David Heyes: Two at the Top - 12 Duets in Harmonics for 2 double basses

About the Composition

“Mr Heyes loves harmonics!” was a comment by a young student of David Heyes in 1994 and in the intervening 31 years nothing has changed. David is on a mission to encourage young bassists of all ages to explore the entire range of the double bass, especially harmonics, and to enthuse them about a part of the instrument which is often not tackled until they progress to playing more advanced repertoire.

Two at the Top includes twelve fun and inventive double bass duets which are played entirely in harmonics. Ideal as a simple and unthreatening introduction to harmonic playing, they feature a limited number of notes, rhythms and articulations in low thumb position and also at the end of the fingerboard.

The duets are accessible, short and succinct, and each can be repeated with the bassists changing parts, with the addition of dynamics and articulations at the players’ discretion. The final duet, the longest of the twelve, is a little more technically challenging, but still only uses seven notes on the G and D strings.

Playable by a teacher and student, two students or friends, the aim is to enjoy playing harmonics and just to have fun.

The edition includes a score and parts, alongside a chart detailing the harmonics used in the duets.

A few things to remember when playing harmonics:

- the bow should be played towards the bridge
- lighten the bow pressure and the bow has to keep moving for the harmonic to sound
- touch the harmonic lightly with your finger
- only place one finger on the string at any time
- enjoy the music and aim for a clear and ringing tone

Recital Music also has three more digital publications featuring harmonics:

David Heyes - Harmonious Harmonics: Trios & Quartets

David Heyes - A Place in New England for 6 double basses

David Heyes - BASS - the Final Frontier: 24 Pieces in Harmonics for Double Bass

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 800 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 32 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.