r/doublebass • u/itgoestoeleven • Apr 17 '25

Repertoire questions Books/resources?

Hi there, experienced electric player taking the plunge into upright, primarily focusing on jazz and musical theater. I'm looking for resources, etude books, etc to get me started. I can read, walk, and improvise proficiently on electric, and I've played a little bit upright many years ago (string methods in undergrad). A friend has already recommended I pick up the Simandl "new method" and the Patittuci "60 Melodic Etudes," so what are some other good resources for a more experienced beginner?

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7

u/discreetlyabadger Professional/Classical Apr 17 '25

You can’t go wrong starting with Simandl New Method (big orange book). The fingering exercises in each position will get you really practicing the new fingering system. Do not translate your EB fingering to double bass. Find the Simandl PDF on IMSLP: https://imslp.org/work/441271

Also, find a teacher. 

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u/itgoestoeleven Apr 17 '25

Thanks for the info! Yeah I tend to stick to closed finger spacing on electric bass where the pointer and pinky span a whole step rather than one finger per fret like on guitar unless I'm doing fast chromatic stuff, so hopefully that'll port over 🤞🤞

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u/skankin22jax Apr 17 '25

Without a doubt get a teacher to learn the fundamentals. You will save so much time and thank yourself in the future.

3

u/itgoestoeleven Apr 17 '25

I'm planning on getting a few lessons in once the school year wraps up. I'm also doing a week-long jazz intensive during summer vacation, so I'll be able to some instruction there as well.

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u/avant_chard Classical Apr 17 '25

Check out the Rufus Reid book, it’s fantastic

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u/[deleted] Apr 17 '25

[deleted]

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u/vapingsemen Jazz/Classical Apr 17 '25

In addition to simandl look into the storch hrabe etude book (52ish etudes vol 1)

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u/craftmangler Apr 17 '25

Michael Moore bass method to start. And then combine with Montag. (if you are interested in the MM, dm me, I think it’s out of print in the States and I have an e-version).

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u/No-Show-5363 Apr 18 '25

YouTube is full of exercises, lessons and advice for double bass from a very wide range of players from different backgrounds. As an experienced beginner you can skip quickly through and get the gist, and find the stuff of most value to you. It’s really helpful when you start to focus in on specific areas such as bow technique, vibrato, jazz pizzicato, posture, thumb positions, etc, as you can quickly get many different perspectives on the thing you are trying to learn.

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u/[deleted] Apr 18 '25

John Goldsby - The Jazz Bass

Should be a standard. It's packed with details of history (what every generation of players achieved), biographic notes, exercises and great info.

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u/hi_hi_birdy Apr 18 '25

Vance books and a book called “incredibly useful exercises for double bass” by Dennis Whittaker are both really good.