Double Bass L’ Éléphant

[CaseyVancouver]

The elephant is an interesting creature. I first came close to one at the Hawaii zoo and was amazed at it’s size and gentleness. It seemed like a big beautiful pet. She had eye lashes that were 3 ft long. Ears 4-6 ft long and 5 ft wide. As well as with ears they listen with their feet and communicate in the infrasonic range, lower than we hear. They talk to each other long distance under the ground 5km apart. It sounds like rumbles to us.

Barry Lieberman on YouTube does a nice job showing tips on playing the solo from Carnival of the Animals.

 

[CaseyVancouver]

 

[John Le Guyader]

Very interesting all round...thx for sharing

 

[ejaggers]

God made the elephant
tall and long
Wasn’t satisfied until he
made him strong

Made him a trunk so he could
pick up hay
Gave him water just to
watch him spray

Made him ears so he could
hear the sound
Gave him eyes to watch the
sun go down

Made him a tail so he could
swat the flies
Gave him legs with
great big thighs

Gave him tusks with a
10-foot span
And said you’re the baddest all over the land

'Cause he's a big Mother Fuyer don’t 'cha know
He's a bad Mother Fuyer don’t 'cha know
He's a mean Mother Fuyer
I ain't gonna tell ya' no lie.

057912

 

[Quinn Roberts]

What's up with his headstock? Is it some sort of mic?

 

[iamthebassplayr]

What's up with his headstock? Is it some sort of mic?

I think you're talking about his extension.. It is a machined style extension which used to be a little more popular, and are still generally preferred in the UK I believe.

Click for full size

 

[CaseyVancouver]

What's up with his headstock? Is it some sort of mic?

That’s an old Stenholm low C extension. They were very popular 1940 to around 1970. Orchestral music sometimes goes to low C like a cello. To get the low C Europeans tend to play 5 string basses, Americans/English use an extension and the occasional Canadian tunes in 5ths

 

[Quinn Roberts]

That's too cool! I've seen extensions on basses before but never like that. Does it work in reverse as well? As in, can you barre it on say an F or F# note also?

 

[Bruce Calin]

I was part of a small chamber group that performed " The Carnival of the Animals" several years ago and used Mr. Lieberman's suggestions in putting together my version of "The Elephant". Playing it in the context of the entire suite really made a big difference in how I approached it. There are several versions on YouTube that are terribly cartoonish and stupid. It is a fun piece to play and doesn't need to be hammed up.

 

[Who da Ville]

There are several versions on YouTube that are terribly cartoonish and stupid

I considered learning this piece a while back, but didn't because I didn't like the youtube versions. I printed this chart out yesterday & started working on it. I like it just fine so far, but have a little way to go before I 'feel' it...

 

[Inky13]

Saint-Saens is one of my all time favorite composers.
Nice post!

 

[Bruce Calin]

There's a version of the entire suite on YouTube by the Salt Lake Youth Orchestra with a very good performance by an excellent young bassist- fun video, too.