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premiered by Chris Castro on November 9, 2024
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These etudes were written for one of my Chapman University Composition Professors, Dr. Chris Castro. Having joined the faculty two years ago in my sophomore year, he instantly made a splash in the conservatory and has pushed his students to work hard and think critically, including me.
When Dr. Castro approached me as one of the student composers to write for him on bass for his Boston Court recital, I said, of course. This would be an excellent opportunity to try new things and experiment with an instrument I’m unfamiliar with, especially in a solo setting.
These etudes are built off of the shoulders of Stefano Scodanibbio and Jacob Warren, two people who I’ve stumbled across in my double bass research who utilize a technique called pizzicato harp harmonics, prominently featured between the two etudes.
Thomas Yamada
June 30, 2024
Performance Note:
To play pizzicato harp harmonics, the player utilizes natural harmonics (or sometimes artificial) by placing their thumb on the node and then plucking sideways with their middle or index finger on the same hand. The player can experiment with how far to put the middle/index finger from the thumb, dramatically affecting the timbre. I’ve also noticed that having less surface area contact between the thumb and harmonic node is ideal.
The top staff shows notes to be played on the G and D strings, I and II, respectively, and is for the LEFT hand. The bottom staff shows notes to be played on the A and E strings, III and IV, respectively, and is for the RIGHT hand.
Although it’s possible to play ETUDE NO. 1 by touching the harmonic with one hand and plucking with the other, utilizing one hand per harmonic may be easier and will prepare the player for the second etude.