23 short unaccompanied pieces for the beginner bassist composed by one of the leading composers writing for the double bass today. Lively, melodic and rhythmic these can be used to supplement other beginner repertoire, also covering a number of easy keys. The catchy titles are aimed at the younger bassist and the pieces can also be used for technical or sight-reading practice. Beginner scales and arpeggios are included.

"...a delightful collection of short, simple tunes guaranteed to set the bass student on a sure path." [Australian String Teacher's Association]

A Trunk Call is set for Trinity-Guildhall Initial Grade examination.

Antelope Antics (No.6) and Big Foot Stomp (No.9) have been selected for Level 1; The Half-Hearted Hippo (No.13), The High-Living Hippo (No.15) and The Waterhole Walk (No.16) have been selected for Level 2; and Jungle Japes (No.17), The Crocodile Crawl (No.18) and Parrot Pyrotechnics (No.20) have been selected for Level 3 by MTB Exams (www.mtbexams.com)

Performance Level: Beginner;1;2;3

Tony Osborne is an important educationalist and prolific composer who has made a significant and unique contribution to the double bass repertoire over the past 35 years. His solo music for young bassists is included by many international examination boards, and his many ensembles pieces are performed at workshops and concerts throughout the world. Tony Osborne notes the influences of Gershwin, Copland and Bernstein, alongside some of the Russian masters, on his music, which he combines with a jazzy, rhythmic and energetic style that has been popular with players and audiences worldwide.

Born in 1947 into a musical family, Tony Osborne studied at the Royal Academy of Music (London) with John Walton (double bass) and Richard Stoker (composition), and divides a busy career between composing, teaching and performing. A very prolific composer and arranger, Tony's original compositions include works in almost every genre, notably Chaconne Syncopations and Wainwright's Ways for brass quintet, Celebration Fanfare for brass ensemble, the musical A Fine Time for Wine, a beautiful and dramatic Requiem and many works for string orchestra.

In 2001 Tony Osborne was elected an ARAM (Associate of the Royal Academy of Music) for his pioneering and important work for double bass, and has been a featured composer at Bass-Fest for the past decade. He was a very successful BIBF Composer-in-residence in 2002-3 and wrote a number of impressive and innovative works for the project. He has been a judge for the British Composer Awards over the past few years and has been a judge for the BIBF Composition Competition since 1999. Recital Music is planning a major festival of Tony Osborne's music in 2012, to celebrate the composer's 65th birthday, and has formulated a 10-year project to publish all his works for double bass.
www.tony-osborne.com