Bass Clef Studies Collection (ed. David Heyes)

About the Collection

The Bass Clef Studies Collection includes three books of studies for the progressing double bassist. Together, all three cover the groundwork for technical proficiency in major and minor keys written by the masters, including Bottesini, Simandl, Kreutzer, Sturm, and more.

The books do not contain piano accompaniments.

Bass Clef Studies Book 1: 100 Studies in Major Keys 

Bass Clef Studies Book 1 brings together 100 studies in major keys by leading double bass pedagogues from the 19th and early 20th-century. Bassist-composers from seven countries (Czech Republic, France, Germany, Italy, Russia, UK, USA) are featured, encompassing a wealth of musical styles and with studies ideally suited for a wide range of ability levels.

Bass Clef Studies Book 2: 100 Studies in Minor Keys 

Bass Clef Studies Book 2 brings together 100 studies in minor keys by leading double bass pedagogues from the 19th and early 20th-century. Bassist-composers from six countries (Czech Republic, France, Germany, Italy, UK, USA) are featured, encompassing a wealth of musical styles and with studies ideally suited for a wide range of ability levels.

J.P. Waud: 30 Progressive Studies for Double Bass 

These 30 studies are taken from J.P. Waud’s Progressive Tutor for the Double Bass, first published by Augener Edition. They are ideal for the intermediate bassist, remaining in bass clef throughout and employ a range of accessible keys, bowings and articulations across the orchestral register of the instrument.

About the Editor

David Heyes (b.1960) studied double bass with Laurence Gray and Bronwen Naish, later at the Royal College of Music in London, and completed his post-graduate studies in Prague with František Pošta (Principal Bass, Czech Philharmonic Orchestra). He has given recitals and masterclasses in 20 countries over the past few years and has been a juror at a number of international competitions, three times as chairman.

David's collaborative work gained him a prestigious award from the David Walter Charitable Trust of New York for his pioneering activities as a soloist, teacher, publisher, and commissioner of new music for double bass and he works with composers throughout the world to expand the double bass repertoire by commissioning new music and by rediscovering forgotten ones. Since 1983 more than 700 works have been written for him, music from one to twenty basses and from beginner to virtuoso, and he has premiered ten contemporary concertos with orchestra.

David began to compose in 2013 and has had music performed and recorded in 29 countries across five continents. He is a D'Addario Performing Artist and has recently commissioned a solo double bass from British master-luthier Martin Penning.