Cover -- A Double Bassist's Guide to Refining Performance Practices -- Title -- Copyright -- Contents -- Preface -- Part I. Critical Analysis of Physical Performance Techniques -- Use of Self -- Toward Creating a More Competent Bassist -- Practice Habits -- The Left Arm and Hand -- The Shifting Process -- Ah Yes, Vibrato -- The Bow Arm -- Sound Production -- More Thoughts on Performance Practices -- How Much Input of Energy is Too Much? -- Developing an Automatically Responsive Bow Arm and Left Hand/Arm -- How to Problem Solve -- Perfecting and Resolving Techniques -- Scales -- Part II. Perfecting Techniques through Employing Scales, Exercises, and Orchestral Excerpts -- 1. Essential Bowings to Use in Scales -- 2- and 3-Octave Scales (3 sets of fingerings) -- 2- and 3-Octave Arpeggio Fingerings -- Chromatic Scales -- String Crossing Exercises -- Trill, Finger, and Shifting Exercises -- 2. Related Orchestral Excerpts -- Part III. Informative Essays for Double Bassists -- "Basses, You Are Late." -- Chamber Music -- French Bow vs. German Bow -- Auditions and Recitals -- Thoughts Concerning Teaching -- Thoughts Concerning Directions for a Professional Career -- Musical Education for Public School Music Teaching -- Orchestral Training -- Music Schools and Education of Orchestral Musicians -- Summers -- Some Recommendations for Setting Up and Buying a Double Bass -- Awareness and Knowledge Necessary When Considering the Purchase of a Double Bass -- Information for Purchasing a Fine Bow -- Part IV. Analytical Phrasing and Bowing for Solo Works -- Legato Phrasing: The Age of Portamento vs. the Slur -- Interpretation and Phrasing -- Prelude from Second Suite for Cello by J.S. Bach -- Dragonetti and Koussevitzky Concertos -- Part V. Preventative Exercises for Physical Abuses Related to Playing Double Bass.

It's Usually Too Late When We Say, "I Wish I Had!" -- "Playing Positions and Related Biochemical Issues," by Chris Gales, Physical Therapist.