Contrabass Digest

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2004-08-31

 
Date: Mon, 30 Aug 2004 16:26:59 -0700
From: tubadave
Subject: Re: [CB] [CB Digest]


Though I certainly do not disagree with the statement "composers are still ignorant about contrabass instruments" looking at your survey results appears to follow the British town band system, where the mellophone (Eb horn) & Eb tuba are still popular. making treble cleff tuba & trombone parts is just another day in the life of a doubler filling in a sonic hole that otherwise would go unfilled. it's great to see a piece distributed like that really. One would never know by looking at the band as a group that they all were just Bb trumpet players. Lol...

D.F.

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From: ContraReed
Date: Mon, 30 Aug 2004 20:07:33 EDT
Subject: Re: [CB] string bass solo tuning


In a message dated 8/30/04 8:15:59 AM Eastern Daylight Time, sande hackel writes:

<< Is the solo tuning something that is not used often?  Or is this commonly used for soloists? Do most players do the Dittersdorf in normal tuning? >>

IIRC, if a solo is written for solo tuning, the player will use solo tuning.  There might be other cases where they would use solo tuning, but it would require them to redo the accompaniment a step higher.  Since this question arose a few days ago, I've asked a couple of bass player friends, and they all  admit to having a bass which they use exclusively for pieces written for solo tuning.  Of course, since I see them in orchestras, I almost never see their solo instruments. (One player, who is married to another bass player, and their daughter is also a bass player, admitted to having 7 string basses at home.  I guess they don't have room for furniture.)

I was a string bass minor in college, and the Dittersdorf concerto was one of the pieces I worked on.  Since at the time (mid 70's), we couldn't find a piano accompaniment in D, I had to write one out.  (I won't talk about the jerk bass major who thought since I had the copy, I'd be more than willing to let him borrow it.  He ended up spending most of one day and two nights frantically scribbling out his own when he realized he'd need one for a jury - and the pianist wasn't too happy about having to sight read it at the jury).

Richard
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From: "Jay and Adrienne Easton"
Subject: Re: [CB] [CB Digest]
Date: Mon, 30 Aug 2004 18:23:02 -0700


Hi Arthur,

When Simon had originally mentioned the idea a number of months back, I volunteered to try to arrange a location at the UW for a demonstration, and to spread the word amongst local saxophonists. I haven't really gotten much beyond that point, and any involvement you wish to have would be very welcome indeed!

All the best,

Jay Easton
www.jayeaston.com


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From: "arthur grossman"
Subject: Re: [CB] [CB Digest]
Date: Mon, 30 Aug 2004 19:21:18 -0700


Fine, happy to help, just wanted to know if it was you for sure that are organizing it.  The original post mentioned a contraforte, but I would doubt that he would actually bring one.  If he does, then I would certainly want to be involved.

***End of Contrabass Digest***

 
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