By
Ludwig van Beethoven
The Recitativo and Ode to Joy from Beethoven's Symphony No. 9 present a defining orchestral moment for the double bass, blending dramatic solo lines with foundational support for the choral finale. The Recitativo calls for expressive, speech-like phrasing, demanding a flexible bow technique and sensitive dynamic control to capture its quasi-vocal character. In the iconic Ode to Joy, the bass part requires rhythmic precision and clarity, driving the underlying pulse of Beethoven’s theme with both strength and subtlety, and setting the stage for the symphony’s triumphant climax.
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by:
Scott Pingel
In this lesson, Scott Pingel goes through each recitativo entrance bar-by-bar to give us an truly in-depth perspective on Beethoven's masterwork. In what is one of the most shocking and incredible bass parts ever concieved, we bassists are expected to both portray and convey an incredible variety of colors and emotions, makings this excerpt one of the most important in our repertoire. Expect an in-depth exploration of almost every single note!
Access Course →The scores found in this library each accompany one of the 100s of courses on tonebase, all taught by renowned double bass players.
Preview our in-depth lesson on this particular piece and start a 14-day free trial to access all courses and scores.
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