Bass
rhe/Bct
of Ba,s,s'
for the
Absolute Beginner to the Intermediate Student by Janice Tucker Rhoda
/ Book
1
Bass
/ Book
'1
rhe/BC3 ot Ba,s,s' for
the
Absolute Beginner to the
Intermediate Student by
Janice Tucker Rhoda I dedicate thís book to my devored rcachers: Nancy Círillo, Alan Hawryluh Joseph kary, Rudolf Kolisch, Yuri Mazurkevich, Ceorge Neikrug, Daniel Pinkham, Eric Rosenblith, Gunther Schuller, Roman Totenberg, and Benjamin hnder.
PREFACE This bass method book is designed for the beginning and intermediate student of any age. After many years of combining various methods of teaching both children and adults, I have developed a simple and enjoyable approach for the study of the bass. I use materials which help students advance technically in a gradual, logical and thorough manner. There are short, lyrical wann-up exercises and longer study pieces, as well as familiar classical and popular melodies. I composed fifteen of the forty-nine melodies, which fit in perfectly with the development of left-hand and bowing techniques.
I am convinced that it is never too late to begin studying the bass. In fact, adult beginners learn to read music at a very quick pace, have excellent concentration and are highly motivated to practice. Playing the bass is very engaging and the contents of this book are sure to maintain your continued interest. To the adult student:
To the teacher: During my many years of teaching and directing string departments, I dreamed of developing a method that would help beginners of any age feel more at ease and satisfied - a method that would allow them to progress quickly and play precisely, yet leam to read music well. This method book, and the entire series, is designed to fit these criteria.
Here are some key elements to strive for at a lesson: f . impeccable
2. solid bow 3. correct 4. steady
intonation
technique
posture rhythm 5. accurate reading
6. beautiful tone quality 7. expressive vibràto 8. structured, artistic phrasing 9. precise shifting 10. memorization of piecesx
In any case, it is wise to help our students develop good habits right from the start. Teaching students of all ages is very gratifying. I think teachers will have the same posìtive expériénce I have had while using the series.
-
Janice Thcker Rhoda
* Although it is not essential to memorize pieces, as a teacher have found it to be a very useful tool in developing a student's skill. To paraphrase Rudolf Kolisch (1896-1978), a good memory is a habit formed. His quartet, the Kolisch Strin_e Quartet, was the first to perform its works by memory.
I
CARL FISCHER. 65 BleeckerStreet, NewYork. NY 10012 @ 2003 I ntemational
Copyright
by Janice Tucker Rhoda Copvri aht Secu red. All rights reserved inclúdinó peforminq riohrs.
ABC25
WARNING!.This pu5lication is protected by Copyàght taw. To phótocópy or reproduce by any melhod is an infringement of the Copyright law. Anyone who repraiuces òopyrighteó matter is subjecl to substantial penalties and assessments lor eacfr inlringemlni. printed in the U.S. A.
lsBN 0-8258-5255.2
TABLE OF CONTENTS TITLE ABSOLUTE BEGINNER LEVEL FIRST POSITION
Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star
INTERMEDIATE LEVEL FIRST POSITION
THIRD POSITION
HALF POSITION SECOND POSITION
ABC25
COMPOSER
PAGE
Parts of the Bass scroll pegs
nut
-
neck
end of fingerboard
The bow is placed halfway between the bridge and the end of the fingerboard. Keep the bow perpendicular to the strings at all times. endpin
Parts oÍ the Bow French Bow îp
end screw
stick -,
tl
rl I
hair stick
German Bow
-
I
fróg
end screw I
4
ABSOLUTE BEGINNER LEVEL LESSON
I
Naming The Spaces And Lines Of The Staff
ryE
The staff has 4 spaces.
ThespacesareACEE
The staff has 5 lines.
ThelinesareGBDEA.
LESSON 2 Pluck The Open Strings A Bridge
-
Look down at your bridge while holding your bass. Memorize the names of the strings as you pluck them one at a time. Say:
Przzicato
G
D
A
E
"GDAEEADG".
E
A
D
G
.ì. a3 a
Repeat this exercise several times. Copyright O 2003 by Janice Tucker Rhoda
LESSON 3 Przztcato The Open Strings J I
is a quarter note. A quarter note receives is a whole rest. It receives 4 beats.
4means4beatspermeasure. m:, cl:Ilme_ Slgnature
Q
O
4 means a quarter note receives 1 beat.
Pizzicato
Count:
L
2
3
4
|
2 3
4
a-
-
ABC25
1 beat.
-
6
LESSON 4 Play With The Bow ll
means Down bow
V
FV Count: I
means Up bow
Frì
34
-
|.l
-
|.t
n
|.l
ft
l'l
,1.
l.
3z
Fl
|l
I. PIZZICAIO the first time through. 2. ARCO the second time through.
Posture Perfect
German Bow Hold
French Bow Hold
Piuicato Posture
Left Hand Fingerings 3{' 4
Fq
. The third finger will not be used at this
Ff
beginning level. You may anchor the third finger behind the fourth finger as a means of support. ABC25
LESSON 5 Begin On The D-String In First Position. Open D, E is 1st finger on the D-string. Ff, is 4th finger on the D-string.
F l-
.al
.)1
FI t-
ft
ft
ll
-
n
-
|l
-
1. Learn the left-hand fingerings using pizzicato.
2. Repeat the exercise using the bow (arco). xSecond finger is introduced on page 18. AÓUZJ
34
. )tl
n
It
|.l
J i,
234
u
half note. A half nore receives 2 bears.
r234
r234
lt
) =J*)
10
LESSON 6 G
A
Open G,
A is lst finger on the G-string in first position.
=o
6
=î
Warm-ups
F
Mary Had A Little Lamb
Easy Duets: on pages 42
ABC25
- 45.
American Folk Song
11
-
Skipping And Walking Fingers JANICE TUCKER RHODA
L2
@**"f Jingte Bells JAMBS PIERPONT
F
a,
Warm-up @ \-/
)
My Dreydl Hanukah Song
-
T.t
F -
-
S. GROSSMAN and S. GOLDFARB
13
LESSON 7
nut
4
B
B is 4th finger on the G-string in f,rrst position. 4
Au Clair De La Lune
French Folk Song
|,l
Warm-up 16 vt
TIvinkle, Tlvinkle Little Star Ah! Vous dirai-je, Maman F
French Folk Song
.G ay
o
is a whole note. A whole note receives 4 beats.
l,'l
1234 1234 l.lV
(\/)
o=J*J* J*)
I4
Go TellAunt Rhody American Folk Song
@
,!f
"?f
Study No. @
ABC25
n
1
15
LESSON 8 nut
A Open A-string o
.D is un eighth note. An eighth note rece ives Vzof a bear.
))
=
I1 = J
J. ls u dotted quarter note. A dotted quarter note rece ives lVzbeats. J. = J
Count:
*
)
| 2+
Sav: "one two and".
*Draw quick, light bows on the up bows.
Count: | 2+ 3 4 Say: "one two and three four"
Ode To Joy I'l
@
ABC25
wut--up
LUDWIG VAN BEETHOVEN
16
Frère Jacques French Folk Song
lt
Alouette
French Folk Song
Long, Long Ago T. H. BAYLY
l7
LESSON 9 nut
The A-String In First Position A
Bcf, B is lst finger on the A-string. Cf is 4th finger on the A-string.
Count: I+2+3+4 + Say: "one and two and three and four and".
Hot Cross Buns
|l
Moderato ) =120
The Lumberjack
tl
JANICE TUCKER RHODA
LESSON 10
nut
The E-String In First Position
r#
Ff,
C# Ff, is 1st finger on the E-string. Gf, is 4th finger on the E-string.
c#
({}
English Folk Song
Warm-ups .,r||
l:4+Lrt_+:
18
LESSON 11 Second Finger ON
ALL STRINGS in First Position ir
2nd finger on the G-string. F is 2nd finger on the D-string. C is 2nd finger on the A-string. G is 2nd finger on the E-string.
Bb
1B
flarm-uns
l,l
It
-
FI
|l
-
clz
,
|l
C
I
-
London Bridge
English Folk Song
Lightly Row
German Folk Song
f,l a
,/ -.
F
-
*
1- I
ADUZC
means keep first finger on the string while playing Open G.
T9
J. ir u dotted half note. A dotted half note receives 3 bears. ). =
g
)*J
Warm-uns aa
23
Count
123
@ a
a
Count:1
+
.1.
76
Over The Ocean
AllegroJ=138
vn
!-
rlr
JANICE TUCKER RHODA I\I
|
t,
tl -.
"?f
Count:
1
-'+
0 îempo
,. -!
rit. ABC25
@
Warm ws
The Kangaroo
Allegretts ) = t44
JANICE TUCKER RHODA
V
123
"!f
4
In alla breve or "cut time"
(Q
= 7),
there are 2 beats per measure, and the half note receives 1 beat.
The Lioness
Andante ) = el
"!f
fsà \-7
Count:2 + Warm-ups
I
t^
G
Count:1 +
2
(j}) \-/
Allegro )=tt
2
ptzz. :> >
l+2+ Fl
1+2+
Rock'N'Roll >>>
f=
>
rfleàrtS accent the note. Please learn to play the G-Major Scale on page 40.
AÓUZ3
JANICE TUCKER RHODA
Bass
JANICE TUCKER RHODA
2l
LESSON 12 Slurred Staccato And Portato
*Play slurred staccato.
Allegretto J = 132
Merry-Go-Round
I
a t
JANICE TUCKER RIIODA
tL .
"?f
l.l
l'l
@***T *Play slurred portato.
Moderato ) = tZù
Playing Soccer
JANICE TUCKER RHODA
V-J *Play slurred staccato.
rrv-
Pop! Goes The Weasel rl
[-J
English Folk Song
23
6 means 6 beats per measure. 8 means an eighth note ()) receives 1 beat.
@ \-/
count'))))))
t23456
Warm-uPs
- vlt v|ì r23
.|l
4 5
VF
v
6 V
For He's A Jotly Good Fellow
r234
Oats And Beans n
American Folk Song
24
II\TERMEDIATE LEVEL LESSON 13 The Smooth Slur
Warm-up
-
@
]/-,
French Folk Song
Moderato
-
Moderato
Moderato
Y.-.-_
Up On The House Top
This Otd ùIan
American Folk Song
American Folk Song
*C means cornmon time 1ft1. No bowings at beginning-of pieces unless needed in this intermediate level.
The Hope @
a"oante
Hatikvah
N.
H.IMBER
"?f
Please learn to play the A-minor Scale on page 41.
@
China Sea Andante ) =tz
JANICE TUCKER RHODA
ry .trla
Oh, Susanna Moderato
STEPHEN FOSTER
26
THIRD POSITION LESSOI{ Í4 Third Position On The G-String
6
A
I
B C
4
cr
t
D
4
t24
I
ilI
Roman numeral I means first position. Roman numeral III means third position.
r&
Warm-uns
I
*Shift the left hand to third position.
lll
C, Cf,, D in third position on the G-string.
ilI
xxrestez
**Restez means stay in the position.
Check 4th Finger Octave
ADVZC
27
A glissando (J
)
orJ -.-Jl is a continuous, audible sliding movement.
I
III
Yiolin Concerto Theme Allegretto
,
LUDWIG VAN BEETHOVEN
Please learn to play the D-Major Scale on page 41.
ReubenAnd Rachel Moderato
@
Warm-uns
English Folk Song
28
Over The RiverAnd Through The Woods ,
Allegro
..4
American Folk Song
--4
Use staccato bowing on the dotted notes.
@
**,Jn
School Is Out!
Allegro ) = 132
JANICE TUCKER RHODA I '4'
rit
f
a,
@**-T
Slur 4 Notes In One Bow Stroke \---^.-
Moderato J = 100 f,l
4
Hop Scotch
JANICE TUCKER RHODA
29
Study No. 2
IL
15 LESSON 33 There are 3 triplet eighth notes (J J J)
(fr)
\-/
Warm-ups
|lvllvllv
3
n
ABC25
Say:
in 1 quarter note. J J J = J
I
,rn tn
"tri-p-let tri-p-let"
lt
30
)
@
i,
u sixteenth note.
It receive s ll4of
a
beat.
))rùrN = ffi
=
)
Warm-up
|lvf'lvnvrlvl'l
A doned eighth note ().) followed by a sixteenth note ()) receives 1 beat.
). * )
=J
314+t/4=l
Warm-ups
Count:
I
1
e2
I
I
E
Row Your Boat Allegretto
American Folk Song
31
Syncopation or syncopated rhythm: The rhythmic accent is on the weak beat (versus strong beat) of the measure
@
warm-up
IIV N Vtl
Count:I
V
+2+ | +2+
Joy To The World Moderato
LOWELL MASON a/er GEORGE FRIDERIC HANDEL
A
4,-.é
Slur 3 Notes Per Bow Stroke
Warm-up
Swinging High!
JANICE TUCKER RHODA
Moderato J = 100
úNo*
3
t go mer-ri-ly swing-ingon the swing!
Up
3
so high eas-i-ly reach-ing
to
the sky!
32
LESSON 16 Third Position On The D-String
E
I
r# G c#
4
A
4
124
G, G*, A in third position on the D-string.
ilI
I 2
1 shift
III
I I
III
lll
restez
Check l st Finger Unison
lll
restez
Ill
restez
ll .)
1J
Good King Wenceslas
English Folk Song
Moderato I
III 0
Use 2nd Finger I
.1.
4q
,:-
III
Check 4th Finger Octave lll
restez
I
ilI
The King's Jester Andantino J = 100
JANICE TUCKER RHODA
Third position on the A-string and E-string is covered in book 2, "The ABCs of Bass for the Developing Student."
34
LESSON 17 G#
And A In Half Position* On The G-string
nut c#
I
A **gb
2 4
Gf and A in half position on the G-string.
t2 ll2pos Ll2 pos means half position.
xx4th finger Bb ir covered in Book 2. Warm-ups
,
-)
0
1/2 pos resîez
a
1l
ll2
pos
TheWindmill JANICE TUCKER RHODA
Andantino J = 120
2l
mp .tlftl
dolce
|l
n Please learn to play A-Major Scale on page 41.
I
*Half position is covered extensively in book 2, "The ABCs of Bass for the Developing Student." ABC25
SECOND POSITION
LESSON 18 Second Position On The G-String G
nut
1
I t24
2
II
4 Roman numeral
r
in second position on the G-string. Bb, B, C
II
means second position.
(q)
*Shift the left hand to second position.
il restez 4
ll
restez
II
24
/tl
Q) *1st finger Bb is covered on page 40. ABC25
,
II
35
spiccato
Yankee f)oodle
Allegro
American Folk Sone
(r\ D.C. al Fine
Aura Lee
@ .
American Folk Sons
Andante '
t)
-
legato
(4)
@warm-ups
,
Q) Q) ADUZC
Q)
Scarborough Fair
@
37
English Folk Song
,
Moderato
@* ,
Lullaby
) =92 ftAndante [rJJ/ 4 \-/
r]
-A-
,l'
4
al
r)
(a
n
É
zr)
(a Please learn to play the ABC25
C-Major Scale on page 41.
JANICE TUCKER RHODA
38
LESSON 19 Second Position On The D-String D
nut
*F
pf
C#
I
F, Ff,, G in second position on the D-strine.
1
2
4 4
shift
Itt
,
.La .tl
il ,
ll restez z0
0
a
Il
restez 0
,
II rCSrcZ
Check 4th Finger Unison 4
ll restez 02
,
II
II Allegro
Skip To My Lou
American Folk Song
4
.
'
*1st finger ADUZC
-{
lL
Fh
is covered on page 39.
39
,
lI
restez
Hush rLittle Baby
Moderato
American Folk Song
I
@*t'-l.,t, ll
restez
El Capotín
Andante arco
,
I Puerto Rican Folk Song
Please learn to play the E-minor Scale on page 41.
LESSON 20
jUse
1st Finger In Second Position On The D-String shift *î WWarm-upr , z .
tJ
II
ll restez t0 II, restez II ABC25
oo
*Ur. 1st Finger In Second Position on The G-string
ll
.
restez
ì,.
ll
restez
Home On The Range Moderato
,
American Cowboy Song t
restez
rl.
Second position on the A-string and E-string is covered in book 2, "TheABCs of Bass for the Developing Student." ABC25
4 Major Scales And 2 Mtnor Scales G-Major Scale t
A-Major Scale
C-Major Scale
z,o
12
il
L/2 pos
4
A Natural-Minor Scale
olz
t
E Natural-Minor Scale
0tz
Use your metronome at different speeds:
J:50 J=60 J:80
J7 ) ) ). o Usevariedbowines: ) ) )\_/) ) Use varied
rhythms:
J))J -\--l/
4I
42
EASY DUETS Mary Had A Little Lamb
Melody
American Fork song
E
Harmony n
.G -ta
'rlr
I
I
tt'l
-
-aa
Jingle
Bells
rAMES prERpoNr
-
|.t
|ll
F
ll
lll
-
ABC25
ll
43
My Dreydl -
+l-€
-
fr-fi +Ì-fi
S. GROSSMAN and S. GOLDFARB
FI
n
TIvinkle, Tlvinkle Little Star Ah! vous dirai-je Maman
French Folk song
Itl
-la
t
I
.14
-4.
tl
ABC25
rrl
44
Go TetlAunt Rhodv American Folk Song
ll - ta
t
tL .
'rl l'l
ll
-aa
_ójl-
-ta
AL'
'l
I
- aa
rll -ta
45
Ode To Joy LUDWIG VAN BEETHOVEN
F AL'
llr
'fl
l.l -aa
|l -ta
t
|
lll
7
|
E
-
F
-t.
I
-aa
lll
I
r
I
16
Worksheet Directions:
Write the letter names above the notes. 2. Write the fingerings below the notes. 1.
DGAAC
qglq
,
IIII
I
tt
i
ru
I
a
f |
|
ll2
pos
I
IIIil r
I
III
Glossary
47
Accidentals: signs used to indicate chromatic changes. fi sharp, b flat,
i
natural
Arco: play by using the bow. A tempo: back to the original tempo Bow stroke styles: Legato: smooth, no separation between the bow strokes. Portato: a "smooth" staccato bow - half wav between staccato and legato bowing - a slight pause between the bow strokes. Spiccato: a short bow stroke, bow comes off the string.
i
a
f
Staccato: a detached bow stroke, bow does not come off the string.
I
D.C. al Fine, Da Capo al Fine: from the beginning to the end Dolce: play sweetly.
Duet:
a composition written
for two instruments
Dvnamic marks: indicate desrees of volume.
pp
p
= pianissimo = very soft
^f f ff
-piano =soft
= mezzoforte = medium loud
=fort" = loud
= fortissimo = very loud = mezzopiano = medium soft Espressivo: expressive; play with expression. Fermata: hold or pause fî Fingerings: finger numbers of the left hand Key signatures: indicate sharps or flats of a particular key.
W
GMajorffi
E
DMajor
ffi
AMajor
ffiBbMajor E
FMajor
=cMajor
Note values: symbols of rhythm
o = whole note
J.
= dotted half
J.
note
J
J = half note
= dotted quarter = quarter
note
note
.l N
J
= ,i*t""nth note = thirty-second note
.b = eiehth note
Pizzicato, Pizz.: pluck the string.
Poco: little Rests: indicate
silence -.-
whole - -half | =quarter =
Rit., ritard., ritardando: slow down gradually. Scale:
Slur:
a series
a curved
'/
= eighth
I
=Sixteenth
I
=thirty-second
of 8 notes beginning on the tonic note and ending on the tonic note an octave higher. line which groups notes together in the same bow stroke.
Tempo marks: indicate the rate of speed of the composition.
Allegro - fast Allegretto - moderately fast Moderato - moderate
Andantino - faster than Andante Andante - medium slow Largo - slow
Time signatures: numbers indicating beats per measure: ABC25
2346
4448
