I'm playing Koussevitzky's Chanson Triste, however i'm having some left hand trouble, particularly in the sequence right before the cadenza. The problem I'm having is when it calls for positions with a half step in between the index and the middle finger, with a whole step between the middle and ring finger (kind of like spock if you catch my drift). I don't have much strength in my ring finger, and it always wants to slide back toward the other two fingers. Does anyone have any ideas to help with holding this position, or building the dexterity so that I can work toward it?
Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
Double Bass Koussevitzky
- Thread starter BakerJ
- Start date
I don't have the music in front of me, but I would try spacing the half step in between the thumb and first finger with the whole between 1 and 3. That should feel a lot more comfortable.
I suggest practicing to strengthen the muscles and tendons to do what you need them to do. Start with trills, the most basic of exercises. Slow and accurate at first, add speed as strength permits. Stop if it hurts.
I try to avoid positions like that. It's better to shift down and use a more comfortable hand positon. I try to use 3 basic hand positions and never deviate.
t123
t-123
t-1-23
where "-" indicates a whole tone.
For me, it's better to shift than to put your hand in an unnatural position. It's better on your tendons, and it''s better on your intonation.
Watch Gary Karr's left hand on the youtube videos.
t123
t-123
t-1-23
where "-" indicates a whole tone.
For me, it's better to shift than to put your hand in an unnatural position. It's better on your tendons, and it''s better on your intonation.
Watch Gary Karr's left hand on the youtube videos.
everyone is anatomically different. i'm glad that those positions work for you, but many people (myself included) prefer to shift. i think you overstate your opinion on this. for example, your whole tone fingering suggestion can just as easily be done with 1 3 - 1 3 with a shift. it's good to try everything, even if it's counter-intuitive or a bit uncomfortable at first, but the best thing is to settle on what works for you. i'm quite sure there are plenty of bassists who can handle the koussevitzky with techniques other than streicher and petracchi.
I'm curious as to how everyone before Streicher and Petracchi were able to play this. Posta for example sounds amazing playing this as does Koussevitzky himself.
Those are great teachers who have figured out great ways of playing but its not the be all end all. Nothing is.
Agreed. Posta was just amazing, I think he might be my favorite of all the solo bass I have on LP, of course there are tons of great solo players now, but back then he was really something. There are a few recordings of Posta on emusic now. More than likely, those earlier guys used similar fingerings, they were just not the ones to write the books.
I think if you're going to attempt it, you should practice (slowly) dominant scales playing the top three notes 123. It makes the position a little less intimidating if you can play it anywhere on the neck.
