Playing Technique : Ready to try?

Ready to try? :

Since you came this far, chances are you have read the previous chapters of the "Playing technique", and you may be curious to try the Viennese tuning yourself? Should you already have some experience with the Viennese system, this page will offer you a valuable guide for further study. But should you not, let me first congratulate you on your courage to learn the Viennese tuning and wish along much success and enjoyment during your study.

The purpose of this section is to introduce you to the modern symbols that are necessary for the functional study of the Viennese bass in our time, as unfortunately the old masters have not left us any period methods that would address the technical aspects of Viennese performance. Consequently, the answers to those technical questions had to be deduced solely from the music manuscripts, and when they were finally found, they also had to be shaped in to a clear and coherent system accessible to the modern bassist.

The Notation Symbols map presented below is a part of that system, and a also key to understanding the secrets of the old technique. The system of symbols presented in the map will also be applied in the Viennese Bass Method that follows, and you should be familiar with them well before taking the instrument in hand to start the online lessons. The map is designed to offer a straightforward explanation and is based on the modern systems of markings that is already familiar to most bassists.

The guiding principle in making this map was to provide a modern system of technical markings that can afford as close a restoration of the original performance practice as possible in our time. The old way of treble clef notation is assumed here, because it would be futile to try to improve on something that apparently worked quite well in the period. Moreover, the Symbols Map concerns itself only with the matters of fingering and execution that were not left notated (and explained) in the period music. All of the period music will appear unaltered exactly as it was written centuries ago.

During the 18th century much of the technical instruction that these modern symbols try to conway would have been taught by a practical demonstration. However, since at this site this may not be possible (at least until some type of video streaming becomes available) these symbols should suffice to guide you through all the instruction that follows.

The Symbols Map is designed to facilitate the study on both the gut and the steel string setups, and conceived to address all the technical elements of the Viennese system, including the most advanced ones that are present in the works of J. M. Sperger. Since the majority of the of the solo Viennese literature was composed or assembled by Sperger anyway, the map is essentially based on the technical preferences of his style of performing. This should not bear any disadvantage in the early stages of learning, and can only be of help later on when one matures to a higher technical level.

How exactly has Sperger started his own bass study is not known to us today. However, it is likely that he has begun with simple music and exercises of appropriate difficulty as was common to all musicians of his time. The Viennese Bass Method presented here will follow that proven path, by starting at the very beginning level and than gradually raising your technical ability until you are able to perform the best of the Viennese repertoire.

Wishing you much enjoyment and personal satisfaction in your Viennese bass pursuits, you are welcome to explore now the Viennese Bass Method page.

(The first page of the Viennese Bass Method will be posted to coincide with the opening of the International Society of Bassists Conference at Penn State University, PA, USA on June 8, 2009)

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Posted:          June 5, 2009