Dance of the Bowless Basses: Piano Accompaniment
String Bass Section Feature
By Bob Phillips
Grade: 1
Item: 00-PC-0018779_K
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Description
A cute, pedagogically-based (get it?), first-year bass section feature, this piece will be fun and is sure to make your beginners sound fabulous. This piece is in first position for all players except basses. Basses shift up to C and D on the G string and only play pizzicato. Continuing Bob Phillips' tradition of bass section features, Dance of the Bowless Basses is sure to become an integral part of your standard repertoire! Correlated to Sound Innovations, Book 1, Level 5. (2:00) This title is available in MakeMusic Cloud.
Don't just read it, hear it, play along with it, and watch your students grow with it. In MakeMusic Cloud, Dance of the Bowless Basses: Piano Accompaniment comes alive with professional accompaniment, adjustable tempo, and built-in practice tools that turn solo practice into real progress.
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Additional Details
Series:
Sound Innovations for String Orchestra
Publisher:
Alfred Music
SKU:
00-PC-0018779_K
More about this title
About the Composer: Bob Phillips
Bob Phillips has spent decades shaping string education through composition, pedagogy, and large-ensemble direction. Born in 1953, he authored the complete Sound Innovations series alongside groundbreaking eclectic publications like Fiddlers Philharmonic, Jazz Philharmonic, and Rock Philharmonic. Over 200 of his works have been published for orchestras and bands, and he received the ASCAP Award for composition. His pieces are performed annually by thousands of string students worldwide.
For 27 years, Phillips built the Saline, Michigan string program into a national model, directing ensembles that performed at state and national conferences, the White House, and the Midwest Clinic. He founded the Saline Fiddlers Philharmonic, which gained international recognition through annual performance schedules exceeding 80 shows. Phillips has conducted honors orchestras and all-state groups across the country and served as resident conductor and arranger for Seattle's Wintergrass Festival for 12 years.
Why we love this
Phillips writes for real teaching situations, and this bass feature proves it. First-year players get a chance to sound polished and engaged, while the pizzicato-only approach keeps the technical ceiling manageable. Your bass section will feel like the stars of the show rather than struggling through a supporting role.
What to expect
Lighthearted and bouncy, with the bass section driving the rhythmic energy through pizzicato figures while remaining in accessible positions. The title hints at the playful spirit: basses without bows create a dancing, percussive character that brings smiles to both players and listeners.
Who it's for
First-year string players, particularly bass section members who benefit from a dedicated feature that builds confidence and technical skills at their level. Directors programming Grade 1 repertoire aligned with Sound Innovations Book 1 will find this piece both pedagogically sound and genuinely entertaining for audiences.
How to get the most out of it
- Establish a clear pulse with the basses before rehearsal begins; pizzicato articulation demands rhythmic precision, and a confident tempo reference helps them lock in immediately.
- Work the shifting to C and D on the G string slowly in separate rehearsals, then integrate it into full orchestra context once students own the finger patterns.
- Balance the bass sound prominently in the mix during performance. These players deserve to be heard, and the piece is written with that expectation in mind.
- Encourage clarity and bounce in the pizzicato strokes rather than heavy attacks; the character is playful, not aggressive.
How to use it
Include this as a feature in a winter or spring concert where you want to celebrate bass players specifically. It works particularly well mid-program to lighten the mood between heavier classical pieces, and the two-minute length makes it ideal for festivals or competitions where ensemble features showcase section strength.
Skills your students will build
- Pizzicato articulation with rhythmic precision
- Shifting to C and D positions on the G string
- Bass section ensemble balance and independence
- Playing confidently as a featured section rather than supporting role
- First position reading across all string parts