TECHNIQUE'S EVOLUTION OF THE FRENCH DOUBLE BASS,

WICH WAY ?

In connection with the article of Rubato October 98 " the double bass a violoncello viola? _ ".

This article would like to propose a strategy of evolution for any double bass player liking his instrument, and wishing to improve himself nowadays. To be clear, it would want to demonstrate that a "systemic"approach is the best and the most instructive.In an optic of pedagogy the more complete possible for our students, and to acquire a solid technique for oneself, necessary in an orchestra, and above all by pure passion, it is essential to study after the first local years the more numerous technical systemes,all over the world.

This way of thinking must be considered as normal and logic, without fear to lose what we knew before, (because we never forget an acquired reflex ),but rather with a thirst to acquire other reflexes which will come to enrich our possibilities, and , if we decide ,to supplant some old ones if the news are better. Moreover, it is obvious that it is necessary to avoid being locked up during our youth, because of possible manias that we even do not realize more, but on the contrary to open our ears and our pure imagination to forge our preferences starting from a broader range.

There exists for that many succesfull initiatives of violin makers, bow makers, professors, who organize international training courses and festivals in the whole world, and in particular in France, which do not spare their time to find means of financing and organization, and which creates places of meetings extremely enriching for all.

It will come us naturally then, with time and an experience of sufficient age, without wanting to favour neither Pierre nor Paul, and without unspecified interests of relation, the need to make a synthesis. Some new ideas will come even to us, technical innovation or reformulation for teaching, and our new musical interpretations will grow, because the method of formation followed, rich and cosmopolitan, have contribute to open our personality and our imagination, rather than choked and set up restrictive intredicts due sometimes to a too mono-systemic formation.

True progress can thus proceed only of the synthesis, and besides, thus goes the society: The older generations hoist on their shoulders the new generations in their making profit from their own syntheses, and one goes thus from syntheses to syntheses. It is a vital notion of humanity.

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Thus, at the time of our studies, to make a success of a synthesis carrying future, it is significant to rake the broadest as possible, and the good and ripes professors , the most known like the least known, the more extravertis like most discrete, are numerous and have all different qualities.

Besides it is necessary to distinguish several types of teachers: some professors represent only one vision, or only one line and carry a pure tradition of style as well as a technical stability wich have proved its qualities. This authentic aspect is a treasure from the point of view of the inheritance, and it is necessary to preserve it and regard it as such.

Others innovated already and made new search, with a different vision. Others even, a little younger, are already taking the best of the two precedents.

For the student, how to be certain if the search continued by one is good, to be added to the whole of pedagogy, the technique of bow, the left hand, musical quality ?. Do they have to replace or be added like other possibilities with already established sure principles?

One can note that inside a generation, only a few round tables are organized to share and appreciate search of each one. If it is the dream of some, the pride of the others and misses of time does not allow it. When will be the creation of UNO of the double bass? It is necessary to recognize that to call in question its own search by those of the others, to share, accept, all that is not easy for each contemporary, but easier for the student compared to his professors.

However, if we don't want to mislead, it is necessary to be very logical, not to build our tests in axiom as long as they have not make the unanimity, not to burn on the bonfire the other researchers because of some futile and intolerant pretexts (nobody is perfect, let us interest with quality of people, not with their defect), in a word, test to convince, but leave each one free of its thought, so much for the pupil than for the professor.

Peace(=good synthesis), illusive ideal?.History shows that only further generations succed to make synthesis on the former generations.Let's try to change this.

Thierry Barbé.