Reviews

It has been many years since significant changes have been made to the ABRSMs scale syllabus for Double Bass. The syllabus now takes the player through the whole range of the double bass, from a one octave E major scale starting on the lowest open string for Grade 2 to E major in 3 octaves at grade 8. The rhythmic changes for scales published in such as way that it is still possible to choose the 'old' style without bamboozling either student or teacher. Scales are printed twice, firstly in the new version as even quavers and then on the next page in the old style. Visually, the finger look les cluttered on the page as, unlike previous editions, fingerings are not marked on every note. Teachers might miss the well-know clear framework with its comprehensive succession of learning all keys, or miss having a greater variety and alternative styles between exam boards. At least the layout in the new syllabus makes it easy to choose the 'old' style rhythms. And this syllabus certainly does