David Heyes: Bass-Time Duets: 24 Duets in First Position for 2 Double Basses

About the Duets

Bass-Time Duets is a collection of 24 fun and enjoyable duets in First Position and aimed at the beginner double bass duo. Each duet offers accessible technical and musical challenges, employing a limited number of notes, rhythms, articulations and keys, which would be ideal for sight-reading study or concert repertoire. 

Dynamics have been kept to a minimum with an opportunity for each duo to create their own unique version. The duets are short and can easily be repeated once or twice to extend their duration and bassists should feel free to add or change dynamics, articulations and tempos as they wish. The first seven duets include an open string part for bass 2, playable pizzicato or arco. 

A number of simple major and minor keys have been used, which can be the starting point for introducing scale and arpeggio study, and the duets only use the G, D and A strings. Some duets can also be played an octave higher for more advanced students who are beginning to play in thumb position. 

Bass-Time Duets are ideal for bassists of all ages with the primary aim of enjoyment and making music with friends. Chamber music is an essential part of the study of a musical instrument, and these duets ensure that bassists can begin to develop ensemble skills from the earliest stages of study. '

Reviews

“These duets are incredibly fun and versatile. I am excited to work on them with my students. I love that you can even add octave dispositions if it suits the student’s needs. With clever names, interesting rhythms, and great advanced techniques/effects, these duets will keep students engaged while working on blending tone, improving pitch, and matching articulations. David continues to create fabulous music for bassists of all ages and levels. This collection is sure to be another hit!” [Susan Hagen, Boston Pops Orchestra/Berklee College of Music] 

“What a fantastic and generous selection of duets! A great way for beginner bassists to really consolidate first position with a wonderful variety of styles and rhythms! Having some with an open string line is ideal for beginners to get duetting with other student players or their teacher right from the beginning! I love your use of special effects such as tapping, as young players really enjoy this and it is so good for rhythm and coordination. I especially love that you have included these techniques in the open string parts, so new bassists can explore them straight away. These pieces are perfect for all ages to play and I will not only be using them with my beginners but also with my older students as using notes only in first position, frees them up so they can focus on detail and ensemble playing. Thank you so much for writing these. Another gem in the Recital Music catalogue!” [May Halyburton, Double Bassist/Music Educator/Director of Bessy Bass Ltd.] 

About the Composer

David Heyes 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 28 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.