Franz Simandl

Franz Simandl (August 1, 1840 – December 15, 1912) was a double-bassist and pedagogue from Austria-Hungary most remembered for his book New Method for String Bass, known as the "Simandl book", which is to this day used as a standard study of double bass technique and hand positions.

Simandl's "New Method" of playing, originally published in 1881, is still common among classical double bassists,[1] American String Teacher 46:4 pp59-60 Modern adaptations of, extensions to, and challenges to Simandl doctrines are acknowledged.

[2][3][4][5] Simandl studied at the Prague Conservatory with Josef Hrabě [cs] before becoming the principal bassist in the Vienna Court Opera Orchestra.

The Simandl "family tree" of bass pedagogues extends for many generations.

Prominent bassist/educators who can trace their lineage directly back to Simandl include Adolf Mišek, Richard Davis, Mark Dresser, Joseph Guastafeste, Greg Sarchet, Gary Karr, Hermann Reinshagen, Karl E. H. Seigfried, Ludwig Streicher, Bertram Turetzky, and Frederick Zimmermann.