Endangered Instrument Series – Double Bass
George Machado has been playing double bass with Sydney Youth Orchestras since 2016, when he successfully auditioned for the Peter Seymour Orchestra. He is currently in his second year at the Australian Institute of Music where he studies Composition & Music Production.
What is your main instrument that you play in SYO? And do you play any other instruments?
My main instrument in Sydney Youth Orchestras is the double bass. I also play piano, keyboard and electric bass.
When did you start playing your instrument and how long have you been playing?
I started playing double bass properly in 2016 and I have been playing for almost three years.
What clef do you play in? Is it hard to learn a different clef?
I play in bass clef and occasionally in treble clef. Rarely in tenor clef. Piano was my first instrument so im familiar with treble and bass clef.
My main instrument in Sydney Youth Orchestras is the double bass. I also play piano, keyboard and electric bass.
When did you start playing your instrument and how long have you been playing?
I started playing double bass properly in 2016 and I have been playing for almost three years.
What clef do you play in? Is it hard to learn a different clef?
I play in bass clef and occasionally in treble clef. Rarely in tenor clef. Piano was my first instrument so im familiar with treble and bass clef.
What is your favourite piece(s) to play on your instrument?
I love playing any piece/symphony with a sizeable double bass part, like classical symphonies and some romantic symphonies where the double bass has big roles.
What are the top three reasons you would give to someone thinking about taking up your instrument?
1. You are almost always needed in classical chamber and orchestral music,
2. You can play the most genres of any harmonic instrument in the orchestra and;
3. You'll almost always be given work
I love playing any piece/symphony with a sizeable double bass part, like classical symphonies and some romantic symphonies where the double bass has big roles.
What are the top three reasons you would give to someone thinking about taking up your instrument?
1. You are almost always needed in classical chamber and orchestral music,
2. You can play the most genres of any harmonic instrument in the orchestra and;
3. You'll almost always be given work
What is a myth or misconception about playing your instrument?
1. The bass is not as heavy as it seems. People DO take the double bass on trains and carry it around with them, you CAN get wheels for the double bass so you can roll it along.
2. Double bass is not all about playing roots,
3. The double bass quite technical despite beliefs, you work on fingering a lot more than any other instrument
4. And yes, you get calluses often when playing a lot.
What are your favourite extended techniques?
I like to use extended fingering a lot in the upper registers
1. The bass is not as heavy as it seems. People DO take the double bass on trains and carry it around with them, you CAN get wheels for the double bass so you can roll it along.
2. Double bass is not all about playing roots,
3. The double bass quite technical despite beliefs, you work on fingering a lot more than any other instrument
4. And yes, you get calluses often when playing a lot.
What are your favourite extended techniques?
I like to use extended fingering a lot in the upper registers
What is it like playing double bass in an orchestra?
- If you're tall, you sit above everyone and you can see everyone.
- You are one in a hand full of people who can play the double bass
- You are the real bass of the string section and that your tone is unique
- You can play more styles than anyone else (like jazz, funk and folk) and that you can bridge your techniques into other instruments, like the guitar, bass and other string instruments.
- The basses history and application is also far more interesting than most other instruments.
- If you're tall, you sit above everyone and you can see everyone.
- You are one in a hand full of people who can play the double bass
- You are the real bass of the string section and that your tone is unique
- You can play more styles than anyone else (like jazz, funk and folk) and that you can bridge your techniques into other instruments, like the guitar, bass and other string instruments.
- The basses history and application is also far more interesting than most other instruments.
