George Frederick McKay · section 25 of 111

The String Bass

When the bass is played without support from other instruments it sounds somewhat incomplete, struggling and gro-

tesque. Its time-honored role is that of doubling the bass line. This reinforcement is usually an exact doubling, one octave below the cello. The ponderous articulation of the bass requires that it be not too elaborately active. Since the bow is relatively short, detached bowing will be more natural for most passages, and the amount of legato indicated should be moderate.

To illustrate the orchestral use of basses without doubling, hear the opening measures of the slow movement of the Symphony No. 3 by Beethoven.