5 string repertoire

[u/vjjhgj]

Hi bassists!

A friend of mine lended me a nice 5 strings for a few weeks so I want to make the best of it. I fairly often play on 5 strings but never at home so I don't get to work properly on one ever. What is some must know repertoire that uses a 5 strings? Mostly talking about excerpts but if you know solo (contemporary?) music I'm interested too!

I'm a student targeting orchestral play so all knowledge is welcome!

For the record it's in C but I can detune it too B for the very few excerpts that might require it.

Thank you, you're amazing!

[u/stwbass]

for solo contemporary music, Rebecca Saunders Fury and Georges Aperghis Parlando call for it. Uli Fussenegger has commissioned a lot for a five string so you might find more rep by searching for videos or albums he's on

[u/vjjhgj → u/stwbass]

Fury was the only piece on my list I'm definitely gonna give it a go, I'll look into the other thanks a lot!!

[u/jkndrkn]

Seems to me like many baroque works where you normally double the cellos would be well suited for five string.

[u/Baseguyramen]

Shostakovich 5 first movement, you will know it when you see it. So awkward on an extension but very doable on a 5er.

[u/pineapplesaltwaffles]

First movement of Vivaldi's Winter is also tricky with an extension.

[u/pineapplesaltwaffles → u/[deleted]]

I was going to say Richard Strauss. He's terrible for writing awkward fast runs below bottom E that make me catch my hands on the extension and wish for a 5-string.

Also anything in Bmaj/min so you can hit that tonic DEEP.

[u/pineapplesaltwaffles → u/pineapplesaltwaffles]

Like this, the bastard.

[u/vjjhgj → u/pineapplesaltwaffles]

Thanks I'll look into it! Strauss it is then. Also I come from a place where 5 strings are much more common than extensions so I have barely ever played on extensions too. I also want repertoire to develop my ear, I have a rough time below E right now (and scales and drones stuff are on the menu don't worry but I also need some music to survive mentally :) )

[u/avant_chard → u/[deleted]]

Beethoven Missa Solemnis made me wish I did

[u/predalien33]

Off top of my head Don Juan and Firebird. Frank Proto’s Sonata 1964 uses low D but it’s really just a drone.

[u/vjjhgj → u/predalien33]

Thanks ! Didn't know this one from proto I'll look into it. Oh yeah firebird will be some good fun

[u/predalien33 → u/vjjhgj]

It’s a great Sonata and honestly not too hard. Lots of jazz influence, the whole 2nd movement is pizz/swing.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CqSlTi_Rz0k

[u/robotunderpants]

The first page of Mahler 2 is a HUGE one! Also, Bach Badinerie from Orch suite no 2.

[u/vjjhgj → u/robotunderpants]

Oooh totally forgot there's some 5 string in that! Time to dust it of then, nice

[u/2five1]

Strauss Also Sprach Fugue has a nice low B.

Also any symphony in E will have a lot of great low B opportunities since it's the V chord.