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Double Bass Harmonic

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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

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.

  • Author
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?

From: http://www.themoderndoublebass.org.uk/harmonics---charts.html

Screen Shot 2017-09-14 at 9.47.51 AM.png

I think no. 6 might be your best bet.

  • Author
33 minutes ago, Monarcheon said:

From: http://www.themoderndoublebass.org.uk/harmonics---charts.html

Screen Shot 2017-09-14 at 9.47.51 AM.png

I think no. 6 might be your best bet.

 

I don't understand: The harmonic I shared is exactly the same as No.6, isn't it?
Knipsel.JPG

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.

  • Author
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?

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

  • Author
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!

Right, that's what I meant about the wavelengths. I thought you were talking about the artificial harmonic.

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