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Double Bass Books for study - new student

#21
Gale:

That book does indeed look to be useful. Perhaps I'll get it at some point to help with technique.[/QUOTE]
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Well, that's about it. I have been writing for bass players for over 35 years. I, personally, have been disappointed with the musical materials available for bassists. I think you can combine technique advances within musical settings. This is what I've always tried to accomplish and I thought I did. At 74, I am tired of fighting "the good fight". I am shutting down the publishing of my books as of September 30 and my best wishes to all. I hope you find what you are looking for.
Good playing - Technically AND musically.
Tom Gale
 
#22
Tom Gale said:
I, personally, have been disappointed with the musical materials available for bassists.
Click to expand...

You and others have made it so it isn't quite the case anymore. Still, there are just a few major methods that any serious bassist can take the time to look over most of them (provided we can get a copy) and take what we need.
I don't really think there is such a need to condense them into one. We each might need something a bit different from each method so one person's version of a catch-all may not be for another.
 
#23
I know this thread is a bit old but I thought I'd chime in. I think for absolute beginners, Simandl is actually a bit advanced. I like to combine a book called ABC's for bass and Suzuki books 1-3. After that, I'll go into Bille, Simandl and a book called Bach for the Young Bass Player which was edited by Fred Zimmerman. I find it works both for group and private lessons as well as being straightforward enough for self study. In the case of whether or not to skip the ABC's and dive into the Bille and Simandl, I would ask how well you read? Are you good with double sharps? They're introduced in half position (pg. 8 in the Sankey edition). I've looked at Bass is Best and like that one as well for a beginning tutor. Anyhow, I hope you figured it all out and best of luck in bass and most of all, enjoy the ride.
 
#24
I know I'm late on the party but my college teacher worked with the Nanny method. I like it a lot but you need to know how to read music because he doesn't give any fingering.

You have a key, then you have the scale, the arppegio, an exercise of 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th and 7th. After that you have an Étude base on that key and something using a new technic ( like if the page before the exercise he talk about legato across the string then you bet you'll have to play legato across the string in the next Étude )
 
#26
One of the best and most useful book I always ad to the must have is J.S.Bach For Bass by Joaquin des Pres!! A true reality check to see where your intonation is at. It will teach you the neck, accuracy, and great fun to play, I guarantee that by the time you get to the end your musical vocabulary will be richer, your ears will be trained and be a step closer to be a great musician. Play through each using pizzicato then time to put the bow to action. Its not just for the beginner I've seen confident DB players adding this book to the daily exercise. I studied classical 30 years ago but play jazz, this book is a stepping stone.
 

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