Early Start on the Double Bass encompasses everything that one would expect from a Sassmannshaus method: an easy start, progression at a suitable rate, many cross-references to the other string instruments, songs and scales in different positions from early on, as well as many duets. Lively and colourful illustrations by Charlotte Panowsky complete the edition.
After the first pages featuring open strings and basic note values, the "cuckoo call" is introduced as a basic interval. Note reading is practiced from the beginning, and accidentals are explained in an easily understandable way. By the end of the first book, students have had the opportunity to play many English children's songs using the first, second and fourth fingers, and note values from whole to eighth notes have been learned. Most exercises are underlaid with text so that rhythms can be easily learned and melodies can be perceived as a whole. The important melodic building blocks of thirds, triads and scales are introduced. Scales in C, G, F, and B-flat major are played in one octave.