Thomas B. Gale: Triangulation of Fingering Systems for the Double Bass (A Complete Method), Vol. 2

About the Book

The second volume (of two) of a complete method that examines three systems of left-hand technique on the double bass: 1) Closed Hand (Simandl 1-2-4), 2) Open Hand (extension fingering 1-2-3-4), and 3) Thumb Positions. Vol. 2 focuses primarily on Open Hand and Thumb Positions.

61 pages.

Purchase Volumes 1 & 2 and save 16% on your purchase.

This triumvirate of fingering systems is comprised of:

1. CLOSED HAND (1-2-4)

2. OPEN HAND (1-2-3-4)

3. THUMB POSITION (thumb-1-2-3) - including below the octave harmonic

CLOSED HAND

It is essential that every bassist be thoroughly grounded in the traditional “Closed Hand” technique. Franz Simandl’s famous New Method (which is not “new” at all – it was first published about a century and a half ago) is historically the most prominent proponent of this system. In the “Closed Hand” technique, the left hand spans a whole step (on one string), which requires the hand to stay compact and move quickly and frequently. This system works well for about 85% to 90% of playing situations. Problems arise in the other 10% to 15%. There are many passages that don’t lend themselves to technical or musical success by using Closed Hand alone. The old school said: “Here are the fingerings…just play the passage over and over,and faster and faster, until you get it right!”

All of us have been subjected to this “beating your head against a wall,” and have thought there has got to be a better way. Accomplished players do find ways to fill this last 10% to 15% gap. Certainly, there have been many fine players who have had full careers and never used anything except closed hand technique, but this singular approach does not provide the left hand with options so necessary for success for the majority of bassists of the 21-century.

(A thorough study of Closed Hand is found in TRIANGULATION OF FINGERING SYSTEMS, Vol. 1)

OPEN HAND

In searching for alternative fingering systems to meet many technical and musical challenges, the first one usually discovered is the “Open Hand” technique. This fingering system is also known as “extension fingering,” “four-finger technique,” or the “Franke System,” which has appeared in method books in the United States as early as 1886.

“Open Hand” technique places a half-step between each of the four fingers, allowing the hand to span a minor third on one string, as is often the case with electric bass, violoncello and guitar. This added half-step (beyond the whole-step spanned in “Closed Hand”) proves extremely advantageous, especially in fast passages: it makes it possible to play diatonic passages across strings tuned in fourths in any key without having to shift at all!

Conceiving of Open Hand as being four-finger technique (1-2-3-4) is a little misleading however: the vast majority of Open Hand use will be in diatonic context, it will almost always use a 1-2-4 (“2nd finger” Open Hand), or a 1-3-4 (“3rd finger Open Hand) grouping of fingerings.

THUMB POSITION

Like “Open Hand” technique, “Thumb Position” is nothing new, of course. The fresh approach here is a practical codification of thumb positions – not by their location on the fingerboard – rather by the interval spanned by the thumb and 3rd finger, and the distribution of whole- and half-steps between each of the fingers.

Additionally, this method expands the traditional use of Thumb Position by not being limited to use only above the octave harmonic but potentially anywhere on the strings.

In order to gain the maximum benefit of the Triangulation of Fingering Systems, they should be introduced in an organized manner, with plenty of material for practice, much earlier in the course of study than they typically are (if at all), and as essential basic skills of the double bass – not just tossed in with little preparation as a last resort.

Thomas B. Gale & Mark Morton