Very little is known about the two sonatas which appear here in their original keys. They were placed in the library of the Music School in Oxford at the end of the seventeenth century in a form convenient for playing (i.e. unbound). The library was catalogued by Hake between 1850 and 1855 and the sonatas were eventually bound in 1855 with other instrumental and vocal manuscripts of the same period some of which are dated 1698.The sonatas are both inscribed on the title page Sonata à Violone Solo. Col Basso per l'Organo o Cembalo. A third sonata bears the words Sonata à Violino e Violoncino … di Giovannino del Violone. Giovannino(=Little or Young John) must have been a performer and although the third sonata has been copied by a different hand it is conceivable that Giovannino is a connecting link between the three. He cannot however be assumed to be their author.The Violone was a six-stringed instrument with frets and there is evidence to suggest that the Contrabasso of the same period was similar but probably a little larger; the Violoncino (=Little Violone or Violoncello) must have been smaller. The word 'Violone' was also used as a collective term embracing all members of the Viol family which means that the sonatas might well have been written for a tenor or a bass Viol and not necessarily a Violone as such. Indeed when they are played on a Violone or Double Bass the continuo bass line must be played at a lower pitch than the solo instrument to prevent inversion of the intended harmony. (The use of a Violone/Double Bass continuo or 16' organ tone would overcome this problem.)The editor has added no ornaments or embellishments to the solo part as it appears in the original manuscript. It is open to debate whether a Violone player owing to the very nature of his instrument would have used any but the simplest melodic decorations. Nevertheless the performer should acquaint himself thoroughly with those seventeenth century traditions that

Camille Saint-Saens' Elephant is a delightful miniature from The Carnival Of The Animals and is one of the few works that are attractive to learners and accomplished players alike. Its many musical and technicalchallenges have earned it a permanent place in the teaching repertoire yet it offers soloists a welcome opportunity to demonstrate their prowess and espirit even in the low register.The ease with which a greatcomposer accurately and skilfully probes the idiosyncracies of this largest of string instruments for expressive purposes - a combination of features seldom encountered in the double bass repertoire - is truly impressive. All themore astonishing therefore that the Elephant although widely known is relatively rarely heard in the concert hall.This Urtext edition of the score has been edited with critical commentaries as well as fingeringand bowing of the double bass part by Tobias Glockler. The accompaniment is notated in E flat and F and so the double bass can perform using either solo tuning or orchestra tuning.

If you can play just a few notes on the double bass then you're ready for this book. These twenty-two imaginative little pieces for the absolute beginner include traditional tunes classics and specially composed melodies all with attractive piano accompaniments.The pieces are arranged progressively so you can hear the step-by-step improvement in your playing as well as simply enjoying the music.

This Piano accompaniment book ideally compliments the Suzuki Bass School Volume 4 Bass Part book catalogue number ALF28359.The Suzuki Method® of Talent Education is based on Dr. Shinichi Suzuki's view that every child is born with ability and that man is the son of his environment. According to Dr. Suzuki a world-renowned violinist and teacher the greatest joy an adult can know comes from developing a child's potential so he/she can express all that is harmonious and best in human beings. Students are taught using the 'mother-tongue' approach.

This new publication replaces the old Latham edition (now out of print) - popular title on both ABRSM and TG double bass syllabuses (grade 7).Dennis Leogrande writes:I began writing the melody first although every piece begins differently. I wanted to begin with a sound that for me is very characteristic of the bass that being the ½ step slide from G# to A. Looking throughout the piece you will notice other slides ie. bars 1 3 5 7 12 14 16 18 38 58 114 116 18 120 123 125 and 127. Please don't forget to notice the grace note slide in measure 100. These are the melodic motifs that give the piece its character and act as hooks(memorable ideas) for the listener to latch on to. Once I began writing the melody it just grew organically from the original idea. I hope you feel the same organic growth. The shifting harmonic tonalities (between D major and D minor) seem to ask the question 'May I?' and keep the listener involved in trying to answer the question. The jazz style keeps the 'question' light hearted a little 'tongue in cheek.' However playing this piece requires attention to these details and a great deal of musicianship. It's the fine musician who understands both the music and the instrument who can make a difficult and complicated piece sound easy light and fun. Oh and yes please enjoy!

Tchaikovsky - Canzonetta from the Violin Concerto, Op. 35 For Double Bass and Piano Tchaikovsky - CanzonettaMore Details Concert Score (6 pages) Double Bass Part in Solo Tuning (2 pages) Arranged and Transcribed for Double Bass by Michael Hovnanian Second Edition (Urtext), © 2008

Inspired by the use of the bass viol in Bach cantatas as well as jazz groups. Includes two piano reductions: Concert Pitch and Solo Tuning in D. Co-commissioned by 15 orchestras and the International Society of Bassists.

The ?Easy Concert Pieces? series offers a wide spectrum of pieces from the Renaissance, Baroque, Classical, Romantic and Modern eras. The repertoire enriches the daily exercises and double bass tutor and is suited for all kinds of auditions. It contains original works for double bass solo as well as orchestral excerpts and arrangements of famous classical masterpieces. Volume 1 (easy) contains pieces in half and first position, with easy rhythms and melodies. It includes easy strokes and articulations such as portato, staccato and legato. Some pieces contain easy Flageolets. This volume offers a broad selection of classical masterpieces in easy arrangements.Volume 2 (easy to intermediate) contains pieces up to the 3rd position. As some new double bass tutors have a different approach in introducing position changes, volume 2 offers several pieces which reach the 2nd position, some pieces using only 1st and 3rd positions and some more difficult pieces which encompass all positions from half to third position. This volume consists of more original works.Volume 3 (intermediate) increases the repertoire up to the 6th position and requires a good control of the lower positions. It makes higher demands on expressive playing and interpretation, velocity and rhythm, as well as bowing techniques with articulation and phrasing./ Recueil / Contrebasse et Piano