Bruce Bransby, upright bass player and teacher

In the professional bass world, Bruce Bransby is well known as a great upright bass player and teacher.  After several years of playing co-principal bass with the Los Angeles Philharmonic, Bruce accepted the bass professorship position at Indiana University's School of Music in 1986.  Indiana has a fine tradition and reputation for preparing successful orchestra players and Bruce is always my first choice when anyone asks advice on the best schools and teachers.  Not only can he tell you how to do it, he can show how it is done!

Besides his teaching and orchestral background, Bruce is a great soloist and has transcribed some great pieces that while originally written for other instruments, sound even better on the bass.  He also has written some superb 'show' pieces.

Some of these pieces under the fictitious name, Rolande E Curb, (is Bruce spelled backwards!)  I first heard some of these works at an ISB (International Society of Bassists) convention that he played in a recital that he aptly called "Recital of Encores".  Bruce kindly gave us permission to download these recordings. Some of which are from public recitals that he recorded.

MP3 recordings of the Curb works (all actually written by Bruce Bransby) and his transcription from the Valentini Cello Sonata:

Curb, Prelude

Curb, Tango

Curb, Valse

Curb, Theme and Variations

Guiseppe Valentini Cello Sonata:

Grave

Allegro

Order this same bass music here:

Music Description Price BBC-001 Guiseppe Valentini 1680-1759, Grave and Allegro in G Major. (Originally for Cello) transcribed by Bruce Bransby Comes with two piano parts: One in G Major and one in A Major depending on whether bass is tuned in regular orchestra tuning or solo tuning. $17.50 Quantity: BBC-002 Curb, Tango (Bransby) Comes in two piano parts for either orchestra or solo tuning. $13.50 Quantity: BBC-003 Curb, Theme and Variations (Bransby) Comes in two piano parts for either orchestra or solo tuning. $14.50 Quantity: BBC-004 Curb, Valse (Bransby) Comes in two piano parts for either orchestra or solo tuning. Comes in two piano parts for either orchestra or solo tuning. $13.50 Quantity: BBC-005 Curb, Prelude (Bransby) Comes in two piano parts for either orchestra or solo tuning.   $13.50 Quantity: