CONTRABASS REPERTOIRE

GRADED LIST

METHODS/STUDIES/SCALE BOOKS

UNACCOMPANIED BASS SOLOS

SONATAS

CONCERTOS AND SOLOS WITH ORCHESTRA

SHOW PIECES & SHORTER COMPOSITIONS

BASS AND PIANO COLLECTIONS

ORCHESTRAL EXCERPTS

CHAMBER MUSIC FOR BASS AND OTHER

GRADED LEVEL DESCRIPTIONS

Compiled by: John Michel

Professor of Cello & Bass at Central Washington University

Sources include the ASTA String Syllabus (Revised 1986),

the Royal Conservatory Syllabus, CWU Library.
 GRADED LEVEL DESCRIPTIONS FOR THE DOUBLE BASS

BEGINNING LEVELS:
I. open strings, harmonics, very simple fingerings--precursory exercises, bow hold, positions, changing
strings, ear-training

II. simple half or first position in predictable rhythms, mostly simple scalar motion--establishing intonation,
solidifying positions, memorization

III. half and/or first position including more arppegiated motion--developing tone, dynamics, bowings,
bowing patterns, legato vs. staccato articulations,sight reading, faster bow strokes, different major keys and
lower string playing

IV. more difficult bowings and fingerings in first position--extended fingerings, detached slurs, slurs, rapid
string crossings, non-harmonic tones

INTERMEDIATE LEVELS:
V. shifting between a few neck positions in isolated succession of shifts--, brush stroke, strong core sound,
inch-worm extension or shift,

VI. shifting between all neck postions and initial vibrato--dotted and more complex rhythms, thinking in
large impulses, ornaments, trills,

VII. fluent shifting between all neck postions, beginning transitional positions, and vibrato--long sustained
bowing, minor scales, tenor clef, fifth-seventh position,shifting to high G,G#,A, awkward bow proportion,
simple double stops and chords

VIII. longer works with extensive shifting in neck and transitional positions and varied use of vibrato-- double
stops and chords, concerto style playing, more complex forms, more contrasting passages,complex string
crossings

ADVANCED LEVELS:
IX. longer, more challenging, and more musically mature works with extensive shifting in neck and
transitional positions and sometimes brief thumb position passages--simple thumb position anchored at the
harmonic or in simple scalar motion--different thumb position patterns, develop strength and endurance in
thumb, maintain integrity of thumb position form, across all strings

X. works utilize the entire range but fall into idiomatic scalar or arpeggiated patterns--thumb position in all
higher positions, thirds, octaves, sixths

XI. pieces require fluent playing over the entire range of the bass--thumb position over entire range,
established spiccato, fast and even fingering, artificial harmonics, very fast virtuostic passages, multiple
shifting, shifting at odd intervals,thumb position double stops
XII. works necessitate not only complete technical command but mature interpretation and sense of artistry

XIII. particularly technically and musically challenging music designed for the seasoned, accomplished
artist
 CONTRABASS REPERTOIRE
GRADED SYLLABUS
The following pieces are listed in general order of technical difficulty, giving only moderate
consideration for musical difficulty. At all stages of development, bass students should be exposed to and
learn from the finest of music compositions. The result of hard practice is ultimately more rewarding, and the
accumulated repertoire is more appropriate/satisfying for public performance.
The piece written in bold print are those pieces indicate only my personal preference and interest.
Students should be encouraged to explore the entire repertoire, but even more importantly, they should have a
thorough working knowledge of the most respected works of the repertoire.
Many pieces of our literature are transcriptions and arrangements borrowed from original works for other
instruments, and we have welcomed them into the heart of our repertoire. It is impossible to identify all of
those in this document, but an effort has been made to include interesting selections, mostly of accomplished
composers. Preferred editions, in my opinion, are listed first with others following.

! = CWU library inventory in quantity of each publisher

* = my studio inventory in quantity of each publisher(excluding optional publications in italics)
b = bass part missing
p = piano part missing

METHODS/SCALE BOOKS:
I-IV.
3-11 Applebaum Orchestral Bowing Etudes (description of all bow strokes!) Belwin *
Bille, Isaia New School for the Double Bass, Book 1 Ricordi
Nanny Complete Method for the Double Bass, Bk. 1 Leduc
1-8 Portnoi, Henry Creative Bass Technique (ASTA) Herald Printing *
1-7 Rabbath, Francois Nouvelle Technique de La Contrebasse vol 1 of 3 Leduc *
Shmuklovsky Scales,Triads, and Exercises for String Bass Beginners Fischer
1-8 Simandl New Method for the Double Bass, Book 1 Fischer *
Wohlfart, F. Studies for the Progressive String Bass Player Boston
1-8 Zimmerman Elementary Double-Bass Method Schirmer *
1-9 Zimmerman A Contemporary Concept of Bowing Technique for the Bass MCA *

V,VI.
Bille, Isaia New School for the Double Bass, Book 2 Ricordi
Drew, Lucas ed. 77 Baroque Bass Lines U. of Miami
5-9 Drew, Lucas The Artist's Studio for Strings: Shifting Develop. StudiesNeil A. Kjos *
5 Green, Barry The Fundamentals of Double Bass Playing Piper
5 Matesky, Ralph The Well Tempered String Player for Bass Alfred
Montag, Lajos Method, Vol 1 EMB
5-8 Simandl 30 Studies International/Fischer *

VII,VIII.
 Bille New School for the Double Bass, Bks, 3 & 4 Ricordi
Gouffe 45 Studies by Various Composers, Vol 1 Billaudot
Hellouin Bowing for the Contrabass Leduc
8-11 Kruetzer 18 Studies International *
Lee 12 Etudes International
Montag Method, Vol 2 EMB
Nanny Complete Method for the Double Bass, Bk. 2 Leduc
Mochel Special Studies for the Double Bass Schott
Rollez Method for Contrabass, Vol 1-3 Billaudot
Sturm 110 Etudes, Bks. I & II International

IX, X.
9-11 Bille, Isaia 18 Studies vol? Ricordi *
Childs;Erb... Contemporary Etudes ASTA
Green Advanced Tech. Piper
Findeisen, T Technical Studies, Op 14 Vo. 1 International !
Hellouin Les harmoniques Leduc
Hoag Nine Characteristic Studies Schirmer
Montag Method, Vol III & IV EMB
Nanny 10 Etudes-Caprices Leduc
Nanny 20 Etudes of virtuosity Leduc
Nanny Etudes of Dreutzer and Fiorilla Leduc !
Ravel The Notation of Harmonics Univ. of Miami
Ruhm Progressive Etudes, Book 1-3 Dobinger
Storch & Harbe 57 Etudes, Bks. I and II International
9-12 Simandl, F. New Method for String Bass, part 2 !
Simandl, F. 30 Studies for the Development of Tone International

UNACCOMPANIED SOLOS:
I-VI. (see collections)

VII,VIII.
Dragonetti Six Waltzes for Double Bass Alone !
Bach, J.S. Bouree from "3rd Cello Suite" Leduc !
Bach, J.S. Courante from "First Cello Suite" Leduc !
Bach, J.S. Menuet in G Major Carl Fischer !
Bach Prelude from "2nd Cello Suite" Leduc !
Ozawa Monologue Peters
Turetsky Collage I, for solo Bass Elkan-Vogel

IX, X.
Bach Solo Suites in 3 Vols. Peters
Bach Movements from Solo Suites Leduc
Chihara Logs, for solo Bass Peters
Downey Silhouette for solo Presser
 Eccles Fantasia for solo Univ. of Miami
Erb Deja Vu for solo Merion
9+ Fisher Concert Piece Peters *
Henze Serenade for solo Schott
Persichetti Parable for solo bass Elkan-Vogel
Proto Caprice for solo Liben
Sydeman For Bass Alone McGinnis

XI-.
Aitken Suite for Solo Oxford
Cruft Homage to JSBach for solo Lengnick
Fredrickson Music for the Bass Alone Presser
Perle Monody II for solo Bass Presser
Proto Caprice for solo Bass Liben
Rabbath Rabbath Solos for the Bassist, solo Liben
Slatford Unaccompanied Solos, Vol 1 Yorke
Whittenberg Conversations forsolo Bass Peters

SONATAS:
I-IV.
Drew, Lucas First Sonatina Belwin

V-VI.
Anderson, Arthur Sonatina Fischer
Drew Second Sonatina Belwin
Presser, William Sonatina Tenuto

VII,VIII.
Corelli Sonata in D minor International
Marcello Six Sonatas Schirmer
8 Romberg Sonata in E minor, Op. 38, No. 1 International *
Scarlatti Three Sonatas Schirmer
Vivaldi, A. 6 Sonatas Schott !

IX, X.
Bach Sonata No. 2 in D major International
Boccherini Sonata No. 2 Belwin
Bottesini Reverie Fischer
Caporale Three Sonatas University of Miami
9+ Chopin Largo from the Sonata for Cello and Piano, op 65 Belwin-Mills *
Galliard Sonata in F major International
Hindemith Sonata Schott
Zimmerman Seven Baroque Sonatas Zimmerman
XI-.
12 Boccherini Sonata No. 6 in A major International *
Fuchs Sonata, Op. 97 McGinnis
Handel Sonata in G minor International
Hindemith, Paul Sonata for Double Bass and Piano !
Misek Sonatas Nos. 1 & 2 Liben
Schubert Sonata in A minor "Arpeggionae" International
Skorzeny Sonatinas No 1 and 2 Doblinger
CONCERTOS AND SOLOS WITH ORCHESTRA:
VII,VIII.
8+ Capuzzi Concerto for Double Bass in F Boosey *
8+ Capuzzi Concerto for Double Bass in D Yorke *p

IX, X.
10+ Bruch Kol Nidre Belwin Mills *p
Cimador Concerto in G Yorke
Damase Concerto Billaudot
Gouffe Concertino Billaudot
Handel Concerto in G minor Belwin
10 Haydn Adagio from Cello Concerto in D Belwin *
Hoffmeister Concerto No. 1 Hofmeister
Lalo Intermezzo from Concerto for Cello and Orch. Belwin
9+ Meyer, Robert A little concerto Yorke *
Pichl Concerto in D Hofmeister
Simandl Concerto Belwin
Vivaldi Concerto in E minor Leduc

XI-
Bottesini Concerto No. 1 International
Bottesini Concerto No. 2 Internationa
Dittersdorf Concerto in E major Schott
Dittersdorf Concertos Nos. 1 and 2 Yorke
Dragonnetti Concerto in A major International
Koussevitzky Concerto, Op. 3 International !
Mozart Concerto Leduc
Vanhal Concerto in E major Hofmeister
Vivaldi Concerto in A minor, Op. 3 No. 6 International
SHOW PIECES & SHORTER COMPOSITIONS:
I-IV.
Brian, Arthur March of the Giants Belwin
Carroll, Ida Five Simple Pieces for the Double Bass Augener
Dandrieu, Jean Gavotte in Rondo Form Belwin
Etling, Forest Solo Time for Strings, Book 1 Highland
Evans, Colin Bass Bass (open strings) Novello
Fletcher, Stanley New Tunes for Strings, Vol 1 (designed by Paul Rolland) Boosey
Gouinguene Chaconne Leduc
Handel, George Sarabande and Minuet Belwin
Hassler, J.W. A Stately Dance Belwin
Hill, William Autumn Days KJOS
Issac, Merle arr. Country Gardens Fischer
Kingman, Patricia Two Jovial Dances Belwin
Kohler, Louis Two Austrian Folk Tunes Belwin
Lichner, H. Dance of the Wooden Soldiers Belwin
Martin, Jean-Louis Pimprenelle Billaudot
Muller, J. Frederick Fun at the Fair KJOS
Muller, J. Frederick Lake Chautauqua Waltz KJOS
Muller, J. Frederick Neapolitan Dance KJOS
Pleyel, Ignaz Menuett Belwin
Schlemuller, Hugo Cradle Song Fischer
Schlemuller, Hugo Prayer Fischer
Schlemuller, Hugo Song Fischer
Siennicki, Edmund Highland Heather KJOS
Whistler, Harvey Solos for Strings Rubank

V.
Chopin, Frederic Maiden's Wish Fischer
4-6 DeCoursey, Ralph Six Easy Pieces for Bass and Piano Berandol? *b
Dvorak Songs My Mother Taught Me Fischer
Etling, Forest ed. Solo Time For Strings, Books II& III Highland
Fletcher, Stanley New Tunes for Strings, Vol 2 Boosey
Gates, Everett Night Song Bossey
Gossec, Francois Gavotte Fischer
Gouinguene, C. Hommage a Vivald Leduc
Handel Largo Fischer
Hoag, Charles Soft Shoe Dance Schirmer
Isaac, Merle Jolly Dutchman Fischer
Isaac, Merle Nautical Melody Fischer
Johnson, Harold Lento and Zapateado Fillmore
Lesinsky, Adam 34 String Bass Solos Belwin
Martin, C. Pompola Fischer
Massenet,Jules Melodie (Elegie) form Les Erynnies Fischer
Merle, John Demetrius Fischer
Merle, John Mummers fischer
 Montag, Lajos ed. Works for Bass by Hungarian Composers, Vol I & II EMB
Pergolesi Tre Giorni Fischer
Petrie Asleep in the Deep Rubank
Schlemuller, Hugo Minuet Fischer
Schlemuller, Hugo Mountain Maiden Fischer
Schlemuller, Hugo Our Soldiers Fischer
Tuthill, Burnet Six for Bass FEMA
Walter, David ed. The Melodious Bass AMSCO

VI.
Bach Menuet in G Fischer
Boccherini Minuet Belwin
Cirri Arioso Misicus
Corelli Sarabande Fischer
DeCoursey Four Miniatures Berando
Dragonetti Solo in D minor Doblinger
Dragonetti Three Waltzes Yorke
Elgar Salut d'Amour Belwin
Etling Solo time for Strings, Bk. 4 Etling
Galliard Adagio and Allegro Belwin
Giordani Two 18th c Pieces Augener
Gouinguene Adagio Leduc
Martini Plaisir d'amour Leduc
Medins Valse Belwin
Merle Caballero Fischer
Montag Works for Bass by Hungarian Composers vol 3 EMB
Muller Dance of the Shepherds KJOS
Muller The Gallant Suitor KJOS
Pierne Piece in G minor Belwin
Purcell Aria International
Ratex Cantabile and Parade, from 6 Pieces Characteristiques Billaudot
6 Reinagle Two Classical Solos: Tempo di Minuetto Belwin-Mills *p
Saint Saens The Elephant, from the Carnival of the Animals Durand
Wagner To the Evening Star Schirmer

VII,VIII.
Ameller Belle Province: Lebel-Quevillon Leduc
Bach Aria From Suite No. 3 International
Bach Bach Chorales Presser
7 Bach Gavotte Fischer *
Busser Piece in C Leduc
Chapuis Choral Leduc
Dancla Air Varie Fischer
Eisengraber Variations on a Favorite Styrian Folksong Fischer
7 Farkas, Ferenc Quattro Pezzi for bass and piano Boosey *
8 Faure Sicilienne, Op.78 International *
 Laburda Duo, for Bass and Guitar Presser
Maniet Poco Allegro Brogneaux
Raphling Lyric Prelude Musicus
8 Saint Saens Romance, Op. 51 Belwin *
Simandl Concert Study in E minor International
Simandl Sarabande and Gavotte International
Simandl Tempo Di Polacca Fischer
Smith-Masters All Mimsy York
Tartini Andante Cantabile Bewin
Turetzky Old Dances for Young Basses McGinnis
Vivaldi Intermezzo Schirmer
Walter The Elephant's Gavotte Yorke

IX, X.
10 Bach Adagio fom the Organ Toccata in C major International *
10+ Boccherini Rondo arr. by Stuart Sankey International *
9+ Beethoven Romance, Op 50 trans. by Simandl International *
Beethoven Three Minuets Peters
Casterede Chemins Leduc
Dallier Duo Leduc
Dohnanyi Theme With Variations from Cello Sonata Belwin
Dragonetti Allegretto from the Solo in E minor Belwin
Faure Berceuse Belwin
9 Faure Apres Un Reve (After a Dream) International *b
9 Faure Romance in A major, Op 69 Belwin *p
9 Goens, Daniel van Scherzo Op.12, No.2 Belwin *
9- Galliard Sonata in F major International *
9- Glazunov Chant Du Menestrel (Minstrel's Song, Op. 71) Belwin *
10 Gliere Scherzo, Op. 32 No. 2 International *
Gouffe Rondo-Fantaisie, Billaudot
Haydn Serenade Belwin
9+ Hovhaness Fantasy for bass and piano Broude *
Laska Perpetual Motion Belwin
Leitermeyer 12 Essays Doblinger
10- Lorenziti Gavotte Leduc copy *
Massenet Meditation Belwin
Mendelssohn Song Without Word Belwin
9- Monteverdi Six Monteverdi Songs trans. Zimmermann MCA *
Mozart Minuet International
Nanny Berceuse Leduc
Nielsen Fantasy Pieces Belwin
Popper Gavotte No. 2 Belwin
Prokofiev Romance from Lt. Kije Suite Musicus
9 Rachmaninoff Vocalise Op 34, No. 14 International *
10- Saint Saens Allegro Appassionato, op. 43 International *
10 Simandl Scherzo Capriccioso, Op. 72 International *
 Stevens Arioso and Etude Merican Music
Taira Penombres II Transat.
9 Tartini Adagio Cantabile, Op. 65 Belwin *
9 Tchaikovsky Barcarolle Op 37, No. 6 International *p
Zimmermann Ayres and Dances Univ. of Miami

XI-
Bottesini Tarantella in A Minor International? !
Bush Meditation and Scherzo Yorke
Dragonetti Andante and Rondo Doblinger
Dragonetti Grande Allegro in E mojor Doblinger
Giannini Psalm 130 Colombo
Gliere, Reinhol Four Pieces for String Bass and Piano !
Gliere, R. Russian Sailor's Dance Car Fischer !
Gliere Four Pieces Hofmeister
Koussevitzky Chanson Triste, Op. 2 International
Lancen Croquis (Sketches) Yorke
Nanny Airs Russes Leduc
Pascal Air Varie Durand
Ramsier Divertimento Concertante Schirmer
Schumann Chant du Soir Leduc
Serventi Largo et Scherzando Leduc
Simandl Concert Etude International
Simandl Sarabande and Gavotte International
11 Stein, E.D. Concertpiece, Op. 9 International *
Tenaglia Aria Leduc
Zbar Night Music for Lovecraft Leduc

BASS AND PIANO COLLECTIONS:

3-4 Applebaum, S. Building Technic w/ Beautiful Music Vol II (bass part) Belwin Mills *
3-4 Applebaum, S. Building Technic w/Beautiful Music Vol II (piano part) Belwin Mills *
5-6 Applebaum, S. Building Technic w/Beautiful Music Vol III (bass part) Belwin Mills *
6 Applebaum, S. Building Technic w/Beautiful Music Vol IV(bass part) Belwin Mills *
6 Applebaum, S. Building Technic w/Beautiful Music Vol IV(piano part) Belwin Mills *
6-7 Bach Bach for the Young Bass Player trans. by Zimmermann MCA *
7,8 Ratez Menuet varie,... from 6 Pieces Caracteristiques Billaudot
7,8 Weinstein Contemporary Modal Solos Univ. of Miami
7-10 Zimmerman Solos for the Double Bass Player Schirmer *
ORCHESTRAL EXCERPTS:
Zimmermann arr. Orchestral Excerpts from Symphonic Rep. Vol. 2 International *
(includes excerpts form the following works:)
6 Beethoven Piano Concerto No. 4
6 Schubert Symphony No. 5
6 Smetana Vltava from "My Country"
7 Berlioz Overture "Roman Carnival"
7 Debussy Nocturnes "Fetes"
7 Dvorak Symphony No. 5 "From the New World"
7 Glinka Overture "Russlan and Ludmila"
7 Haydn Symphony No. 102
7 Nicolai Overture "The Merry Wives of Windsor"
8 Brahms Symphony No.1
8 Brahms Tragic Overture
8 Beethoven Symphony No. 6 "Pastoral"
8 Lalo Overture "Le Roi D'Ys"
8 Mendelssohn Symphony No. 5 "Reformation"
8 Mozart Symphony No. 39
8 Rossini Overture "The Barber of Seville"
8 Schumann Symphony No. 1
8 Sibelius Symphonic Poem "en Saga"
9 Berlioz Symphonie Fantastique
9 Rimsky-Korsakov Scheherazade
9 Smetana Overture"The Bartered Bride"
9 Tchaikovsky Symphony No. 4
10 Beethoven Symphony No. 9
10 Stravinsky Concerto "Dumbarton Oaks"
11 Shostakovich Symphony No. 5

CHAMBER MUSIC FOR BASS and OTHER:

Bach 2 Part Invention for Two Basses copy *
10 Hodkinson, Sydney One Man's Meat for Bass and Performer-Recorded Sound Track Presser *
11 Keyper Rondo Solo for Bass and Cello or Viola Yorke *
@9 Reed Trilogue-Scherzo for solo and two mallet percussion Kalmus
Reynolds, Roger Acquaintances for flute,bass and piano Peters *
@9 Turetzky Reflections on Ives and Whittier, for solo and self-prepared tape Elkan
@9 Zinn Perpetual Motion in Jazz for solo and opt. bass accomp Excelsior