Viennese Bass Method - Introduction

Viennese Bass Method - Introduction:

Similarly to the introductions in all bass methods from the time immemorial, these lines are here to explain how we are going to approach the study in this method. As was already mentioned in the "Ready to try?" section, this tutorial is designed to start with low positions and than lead you gradually through the higher position, and consequently higher technical levels too. This pattern is designed to introduce you through various exercises and music samples of progressively higher difficulty - until we reach the Sperger's solo compositions whose technical demands and register reach indeed very high.

This approach however will differ from the standard "Simandl like" methods, as the Viennese system by itself carries a period peculiarities that may not be suitable for the 19th century "methodism". After covering the basic elements of technique for those who are complete beginners, we will concentrate on the actual period music (some of it very familiar already) to explore and reach various levels of difficulty.

In certain respects this web method is intended to mimic the actual process of learning which the period bassist would experience by going through the process of being an "accessista" - a name usually given to an apprentice in process of specialization within a professional 18th century ensemble. Since the most of people who visit this page may already have some professional experience, the comparison should not be entirely out of place. This method is also designed to offer you a shortcut, if you feel that you can reach the higher level quicker on your own.

However, I should also point to an important matter here that you should well be aware of! Since the entire method is on-line, there will be no one to check your progress but yourself, thus your progress and success in mastering the Viennese tuning will truly rely on your own consciousness and self discipline. Pardon a pun, but you will miss the strict Jesuit control and choral singing experience that most of the period musicians had to go in Jesuit monasteries where their early music education took place.

For the actual feel and sense of the period places, you are welcome to visit the ever growing list of Castles and Monasteries in the Links section. For all the other questions in regard to the pedagogy and performing technique I would strongly advise that you read all items in the FAQ section prior to starting the actual study.

With that in mind let us begin with scales and arpeggios, since the ultimate destiny is that those can not be escaped in any method - thus not even in this one.

Good luck and may your journey be the long and happy one!

yours,

Igor Pecevski

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Posted:          June 6, 2009