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Date: Fri, 10 Dec 1999 19:37:14 -0500
From: Bob Thomas <thomas@usit.net>
Subject: Re: String basses
Reply-To: contrabass@contrabass.comIn some orchestral pieces, the string basses & cellos read the same part -
range to written C two ledger lines below the staff. Bass sounds an octave
lower, but standard tuning goes only to written low E.
That's why you see low C extensions for the E string (either fingered or
mechanical) or a 5th string usually tuned to low C in orchestras. Some
bassists think that the added pressure of the 5th string on the table
affects tone & volume. But that's what the 3 string bassists said about 4
string basses in the last century. And of course, violones have 6 (or
sometimes 7?) strings.
b.folks wrote:
>>What's the state of the art in a symphonic or chamber string bass? I
>>know that a lot of Bach calls for notes below the common low E. I've
>>played at least one piece that, I thought, could have used a sixth low
>>string.
>>
>>When I finally get rich enough to buy my own string bass, what shall I
>>look for?
>
>I can't think of any works that call for anything lower than low C
>(written C below the bass clef). I know there are 5-string acoustic
>basses around, but 6?---------------------------------------------------------
From: Fmmck@aol.com
Date: Sat, 11 Dec 1999 10:21:46 EST
Subject: Re: Instrument Stand
Reply-To: contrabass@contrabass.comIn a message dated 12/10/99 1:39:44 PM, gdgreen@contrabass.com writes:
<< I use a K&M bassoon/bass clarinet stand, for both my straight
contralto clarinet, and my bass sarrusophone (I pried the upper U
apart a bit to take the bell). >>Grant-
I found K&M instrument stands at http://www.k-m.de/km/e_km-produkte.html.
They list two models of Bassoon stands, both advertised as working with a
Bass Clarinet. They are the 150/1 and the 15040. Which one do you have?Fred
http://www.dreamnetstudios.com/music/mmb/index.htm
---------------------------------------------------------Date: Sat, 11 Dec 1999 15:11:52 -0500
From: John Howell <John.Howell@vt.edu>
Subject: String basses
Reply-To: contrabass@contrabass.com>From: "J. Daniel Ashton" <jdashton@bellsouth.net>
>What's the state of the art in a symphonic or chamber string bass? I
>know that a lot of Bach calls for notes below the common low E. I've
>played at least one piece that, I thought, could have used a sixth low
>string.Concept problem here. Bach seldom scored a separate part for string bass.
(The opening chorus of the St. John Passion is one of the exceptions.)
Instead, what he and just about every other Baroque composer did was to
write a "Bass" part, which in practice would have been played by some
combination of cello, string bass, bass viola da gamba, bassoon, and of
course the left hand of the keyboard player (while the right hand filled in
chords).It was typical to write down to Great C because that was the lowest note on
the organ keyboard and the lowest note on the cello and bassoon. Viola da
gamba only goes down to D, and string bass (with standard modern tuning) to
E. Those players would simply have adjusted the parts when they went too
low, just as orchestral bassists do on Bach and Mozart and Haydn all the
time if they don't have extensions.If you plan to be an orchestral bassist, you'll want to think about getting
one with an extension. (I assume those go down to C, but I've never really
thought about it.) But the thing to do is to talk it over with your
teacher and learn what all the options are.John
John & Susie Howell
Virginia Tech Department of Music
Blacksburg, Virginia, U.S.A. 24061-0240
Vox (540) 231-8411 Fax (540) 231-5034
(mailto:John.Howell@vt.edu)
http://www.music.vt.edu/faculty/howell/howell.html
---------------------------------------------------------
Date: Sat, 11 Dec 1999 21:00:42 +0000 (GMT)
From: Barrister@slavedriver.co.uk
Subject: Bass Extensions
Reply-To: contrabass@contrabass.comAs a rule, most professional orchestral bassists will have a C extension. They're not necessary, but I haven't seen many bassists without one. Or at leats, you should own a second instrument with one.
It's like this: a three-valve tuba will get you through high school, but later, you really need to consider getting a rotary valve, or a four, five, or six valve instrument. A slide trombone will get you through high school, but eventually you'll want an extension and a trigger.
So you should get a C extension if you're going to become a professional player.
A 5-string bass is another issue entirely. You rarely see anyone with these; aesthetically they look better the basses with extensions, because, well, it's obtrusive having that great big thing sticking up from the neck. And it's easier to play than an extension, because you can use your fingers on the strings. But they're expensive and rare.-Michael Barrister
-------------------------------------------------------------------
yourname@0-0-7.co.uk or yourname@shaken-not-stirred.co.uk
The domain's Bond, James Bond - only from www.funmail.co.uk---------------------------------------------------------
From: "Merlin Williams" <merlinw@netcom.ca>
Subject: Re: Bass Extensions
Date: Sat, 11 Dec 1999 16:13:34 -0500
Reply-To: contrabass@contrabass.comNobody has mentioned the other alternative that orchestral bassists use for
playing down to a low C. Some, such as Joel Quarrington of the Toronto
Symphony use a C-G-D-A tuning. In other words, cello tuning down an octave. Check out
Joel's Naxo album of Bottesini sonatas - it's remarkable.Merlin Williams
http://www.netcom.ca/~merlinw
A member of the SaxRing,
the Duke Ellington Ring,
and the Single Reed Ring.
-----Original Message-----
From: Barrister@slavedriver.co.uk <Barrister@slavedriver.co.uk>
To: contrabass@contrabass.com <contrabass@contrabass.com>
Date: December 11, 1999 4:02 PM
Subject: Bass Extensions> As a rule, most professional orchestral bassists will have a C extension.
They're not necessary, but I haven't seen many bassists without one. Or at
leats, you should own a second instrument with one.
> It's like this: a three-valve tuba will get you through high school, but
later, you really need to consider getting a rotary valve, or a four, five,
or six valve instrument. A slide trombone will get you through high school,
but eventually you'll want an extension and a trigger.
> So you should get a C extension if you're going to become a professional
player.
> A 5-string bass is another issue entirely. You rarely see anyone with
these; aesthetically they look better the basses with extensions, because,
well, it's obtrusive having that great big thing sticking up from the neck.
And it's easier to play than an extension, because you can use your fingers
on the strings. But they're expensive and rare.
>
>-Michael Barrister
>-------------------------------------------------------------------
> yourname@0-0-7.co.uk or yourname@shaken-not-stirred.co.uk
> The domain's Bond, James Bond - only from www.funmail.co.uk
>
>
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