Course Relivance

The relevance of this course in multilayered. The doublebass is one of a number of instruments that make up the string section of an orchestra. The teaching of this instrument is primarily aimed at offering an opportunity for students to play this instrument as a string orchestra or symphony.

The nature of the repertory that the doublebass covers is much wider than a classical symphonic scope. The instrument is often found in concert bands and most certainly in jazz and popular music and the instruction of the instrument should cover all aspects of the repertoire.

The doublebass is offered at a later grade than the other string instruments. This means that students that have started another string instrument may choose to switch to doublebass or take doublebass and an additional instru

ment. Students that have taken other string instrument lessons can usually acquire initial left and right hand techniques.

Students wanting to play the doublebass in a band may already have musical instruction but may lack string training. These students, with time can use their shared musical skills and practice to easily catch-up to the skills that students with string training have acquired over their time playing.

This is also an opportunity to engage students that have not previously taken an instrument. Doublebass can be offered as a late start program. The size of the instrument and the fleet of instruments for most string programs requires large scale instruments. The nature of the size of the instrument requires the student to be considerably grown. Therefore, the older and larger student has an asset to approaching this large instrument.

If a student has been offered string instrument instruction grade four and has not acted on the opportunity, it can be difficult for that student to take up a string instrument in the school lesson delivery program. This is an instrument that can be started in any grade from seven to twelve. The instructional classes are based on skill attainment and not age or grade of the student. The doublebass program is delivered in four levels and the entry level is available to interested students. One doublebass class may have a number of grade levels represented as well as musical genres of interest.