C-Extensions

[Ken Smith]

Originally Posted by Ken McKay

I remember listening to Paul Warburton play quite often when I was taking lessons from him in Denver. On his Bohmann fiver, we (the audience) would be lucky if he hit one or two choice notes on the B string during an entire night of playing.

I am mainly referring to playing Orchestra, not jazz clubs. That's where the extension work comes in. For me, throwing in a low note in jazz is by choice and done often for self satisfaction. I know this from personal experience. Playing the written notes in an Orchestra is more of a job whether you're having fun doing it or not. I just got this Schubert piece for a chamber concert and there are Eb's in much of the first movement and and a D or two that I noticed. Playing the runs without the Ext. or a 5er sounds just wrong. de-tuning is not much of an option either unless you have no choice. The part should be played as written as I intend to do so.

If you wanna see the bass play some low notes, go to the Orchestra hall, not the beer hall!