Its an extension that allows the low e string to drop to low c. The book then shows a tuning of egda from bottom to top string. Upton bass brescian model double bass, 2020, opus 203 this new brescian was particularly rewarding to make, its a stateoftheart fully carved version with exceptional wood figured spruce top and rippling big. Double bass is a widely used name for a large stringed instrument.
This makes it easier for the double bass player, the other musicians, and the audience to hear the double bass s musical notes. A joyous celebration of family, community, and the unifying power of music, perfect for fans of last stop on market. The double bass, also called the string bass or upright bass, is a bowed stringed instrument with a hollow wooden body and four strings tuned eadg. Viols are old string instruments from the 1400s and 1500s with sloping shoulders on the instruments body and flat backs. Like most retailers at this time, due to covid19, we may experience shipping delays on some orders. It has two basic designsone shaped like a viol or viola da gamba and the other like a violinbut there are other designs, such as that of. The gated c extension will still work even if the scroll is at or above the neck projection line and no cutting of the scroll will be needed. Retuning the double bass is relatively common, although most music sticks with the standard tuning albeit with a low c extension. In the course of history many bass and doublebass instruments of both string families were described as violones.
This is probably the most comprehensive and complete book on double bass setup, repair. There are a few pages about the history of the extension in paul bruns book, if you. These are much more common in the bass guitar world, especially the 5 string bass, but many double bassists prefer a c extension to get those low notes. Strings are vertical while imaginary frets are shown horizontally. Solo techniques for unaccompanied pizzicato jazz double. The double bass also has influences from the viol family. Bass plans life size patterns for basses illustrated and discussed in the book by peter chandler.
The cextension on the double basss lowest string is not needed most of the time, even uncharacteristic to the instrument in a way. Historical and practical considerations for the tuning of double. Double bass, stringed musical instrument, the lowestpitched member of the violin family, sounding an octave lower than the cello. Please read about the project and contribute information about your favorite luthier so others can find him or her. Sep, 2016 these are much more common in the bass guitar world, especially the 5 string bass, but many double bassists prefer a c extension to get those low notes. Merchant bass,vertical bass,luthier bill merchant,electric,acoustic,upright,bass,luthier,repairs,low c,c extension,conservation,restoration,doublebass.
In this video, we answer a question from gordon about bridge adjusters and double bass string height. Upton bass brescian model double bass, 2020, opus 203 this new brescian was particularly rewarding to make, its a stateoftheart fully carved version with exceptional wood figured spruce top and rippling big leaf maple back and sides cut from the same board. Once the proper position for the yoke is determined, drill the pilot holes, spaced 1516 24mm apart. Double basses cextension problems orchestration online. The most thorough study of double bass history to date. Double bass grade 1 exams consist of three pieces, scales and arpeggios, sightreading, and aural tests. Double bass making plans, life size patterns building. This is a great question as string height can have a huge impact on the tone and playability. However, at the time when the octobass was invented, the double bass lacked this extension and could descend only to e 1 or g 1.
Double bass, also called contrabass, string bass, bass, bass viol, bass fiddle, or bull fiddle, french contrebasse, german kontrabass, stringed musical instrument, the lowestpitched member of the violin family, sounding an octave lower than the cello. C extension mounted for testing before varnish and capo installations. The suggested fingering for the scale is to the left of the diagram. I know the cextension allows playing c1 on a double bass, but its not entirely clear to me what the implications are of using it. When our extension is on a bass with the scroll that is 1.
In his series of books from the 1960s, raymond elgar gives a short history of the extension. Total marks in all individual practical exams are 150. General double bass instruction books musicians friend. Ebook a new history of the double bass as pdf download. Low c extensions the double bass workshop, galway, ireland. The double bass is a standard member of the string section of the symphony orchestra 1 and smaller string ensembles 2 in western classical music. I actually play a 5 string bass guitar and love it, but for double bass i generally prefer to keep it simple with a regular four string bass. It is used in orchestras, jazz bands, rockabilly bands, bluegrass music, and some country music bands. With george martin becoming heavily involved in the family business, the first in a series of double bass books was published in 2018 to critical acclaim.
Understanding the history of the double bass can be a bit of a challenge. According to berlioz, the three open strings were tuned c 1, g 1, and c 2. This work is based on research about technical exercises and method books used by. The c extension on the double bass s lowest string is not needed most of the time, even uncharacteristic to the instrument in a way. The double bass is usually considered a member of the violin family, because it is constructed using many of the same techniques as violins. A lot of modern orchestral music has been written for extended range basses, and so professional bassists should have this. A few of the repair method explained in this book recommend hardware methods which not all instrument makers are comfortable with performing on rare or expensive instruments. We are happy to accept your order at and also through our call center. It plays lowpitched musical notes in musical ensembles and bands. The double bass, or simply the chonk and numerous other names, is the largest and lowestpitched bowed string instrument in the modern symphony orchestra.
The double bass, also known simply as the bass or by other names, is the largest and. The classical double bass information page on classic cat. Double bass history history vienna symphonic library. The violone provided the fundamental bass and accompanying chords for solo voice. Solo techniques for unaccompanied pizzicato jazz double bass. To avoid continued hijacking of the 5string upright history. They are easy to install, easy to adjust and do not mutilate the scroll like other extensions. Orchestral excerpts for double bass a collection of authentic parts in the public domain of audition excerpts for double bass compiled into a book. O492 new method for the double bass english and japanese. In the 16th century the terms application was restricted solely to instruments of the gamba family. The gross quint bass or bass violin, pictured in plate xxi of michael praetorius syntagma musicum, in keeping with the characteristics of that family, is tuned in fifths, f1 c gda. The tuning pegs on a bass enable very accurate retunings. It is considered to be a member of the violin family, and it has the lowest pitch in that family. In addition, it is used in other genres such as jazz.
Significance and methodology michael thomas geib follow this and additional works at the fsu digital library. The book is translated from japanese, and the translation to english is pretty perfect. In his a new history of the double bass, paul brun asserts that the double. The growing double bass luthier directory was moved from the bottom of this page to its own, separate page, to lessen the load time of this page. The setup and repair of the double bass for optimum sound, book by chuck traeger. Find all the books, read about the author, and more. Florida state university libraries electronic theses, treatises and dissertations the graduate school. How double bass extensions work jason heaths double bass blog. It is conventionally a member of an orchestras string section and is also used. A history of the genealogy of the double bass and s. In jazz bands, these lowpitched musical notes are called the bass line.
Today, both c extensions and a fifth string are used to obtain notes lower than the open e string. Choosing the c extension upgrade option on your upton double bass allows you to hit those low notes in the score. What is this extension on the scroll of a double bass. An upright bass, also known as the bass or double bass, is a stringed musical instrument that is played either by plucking its strings pizzicato or with a bow arco. C extensions are the most popular way to extend the low end range of the double bass. Double bass simple english wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Ive been playing electric bass for years, and this book was the perfect first step into upright bass. For a proper fit, the side of the extension must provide a flat area in the mounting position 114 long by 12 high 32xmm high. Practice the scale until you can play it continuously and fluently. You need 100 marks to achieve pass, 120 marks to pass with merit and marks to pass with distinction.
It has two basic designsone shaped like a viol or viola da gamba and the other like a violinbut there are other designs, such as that of a guitar. The double bass, also known simply as the bass or by other names, is the largest and lowestpitched bowed, or plucked string instrument in the modern symphony orchestra the bass is a standard member of the orchestras string section, as well as the concert band, and is featured in concertos, solo, and chamber music in western classical music. Its like a perfect little pocket guide for practicing double bass. Its a common tendency for beginning orchestrators to fall in love with the basementscraping abilities of the double bass, and score much of their early efforts with that instrument playing almost exclusively in its lowest octave. These all ebony extensions do not alter your bass in any way, no screws, no holes, and no cuts. There are exercises for form, intonation, and more. The double bass, also called the string bass, upright bass, bass violin or contrabass, is the largest and lowestpitched bowed string instrument in the modern symphony orchestra. And although there are disputes to the actual known origins, its good to know that this versatile instrument had its inception along with many others in the violin family, and has today become an important member of all types of musical styles. I hand craft my custom extensions from figured maple with a separate ebony fingerboard rather than all ebony. Someone studying the history of the double bass would soon see that two basic. Other terms, perhaps more correct, include contrabass and upright bass. For these works, the bass members of the violin family proved inadequate.
The history of the double bass has its origins in a far away period when music was linked to the ordinary and extraordinary events of everyday life in the noble houses as well as in the wonderful chapels. It is a standard member of the orchestras string section, as well as the concert band, and is featured in concertos, solo, and chamber music in western classical music. Tom martin and martin lawrence first worked together on a series of double bass articles for the strad, and the idea of producing a book focusing on the english double bass came soon after. Specifically, more about the double bass 1963, chapter one. A new history of the double bass top results of your surfing a new history of the double bass start download portable document format pdf and ebooks electronic books free online rating news 20162017 is books that can provide inspiration, insight, knowledge to the reader. The tom barrett low c extension simple elegant design these all ebony extensions do not alter your bass in any way, no screws, no holes, and no cuts. The work takes about 5 days to complete and cost from approximately. I have developed my extensions over the last thirty years. Double bass by martyn j bailey with c extension and baker tuning machine heads the fingered extensions can be made with however many keysgates a player requires. New method for double bass, book i, mordents with upper auxiliary. These plans consist of life size drawings plus measurements needed to make a bass. The gross quintbass or bass violin, pictured in plate xxi of michael praetorius syntagma musicum, in keeping with the characteristics of that family, is tuned in fifths, f1cgda.
Setup and repair of the double bass for optimum sound. Plans for basses pictured in the book are available. Im curious about the evolution of the mechanical c extension. Double bass c extension capos, also known as chromatic latches, closers, or gates, attach to the fingered extension, giving the player added capability when playing the extended notes. The italian term violone large viola, which has fallen out of common usage, gave rise to the word violoncello. The history of the doublebass has its origins in a far away period when music was linked to the ordinary and extraordinary events of everyday life in the noble houses as well as in the wonderful chapels. While the double bass or its bass viol ancestor was not originally conceived as a predominantly soloistic or melodic instrument, due to its low range, there is a history of solo literature for bass which began in the classical period.
Its a common tendency for beginning orchestrators to fall in love with the basementscraping abilities of the double bass, and score much of their early efforts with that instrument playing almost exclusively. What we have so far is that in 1897 berlin bassist max poike worked with markneukirchen luthier ludwig glaesel jr. Players and composers arrived in italy looking for fame and glory, and easy earnings. Aug 02, 2016 in this video, we answer a question from gordon about bridge adjusters and double bass string height. The book is translated from japanese, and the translation to. By stopping a note on the extension with the capo, the note temporarily becomes effectively an open string, and need not be stopped with a finger. Scales and chords for the upright bass the following keys should be learned in the order presented. There are little fingers that can pinch the string off at any of the half steps along the length. A new history of the double bass german hardcover january 1, 2000 by paul brun author visit amazons paul brun page. In 1882, a 5 string bass was being used by willy krausse, principal double bass of the berlin philharmonic orchestra. The thumb rest on the pegbox side of the extension gives the player a comfortable place to finger the added notes but leaves plenty of room to change strings. Florida state university libraries electronic theses, treatises and dissertations the graduate school 20 teaching improvisation to orchestral double bass players. Setup and repair of the double bass, book lemuel violins. This list is a great resource not only for repairs, but new and used instruments.
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