Unaccompanied Double Bass Literature: History, Pedagogy, and Performance Practice

While most solo recitals featuring the double bass employ the piano as accompaniment, this ensemble configuration presents several problems for the performer in terms of balance and sound production. These challenges can cause students who are still developing their technique and musicianship to form bad habits in an effort to meet the demands of playing with piano. Over time, double bassists have developed a multitude of strategies to solve the problem of projecting a soloistic sound that will project over the accompaniment. However, the question must be asked: Why not remove the accompaniment from the equation entirely? While the double bass repertoire is not as extensive as other stringed instruments, unaccompanied pieces written specifically for the double bass exist as far back as the nineteenth century. There are plenty of pieces that can help students develop the same level of technique and artistry as repertoire written for bass and piano. This document presents a proposed curriculum of progressive repertoire composed of pieces written for unaccompanied double bass. The curriculum will direct the student through the entire range of technical capabilities on the instrument, as well as the many different styles of music that have gained notoriety throughout music history. This document will also provide instruction on how to guide a student through the technical and stylistic concepts introduced in each successive piece in the repertoire.