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Double Bassist

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BIO

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​Dr. Mark Morton is Professor of Double Bass at Texas Tech University. He was principal bass of the Columbus (Ohio) Symphony Orchestra, in which he was a member for 23 years. First-prize winner of the 1990 International Society of Bassists Solo Competition in New York, Morton has soloed in Europe, South and Central America, Canada, Taiwan, and the U.S. He has been a featured double bass soloist on radio broadcasts including NPR's "Performance Today.”

 

Earning his Bachelor and Master of Music Degrees from the Juilliard School in New York, Dr. Morton is only the second bassist to earn the Doctor of Musical Arts degree in the history of Juilliard. His critically acclaimed Thresholds and Russian Rendezvous CDs, have become reference recordings of standard double bass repertoire. He also shares a CD with bassist Gary Karr of double bass music by Paul Ramsier. Classical CD Reviews proclaimed him as “a most artistic representative of the new generation developed in the last half century.”

 

Additionally, Mark Morton is an accomplished pianist. His release on Albany Records, Bottesini Greatest Hits features Morton accompanying himself on piano, for which American Record Review says, “Mark Morton is a fine player on both instruments, and the music is lovely…” Though he has spent most of his career living in Ohio and New York City, Dr. Morton is originally from Texas and is 4-year Texas All-Stater – 2 years a second chair Symphony Orchestra, and two years as first chair Symphony Orchestra.

 

The DrMarkMorton YouTube Channel contains approximately 150 videos of his performances of orchestral excerpts, etudes, and solos – even a number of Beatles - and is a go-to reference for TMEA All-State audition demonstrations, garnering over 7200 subscribers and over 1.4 million views.

MEDIA

Giovanni Bottesini: Variations on "Nel cor piu non mi sento"

Giovanni Bottesini: Variations on "Nel cor piu non mi sento"

We Wish You a Merry Christmas
00:32
Petite Detache: Torturous Exercises for the Double Bass
03:27
How to Learn Detache on the Double Bass
05:34
How to Learn Spiccato on the Double Bass
08:07
TMEA 2025-26 String Bass Audition Excerpts
05:48
Son File: Torturous Exercises for the Double Bass
07:29
String Crossing - Slurred: Torturous Exercises for the Double Bass
15:33
String Crossing - Detache: Torturous Exercise for the Double Bass
07:10

SHEET MUSIC

Free Music
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It is my pleasure for me to share with you free music for double bass - orchestral parts, and more - for you to download and print. To access you only need to subscribe!

 

(No data will be shared with a third party.)

More Music
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Dr. Morton's Torturous Exercises for the Double Bass

A set of thirty extremely demanding "calisthenics," each focusing on solving a very specific technical problem.

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Dr. Morton's Primer Scale & Arpeggio Fingerings for the Double Bass

Includes basic fingerings in the lower registers for 5 types of scales, as well as Major, Minor & Dominant 7th arpeggios in all 12 keys

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Triangulation of Fingering Systems for the Double Bass (A Complete Method), Vol. 2

The second volume (of two) of a complete method that examines three systems of left-hand technique on the double bass.

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Dr. Morton's Miraculous Arpeggio Fingerings for the Double Bass

Includes a "slow" fingering, and a "fast" fingering in one, two and three octave arpeggios for 10 different arpeggio types

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Dr. Morton's Torturous Exercises for the Double Bass (Spanish)

A set of thirty extremely demanding "calisthenics," each focusing on solving a very specific technical problem. Spanish Translation

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Simandl-Plus Workbook

 

A workbook presenting 15 strategies on how to devise technically and musically effective fingerings fo the double bass. Also includes practice for 8 fingering notation suggestions.

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Dr. Morton's Miraculous Scale Fingerings for the Double Bass

Includes two "slow" fingerings (based on Morton's "binary" system of fingering), and one "fast" fingering in one, two, and three octaves for 10 different scale types

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Triangulation of Fingering Systems for the Double Bass (A Complete Method), Vol. 1

The first volume (of two) of a complete method examines three systems of left-hand technique on the double bass.

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Simandl-Plus Workbook (Spanish)

A workbook presenting 15 strategies on how to devise technically and musically effective fingerings fo the double bass. Also includes practice for 8 fingering notation suggestions. Spanish Translation.

LESSONS

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With four decades of experience as a professional performer and university-level educator, Dr. Morton has refined a teaching approach that is focused, efficient, and deeply meaningful, enabling him to clearly and effectively transmit knowledge and skills to his students.

 

His technical foundation and pedagogical philosophy are rooted in time-honored traditions, which he enriches through innovative, forward-thinking approaches. These concepts have made significant contributions to the evolution of double bass performance and continue to elevate the standards of the instrument well into the 21st century.

Beyond his skillful modeling on the double bass, Dr. Morton brings a unique dimension to his teaching through his keyboard skills, allowing him to accompany students in lessons and performances.

$75 per hour, payable by PayPal (payment must be received prior to the lesson)

Lessons can be delivered in person or via Zoom.

Contact:  

Email: markmortonbass@gmail.com

Phone: 806/834-4728 to schedule a time.

GALLERY

SUMMER STUDY

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Fredericksburg
Summer Festival

A premier collegiate-level orchestral and chamber music festival coming to the heart of the Texas Hill Country.

Dates: June 23rd - 28th, 2026

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Biarritz International
Bass Academy

A safe and joyful place for practicing double bass! Any levels, any ages!

 

 

Dates: TBA

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TTU Band &
Orchestra Camp

Texas Tech University Band & Orchestra Camp is for high school and middle school students. Tracks include Band, Orchestra, or Drum Major.

Dates: June 28th - July 4th

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CLAZZ International
Music Festival

Clazz, a music festival at the intersection of classical and jazz idioms, offers a one-of-a-kind experience.

Dates: July 20th - August 3rd

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International Double Bass Festival of Belgium

Concerts, Masterclasses and International Competitions.

Dates: August 10th - 14th

CONTACT

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Mark Morton 

Phone: +1 806/834-4728

Email: markmortonbass@gmail.com

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