• 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 Mozart Requiem Help!

R

Rosiegsm

Feb 15, 2012
9
0
#1
Hello,

This is a rather desperate plea for help!

I am performing at a concert on the 25th Feb playing Mozart's Requiem and I'm struggling. So I wondered if anybody on here had ever played it on bass, and if so could they possibly help me with some questions that I have?

I've only been playing bass for 7 months, so this is a huge piece to be playing, but I'm the only double bass player at my school..

Thanks for any help! :D
 
#2
You have ten days!!! that's not a lot....
In the nasty bit try to get most of the 3rds and 6ths with 1st finger on the higher note using two strings. This pasage goes fast and you need to practice it with a metronome starting really slow! it's only 6 bars or so but it's the toughest bit of the piece.

The only 2 things I could suggest for the rest of the work is:
don't play too loudly and keep listening all the time.

Start now!!!!! This is no joke.

Good luck FC
 
#3
This is an exceptionally difficult bass part. My general advice for novice players attempting difficult classical works like this is to radically simplify the part. Just play the first sixteenth note of every beat, or even just the first note in every bar when the shyte really hits the fan. You will really be helping out the rest of the orchestra if you focus on providing a solid rhythmic and harmonic outline, no matter how many notes you need to leave out to do it. Good luck!
 
  • Like
Reactions: gnypp45
#5
fergus currie said:
You have ten days!!! that's not a lot....
In the nasty bit try to get most of the 3rds and 6ths with 1st finger on the higher note using two strings. This pasage goes fast and you need to practice it with a metronome starting really slow! it's only 6 bars or so but it's the toughest bit of the piece.

The only 2 things I could suggest for the rest of the work is:
don't play too loudly and keep listening all the time.

Start now!!!!! This is no joke.

Good luck FC
Click to expand...

An alternate approach is to practice the most simple, basic fingerings despite the occasional awkward shift or even double shift. I had to prepare this piece in a short amount of time as well and what really saved me was being able to know that it's either in first or half position or its a high note on the top string. instead of trying to remember if I need to shift now up the A string or later for the leap, I could just keep my eyes on the page and let the dodo fingerings fly. Not the most fluid for the left hand, but its easy on the brain and definitely easier on the bow!

I believe we're thinking of the same passage, but if not, oops... :hyper:

Don't overplay! A lot of the part is pretty intricate but that doesn't mean you should blast away. Listen to a recording! good luck man
 
#7
Hello everyone, thanks for the replies!

Just thought I'd mention that I used to play cello for 5 years in the past, so I have some knowledge, but DB is so much different.

What I'm struggling with most is the quick passages such as in Dies Irae and Domine Jesu. Does anyone know if there are easier ways to play them position wise, as I'm usually in first/half until the G string when you obviously have to move up.

Also, with quick passages in Kyrie, I'm presuming these are all supposed to be separate bows?

Apart from that, I'm not too bad at the other movements and we're also performing Handel's Zadok the Priest which is a nice breath of fresh air, and Gerald Finzi - Eclogue for Piano and Strings Op. 10 which again is pretty tricky.

Thanks for all your help!
 
#8
View attachment Mozart Req. Domine Jesu fingering 2.pdf

Here is a cool fingering for the Domine Jesu. (IV is the E string). If your E string is a duff then I don't reccomend it, but it really worked for us (Greek National Opera) last Easter.

Underneath I have written a simplified version if you can't get round the real passage. As Robo says, the cellists will thank you for not getting in the way.

It takes a bit of practice but the positions are very logical with a lot of small shifts, and extentions in 4th position.

Good luck,
Fergus.
 
#10
Rosiegsm said:
Wow Fergus! Thank you very much. This will be a huge help :D
Click to expand...

It will either help you or land you in big trouble.
Use your discression wisely!

Zadok is dead easy D major all the way if I remember, and a big blast. Here you can play as loud as you like after the choir comes in! This is the piece that they ripped off for the TV coverage of the European Champions League Soccer tournament.

The Ecloque is a fantastic piece (one of my favorites) but it's not tricky.... It's realy quite slow and like Bach. Counting the rests is probably the most demanding part. Also it can sound awful if the tuning isn't spot on.

FC
 
#13
I am also playing this piece and have asked advice from various players about the Domine Jesu, and not got a satisfactory answer, they usually mumbling about try and hit the first note in every group do your best etc.
But your suggestions Fergus are clear and I think the simplified part is a good honest solution if you have little time to prepare. I expect most conductors would not approve but musically which is better a clear line harmonically and rhythmically or a blur of scrambled notes. After all the whole point is we are accompanying a choir.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back