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 in 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