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Double Bass Is it realistic?

Daniiel89

Guest
Aug 11, 2008
15
0
I've played trumpet for 7 years in an orchestra, and I've realized how much I like playing alone. I was wondering if it is realistic to play classical contrabass by oneself. I mean, I would be playing solo most of the time (and playing with a pianist sometimes). Would it be a good idea to play cello solos on the double bass?
 
Well, what's your goal? It's virtually impossible to become just a professional soloist bassist. I think Edgar Meyer and Gary Karr are the only ones who can really be considered that today (but they do other stuff, too.)

On the other hand, it's totally feasible to learn the bass- I suggest go for it! But make sure to find a good teacher, or you'd be learning technique all wrong. Since you've already got experience playing classical music, the transition wouldn't be that difficult.

Annd really, much of the solo music we play is transcribed from the cello parts. But there's plenty of solo music in general, written for other instruments and written especially for bass.

Best of luck with your bass career! :)
 
Sure, you can absolutely find many pieces, either for cello or double bass, that are "parts" of a larger piece but still sound like the piece overall. One of my warm-up pieces lately has been Greensleeves, for example, which is simple and everyone knows the tune, but I don't need accompaniment for it to sound enjoyable.

I mostly work with etudes, which of course are more solo-oriented, but I've spent some time on imslp finding some bass/cello pieces or parts, and there's a lot of it out there.

Playing music for oneself is of course a valid pursuit of playing an instrument. I'd argue that every musician plays their instrument, and practices, because they love the sound even when they're by themselves.
 

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