Double Bass Mahler 1

[LouisF]

I'm not sure if this is the right forum, but the Berlin Phil is doing Mahler 1 Saturday and Sunday (12/12 & 13):

Andris Nelsons and Baiba Skride

The Berliners have multiple principals (Esko Lane, Janne Saksala, Matthew McDonald) so I don't know who will be doing the solo.
Louis

 

[iamthebassplayr]

Just finished watching this. Saksala was playing =)

 

[Neil Pye]

It's amazing how difficult that simple little tune becomes in front of an audience, when those timps start up! I've played that in public five times now, in venues ranging from the Royal Albert Hall to the local High School gym, and to be honest I never want to do it again. Each time, as I get older and more aware of my inadequacies, it get harder and scarier!!!

The weird thing is I can play it with my eyes closed - literally!

 

[LouisF]

I've done it in performance once and remember thinking, "what's all the fuss about..." until the first rehearsal when the timpani were WAY across the stage and everybody was focused on... OY!

 

[Neil Pye]

The last time I played it, the stage fright was so bad in rehearsal it almost made me give up playing altogether. In the performance I thought I was going to pass out - tunnel vision, no hearing, palpitations, vomiting in the brak before the symphony. Horrible. Since then I've played a few other solos and it's not been so bad. Bass players get very little practice at managing that stuff. There's a book called "The Inner Game of Music" which helped me a lot

 

[Andy Mopley]

On D string with harmonics or G string, any preference here?

 

[LouisF]

G string for me -- just seemed cleaner and clearer

 

[Bruce Calin]

One thing I've learned to tune out is "advice" from some other string players(not bassists) about how to play some of our solos(Mahler, Lt. Kije, etc.). This may be well meaning but too often is condescending, inappropriate, or just bad. I know how much vibrato I want to use or not use and I will take other direction from the conductor, thank you very much. Even this may take some editing or adaptation.

 

[Andy Mopley]

Are we still down in the pecking order, then, Bruce, when it comes to Double bass in a string section? Must admit there is an element of truth in what you say, and can't honestly recall last time a DB player gave advice to a cello / violin or viola player...maybe we are too humble ...

 

[Neil Pye]

Are we still down in the pecking order, then, Bruce, when it comes to Double bass in a string section? Must admit there is an element of truth in what you say, and can't honestly recall last time a DB player gave advice to a cello / violin or viola player...maybe we are too humble ...

I do occasionally offer advice to the cellos, but as the violins are led by a proper pro, I would not interfere there! If there is something that needs saying, I will normally say it.
As for the playing of the Mahler 1 solo, I think G string works best, even going down for the A, but in the end it's up to you how you do it. The only thing I would say is if you're going to play it across the strings in thumb position, don't use the harmonics, the different quality of tone stands out too much!