Hi! I’m planning on renting an upright bass and would love to start learning classical style. I asked a College Professor, and he said that I should get the Simandl method, Sharpes “bassic technique”, essentiall elements, progressive repertoire, and some solo repertoire. The problem especially comes with the last one. Do you have any recommendations for solo bass repertoire? Should I just use cello sheet music and play it down the octave?
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Double Bass Where can I get classical solo repertoire?
- Thread starter Ivy E
- Start date
The professor is right about getting Simandl's "New Method" (Vol. 1) at first. There is more than enough there to keep you busy for a while. It's meant more for pedagogy than musical pleasure.
Some approachable solo music might be Benedetto Marcello's "Six Sonatas for Cello or Double Bass", part of the Schirmer Library. Baroque!
George Vance's "Progressive Repertoire for the Double Bass" has, I think, three volumes. It's kind of a "greatest hits" compilation, where you play well-known melodies from various sources, and it provides a little different approach from Simandl, getting you into thumb position quickly.
Some approachable solo music might be Benedetto Marcello's "Six Sonatas for Cello or Double Bass", part of the Schirmer Library. Baroque!
George Vance's "Progressive Repertoire for the Double Bass" has, I think, three volumes. It's kind of a "greatest hits" compilation, where you play well-known melodies from various sources, and it provides a little different approach from Simandl, getting you into thumb position quickly.
Simandl etudes with backing tracks:
That'll go well with the Simandl method book.
Simandl - 30 Etudes for Double Bass: Music Minus One Double Bass: Linn, Andrew, Simandl, Franz: 9781596156364: Amazon.com: Books
Simandl - 30 Etudes for Double Bass: Music Minus One Double Bass [Linn, Andrew, Simandl, Franz] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. Simandl - 30 Etudes for Double Bass: Music Minus One Double Bass
www.amazon.com
That'll go well with the Simandl method book.
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In addition to the Vance, you could get Suzuki Bass School: Bass Part, Vol.1, which has a bunch of good pieces for a fair price, and and sticks around the lower positions a bit more, although it does get you to the neck block (Simandl 4th position) halfway through. I like both collections a lot for people starting out.
I like working on the Bel Canto Bass book - originally written for tuba, I think:
https://www.talkbass.com/threads/robert-zimmerman-bel-canto-basso-melodic-studies.247220/
https://www.talkbass.com/threads/robert-zimmerman-bel-canto-basso-melodic-studies.247220/
