Double Bass Solo Techniques: A book of orchestral excerpts

Whether you are a beginner wishing to learn new skills, a university player studying excerpts, or a professional preparing for orchestral auditions, this extremely useful volume will help you understand the marriage between technique and music making . . . Hartley has put together an excellent collection of music from the orchestral literature to demonstrate intermediate and advanced techniques used in music for the double bass. The excerpts are extremely efficient in conveying not only the proper procedure to execute the required skill but also the musical ideas behind them. (Daniel Nix, The Strad, May 09)

This is an imaginatively produced book of orchestral excerpts for double bass. Keith Hartley . . . has found an innovative way to study instrumental technique and orchestral excerpts at the same time . . . If you need useful, relevant material to study slurs, upper and lower parts of the bow, spiccato, sautillé, hook bows and so on with more advanced students, look no further. (Cathy Elliott, ESTA News & Views 2008)

This is an essential book for the more advanced bass pupil. (Ensemble (Journal of the MMA), September 08)

Hartley's extensive playing experience has enabled him to provide fingerings in the more challenging excerpts which he knows will work when the player finally gets to play the piece with an orchestra . . . excellent material for learning the orchestral repertoire while at the same time supporting the development of a good technique on the instrument. (Music Teacher, February 2009)

Text instruction is clear and concise, and the musical examples are substantial enough to allow players to practice the technique that is presented. Diving into the technical elements in the context of actual repertoire is a valuable approach, and teachers and students are likely to benefit from the excerpts . . .This book is a practical resource for intermediate level students up through teachers, and provides ideal practice material for auditions and exams. (Graham Pellettieri, Strings Magazine (USA))

Double Bass Solo Techniques combines the dual function of a technique book and a collection of orchestral excerpts. The techniques are introduced in a logical order, and each is preceded by a short explanatory note, providing technical advice and tips on performance. The repertoire has been carefully selected to showcase the technique in its real musical context, and the pieces cover all major styles and genres. Ideal as preparation for auditions and exams.