Double Bass Curriculum
Revised 2011
Gaelen McCormick, Instructor
LEVEL 1
Methods
All for Strings, Book 1
Essential Elements, Book I
Technique
- Open string sound production.
- 1st position.
- Shape of both hands.
- Proper sitting or standing posture.
- Basic rhythms of common time – quarter notes, half notes
- G scale
Repertoire
Bass Fiddle March
March of the Giants
LEVEL IS (1.5)
Methods and Etudes
All for Strings, Book 1 (continue and complete)
Essential Elements , Book 1(continue and complete)
Technique
- 1/2 position.
- 3rd position.
- Beginning shifting technique.
- Slurring, staccato bow strokes.
- F, Bb, D, A, E scales.
- rhythms - combining quarter notes and eighth notes
Repertoire
Mummers (Festival Performance Solos)
Blue Bells of Scotland or The Little Sailor from 35 Easy Solos (Yorke)
LEVEL II
Methods and Etudes
Simandl - New Method Book 1 (to include all positions through 3rd)
Vance - Progressive Repertoire Vol. 1, Book 1 (to include 4th position)
All for Strings or Essential Elements Book 2
Technique
- Slurring across strings.
- C, G (using closed strings)
- Including 2nd position along with previously learned positions
- Using the universal pattern for all scales.
- Development of mature practice habits through mental and physical discipline and organization.
- Discussions in elementary form and aesthetics.
Repertoire
Vance - Rachel and Reuben, Fox and Goose from Progressive Repertoire Vol 1
Marie Dare - Minuet
Isaac - Jolly Dutchman (Festival Performance Solos)
Hartley - Orchestral Solos Book 1 (Oxford)
Ramsier - Bass Tunes
Yorke - 35 Easy Solos such as Elegie, Old French Song , or Sei Cara
Schlemuller - Minuet in G (Festival Performance Solos)
LEVEL IIS (2.5)
Methods and Etudes
Simandl - New Method - position exercises to include up through 4th position
Vance - Progressive Repertoire vol 2 book 4
Technique
- 4th position
- Begin scales in intervals, 3rds – using Simandl book,
- Hooked bowings
- Shifting on the neck, pivoting only in the 4th position and higher
- begin one octave minor scales
Repertoire
Marcello - Sonata – e minor
Hartley - Orchestral Solos Book 1
Vance - Old French Song, Sakura, or Long long ago from vol.2 book 4
LEVEL III
Methods and Etudes
Simandl - New Method - working through the octave harmonic
Technique
- Finish learning positions through octave harmonics
- Continue scales in intervals, 4ths and 5ths
- Bow variations - using Simandl p. 69 as applied to scales
- Scales in 2 octaves: E, F, G.
Repertoire
Vance - Progressive Repertoire, vol. 2 book 4
Bach - Gavotte (Solotime for Strings book 4)
Hartley - Orchestral Solos
Andersen - Sonatina (Festival Performance Solos)
LEVEL IIIS (3.5)
Methods and Etudes
Simandl - Thirty Etudes (1-8)
Technique
- Bow control, varying speed and weight.
- Fingering concepts with dotted rhythm, applying to scales.
- Elementary thumb positions.
- Connecting the neck and thumb positions
- Scales in 2 octaves, adding: A, Bb.
Repertoire
Vance - Rigaudon or Cinquantaine from Progressive Repertoire Vol. 3, Book 5
Beethoven - Sonatina (Zimmerman, Solos for the Double Bass Player)
Pergolesi - Tre Giorni (Festival Performance Solos)
LEVEL IV
Methods and Etudes
Simandl - Thirty Etudes (etudes 8-15)
Robinson - Strokin'
Technique
- Phrasing
- Ensemble skills (Classic and Modern Duets) and performing with piano
- Advanced bowing patterns (Sevcik)
- Varying bow speeds – Galamian scale patterns
Repertoire
Marais - Five French Dances
Vivaldi - Sonata in A Minor
Verdi - Solo from Rigoletto (from Simandl book 1)
Bach - Minuets from Suite No. 1 (in C, such as Sterling edition)
LEVEL IVS (4.5)
Etudes
Simandl - Thirty Etudes (etudes 5-22)
Storch-Hrabe - 57 Etudes, vol 1
Technique
- Continue technique from previous level.
Repertoire
Faure - Apres Un Reve
Capuzzi - Concerto
A. Russell - Chaconne
LEVEL V
Etudes
Simandl - New Method Book 2
Montanari - 14 Etudes
Storch-Hrabe - 57 Etudes, vol 1 continued
Technique
- All 2 octave scales with arpeggios, major and minor keys
Repertoire
Faure - Sicilienne
Vivaldi - Sonata in D Minor
Eccles - Sonata in G Minor
LEVEL VI
Etudes
R. Zimmerman - Bel Canto Etudes
Storch-Hrabe - 57 Etudes, vol 2
Technique
- 3 octave scales
Robinson - Boardwalkin'
Repertoire
Bach/Rabbath - Suite No. 1 (at pitch)
Bottesini/Zimmerman - Elegy
Bach - Gigue from Suite No. 3 (in G, such as Sterling edition)
Dragonetti/Nanny - Concerto
Keyper - Romance and Rondo (Vance vol. 3 book 6)
Last updated: March 15, 2011