Different Versions of the Simandl Book?

[Captain Scarlet]

Hi all,
I took the plunge and just bought a DB (a Christopher Hybrid) after playing bass guitar for the last 13 years. I figure now is as good a time as any to start.

I'm still looking for a teacher, but I've been buying some good beginner's books in the meantime, which brings me to a question about the Simandl book. I just picked up the Simandl 'New Method For String Bass', but it doesn't have a red cover or the Japanese text - it has a blue cover instead. Are there any major differences between what I have and the red book? I know that the red book has some more performance notes. Does anyone know if the red version is better? I'm just trying to determine whether or not to return it to get the red version. Thanks.

[David Kaczorowski]

The International Edition (blue cover) was edited by Stuart Sankey and has additional exercises and alternate fingerings in some places. I don't recall who published and edited the red cover addition. I like the International ed., the other edition has it's adherents as well.

[shostkontrabass]

The red-cover edition is published by Carl Fischer, revised by Frederick Zimmermann, and edited/annotated by Lucas Drew. As far as I can tell, the major difference between the two is that the International edition doesn't include the section on orchestral excerpts, but maybe I just missed it when I was looking through. I personally prefer the Fischer over the International.

[Peter Ferretti]

Some of the exercises that were in the Zimmerman Edition were omitted in the Sankey edition. Page numbers are different. Other than that, I didn't find anything. There are still excerpts in the International Edition, they're tucked away in the back like the Zimmerman Edition.

[Captain Scarlet]

Thanks for everyone's responses. Happy holiday.

[bobsax]

How does this one compare?
It's the old version by Carl Fisher Books 1 and 2 combined.
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thanx

[Simandl Fan]

I have that copy of the Carl Fischer. It's the 1963 edition, and I got it in 1969. But it isn't Book 1 and Book 2 combined. Book 2 of that edition has a brown cover. I have both in front of me as I type this. Book 1 is divided into five parts.
Part 1- the basics up to 7th position
Part 2- minor scales and exercises
Part 3- bowings
Part 4- grace notes, mordents, trills, excerpts
Part 5- recitative (The Creation; Beethoven 9)

Book 2 follows with three parts, called "divisions" in the 1963 edition.
Division 6- thumb position
Division 7- higher thumb positions
Division 8- scales and arpeggios in the stratosphere
Division 9- harmonics, more arpeggios, double stops, and two concert etudes

I include all this so you can compare your edition. Besides, I have nothing else to do while I watch a guy rebuild my chimney.

[Simandl Fan]

(sorry- Book 2 is four divisions)