Double Bass Opening Brahms 1

[LouisF]

We're near blows on the opening bars of the Brahms first (Cminor) - separate bows for each of the 8th notes? tie 4+4? all in one bow??

Votes/opinions anyone?
Thanks

Louis

 

[Rob Thompson]

All separate is my vote. Heavy sound, each note having a bite. I think emulating the timpani here is the right idea. I also vote to drop the C if you aren't already.

 

[Phil Smith]

Single bow, six attacks.

 

[User4843936]

what crowsmengegus said... karajan/berlin phil style

 

[LouisF]

Thank you! It's nice to know I'm right!!
Louis

 

[fergus currie]

It all depends on what the others do. I've done it 6, 3 and 1 note to the bow. All for different reasons. In music no one is right or wrong. But as Crow says listen to the timps and see if he accents 1 and 4 or just one, or if all his strokes are the same. If you are still stuck (and I'm assuming you are the principal bass here) go to the maestro in the break and have a little chat about it.

Personally I like them all seperate but I wouldn't lose any sleep about doing it any other way (well perhaps I would If I was asked to play 2 and 1!)

FC

 

[robobass]

I decided to open my Zimmerman book and have a look. I see there are no slur markings, and I assume the detached bowing marks are Oscar's. I sort of rememner other editions sluring 3+3, but I may be thinking of something else. Since it's also Forte and "pesante", it seems like detached would be the way to go. Persomnally, if I were bowing my open extension C - string I would absolutely prefer up/down/up...

I can see why a conductor might want 3+3 though. If there are a lot of extension basses in the section then doing it detached could lead to a testorone fueled pissing contest

 

[LouisF]

Thanks!

 

[Eric Swanson]

Most helpful thing I can add is that you folks start scuffling, be sure to use a CF bow in the ensuing brawl; save the pernambuco for playing...

 

[LouisF]

We were duelling with those cheap Ebay sticks... but seriously folks... After consultation with David Weiss (the conductor and former principal oboe of the LA Phil) we're doing all downbows at the opening -- and boy do we like it (I think Carlo Maria Guilini did it that way with the Phil)
Louis

 

[Rob Thompson]

We were duelling with those cheap Ebay sticks... but seriously folks... After consultation with David Weiss (the conductor and former principal oboe of the LA Phil) we're doing all downbows at the opening -- and boy do we like it (I think Carlo Maria Guilini did it that way with the Phil)
Louis

Never get your bowings from oboe players...

 

[LouisF]

Yeah... it kinda works...and we're drifting back to normal...

 

[robobass]

Most helpful thing I can add is that you folks start scuffling, be sure to use a CF bow in the ensuing brawl; save the pernambuco for playing...

Yeah. Too bad there aren't Carbon Steel bows! I can think of lot's of occasions where one would have been quite useful.

 

[Rob Thompson]

Yeah. Too bad there aren't Carbon Steel bows! I can think of lot's of occasions where one would have been quite useful.

Handy for the anarchy symphony, where everyone has a different bowing in their part and the audience claps in between movements...