Jump to content

Recommended Posts

Posted

Hello,

Currently, I am writing a piece including Double Bass. I want to have the Bassist play a natural harmonic, but I cannot find a correct solution for the notation like in the following passage:

Knipsel.JPG

(Do not mind the red notes)
(The notes sound an octave lower)

The result of the harmonic is an A4, but the open string is a D2 and the fingering an F2, with the result of 7 ledger lines...
If I write the harmonic in the treble clef the passage is as follows:

Knipsel.JPG

Although there are less ledger lines (4) I think this looks terrible too and I don't know if a bassist is able to read so many ledger lines below the treble clef.

I have thought about using the tenor, alto or soprano clef, but is this allowed? Can bassist read these clefs?
Do you have any advice for me?

Maarten

Posted

First of all, a bass stretching a 4th is nearly impossible in the lower to middle positions so be careful when you're using this.
Secondly, yes, they can read tenor clef. Alto and soprano clef should never be used ever, unless used for those specific eras.

  • Thanks 1
Posted
32 minutes ago, Monarcheon said:

First of all, a bass stretching a 4th is nearly impossible in the lower to middle positions so be careful when you're using this.
Secondly, yes, they can read tenor clef. Alto and soprano clef should never be used ever, unless used for those specific eras.

 

Thanks!

Do you know any easier harmonics to achieve this high A?

Or an octave below?

Posted
2 minutes ago, Monarcheon said:

Sorry, my bad. You're basically finding a point on the D or A strings that will halve or quarter the wavelength of the string without losing cents.

 

No problem, but is the harmonic possible or not?

Posted
48 minutes ago, Monarcheon said:

Yours? I don't think so, or you need extreme piano hands.

 

To be sure, I asked a professional Bassist. He says it is very easy to achieve the A4, because it is the fourth harmonic.
Still, thank you!

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

×
×
  • Create New...