Double Bass William Tell Overture galluping theme bowing?

[stefaniw80401]

I didn't see this question discussed in our forum. What do you suggest for the bowing in William Tell Overture galluping theme? Our conductor (cellist) wants: down-down-up. I seem to get a cleaner sound by bouncing down-down-down. Any suggestions are appreciated. - Mark

 

[fcleff]

Talk to the conductor and/or play for him. But, ultimately, you would have to defer to their judgement and that of your pricipal.

 

[sibass89]

Ricochet down down up and 3 ups at the end of each phrase. These is the pretty standard bowing. The key to this is to not have the bow to tight, drop it on the string and pull. It's not an easy bowing, and it's even harder to get clean but once you get it, it's not that bad and the effect is much better than separate or all on one bow.

 

[Heifetzbass]

Ricochet down down up and 3 ups at the end of each phrase. These is the pretty standard bowing. The key to this is to not have the bow to tight, drop it on the string and pull. It's not an easy bowing, and it's even harder to get clean but once you get it, it's not that bad and the effect is much better than separate or all on one bow.

+1

This is the "standard" bowing.

 

[bbates77]

Placement of the bow also helps, depending on the balance point of the bow. I find the best place on my bow (German "Carbow" Carbon Fibre Bow) is 3/4 of the bow closer to the tip. Down down up then 3 ups at the end of the phrase works fine for me.

But you can't just choose your own bowing, you have to do what your principal wants, which is going to have to be what the conductor or concert master wants because the rest of the string section will have to be uniform.

 

[bullfiddle]

William Tell Overture galluping theme? Any suggestions are appreciated. - Mark

I don't want to be disagreeable with the previous commentors, but I just finished performing it in May.

Our section decided on,
Down down down, Up up up, Down down down, Up up
Down down down, Up up up, Down down down, Up up
Down down down, Up up up, Down down down, Up up
Here the dynamic changes dramatically so...
Down up down... and then as it normally comes.

I realize that the norm is to play it...
Down down up, Down down up and so on, but that leaves you still at the tip when you get to the Fortissimo. Unwise, or at least our concensus was so.

I must admit though that the down down up just cited is more fun. But we were trying for a greater contrast between the Fortissimo and Pianissimo. Weak sections.