• Joy of Music – Over 250 years of quality, innovation, and tradition

Blog

From Mingus to Berklee: The Musical Journey of Jazz Bassist Bruce Gertz

A double bassist in a dark suit plays the instrument with both hands. The scene is warmly lit, focusing on the hands and the orange body of the double bass.

Bruce Gertz is a renowned double bassist and has been an influential professor at Berklee College of Music for 48 years. As part of the vibrant Boston jazz scene, he has shaped countless bassists through his personalized teaching methodology that emphasizes building on students' strengths while developing their individual musical voices. What drives a musician who has collaborated with jazz giants like Jerry Bergonzi, Gary Burton, and John Abercrombie? How did Charles Mingus' album "Blues & Roots" transform his musical direction, and why does he still take lessons from legendary bassist Ron Carter after five decades of playing? Gertz shared these insights during our conversation.

Beyond performing, Gertz has released over 15 albums as a leader and many more as a sideman, with his debut album "Blueprint" marking a significant career milestone. His instructional book "Let's Play Rhythm" has become essential reading for aspiring musicians across all instruments. Whether teaching advanced improvisation techniques or advocating for the balance between ensemble and solo bass playing through his work with The International Society of Bassists, Gertz continues to inspire the next generation of jazz musicians.

Read more

Waltz for f minor for piano

Cover of 'Waltz in F minor for piano' from The Horowitz Edition, published by Schott. It features a monochrome photograph of pianist Vladimir Horowitz, conducting expressively with his right hand.

Vladimir Horowitz’s "Waltz in F Minor" is a captivating original composition from the early years of his career. Written in the 1920s and recorded from a piano roll in 1928, this work combines a light and elegant character with expressive depth, showcasing the composer's lyricism and effortless virtuosity.

Read more

Theme and Variations on Mendelssohn’s Wedding March

Cover of 'Theme and Variations on Mendelssohn’s Wedding March' from The Horowitz Edition, published by Schott. It features a monochrome photograph of pianist Vladimir Horowitz conducting with expressive hand gestures.

Vladimir Horowitz’s popular transcription of Mendelssohn’s Wedding March is now available in an official edition for the first time. This transcription showcases Horowitz’s exceptional ability to blend virtuosic technical brilliance with lyrical elegance, resulting in a captivating and dynamic piece.

Read more

Best of Händel

The cover of 'Best of Händel' by Georg Friedrich Händel, published by Schott Music, features a faded image of a picture of a piano on a black background and the bust of Handel in the foreground.

This exceptional collection presents a selection of works by Georg Friedrich Händel, offering pianists the chance to explore some of his most beloved compositions. Edited by Hans-Günter Heumann, this edition includes fingerings and metronome suggestions to guide students through each piece, making it a valuable teaching and performance resource.

Read more

Album pour les tout-petits

The cover of 'Album pour les tout-petits' by Mélanie Bonis, published by Schott Music, features a minimalist yellow design with a small piano icon and a colourful striped border at the top.

French composer Mélanie Bonis captures the charm and imagination of childhood in her delightful collection of miniature pieces for piano, "Album pour les tout-petits". Edited by Melanie Spanswick, this edition includes carefully considered fingerings, tempo and pedalling suggestions, as well as expert performance tips to support developing musicians.

Read more

12 Etudes-Caprices caractéristiques

The cover of '12 Études-Caprices caractéristiques' by Sebastian Lee, published by Schott Music, features a red background with a blurred abstract image. A violin icon appears in the top right corner.

Edited by Beverley Ellis, this edition brings new life to the work of Sebastian Lee, one of the 19th century’s most esteemed cello pedagogues. His "12 Études-Caprices Caractéristiques", Op. 100, offers a collection of expressive and technically rewarding études for advanced cellists.

Read more

Pentatonic On Guitar

The cover of 'Pentatonic on Guitar' by Frank Doll, featuring an electric guitar with glowing fret markers against a dark background. The book title is in bold yellow and white text, with a subtitle in German: 'Der leichte Einstieg in das Solospiel.' The c

Best-selling author Frank Doll ("Fretboard Theory, Rhythm on Guitar") breaks down the pentatonic scale, providing a structured guide through this broad filled using clear explanations, practical exercises and audio downloads with backing tracks for practice.

Read more

Grade by Grade - Double Bass Grade 2

The cover of 'Grade by Grade: Double Bass – Grade 2' from Boosey & Hawkes features a stylized double bass scroll and strings in deep red, set against a soft pink background.

Written by professional double bassist and pedagogue Cathy Elliott, this revised volume of "Grade by Grade Double Bass: Grade 2" features a carefully curated collection of pieces and arrangements from composers such as Serge Prokofieff, Christopher Norton and Peter Wastall. With audio downloads, aural awareness resources and advice regarding leading examination boards, this volume is a comprehensive resource for developing musicians. 

Read more