Double Bass Left Hand Pizz +

[Wyzird05]

I'm playing pit in Les Mis and a few sections call for left-hand pizz (+). Does anyone have advice about performing this technique?

Google and YouTube searches have turned up results for violin, but it doesn't seem like that technique would produce much sound on the double bass.

 

[neilG]

LH pizz is usually just a way to pizz quickly when there's no time to re-position your bow for pizz, or when playing a bowed note at the same time. If you can play the pizz better with your right hand, go for it. You're in the pit, nobody can see you.

As for technique, there's no single method: just grab the string with an available finger and pluck. It will not usually produce as much sound as right hand pizz.

 

[Michael Eisenman]

I use it when I need to turn the page and have an open string to play.

 

[Andrew McGregor]

However... I would interpret that notation as a snap pizz instead, where you pull the string straight up away from the fingerboard, so you get the snap as it hits. You might want to clarify the intention of the part.

 

[PaulCannon]

However... I would interpret that notation as a snap pizz instead, where you pull the string straight up away from the fingerboard, so you get the snap as it hits. You might want to clarify the intention of the part.

No, a + symbol would usually indicate a left hand pizz. Bartok (snap) pizzes are more often marked with either a + (or verticle line) over a circle.

Like so:

 

[Andrew McGregor]

D'oh... that's showing how long it is since I've played any of that literature... now if only my bass was in the same country as me, I might get to do that.

 

[Les Fret]

Google and YouTube searches have turned up results for violin, but it doesn't seem like that technique would produce much sound on the double bass.

I like the technique but I think that you will not use this much on bass (although you can). Sounds better and snappier and cleaner on violin because of the thin strings I guess.

 

[Jules Bas]

I can't play LH pizz very good jet but I know it can be played well on bass. I think the loudness depends on which finger you use. If you use 2 or 4 finger it will be probably louder then with the first as the previous fingers are supporting the one you are using. Maybe if you practice playing scales or some small exercises without playing with the other hand, just 'grippin' will
help you get some strength for this.
It would be nice if some soloist would tell more about it.


You can hear it can be done very good here


watch around 0:36

and if you have a chance to listen to a record by Zoran Marković there is a wonderful example in song from Nenad First - White Dawn of Hopi

 

[barend]

those are very nice recordings! thank you for that.

Although technically speaking those are left hand spiccatos I think the technique that is talked about here (the technique mostly used on violin and normally meant by the term left hand spiccato) is a different kind of technique than the ones showed on those videos.

 

[Jules Bas]

as far as i know term spiccato is used only in bowing.
i can think only of two ways of playing pizz with only l-h
the first- to pres(strike) the string against the fingerboard with only l-h fingers or the other one that violinists use.

if i understand they pull the string with l-h fingers to get an open string pizz or press a string with first finger and pluck with 3rd or 4th to get a pitch. (in those previous videos stefano and mingus use this technique but in thumb position with thumb for pitch and pluck with 1st)


around 4:00

I hope you find you answer..

 

[barend]

sorry, meant pizzicato instead of spiccato in my previous post!