Double Bass Beginner/intermediate melodic etudes

[Kitschead]

Hi guys.
I'm mainly a jazz player, I've been playing for about 4 years or so but I've never dedicated much time to practising arco. Just recently I've really knuckled down to work on my bowed stuff and I'm really pleased with the amount of progress I've made even though I'm really still a novice. I'm looking for some useful exercises which I can work through which aren't too difficult but are also enjoyable to play. I know it's not ideal but I don't have an orchestral teacher at the moment so I'm really just working on it on my own. Is there any sort of book which would be recommended that I buy?

 

[Jordan M]

I'd say Bille. Beginner/intermediate stuff in book ER261, intermediate/advanced stuff in ER263. Many are very musical.

 

[Kitschead]

Actually another thing which I'd be interested in is some recommendations for classical listening. I'd really like to listen to more classical bass playing but I have no idea where to start. Can someone recommend me a few entry level seminal works for the double bass? Concertos would be great but also just really amazing section playing. Anything really. I'm completely clueless in this domain!
I thought I'd just chuck both these questions in the same thread. Thanks a lot!

 

[Kitschead]

Thanks alot! I'll check it out.

 

[David Potts]

Hi there,

For exercises in easy keys that go up to Second Position, ie C on the G string, try Wohlfahrt. They are fairly simple however you can value-add by trying different mixes of slurred and separate bowings, or off- as well as on-string bowing.

The next step up could be Sturm 110 Studies Vol. One (IMC), Slama 66 Studies in all keys (IMC) and LEE, 12 Studies (IMC).

The Sturm I like because each exercise is short and fairly musical, needing phrasing and dynamics. They are about the level of many orchestral passages, are playable and with lots of variety. Slama is a little more dry and technical but you cover all major and minor keys and don't go very high in pitch. Lee is a good workout in slurred bow (legato).

Another possibility is Kment Studies that are grouped by positions, however you can find yourself facing lots of sharps and flats quite quickly.

Hrabe 86 Studies and Simandl 30 Etudes are very dry, like the Simandl Tutors.

My main source has been Lemur Music, asking them to post in a simple sturdy envelope (without insurance and satellite tracking that costs more than the music!!!). Another is String Emporium. The order is on line and takes about a week to reach you in the mail.

Zephyr Music, Allans and The Bass Shop in Sydney have some music on the shelf but perhaps not the above. The Sydney String Centre in Willoughby carry more dep[th and variety.

Cheers and Happy Hunting!

DP