Double Bass Playing a march

[Tonysuarezbass]

Hi everyome, I'm the go to bass player at my high school, and I was recently asked to play with the Navy Band. The piece we are playing is a march, and the piece does not mark to play Arco or pizz. Any help as to what I should do? The show is Sunday and I want to be spot on with my technique.

 

[gnypp45]

Arco is the default mode in notated music. And it makes sense musically.

 

[bejoyous]

Most likely, you'll be doubling what the tubas will be playing. Arco will make for a louder, more sustained note. Think of it as an opportunity to practice using the whole bow for a quarter note.

 

[korndogg524]

Don't know if you still want this information or not, but typically it is arco unless stated, if it never is stated to change then use your discretion based on the musicality of the piece. Typically the quieter Trio section of a march will be pizz but not always. I personally hate how boring the parts to marches are, but sometimes you gotta play them to pay the bills!

 

[Anton Avis]

Hi everyome, I'm the go to bass player at my high school, and I was recently asked to play with the Navy Band. The piece we are playing is a march, and the piece does not mark to play Arco or pizz. Any help as to what I should do? The show is Sunday and I want to be spot on with my technique.

I know it's after the concert but i'd say you should use staccato bowing for that is often what marches want. I was playing Holst recently and there was no plucking just bowing so that is what i would do