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2


1


1

2

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2


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III II I

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3

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I II III IV

1

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38
Viennese Bass Method
Lesson 7. Thumb Position
www.viennesetuning.com
Exercise 42. D major scale, Thumb Position
Exercise 43. D major scale, Thumb Position, with Ottava marking
Copyright 2009 by Igor Pecevski
The Thumb position on octave harmonic offers the unique figuration and double stop possibilities that are
characteristic of the advanced Viennese repertoire. In addition, the period notation of the thumb position
register uses almost exclusively treble clef in combination with Ottava (one octave higher) markings. In
the opening two exercises the exact same material is presented with, and without Ottava markings, as it is
very important to learn how to read the treble clef music in the proper register.
Since most of the material in this lesson is intended for thumb position on the octave harmonic, there was
no need to clutter the exercises with additional "position" brackets, so these are omitted. Moreover, a
notable feature of the Viennese thumb technique is a use of all 4 (or 5) strings. In order to use this
technique most effectively one would need to have an evenly graduated fingerboard in Gamba style.
However, given the realities of our time, it is understood that players will attempt to accommodate the
original fingerings in the best way possible on their modern fingerboards too. For the thumb markings
please consult again the Symbols Notation Map.
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2

1

3
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3
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2

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2

1

2
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III IV III IV III
39
Exercise 43. A major scale, Thumb Position
Exercise 44. Thumb Position String Crossings in D major
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2.

Da Capo
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40
Exercise 46. Thumb Position Arpeggios
Exercise 45. F#minor - D major, "Da Capo" Etude
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41
Exercise 47. Thumb Position Figurations 1. Sperger, "Selene, del tuo fuoco" Aria, excerpt
Exercise 48. Thumb Position Figurations 2. Sperger, "Selene, del tuo fuoco" Aria, excerpt
Exercise 49. String Crossings F#minor, Sperger, Concerto No. 18, 3rd Movement, excerpt
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III II I

1-3

2
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3

2
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42
Exercise 50. Vanhal, Concerto, 1st Movement
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II I III II I II

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2

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2

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2

3
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simile

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43
Exercise 51. Vanhal, Concerto, 4th Movement
Exercise 51. Hoffmeister, Solo Quartet no. 2, 4th Movement
In this exercise you are welcome to try your own fingerings. This entire section can be performed in a
single position, however there is also a fingering variant where the opening measure can be performed in
the lower position. See if you can find both variants and than use the one more comfortable for you.