Viennese Bass Method - Lesson 4.

Lesson 4. - String Crossings

In this lesson we will cover various string crossing patterns available in the Viennese system. As most bassist are already aware, the Viennese tuning offers a unique triadic convenience which enables easy execution of arpeggios and other chords - sometime with few shifts and sometime not requiring any. This arpeggio technique has almost become a trademark feature of the Viennese solo bass music, and in order for it to be executed well, one should become well familiar with the string crossing options on the Viennese tuning.

Moreover, we will also explore here the common extended position patterns that usually appear in combination with the string crossings. This unique combination can be observed in many instances of period solo and orchestra music, some of which will also be featured here.

The orchestra excerpts in this lesson may already be familiar to the bassists, but it is advisable that all the excerpts be approached as technical exercises in slow tempo first. The idea is to accustom hands to the new fingerings and bowing patterns, before attempting to raise the tempo to the concert standard.

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Posted:          June 30, 2009