• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Double Bass Vance question

S

skatevu

Apr 3, 2010
34
0
Raleigh, NC
#1
So i have been looking into starting a new method, because im ready to tie my simandl book to a rock and throw it in the water. So i was going to get either the vance progressive books or one of rabbaths. I realize that vances books are based off of rabbaths, and i wanted to know if one was to study them hand in Hand or if the vance books can be studied on their own.
Thanks
 
#2
skatevu said:
So i have been looking into starting a new method, because im ready to tie my simandl book to a rock and throw it in the water. So i was going to get either the vance progressive books or one of rabbaths. I realize that vances books are based off of rabbaths, and i wanted to know if one was to study them hand in Hand or if the vance books can be studied on their own.
Thanks
Click to expand...
Part of the idea of the Vance books is to introduce Rabbath technique to beginners. Once you've gone through the three Vance books, you are more than ready to start Rabbath's material.
 
#4
I have never found much use for the Vance book I have, Vade Mecum. I played out of it for a while and just ended up using Simandl, Petracchi, Bille and Rabbath. I would get some real Rabbath books, especially if you have gone through Simandl.
If not, I'd strongly advise getting through all the basic scale and position exercises before moving on to another method.

We don't all have to be on the same baseball team, but other methods should not be used as a "work around" for Simandl, going through a few of them is them best plan.
 
#5
The Vance "Progressive Repertoire" books might be useful if you studied with a teacher who was well-versed in the Rabbath method, but I would never recommend them for self-study.

The exercises immediately start calling for use of the various Rabbath positions without clearly defining what they are, or the concept of pivoting, or any indication of fingering. I think the assumption must have been that those details would be provided by a teacher.
 
#6
Agreed, seems like Vance was a well-liked teacher as well, these books - even more than the Rabbath books - seem like more of a specific pedagogy and work best with those versed in it.
All of these books work best with a teacher - someone who teaches Simandl well may be more of what you need than a new book!
tstone said:
The Vance "Progressive Repertoire" books might be useful if you studied with a teacher who was well-versed in the Rabbath method, but I would never recommend them for self-study.

The exercises immediately start calling for use of the various Rabbath positions without clearly defining what they are, or the concept of pivoting, or any indication of fingering. I think the assumption must have been that those details would be provided by a teacher.
Click to expand...
 
#7
As an aside, the Vance books were born of a project by both Vance and Hal Robinson. I'm not sure what happened but they ended up being separated into the Vance books and Hal's boardwalking and strokin'. It is also important to remember that the Vance books were also conceived with the Suzuki method in mind. The rep is derived from it. Vade Mecum is his scale book and is a supplement to the rest of the method. I actually think the rep of the Progressive Method to be pretty well conceived. I'm pretty well versed in pivots so I introduce it to my students. I change fingerings to suit my pedagogy philosophy which is based in Simandl and Bille with a smattering of Petracchi and Rabbath (like most modern players I guess). Anyhow, any method needs a teacher unless you are fairly advanced in your studies. They'll all be equally effective if you have the right teacher. IMHO
 
#8
koricancowboy said:
As an aside, the Vance books were born of a project by both Vance and Hal Robinson. I'm not sure what happened but they ended up being separated into the Vance books and Hal's boardwalking and strokin'. It is also important to remember that the Vance books were also conceived with the Suzuki method in mind. The rep is derived from it. Vade Mecum is his scale book and is a supplement to the rest of the method. I actually think the rep of the Progressive Method to be pretty well conceived. I'm pretty well versed in pivots so I introduce it to my students. I change fingerings to suit my pedagogy philosophy which is based in Simandl and Bille with a smattering of Petracchi and Rabbath (like most modern players I guess). Anyhow, any method needs a teacher unless you are fairly advanced in your studies. They'll all be equally effective if you have the right teacher. IMHO
Click to expand...

Thanks for the clarifacation. Sounds well worth looking into, as a strong suppliment but not a great replacement for the old standards - especially without a teacher.
I put Vade Mecum on the stand, haven't played out of it yet, but it made it out of the drawer.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back