Double Bass Koussevitzky Chanson Triste OP2 tips, ideas etc

[Eli_Upright12]

I picked this one up when I was in Ann Arbor at Shar and I was wondering if anyone has any experience with it, tips, helpful hint all greatly appreciated. Thanks

 

[CT DB]

Tips: Don't put tinfoil on your strings or play it with a vibrator.

 

[jdapodaca]

Tips: Don't put tinfoil on your strings or play it with a vibrator.

um....

 

[Eli_Upright12]

Tips: Don't put tinfoil on your strings or play it with a vibrator.

Thanks Ill remember that one next time I feel like experimenting with krinkly S&M bass

 

[Eli_Upright12]

nothing?

 

[neilG]

nothing?

You have the music. You have a bass. Draw the shades, lock the door and have at it. Oh, 3rd finger for the first note. Don't play a harmonic, it sounds weak.

 

[anonymous12251111]

Keep it moving, it can sound really labored if taken too slow. Be sure to count at the beginning, for some reason most people hold the first note for two beats instead of one.

 

[Eli_Upright12]

You have the music. You have a bass. Draw the shades, lock the door and have at it. Oh, 3rd finger for the first note. Don't play a harmonic, it sounds weak.

Yeah after playing it for a while ive gotten the hang of it and that first note does sound really lame as a harmonic, but after seeing some videos of it, it seems like a lot of people play the second note as a harmonic. What does do you think about the first f (or g in solo tuning) should it be in thumb or should I shift down and grab it on the g string?

 

[PocketGroove82]

My college roommate played that **** tune every morning for the two years I lived with him...on guts...ever so out of tune.

I'm gonna have nightmares tonight...or flashbacks.

Thanks for bringing it up. : P

 

[Eli_Upright12]

My college roommate played that **** tune every morning for the two years I lived with him...on guts...ever so out of tune.

I'm gonna have nightmares tonight...or flashbacks.

Thanks for bringing it up. : P

Sorry man, If you have to play song that long to get it right I think you need to take a brake for a while and come back to it.

 

[neilG]

Yeah after playing it for a while ive gotten the hang of it and that first note does sound really lame as a harmonic, but after seeing some videos of it, it seems like a lot of people play the second note as a harmonic. What does do you think about the first f (or g in solo tuning) should it be in thumb or should I shift down and grab it on the g string?

My inclination is to play the F 2nd finger on the D string after a 1st finger A on the G. Don't go by what "a lot" of people do. A lot of people couldn't play this piece if it were a half step higher or lower. In fact, that's your assignment for next week.

 

[Eli_Upright12]

Ive been playing around with both fingering the A on the D string and G string, but the D is always closed and the f is always on the D string Its actually coming along pretty well. that high Bb is kind of hard to hit, because my bass has very high shoulders, but I can get to it well enough.

 

[Dave Whitla]

2 cents: I play the whole first section on the G string except for the lower A's in the second phrase because I prefer the singing sound of the longer string. You could use the harmonic on the repeat for contrast.

 

[anonymous12251111]

Whatever you do, don't slide.

 

[Eli_Upright12]

again thanks for the tips, I think this piece is alot scarier when you first look at it but then it doesn't take too long to realize its not so bad. what fingerings do you guys use for the ascending diminished arpeggios, starting from the slurs?

 

[Cfederle]

I have not looked at this piece in a while, but here are a few thoughts.

For those nasty diminished things try using your thumb right after the break of the instrument, then things get a bit easier.

I also think that on the return of the opening section you should try a different fingering to get a different color. Think I have done it all on the D string as compared to the opening all on the G.

As for slides well they were meant to be in there, just be careful how they are used.

 

[Eli_Upright12]

I played it some more and I think there are a couple notes that can be tastefully slid into, but for the most part its nicer to be precise.In terms of fingerings I think staying on the G string give it a more vibrant bright sound and the D string makes it a little darker, Im not sure quite what I'm shooting for right now so I'll practice up both styles.

 

[Illfavor]

I would recommend playing fingered notes on the D string in the A section as much as possible, for that very reason Eli. Remember this is a "Chanson (song) Triste (sad)". The darkness and depth of tone found on the D string is more suitable for the beginning, the faster middle (and the brilliance of the cadenza) lending itself to the brightness of the G string.

About the slides...to play this sort of music (obviously firmly rooted in the Romantic style) without any sort of portamento seems inaccurate. Of course, too much is incorrect in every style, but I've found it tasteful to slide to a few notes.

A note about performance: I suggest repeating the recap, so it is AABx(cadenza)AA, with the last A being the softest and playing as many notes with light harmonics as possible (and holding off the vibrato on the sustained notes as long as possible). It gives a nice ethereal effect to the ending in my opinion. It suggests a real uncertainty that adds something extramusical.

Hope this helps.

 

[Eli_Upright12]

Ive played this alot the last week and I guess what I could use the most help on is fingering for the cadenza or ideas for practice on it Ive been kind of struggling with the awkward stretches once you get into thumb position on the ascending diminished arpeggios. Any thoughts?