had to quote it.

What was the deal, ACB? You were trying to kill the audition committee, or they were already dead by the time you got there so no harm done?

Nah, forget those questions. I'd rather ask if you've made any friends.

 

[AllegroConBasso]

Johnny L,

Im sure you and I would be great comrades as we are both bassists and would have countless things to talk about (ie strings, rosin, books, fingerings, rosin, etc.) I do indeed have plenty of friends, but not in the heat of battle. This is all I was saying!

jneuman - A fine proof of my intimidation method. As you showed to everyone by the nature of your response, you would have been effected by my mind-play in the warm-up room. In the passion with which you replied (threats and so forth) I can tell that you were rattled - try to play beethoven 5 when you're rattled! Look, its nothing personal but it worked for me.

Oh yes, and earlier someone was compaining about nerve issues. Good books I can recommend for this are "the inner game of tennis" and Machiavelli's "Art of War". I've never read these, but people who have nerve issues tell me they're great.

 

[a. meyer]

The Astoria Symphony is an auditioned, pre-professional orchestra that plays standard orchestral repertoire. Players are paid a small gratuity for performances. The group rehearses on Wednesday evenings at Hunter College (Manhattan) and presents six to ten programs per season.

This you, stud?

 

[Chris Fitzgerald]

One thing I find effective is the systematic degradation of peoples pyches in the warm-up room by playing the same excerpt they are warming up on louder and faster and better right beside them while staring them in the eye! Talk about fright-night!

Be still, my quaking knees. I hear this works great in Guitar Center, too.

jneuman - A fine proof of my intimidation method. As you showed to everyone by the nature of your response, you would have been effected by my mind-play in the warm-up room. In the passion with which you replied (threats and so forth) I can tell that you were rattled

Yeah, I'm sure he's shaking in his boots, too. Your time here is starting to look really limited.

Good books I can recommend for this are "the inner game of tennis" and Machiavelli's "Art of War". I've never read these, but...

Kind of you to recommend what you haven't read. Ludicrous, but kind.

Gentlemen, please keep a close eye on our oh-so-intimidating friend here. If he continues trolling, you know where to find me.

 

[jneuman]

jneuman - A fine proof of my intimidation method. As you showed to everyone by the nature of your response, you would have been effected by my mind-play in the warm-up room. In the passion with which you replied (threats and so forth) I can tell that you were rattled - try to play beethoven 5 when you're rattled! Look, its nothing personal but it worked for me.

Allegro

Now that I've cooled down (a little) I hope the extreme scenario I described wasn't taken as a threat. I probably would just walk away shaking my head and warm-up somewhere else if that happened to me. What you do need to realize though, is that the folks you alienate with that kind of agressive behavior might be the ones judging your audition the next time 'round. Musical circles are too small to knowingly PO your fellow players like that.

Jon

 

[BGreaney]

I've never really had to pick apart the licks but it is advisable to make sure you have enough rosin on to punch out the strokes. More rosin will keep the bow flying and get to whole ROOM ringing - not just your bass. The machinegun sound seems to win jobs.

i thought this was a joke at first...what licks from any standard audition list have you not had to pick apart? i can't think of one that i really never spent a lot of time on...

As far as your solo is concerned I like the Sarabande from the 5th suite -AS WRITTEN. It is warm and sonorous and lets the commitee know that you have an extension (or in my case a sweet five-string.) From Concertos play Dragonetti, but play it loud. Really, the scalar nature of the first movement is like a big excerpt. Don't worry about the classical style. With enough rosin, it will surely come out.

No one wants to hear you use your extension playing bach! what kind of advice is that to give? heck, if you're good enough, the committee won't care that you have an extension in the first place. classical style does not equal loud and rosiny. it hurts my head thinking that someone thinks like this...

 

[Ben Joella]

I thought Allegro was joking too!!! Seriously Allegro, where is your gig?

 

[EFischer1]

I think that this guy is probably the funniest thing ever.

ACB - If you wanna go out for a beer some time, call me. I live in midtown and I'd love to hear more of your "eye of the tiger" stories. But I would have to have a good dozen beers before i could even begin to take you seriously.

 

[BGreaney]

i shall join in that meeting involving massive consumption of alcohol!

 

[EFischer1]

All are invited.

 

[BGreaney]

touche

 

[AllegroConBasso]

I can see that I have somewhat upset my valued colleagues. Jneuman made a good point that it is not advisable to alieante oneself from other candidates at auditions as you may likely meet them again down the road. Of course if you win all the time...but still, point taken.

You have all opened my eyes that perhaps the stare-down is excessive and even unnecessary as I am sure good playing is enough to intimidate in the warmup room. Rather make visual contact with my 'prey' I will now simply focus on the task at hand -supreme victory!!!!!!!!!

As far as the beers are concerned, in all seriousness, I must advise you to abstain from alcohol when focusing on advancing your career. It will only slow down your spiccato and force you to use more rosin to acheive clear articulation. One may also suffer from a case of 'fumble-fingers' which can only be reversed by adequate rest, proper nutrition, icepaks before bed, and winsor pilates.

See you at the next audition - and this time we'll stay friends!

 

[AllegroConBasso]

now that we're all friends again, I thought I would let you in on a little secret. In an earlier forum I discussed my 'mallet stroke' technique and I thought you all might have some valuable insights.

An excercise I enjoy is spiccato. But more specifically HIGH spiccato. My initial studies on the double bass were with the band teacher at the local junior highschool who happened to be a fine percussionist. He turned me on to thinking of the bass as a large wooden, stringed, soundboard - similar to the skin of a timpani head. The similarities are uncanny (read some Asimov if you are interested in the Physics pertaining to this).

Have you ever seen a timpanist acheive a loud dynamic by starting his stroke a mere inch above the head? No, of course not. So, in this day and age, we bassists must too learn a high vertical stroke like the downward thrust of a mallet. See, by not wasting time and energy on horizontal bow motion in the strokes, we can acheive the highest level of spiccato and allow the body of the instument to resonate the length and taper of the tone (like the body of the kettle drum).

Master this stroke and you are sure to turn heads with your playing. In my orchestra, the stands of cellists in front of me turn around wide-eyed a dozen times per rehearsal. They call the sound I pull unbelievable.

Start with your metronome on 120 to the quarter and thump out eighths making sure to clear the string by as much as you can. Through time the stroke will get bigger and bigger. Also note that one's stick must be very tight and one must use plenty of rosin to attain a core sound through minimal horizontal length.

This should help! Good luck one and all! In the words of Hal happy "strokin'"

 

[a. meyer]

Rather make visual contact with my 'prey' I will now simply focus on the task at hand -supreme victory!!!!!!!!!

That's legit! What auditions are you planning on taking?

 

[EFischer1]

I think that our new friend (stand-partner of the aforementioned retired dentist) seems to have misconstrued my earlier suggestion.

We didn't want to drink WHILE playing bass, we simply wanted to partake in a few adult beverages in a social setting. Saavy?

 

[Prescottissimo]

Could it be that some people responding are jealous of ACB? Many seem to be taking the so-called 'high road' of musicality and comradeship. It is because you can't punch out the licks as fast and hard as ACB with more rosin? ACB, you and I are on the same page! When I won my fat pre-professional orch gig I destroyed 100% of my competition in the warmup room too, the poor slob. I didn't have to stare him down; I sat behind him and blasted him into oblivion; each note from my massive 5 string jolting him like a taser gun. And I had bad g@s. My GI tract thrives on the competition!!!

But ACB if you are reading don't assume my friendship. If I ever see you at a pre-professional audition I will destroy you with my massive sound, flying rosin, and smelly f@rts just like the next guy.
Don't take personal. I'll post some handy bass tips too.