Beethoven's 6th, Storm! (far from Perfect!)

[Ken Smith]

Some 5s in Germany from my friend Sven-Henrik Gawron. The first Bass, a Rubner is very similar to Anselm's Bass.

Like Anselm's?; http://www.vektor-bass.de/rubner1957.htm




and this beauty as well; http://www.vektor-bass.de/bohem_5s.htm

[Jeff Moote]

How's the storm going Ken? Have you decided whether you'll do it on the 5 string or the ext? Nobody in my section had an extension so we just played up the octave (or faked notes altogether in the most "stormy" bits, with the grace of our conductor - a former cellist). I really didn't enjoy that and I don't think it sounded as good as it could if we were at least faking our way through it in the correct register. I like the instruction we were given though: "At home, practice playing all the notes accurately. When you come here, just worry about playing in time and at the correct dynamic." At least people acknowledge that some of that movement is unplayable.

I've got my Spiro low C here so I'll let you know how that performs in a couple weeks (per the low B thread in the strings section).

[Ken Smith]

Originally Posted by Jeff Moote

How's the storm going Ken? Have you decided whether you'll do it on the 5 string or the ext? Nobody in my section had an extension so we just played up the octave (or faked notes altogether in the most "stormy" bits, with the grace of our conductor - a former cellist). I really didn't enjoy that and I don't think it sounded as good as it could if we were at least faking our way through it in the correct register. I like the instruction we were given though: "At home, practice playing all the notes accurately. When you come here, just worry about playing in time and at the correct dynamic." At least people acknowledge that some of that movement is unplayable.

I've got my Spiro low C here so I'll let you know how that performs in a couple weeks (per the low B thread in the strings section).

I have my 5er at home tuned to Low C, not B and that makes a difference in two ways. One, the tension is better and two, saves me a shift here and there. In my office I am using an Ext. and getting better everyday. I spoke with a friend in the Philly orch and he showed it to me slow an octave up on a regular 4. It is obvious to me that you must learn the parts in both octaves and at a slow tempo or you will never be able to play it well. He mentioned that some of the players can play every note accurately on the Ext while some, not as accurate.

The 4string speaks better on the Low C than does the thicker B/C string on a 5er. Also, with so much to play on the regular 4 strings, I just might spend my time improving me fast Ext run skills and do it on the 4/Ext Bass and skip the 5er until I get something that a 4 just can't do at all.

A little faking at those speeds seems to be quite normal. I asked another Orch player to show me how he plays a part in the 5th that starts on the a-f, e-f-e-d-C/low and when he did it, he 'ghosted' the 'D' note. When I did it two years ago, I stretched my best and was at worst a little sharp on the D/ext. The Bass I used was big, 42 1/2" string length and that was another hurdle as well.

I guess if the major Orch's. in USA play mainly 4s w/ext and play all the works, it's good enough for me. I will however continue to try playing it on both the 4 and 5 string Bass. One day I even re-tuned two of my Basses in 5ths and that barely lasted till lunch time..lol

[Ken Smith]

As of yesterday, I no longer have my 5-string as I just sold it. I posted this on the 5-string thread as well about selling the Bass.

I have been working on the Storm passage using any of 4 Basses with an Extension. The Gilkes, Martini, Bisiach and a Lott I had here for awhile while the Gilkes was out on loan. One thing for sure is that you must learn the part slowly and an octave up as well to better understand the notes. Hearing them played accurately helps the concept in your mind when playing them on the extension which can be very difficult to play accurately.

I was at the Kimmel one day and talking Bass with Duane Rosengard when he played on a regular 4-string the parts in the Storm but at a slow speed as we discussed the notes. He mentioned that you have to be able to play it slowly or you wont be able to play it at all. He was so right as the first thing I did was slow it down and play it in both octaves on both the 5er and the Ext. Basses.

Now that I am putting some time in with the Ext. and know which Bass I am going to play from now on, it is starting to come together. Rehearsals start in about a month. We only have 4 rehearsals within 10 days (3 hours each) so I have to work on things here way in advance to be prepared.

At this writing I am planning on using my Martini for this concert. The Gilkes might be sold by then so I am not even thinking of playing it now. Both my Hart Bass and the Mystery Bass are at least two months or more from their restorations being completed. Also, I am not even sure which Bow I will use. Since my Bass sounds good with several of my Bows I will choose the Bow that feels better in my hands rather than the one that sounds better on the Bass. Comfort and fatigue are more of a concern to me than an extra ounce of volume or depth. The Martini has plenty of tone and volume so getting 90% of the Bass with comfort is better than 100% with pain!

Thanks for listening. Comments are always welcomed as well as further discussion..

[Ken Smith]

I did the Storm last month using the Gilkes. The shorter string length and slightly brighter audible sound made it my choice. It went just fine. The practice as well as the tips from everyone were very helpful. Thanks to all that replied..