Does This Work?

Hey there,

I'm currently working on an orchestral piece for a film. The first phrase is played by the string section only (14/12/10/8/6), in a rather low register (see attachment). Due to this fact, the bass voice can be played by the contrabass only, since the sopran voice, its register being too low for the violins, is played by the violas.

Now my question: Does it still sound good if the bass is played by the contrabass only? Do you know any pieces where this type of orchestration is used? I am looking for a rather eerie, "evil" sound.

(also, the viola and the contrabass are probably going to play divisi to get a more balanced sound).

- Keman

Why not double the basses at the octave with the cellos?

That's my question. But who plays the tenor voice then?

I once read that when the cello plays tenor and the bass the bas, the bass can be somewhat too soft. It isn't much and because you divide the celli not a problem at all.

If you think it gets too thing add a contrabassoon with the bass and 2 bassoons with the celli. Or a pp trombone choir. Or with low clarinets or horns, love the sound of that. But maybe it is getting to warm and full and noble for you evil intentions :D

Should be alright as long as the celli shut up - you could have them muted of course, and mark the bass up one degree of dynamic. And there are no rules against dividing the celli into three (or moving between two and three); plenty of examples from the repertoire although be careful of having so many voices in a low register to avoid muddyness. There is probably no need to double anything at the octave in this register.

Just noticed Tchaikovsky does the same thing at the start of the second movement of his Fifth Symphony:

What you have is fine. I think doubling the bass part 8vb would be lovely. Perhaps a bass clarinet at the current octave, then pull the basses 8vb.

Thoughts: That F minor 6 (or D dim in 1st inversion) may sound pretty muddy in that inversion. If you did this in root position with basses in octavo on the low end (make sure they have an extension or five string) will sound AWESOME! Fifths in the low register can really ring although the tritne would me muddy also. My $0.02