Double bass excerpt · Audition repertoire
Beethoven, Symphony No. 5 in C minor, Op. 67
III. Allegro (Trio)
The most requested double bass excerpt in the repertoire. The Trio fugato, played by the section alone, fast and quiet.
At a glance
- Instrument
- Double bass
- Composer
- Ludwig van Beethoven
- Work
- Symphony No. 5 in C minor, Op. 67
- Movement
- III. Allegro (Trio)
- Era
- Classical (c. 1750–1820)
- Composed
- 1808
- Clef
- Bass clef
- Level
- Audition, professional standard
- Audition list
- Yes, standard excerpt
How to practise it
The bow style, the trouble spots, and the stylistic decisions that come up most often on this excerpt.
Bowing
A short, articulate stroke in the lower half that still speaks on a bass string. Too light and the note never starts; too heavy and it smears.
Where it goes wrong
Speed on the bass is a shifting problem before it is a bow problem. Map the position changes first and drill them slowly.
Ensemble clarity is what panels listen for, every note must have a defined beginning, not just a pitch.
Style
Marked quietly and meant to sound furtive. Sections routinely play it too loud.
Tags
Work on the technique underneath
Arco's bass curriculum builds the bow strokes, positions, and clef reading this excerpt assumes, with recorded bass playback throughout.