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Double Bass Where do I buy Rabbath Method Books?
- Thread starter jambirn
- Start date
You can get them from Lemur Music, Liben Publishing, or Slava Publishing. They're expensive no matter what - look and see who has the lowest price (I think Slava usually does). One piece of the expensiveness is the steep fall of the dollar against the euro in the last few years.
why is everything from Rabbath so expensive? the books, the Art of...DVD's.
It should be more accessible and payable for everyone, just like other books and DVD's.
It should be more accessible and payable for everyone, just like other books and DVD's.
Of course they will be worth it. But so are other books. I just don't see whee this books and DVD's are double the price of most other books.
- Jan 24, 2002
- 2,117
- 950
- Disclosures
- NS Design / AER Endorsing Artist
To be clear, François has no say in how these products are priced. The books are printed and distributed by Leduc. His DVDs were produced and copied by Ball State University. It's the publishers setting the prices. François receives a percentage.
Besides, he's not the only one with these kinds of prices. Jeff Bradetitch's new book is $80. Gary Karr's DVD is $90. The cost of production versus the relatively limited market is going to drive up costs.
Just wait for the fourth book due out next month. I'm sure my wallet will be hurting.
Besides, he's not the only one with these kinds of prices. Jeff Bradetitch's new book is $80. Gary Karr's DVD is $90. The cost of production versus the relatively limited market is going to drive up costs.
Just wait for the fourth book due out next month. I'm sure my wallet will be hurting.
- Jan 24, 2002
- 2,117
- 950
- Disclosures
- NS Design / AER Endorsing Artist
It is going to be two volumes. The first will be etudes and exercises. The second will be a large amount of new, unpublished or revised concert pieces. Some of these will supposedly include piano accompaniment.
I'm afraid I can't be more specific until it comes out.
If the books and DVD's where cheaper the market would also be bigger.
I would it have bought them already long time ago if they where cheaper. Now I am hesitating.
I disagree that the market would increase in size significantly at a lower price point. The amount of Double Bassists in the world is already very small. When you subtract self taught players who aren't necessarily interested in method books and those who play in styles that they might not believe will be enhanced by this type of material (bluegrass, R&B, etc.) you are left with an even small subset. From that group, there will be a number who have a teacher who is pushing a specific player's books or have a problem with teaching Rabbath technique as a whole because they don't like his ideas.
For those left, this may be a very valuable book. Within this subset of people who have probably already sunk large amounts of money into training, their instrument, or their bow, I don't think a reduction in price is going to massively increase demand.
We DB players are a small but proud group.
For those left, this may be a very valuable book. Within this subset of people who have probably already sunk large amounts of money into training, their instrument, or their bow, I don't think a reduction in price is going to massively increase demand.
We DB players are a small but proud group.
- Jan 24, 2002
- 2,117
- 950
- Disclosures
- NS Design / AER Endorsing Artist
I have spend already a lot of money on books, lessons, equipment etc.
Since my teacher (which I am very pleased with) is not a Rabbath follower I am not pushed in that direction.
However I am very interested in Rabbath's method and DVD's. But I am not sure if that is route I am going to follow or that I will like it. Since I don't know that for sure I am hesitated to spend that much money on it. There is no store where I can look in the books and see if I like it before I buy it.
I am sure the books and the DVD's are great, but I don't know if it is the right path for me, at this time.
Since my teacher (which I am very pleased with) is not a Rabbath follower I am not pushed in that direction.
However I am very interested in Rabbath's method and DVD's. But I am not sure if that is route I am going to follow or that I will like it. Since I don't know that for sure I am hesitated to spend that much money on it. There is no store where I can look in the books and see if I like it before I buy it.
I am sure the books and the DVD's are great, but I don't know if it is the right path for me, at this time.
Keep in mind that it is a comprehensive method, with lots of wonderful exercises and etudes that are not so "new", just different. If you are already involved in another comprehensive method, a few lessons with a Rabbathite can explain the key innovations Rabbath put forth.
Even then you'll need to separate the useful techniques from the idiosyncratic habits of a genius super-musician. I just won't ever buy the collapsed fingers as legit technique. The Rabbathites say, "but he has no trouble playing in tune that way", I say Charlie Haden plays tune (sometimes) grabbing the neck like a baseball bat. Neither are things I'd feel comfortable teaching or practicing!
That said, his importance cannot be understated. If you do not make yourself aware of his work as bassist and pedagogue you are doing yourself a disservice.
That also goes for Petracchi and Simandl!!
The cost of all of his books and DVDs combined is still cheaper than flying to France to study with Rabbath for one lesson.
Even if you buy a DVD and don't like, you'll likely be able to sell it at a $20 loss to another bassist.
Even if you buy a DVD and don't like, you'll likely be able to sell it at a $20 loss to another bassist.
They are really expensive, but worth it. I have had book 3 for over 20 years now, and still work out of it several times a week.
Good points everyone. I know someday I will buy the books or/and the DVD's. But at this point in my development I feel that I have to follow my teacher's route and don't want to be distracted by another method.
I know the basic principles of the Rabbath method as far as the left hand is concerned and have them in the back of mind. Sometimes I use his pivoting technique also.
I don't want to strictly apply one method but use all different methods that I know to my benefit.
I like this sentence. 'Charlie Haden plays in tune sometimes'. But maybe it is not what you meant
I know the basic principles of the Rabbath method as far as the left hand is concerned and have them in the back of mind. Sometimes I use his pivoting technique also.
I don't want to strictly apply one method but use all different methods that I know to my benefit.
I like this sentence. 'Charlie Haden plays in tune sometimes'. But maybe it is not what you meant
