The Beginner Bass Series series
Recital Music publish music for every level of double bassist and in the past few years have concentrated on music for the younger player. This new and exciting series includes works with simple, accessible technical and musical challenges for beginners and progressing bassists. Piano accompaniments are supportive and written with the bass teacher in mind, creating a new repertoire which is ideal for concert and educational use.
Feathered Friends is a set of 12 short enjoyable, characterful and lively pieces for the beginner bassist and was composed in 2009 for Recital Music's BassLine project. Each piece can be played in 1st position, although half position can be produced in several, and they employ a limited number of notes, keys, note values and rhythms. Teachers should feel confident to teach the pieces in the order best suited to each student.
The accompaniments are simple and supportive, aimed at the bass teacher with some pianistic skills, and Katrina Gordon has a successful and proven record when writing lively, enjoyable, fun and accessible music for younger players. Each piece includes an evocative written description to inspire the young bassists to create a mini tone-poem in a short space of time. This is music written to be enjoyed by players, teachers and audiences alike.
Gander's March (No.4) has been selected for Level 1; Penguin Parade (No.6) and Rooster Strut (No.11) have been selected for Level 2 and Circling Seagulls (No.8) has been selected for Level 3 by MTB Exams (www.mtbexams.com)
Katrina Gordon studied at the Royal Academy of Music (London) and the Royal Northern College of Music, and went on to pursue a career as a freelance bassoon player in Scotland, performing with many of the leading Scottish orchestras and ensembles. She now lives in her native town of Thurso, located on the far north coast of Scotland, where her musical horizons have been widened by a lively amateur music scene.
