Scotland Through the St(Ages): 84 Variations on 1 Folk Song for Double Bass - Dr. Kate Jones

Explore the concept of deep review through the lens of a familiar and simple tune, Scotland's Burning! For students, educators, parents of bassists, and anyone who wants to see how deep we can go in one tune.

Each of the Scotlands in this book are meant as preparations or previews of the techniques involved with the listed pieces - each Scotland aligns with the pieces listed so the bassist can absorb the technique with this familiar song. Although it is impossible to create an exhaustive list of repertoire for each technique, I have provided some examples after each Scotland so the teacher can see how the Scotland ties into the double bass repertoire.

Throughout this book, the Scotlands are followed by pieces with the same or similar techniques - by introducing these concepts within a simpler, familiar melody as a game or exercise, the bassist no longer learns new concepts in new pieces. Instead, she experiences the idea of deep review, the beauty of learning something challenging while playing an easy piece. During this state of practice, the mind has space to explore rather than panic (in other words, the bassist will keep her executive functioning instead of attempting to perform a difficult task in the fight-or-flight mindset.

The repertoire referenced in these sections is also listed in the appendix so teachers and bassists can see the levels of each piece, either using the graded levels of the University Interscholastic League’s Prescribed Music List (UIL PML) or the American String Teachers Association Certificate Advancement Program (ASTACAP) levels.

At the end of the book, all of the Scotlands are presented in a row as an opportunity for the bassist who would like to see or play them together.