🎻 iServalan Music School — Double Bass Lesson
Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star — Suzuki Book 1
Hello double bass players! Today we’re starting Suzuki Book 1 with the classic “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star.” We’ll focus on the first phrase, working pizzicato first and then bowing. This is perfect for beginners and a great refresh for intermediate players.
🎯 Lesson Goals
- Learn to support and balance the double bass comfortably, standing or sitting.
- Play the first phrase of Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star with pizzicato.
- Understand bowing basics and string crossings while keeping good posture.
- Develop awareness of left-hand preparation and smooth string transitions.
🎼 Setting Up
Your bass should almost balance by itself, resting the right-side ridge against your hip. Whether standing or sitting (on a tall stool is best), keep your feet comfortably apart. Your left hand should rest on the neck near the nut, with thumb and forefinger forming a relaxed “C” shape. Over time, you’ll develop muscle memory for note spacing.
🎵 Tuning & Open Strings
Tune carefully — apps are fine, but your ear is even better. Check open strings by playing them against the A major scale to make sure you’re in tune before placing fingers down. Correct tuning is crucial, as every fingered note depends on it.
🎸 Pizzicato Practice
Play through the first phrase using pizzicato. Use the pattern: open – 1 – 4 – 1 – open – 4 – 1 – open. Cross strings smoothly and always have your left hand ready for the next note before you pluck.
🎻 Bowing Technique
When bowing, keep your bow perpendicular to the string you’re on. Each time you cross to a different string, adjust the bow angle slightly — the base of the bow rises or lowers as you move across strings. Practice this in front of a mirror to check arm shape, bow angle, and posture. Start near the base of the fingerboard for a warmer tone, then experiment closer to the bridge for volume and brightness.
🪞 Practice Tips
- Always play near a mirror to check your arm, wrist, and bow angle.
- Prepare the next finger while playing the current note — always be one step ahead.
- Practice string crossings slowly until smooth, then add speed.
- If memorizing is difficult, focus on reading one bar ahead in your music.
🎬 Homework
- Play the first phrase with pizzicato five times slowly, focusing on hand preparation.
- Repeat the phrase with bowing, checking your posture in the mirror.
- Record yourself once and watch back — notice arm angles, bow straightness, and tone quality.
📌 Resources
All play-along tracks, PDFs, and videos are available in the member section of the Music School. Join here to get full access »