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BWEMRICH wrote:in particular, where should one string bass player be placed

In another room.

in the audience, sans instrument

I don't know of any "official" band seating charts (I'm sure someone else will have one), but any band in which we've had a string bass had the bass in the back between the tubas and percussion. A string bass should never be in front of any other instrument if only for the reason you stated, it's played standing while most everyone else is sitting.

I think they are best in the back row on stage left at the end. One bass has no chance of being heard in the back amongst the brass and percussion.

Any "standard" band seating chart has been greatly altered or discarded alltogether.

I put my tubas in the back row, center of the band. I usually have the bass player nearest the timpani, behind the last row of brass and as close to the front of the stage as possible (while still being behind the band).

My back row looks like thisl (left to right):

Mallets and other percussion....Bass Drum...tubas... timpani... bass. This set-up is not unique to my bands.

On the occassion that I put the tubas in the same row as other brass, I have the string bass behind the tubas. FWIW, I prefer to keep the timpani and tubas close, but not right next to each other.

For modern wind ensemble literature, string bass is an important color and texture.

Having played both tuba and string bass professionally, I will answer with what I have done and observed. Most of the time the string bass is placed to the outside of the tuba section.

trombones - euphoniums - tubas - string basses

or in reverse if that is how your band sets up

However, when I was in college Dr. Fennel used to set the string basses next to the low woodwinds on the other side of the wind ensemble.

On no occasion have I set up in front of anyone with a string bass. Furthermore, I have never seen in professional or university settings string basses setting up in front of anyone with the exception of other bass players if the section has to go two deep (then they stagger the set-up so those in the rear can see the conductor).

If the player continues, have the tuba section leader discuss the issue with the string bass player. If that does not work have the tuba section leader discuss this issue with the conductor.

best of luck,
Mark

P.S.
Most bass players are ok people. I have enjoyed many beers and pizzas with bass players and tuba players.

I've always liked having the string bass either next to me (between myself and the timpiani) or immediately behind us.

I really like the blended sound of the string bass and tuba especially on soft and short stuff.

Lew wrote:In another room.

My turn to rant! We had an electric bass for awhile and boy that really had the tubas ready to quit... Lucky for us (and him), he decided to play baritone! We still have a problem because there is an electric keyboard player that likes to play the bass lines too... Go figure! Six tubas and this guy can't find something else to play!

In our band instrument placement might change with every show. Just depends on the director’s preference at the time... We have elevated risers and we're always on the top.

check with your local school band directors. One of them may share their chart with you. Seating does vary but, the way I recall it:

You may also want to look at the photos of some of the service bands seated.

I see that some high school bands (especially pep bands) are now using electric basses. Yuck! That's just what we need! Amplifiers on the football field! What the hell's the World coming to!

If it's an electric bass, just far enough that the cord can't reach (or that the percussionists keep knocking it out... )

TubaTinker wrote:I see that some high school bands (especially pep bands) are now using electric basses. Yuck! That's just what we need! Amplifiers on the football field! What the hell's the World coming to!

amplifiers on a wet football field = instrument of natural selection




Mark

Mark E. Chachich wrote:

TubaTinker wrote:I see that some high school bands (especially pep bands) are now using electric basses. Yuck! That's just what we need! Amplifiers on the football field! What the hell's the World coming to!

amplifiers on a wet football field = instrument of natural selection Mark

heh heh

I agree with mark, if its a string bass (the standup type lol) they should be outside the tuba section but I only say that because that is EXACTLY how our honour band set up, trombones in the back then it curved around to euphs and tubas on the end, then the string bass stood basically adjacent to the conductor, almost looked like a soloist, too far out maybe? But anyway if hes ugly throw him in the back but Out up front .......but then again it depends how large the band is when where everyone is, if its like the 86 person honour band it we came to a complete curve where tubas are on the side, stick him even beside the tubas, if tubas are at the back, Id take everyone elses advice

Jonathantuba wrote: I have never understood why there is a string bass in a concert band - would not a contrabassoon make more sense?

I believe a GOOD string bass is a welcome addition to a concert band. The sound can compliment that of the tubas. However, one played out of tune, out of time, or in some other manner deficient, does not enhance at all. I would rather vehemently object to it being amplified, however.

TubaRay wrote:

Jonathantuba wrote: I have never understood why there is a string bass in a concert band - would not a contrabassoon make more sense?

I believe a GOOD string bass is a welcome addition to a concert band. The sound can compliment that of the tubas. However, one played out of tune, out of time, or in some other manner deficient, does not enhance at all. I would rather vehemently object to it being amplified, however.

I agree. The string bass adds such a cool sound to the ensemble.

I would tend to agree more with the contrabassoon, except for cost for younger players. If someone wants to spring for one -- great!

We have a BBb bass sax in our community band, which can do the same thing with a lot less hassle. It's too bad they're really not made to any degree anymore. The BBb just purrs on the bottom and really adds breadth.

bloke wrote:

pulseczar wrote:I agree. The string bass adds such a cool sound to the ensemble.

It seems like "string bass player who is willing to play in a wind band" and "dork who can't play and can't read" are often synonymous.

Unfortunately, that goes both ways. How many tuba sections will actually shut up and let the string bass player play the string bass part? I was constantly trying to persuade previous players in my section not to play the string bass cues--and our string bass player (when we had one) was completely competent.

The string bass adds a percussive pulse when played pizzicato that makes a sound quite difficult to imitate with a tuba. That sound adds something really useful if the player is competent. The arco parts contribute less in my view.

A large pair of wire snips should take care of the amplification issue. Without a mains plug, the power cord isn't much use.

Rick "thinking too few tuba players make a convincing pizzicato sound but they will bury a real bass player in the attempt" Denney

When I saw this thread, it reminded me of one concert we played, when I was the tuba player with the Guam Symphony. We played the German Requiem by Johannes Brahms in St. John's Episcopal Church in Tamuning, Guam. There was no rhyme or reason as to where which instruments were placed: We sat where we fit. I was behind the Principal Trombone player, on the floor, in front of the altar, with my left leg pressed up against the front pew. My music was being blown by an overactive air conditioner. I didn't think I would need clothespins to hold music down inside a church. Some women sitting in the front row of the audience (second pew) offered me their necklaces and bracelets to hold my music down--they were right in front of my wife, who pretended not to notice! (Some of that jewelry looked pretty darned expensive!)

The concert began and my music kept flapping. I was getting nervous, because the big tuba part in the second movement was coming up. And then....

The lights went out. It got dark. And the air conditioner stopped!

The conductor announced that the concert was over...

But the audience wouldn't allow for that!

It was an island-wide blackout, and these are fairly common on the island of Guam. So the church had plenty of emergency supplies--Coleman lanterns and other lights. We had plenty of light to see the music. The pastor brought in his motorcycle which was used as a spotlight for the conductor.

The concert was a triumph. My wife (now ex-wife) commented that the concert was much better after the blackout.

And I had a terrible time giving all those women back their jewelry!