Contrabass Conversations

1117: Darren Sacks on teaching double bass

Thu, 30 Oct 2025 09:00:00 +0000

In this episode, we chat with Darren Sacks, a double bass audition coach, UMass Boston Associate Lecturer, and Greater Boston freelance bassist, to discuss winning strategies for double bass auditions.

Darren shares insights from his 9 years of coaching experience, during which he's helped students gain acceptance into major youth orchestras like the Boston Youth Symphony (BYSO) and NEC Prep, summer festivals including Interlochen and BUTI Tanglewood, and undergraduate programs such as Northwestern's Bienen School of Music.

Enjoy, and you can connect with Darren on his website.

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Upton Bass - From Grammy Award winners and Philharmonic players like Max Zeugner of the New York Philharmonic, each Upton Bass is crafted with precision in Connecticut, USA, and built to last for generations. Discover your perfect bass with Upton Bass today!

Carnegie Mellon University Double Bass Studio is a valued part of an innovative fine arts community in a top research university. Students receive weekly private lessons and solo classes with Micah Howard, and Peter Guild teaches weekly Orchestral Literature and Repertoire. They encourage students to seek lessons and guidance from local bassists. Members of the Symphony, the Opera, and the Ballet provide annual classes and individual attention. Visit Micah's website to sign up for a free online trial lesson here.

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1116: Rodney Slatford on publishing

Thu, 23 Oct 2025 09:00:00 +0000

In this episode, Jason Heath interviews Rodney Slatford. Rodney is joined by his friend Mike Coombs, who helped facilitate this conversation. Together, they explore Rodney's remarkable career as a performer, educator, publisher, and advocate for the double bass.

As founding Chairman of the Yorke Trust, Rodney Slatford has established himself as a renowned double bass player and teacher. His career includes over 1000 performances worldwide, 30 years with the Nash Ensemble of London, 10 years as co-principal bassist with the English Chamber Orchestra, and recording one of the first solo bass discs with the Academy of St. Martin-in-the-Fields. In 1978, he founded the Isle of Man International Double Bass Competition and Workshop. Rodney served as Head of the School of Strings at the Royal Northern College of Music (1984-2001) before retiring to Norfolk to focus on the Yorke Trust and personal interests.

Learn more about Rodney and the great work he is doing with the Yorke Trust here.

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1115: Tim Rinehart on audition breakthroughs

Thu, 16 Oct 2025 09:00:00 +0000

Tim Rinehart is the Principal Double Bassist of the Oregon Symphony. A graduate of Rice University's Shepherd School of Music, Tim studied with Paul Ellison while also earning a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics. He is the winner of the 2025 International Society of Bassists Orchestral Division Competition and has performed with numerous prestigious orchestras including the Boston Symphony, London Symphony, and Houston Symphony.

Tim shares his journey through multiple auditions in a single season, revealing the breakthrough preparation strategies that led to winning his current. He discusses mental performance techniques, systematic practice methods, committee expectations, his education with Paul Ellison at Rice University, and his new role with the Oregon Symphony.

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1114: Sarah Bassingthwaighte on her double bass concerto

Thu, 09 Oct 2025 09:00:00 +0000

In this episode, we speak with composer and flutist Dr. Sarah Bassingthwaighte about her groundbreaking Concerto for Double Bass and Orchestra, recently recorded by the London Symphony Orchestra with soloist Stephen Schermer.

We dig into Sarah's approach to composition, the experience of writing this piece, balancing a solo bass with a full orchestra, and much more.

Enjoy, and check out the sheet music for this cool new piece in our store!

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1113: Charles Gambetta on rethinking double bass positions

Thu, 02 Oct 2025 09:00:00 +0000

In this episode, Charles Gambetta introduces his innovative bass position system that addresses traditional limitations in fingerboard comprehension. His method combines Roman numerals with Arabic numbers to provide contextual information that enhances physical and mental connections during play.

Charles explains how starting students at the 'primary lock' position and focusing on finger placement and shift intervals improves intonation. He also demonstrates how this approach benefits various playing styles and has transformed his teaching approach.

Enjoy, and be sure to check out Charles' article on this approach in the New York ASTA Journal.

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1112: Remembering Jack Budrow

Thu, 25 Sep 2025 09:00:00 +0000

Winston "Jack" Budrow, former ISB board member, passed away on September 4, 2024, at age 79 after a brief hospice stay.

Jack retired from Michigan State University's College of Music, where he served as professor of double bass and co-chair of the string area. His distinguished career encompassed both performance and teaching, including positions with the Houston Symphony and as principal bass in the North Carolina Symphony. His students have secured positions in prestigious orchestras worldwide, from Atlanta to Oslo. During summers, Jack also taught at the Interlochen Center for the Arts.

For his exceptional teaching, Jack received Michigan's 2014 String Teacher of the Year award from the American String Teachers Association and the ISB's 2017 Special Recognition Award for Teaching. He will be remembered for his joyful presence and rollicking humor.

This interview was conducted by John Grillo and Jason Heath in 2008, and a partial transcript of the interview is available here.

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1111: Bass Pedagogy Evolution with Gaelen McCormick

Thu, 18 Sep 2025 09:00:00 +0000

In this episode, we're joined by Gaelen McCormick, President of the International Society of Bassists, to discuss her groundbreaking book Teaching Violin, Viola, Cello, and Double Bass: Historical and Modern Pedagogical Practices, co-authored with Dijana Ihas and Miranda Wilson. Gaelen shares insights on the historical development of bass pedagogy and how teaching methods have evolved over centuries.

We explore the fascinating evolution of bass pedagogy from 1800 to the present day, with special focus on how George Vance and Hal Robinson's Double Bass Project revolutionized bass education. We also discuss the valuable transferable skills that musicians develop through bass playing and apply to other professional contexts, along with examining the significant leap forward in teaching methodologies that has occurred since 2000.

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They encourage students to seek lessons and guidance from local bassists. Members of the Symphony, the Opera, and the Ballet provide annual classes and individual attention. Visit Micah's website to sign up for a free online trial lesson here.

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1110: What it takes to make it as a theater musician

Thu, 11 Sep 2025 09:00:00 +0000

In today's episode, Trevor Jones and Jason explore the joys and terrors of subbing in the high-stakes world of musical theater.

Read the transcription of this interview with other helpful links and resources.

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1109: Courtney & Jason on Biarritz and the Joy of Bass Events

Fri, 05 Sep 2025 09:00:00 +0000

In this episode, my wife, Courtney, and I share our exciting experiences from the recent Biarritz International Bass Academy in the beautiful coastal town of Biarritz, France.

We discuss the unique atmosphere of this bass event and explore why gatherings like this are invaluable for musicians at all levels.

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1108: Remembering Gary Karr

Thu, 28 Aug 2025 09:00:00 +0000

In this special episode, Jason Heath shares three personal memories of the legendary double bassist Gary Karr, who passed away this summer. Gary Karr was widely regarded as the world's leading solo bassist who elevated the double bass as a solo instrument during his illustrious career.

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1107: Olie Brice on his Journey into Improvised Music

Thu, 21 Aug 2025 09:00:00 +0000

In this episode, we're joined by UK-based double bassist Olie Brice, a prominent voice in the world of free jazz and improvised music. Olie shares his musical journey, practice approaches, and experiences as a touring bassist working with renowned artists like Evan Parker and Tony Malaby.

This episode offers valuable insights for bassists interested in improvised music, as well as listeners curious about the creative process behind free jazz and the practical aspects of life as a touring musician.

Links and Resources:

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1106: David Cutler on The Savvy Musician 2.0

Thu, 14 Aug 2025 09:00:00 +0000

In this episode, we welcome back David Cutler to discuss his new book, "The Savvy Musician 2.0: Amplifying Impact, Income, & Inspiration" (Oxford University Press, July 2025). David shares insights from this comprehensive resource on music careers and entrepreneurship, featuring over 150 case studies of diverse performers, creators, educators, and institutions.

Episode Highlights:

Evolution from the original "The Savvy Musician" to the new 2.0 version
Key strategies for musicians looking to amplify their impact in today's music landscape
How artists can diversify income streams in the changing music economy
Notable case studies from the book's 150+ featured artists and organizations
Practical advice for standing out in a competitive field
Innovative approaches to music entrepreneurship
The importance of legacy-building for modern musicians

About David Cutler

David Cutler serves as Distinguished Professor of Music Entrepreneurship and Innovation at the University of South Carolina. As a multi-genre pianist and composer, he brings practical experience to his work as a speaker, consultant, and what he calls an "Innovation GAME Master." His groundbreaking first book, "The Savvy Musician," helped shape a generation of artists in their approach to careers in music.

Resources Mentioned:

The Savvy Musician 2.0: Amplifying Impact, Income, & Inspiration (Amazon)
CBC 145: David Cutler and The Savvy Musician (Previous interview)

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1105: Renée-Paule Gauthier on auditions and podcasting

Thu, 07 Aug 2025 09:00:00 +0000

This episode features a conversation with Renée-Paule Gauthier, host of the "Mind Over Finger" podcast and a successful violinist who recently won a position in the Lyric Opera of Chicago.

We reminisce about past interactions and discuss the power of podcasting and coaching in providing continuous learning and personal growth. Renée shares her journey of integrating disciplined scheduling into her life, balancing her career as a musician while delving into coaching.

The discussion explores the importance of adaptability, leveraging strengths, embracing an abundance mindset, and finding personalized approaches to practicing and audition preparation. Renée emphasizes the value of self-exploration and trusting the process rather than constantly seeking external validation and information.

Enjoy, and learn more about Renée's podcast and coaching program here!

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1104: James VanDemark on playing in Ukraine

Thu, 31 Jul 2025 09:00:00 +0000

In this episode, we speak with acclaimed double bassist James VanDemark about his remarkable musical journey to Ukraine, where he recently premiered two new works with the Lviv National Philharmonic Orchestra under conductor Theodore Kuchar.

We discuss the commissioning and premiering of two new concerti by Ukrainian composers Maksim Kolomiiets and Mykhailo Shved as part of Lviv's 44th Virtuosos International Festival. We explore the dramatic story behind creating these works during wartime, James' personal connection to Ukraine dating back to his teenage years in Ontario, and much more.

Enjoy, and be sure to learn more about these commissions in this article from The Strad and musical examples as well.

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1103: Phil Donnelly on recording the double bass

Thu, 24 Jul 2025 09:00:00 +0000

Today's episode features UK-based bassist Phil Donnelly. Phil is an active performer on London's West End and recently released a video for D'Addario about how to record a double bass on any budget.

We dig into the benefits of having your own studio space, how Phil has navigated London's theater world, his relationship to practicing, avoiding burnout, and much more.

Enjoy, and be sure to give Phil a follow on Instagram!

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1102: Brandon Lopez on developing his double bass voice

Thu, 17 Jul 2025 15:00:00 +0000

Today's episode features acclaimed bassist Brandon Lopez discussing his unique approach to the double bass, his collaborative experiences, and his journey developing a distinctive musical voice.

From performing with the New York Philharmonic to playing in DIY Brooklyn basements, Lopez has worked alongside luminaries across jazz, classical, poetry, and experimental music.

We explore the physical and intellectual aspects of bass performance, how he collaborates with other artists, life on the road, and much more.

Enjoy, and be sure to follow Brandon on Instagram and check out his 2023 solo record and Revision with Fred Moten.

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1101: Lorraine Campet on her new album "Ames soeurs"

Thu, 10 Jul 2025 09:00:00 +0000

Lorraine Campet is recognized as one of the most talented double bassists of her generation. A passionate musician who embraces her profession fully, she thrives equally in chamber music, orchestral performance, and sharing her passion for the violin and double bass.

She recently released her debut album Ames soeurs, which has garnered critical acclaim. We explore Lorraine's musical background, her process for selecting pieces for this album, her experiences playing both violin and bass, and much more.

Listen to Ames soeurs on your favorite streaming service, and follow Lorraine on her website, Instagram, and YouTube!

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1100: Sienna George mute comparison

Thu, 03 Jul 2025 09:00:00 +0000

In this mini episode, we explore tonal comparisons of mutes crafted from various woods with Sienna George. Be sure to follow Sienna on Instagram and check out her past podcast appearance from 2022.

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1099: Xavier Foley in San Francisco!

Thu, 26 Jun 2025 09:00:00 +0000

Acclaimed double bassist and composer Xavier Foley recently made his recital debut at Davies Symphony Hall in San Francisco. During his visit, he generously made time to chat for the podcast and brought his bass along to perform.

In this episode, we explore Xavier's background, compositional process, and much more. Watch the video version on YouTube, and discover his exceptional playing, sheet music, bows, and other offerings on his website, Instagram, and YouTube Channel!

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1098: Kate Jones on her new double bass pedagogy book

Thu, 19 Jun 2025 09:00:00 +0000

Double bassist and educator Kate Jones has just published her first book. Titled "Scotland Through the (St)Ages," this resource explores the concept of deep review through a familiar and simple tune—presenting 84 variations on the classic melody "Scotland's Burning."

We explore the inspiration behind this book, the creative process of putting it together, and how teachers, students, and professionals can incorporate it into their musical practice. Enjoy!

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1097: Katie Thiroux on her new solo album

Thu, 12 Jun 2025 09:00:00 +0000

Katie Thiroux recently released "Always but Never Alone," her first solo album featuring voice and bass. This intimate recording explores a wide array of genres through creative and diverse arrangements. We delve into the story behind the album, motherhood, and much more in this episode.

Enjoy, and be sure to check out "Always but Never Alone" on Spotify, Apple Music, or wherever you listen to music!

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1096: Warren & Flick

Thu, 05 Jun 2025 09:00:00 +0000

Jacob Warren and Grant Flick have been performing as the duo project Warren & Flick for the past 10 years.

Warren & Flick have just released their third duo album, Cormorant. While the physical album is available now, they're rolling out the digital release from June through December.

In today's episode, we explore the duo's story and listen to excerpts from each track on the album.

Don't miss their video for Bässen, the album's opening track. You can follow Warren & Flick on YouTube, Instagram, and Facebook!

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1095: Kostas Patsiotis on gear

Thu, 29 May 2025 09:00:00 +0000

Kostas Patsiotis has an upcoming solo bass album "Childhood Heroes" and recently released "This Moment," his first instrumental single from it.

We talk about his use of looping, various technical setups to perform live, his desire to incorporate more Mediterranean sounds, and much more. Be sure to follow along with Kostas on his website, YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram, and check out his past podcast appearance here.

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1094: Chris Minh Doky on funk bass

Thu, 22 May 2025 09:00:00 +0000

Chris Minh Doky is a world-renowned bassist, bandleader, and composer celebrated for his melodic solos and deeply funky bass lines. His rich sound, innovative approach, and pioneering work with the electric upright bass have earned him global recognition.

He is also a course creator for Discover Double Bass and has performed with iconic artists and bands including the Michael Brecker Quartet, Brecker Brothers, Toots Thielemans, David Sanborn, Biréli Lagrène, Keith Carlock, Dennis Chambers, Michel Camilo, and the Mike Stern Band.

We dig into Chris's jazz and funk influences, how he discovered double bass, touring life, the Yamaha silent bass, and much more. Enjoy, and be sure to follow along with Chris on his website, Instagram, and Spotify!

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1093: Michael Geib on his latest album and university life

Thu, 15 May 2025 09:00:00 +0000

Michael Geib is a professor at the University of Central Oklahoma and an active double bass performer. His latest album, Don't Panic, features six original compositions written during the early days of the 2020 pandemic.

In our conversation, we explore Michael's university roles, his approach to student recruitment in the social media age, his work with ATSA and ISB, his position as a Grammy voting member, and much more.

Listen to Michael's latest album here, check out his previous podcast appearance, and follow his engaging writing by subscribing to his Substack!

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1092: Mark Bernat on Bach

Thu, 08 May 2025 09:00:00 +0000

Mark Bernat is a double bassist currently living in Austin, Texas. His groundbreaking recording and edition of the Six Bach Cello Suites were driving forces that led to their wider adoption in the double bass world.

Mark studied at Juilliard and is a former member of the Israel Philharmonic, the Jerusalem Symphony, and the Seattle Symphony. He has taught at the Oberlin Conservatory, the University of Texas at Austin, and Emory University. In Austin, he formed the all-volunteer Red River Ensemble, which aims to bring music into high-stress hospital environments.

We dig into Mark's background, how his approach to practicing Bach has changed over the years, the remarkable accomplishments of his daughter Nina, and much more.
Enjoy, and be sure to check out Mark's latest recording of all six Bach Cello Suites on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Music!

Image credit: Photon Corral Photography

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1091: Margarethe Maierhofer-Lischka on contemporary double bass

Thu, 01 May 2025 09:00:00 +0000

Margarethe Maierhofer-Lischka, born 1984 in Regensburg, is a double bassist, improviser, researcher, and sound artist. As an active ensemble musician, she collaborates with artists across disciplines to create performances, radio art, and sound installations. She is a member of several initiatives focusing on contemporary music, improvisation, and interdisciplinary art.

Her work has been recognized with scholarships from the Austrian Federal Government, the DOMS Foundation Basel, and the Karlheinz Stockhausen Foundation. In 2018, she received the Theodor Körner Award for arts and science.

We explore her journey with podcasting, ensemble management, pedagogical innovations for the double bass, and much more.

Enjoy, and check out the following links to learn more about Maggie and her fascinating work:

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1090: Nina Bernat Interview and Recital

Thu, 24 Apr 2025 09:00:00 +0000

Nina Bernat is a double bass performer and educator based in New York City. In 2023, Nina was honored as a recipient of the Avery Fisher Career Grant and winner of the CAG Elmaleh Competition. Her recent first-prize awards include the Barbash J.S. Bach String Competition, the Minnesota Orchestra Young Artist Competition, the Juilliard Double Bass Competition, and the 2019 International Society of Bassists Solo Competition.

In this episode, recorded live in San Francisco in 2025, Nina shares her background and discusses the program she performed at the 2025 San Francisco Winter Bass Bash. Enjoy!

Recital program: Nina Bernat, double bass Keisuke Nakagoshi, piano

Bach Suite No. 5 in C Minor, BV 1011 Prelude, Allemande, Courante
Pantomime by Sofia Gubaidulina
Prayer by Enrst Bloch
Sonata for Violin by Aaron Copland

photo credit: Titilayo Ayangade

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1089: Gary Upton on double bass innovation

Thu, 17 Apr 2025 09:00:00 +0000

Today's episode features a conversation with Gary Upton, the founder of Upton Bass. Since founding the company in 1999, Gary has built it into one of the most established and trusted names in the world of double bass.

Besides exploring the backstory of Upton Bass, we delve into their latest innovations, including amplifiers, strings, BuildBass.com and rosin. Enjoy!

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1088: ISB Convention Preview with Rodney Jordan and George Speed

Thu, 10 Apr 2025 09:00:00 +0000

Today's episode offers a behind-the-scenes look at the 2025 International Society of Bassists Convention, taking place June 2-7 at Florida State University in Tallahassee, Florida. FSU bass faculty members and convention hosts Rodney Jordan and George Speed join Jason to discuss organizing this event, share upcoming highlights, and preview what attendees can expect during the week. Enjoy!

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1087: Melody Ruiz on Thelma Terry

Wed, 02 Apr 2025 09:00:00 +0000

Melody Ruiz is writing a book about Thelma Terry, a double bassist and bandleader in 1920s Chicago. She documents her research process on Instagram and is crowdfunding the project through gofundme and Etsy.

We discuss how Melody discovered Thelma's story, the challenges and rewards of researching someone from a century ago, and the fascinating discoveries she's made along the way.

We'll reconnect with Melody as her book nears publication. Meanwhile, follow her journey on Instagram!

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1086: Christopher Dammann on the Chicago jazz scene

Thu, 27 Mar 2025 09:00:00 +0000

Christopher Dammann is a Chicago-based composer and bassist whose sextet recently released its debut album.

Our conversation explores Christopher's journey from self-taught musician to Northwestern University bass student, examining how iconic Chicago venues like Velvet Lounge and Constellation shaped his artistry, his practice methodology, and much more.

Enjoy, and don't miss this excellent debut album from Christopher's sextet!

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1085: Kathryn Schulmeister and Andrew Mell on starting a double bass event

Thu, 20 Mar 2025 09:00:00 +0000

In today's podcast, we speak with Kathryn Schulmeister and Andrew Mell. Kathryn and Andrew joined the double bass faculty at the University of the Pacific's Conservatory of Music in fall 2023, where they recently hosted the inaugural Pacific Bass Day in January 2025.

We explore their backgrounds, discuss the experience of launching their first bass day, and delve into their plans for the future, among other topics. Enjoy!

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1084: The Artemis Bass Initiative with Nina DeCesare

Thu, 13 Mar 2025 09:00:00 +0000

Today's podcast features a conversation with Nina DeCesare about The Artemis Bass Initiative, an organization dedicated to advancing the careers of women and nonbinary bassists through mentorship, orchestral training, and professional development.

We explore the origins of this project and discuss its key programs, including upcoming seminars, orchestral training, and mentorship opportunities.

To learn more, check out Nina's past podcast appearances here and visit their website to subscribe to their newsletter. You can also support their mission through their crowdfunding campaign.

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1083: Adam Ben Ezra on Heavy Drops and his creative career

Thu, 06 Mar 2025 10:00:00 +0000

Adam Ben Ezra is a truly original voice on the double bass, and each new project of his is fascinating in its own right. His latest album, a collaboration with Cuban drummer Michael Olivera titled Heavy Drops, is no exception.

We explore Adam's life in the Portuguese countryside, the inspiration behind his latest album, his current approach to the double bass, his creative process with Ableton Live, and much more.

Check out Heavy Drops wherever you listen to music, and be sure to follow Adam on Spotify, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.

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1082: TianYang Liu on solo, orchestra, and teaching

Thu, 27 Feb 2025 10:00:00 +0000

TianYang Liu currently teaches double bass at Beijing's Central Conservatory. He earned First Prize at the 2013 International Society of Bassists Competition and has garnered top honors in several other competitions, including Singapore's International Double Bass Competition and the San Francisco Conservatory's Concerto Competition. He regularly performs solo recitals across the United States and Asia.

Born into a musical family, Liu began studying violin with his mother at age three, demonstrating early talent by winning an honorary award at the Chang Sha Violin Competition at age four. At age 11, he transitioned to double bass, studying under his father, Zhen An Yang.

Liu completed his B.A. at Beijing's Central Conservatory, studying with Da Fu and Jun Xia Huo. He then earned a Double Bass Artist Certificate from the University of North Texas under Jeff Bradetich. His academic journey continued with an M.M. from San Francisco Conservatory, where he studied with Scott Pingel. Liu further advanced his studies at Rice University and also served as a member of the Houston Ballet Orchestra.

We explore TianYang's musical path, the lessons learned throughout his journey, his thoughts on the evolution of double bass as a solo instrument, and much more. Enjoy, and discover TianYang's playing in this excellent Minnesota Public Radio feature on him.

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1081: Bruce Gertz on sight reading

Thu, 20 Feb 2025 10:00:00 +0000

Bruce Gertz is a jazz bassist, composer, and educator who has taught at the Berklee College of Music for nearly half a century. In addition to his numerous awards and recordings, Bruce developed musicsightreader.com, an Apple Books publication designed to develop sightreading skills through duets, trios, and quartets.

We explore Bruce's daily creativity habits, Berklee's evolution over the decades, the unique challenges of teaching sightreading, and much more.

Enjoy, and be sure to check out Bruce's website, musicsightreader.com, and his great YouTube conversation with Claus Freudenstein!

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1080: Javier Martin on his YouTube Channel

Thu, 13 Feb 2025 10:00:00 +0000

Javier Martin is a double bassist, teacher, and YouTuber based in Madrid, Spain. He began his double bass studies at age 8 at the Arturo Soria Professional Conservatory of Music with Professor José Antonio García Alamá.

He continued his advanced studies at the Katarina Gurska Higher Center with Professor Karen Martirossian before pursuing his master's studies with Ed Barker at Boston University. He currently teaches at the Conservatorio Superior de Música de Aragón.

We explore Javier's background, what inspired him to start his YouTube channel, the challenges and rewards of balancing in-person and online double bass work, his plans for the future, and much more.

Enjoy, and be sure to check out Javier on his website, Instagram, and YouTube!

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1079: Jake Thurston on his YouTube journey

Thu, 06 Feb 2025 10:00:00 +0000

Jake Thurston is a double bassist, educator, and YouTube content creator based in Boulder, Colorado. In this episode, we explore the story behind his YouTube channel, share insights about creating engaging content, and discuss how he balances content creation with performing and teaching.

Enjoy, and be sure to subscribe to Jake's YouTube channel and also check him out on Patreon!

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1078: The Legacy of Francois Rabbath, from Cincinnati 1978–95 to the World!

Thu, 30 Jan 2025 10:00:00 +0000

Join Barry Green, Frank Proto, Debbie Taylor, and special guest Maggie Cox at their Bass Club Cincinnati live event honoring Francois Rabbath. This episode includes Zoom tributes from Gary Karr, Paul Ellison, Hal Robinson, Dennis Trembly, Patrick Neher, Johnny Hamil, and many more.

This episode also includes live performances from:

Renaud Garcia-Fons
Sandor Ostlund
Tracy Rowell
Etienne Lafrance
Nina DeCesare
Hans Sturm
Ted Botsford
Nicholas Walker

Check out the entire livestream of this event on YouTube here.

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1077: Alexandre Piazza on the "three worlds" of electric bass, jazz, and classical

Thu, 23 Jan 2025 10:00:00 +0000

Today's episode features Brazilian bassist and educator Alexandre Piazza. Alexandre was a bass teacher Saarbrücken, Germany and has a YouTube Channel with lessons on how to play acoustic and electric bass, equipment reviews, and videos about his life as a musician and music teacher in Germany and Brazil.

We dig into his experiences studying and teaching in Germany, the inspiration for his YouTube Channel, the "three different worlds" of electric bass, jazz, and classical, and how he approaches teaching young people.

Enjoy, and be sure to give Alexandre a follow on Instagram!

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1076: Yuka Tadano's Musical Odyssey to 1st call Broadway Bassist

Thu, 16 Jan 2025 10:00:00 +0000

In today's episode, Yuka Tadano shares her musical journey. Starting with her current gigs, including a new Broadway show, "Swept Away," and preparing for a cast album of "Suffs," she reflects on her extensive experience in musical theater.

Yuka discusses her involvement in several productions, including the Neil Diamond show "Beautiful Noise." She also touches on her passion for jazz, her educational background at the University of North Texas, and her transition to New York's vibrant scene.

We also discuss the blend of stability and uncertainty in a musician's life, her experiences with both electric and acoustic bass, and the importance of creativity and attention to detail. Don't miss this conversation with one of Broadway's first-call bassists.

Enjoy, and check out Yuka's CASE-4-BASS interview to learn more about her electric bass and great and playing.

photo credit: Erika Kapin

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1075: Redefining Classical Music with Kebra-Seyoun Charles

Thu, 09 Jan 2025 10:00:00 +0000

This episode is an in-depth and inspiring conversation with 2022 Sphinx Competition winner Kebra-Seyoun Charles (they/them), a classical bassist and composer renowned for overcoming barriers and diversifying the landscape of classical music.

As a modern virtuoso and composer of concerti, ballets, and pop ballads, Kebra's music has been praised for its "buoyancy and verve — pushing the far reaches of tonality while savoring hummable grooves" (ICareIfYouListen). A rising star and advocate for a more inclusive classical music community, The Strad confirms that "Versatility defines Charles's approach."

We cover their musical journey, the importance of inclusive music education, experiences with stage fright and imposter syndrome, and the critical role of classical music in today's world. Kebra-Seyoun also shares insights into their creative process, the impact of mentorship, and the goal of merging classical music with mainstream culture.

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1074: 2024 in review and looking ahead to 2025

Thu, 02 Jan 2025 10:00:00 +0000

We take a look back at 2024 and discuss plans for 2025 in today's episode.

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1073: Sidney King on his multifaceted career

Thu, 26 Dec 2024 10:00:00 +0000

In this episode, acclaimed double bassist, composer, and arranger Sidney King discusses his busy fall filled with outreach events, master classes, and student recitals at the University of Louisville.

Sidney highlights his collaborations, notably with flamenco guitarist Gareth Jones, and shares insights into his compositions for orchestras, educational groups, and church services.

He emphasizes the importance of community and education in his work, and the success he's found in making his compositions accessible through his new website.

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1072: Joyful Connections - The Power of Music with Roberto Cassani

Thu, 19 Dec 2024 10:00:00 +0000

In this episode, Roberto Cassani shares his journey into the world of improvised music and his latest project Music for the purpose of Joy, which provides group music sessions to children, young people and adults based on his improvisational approach.

Initially focused on mastering his instrument and securing gigs, Roberto discovered a profound sense of joy and connection through improvisation. He discusses his academic research into the emotional and social benefits of music improvisation, highlighting the positive impacts on community building and personal interaction.

Roberto also details his methods for engaging different groups, from children to university students, in creative music-making sessions. Additionally, he talks about his recent musical projects and the importance of fostering joy and connection through music.

Enjoy, and check out Roberto's past podcast appearances here.

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1071: Tim Cobb on the path to becoming New York Philharmonic Principal Bassist

Thu, 12 Dec 2024 10:00:00 +0000

In this episode, New York Philharmonic principal bassist Tim Cobb discusses his journey from growing up in Albany with a musically gifted family to his renowned career in the New York Philharmonic.

Tim shares personal anecdotes about his father's influence, his early experiences in Albany's vibrant music scene, and his tenure at the Metropolitan Opera. He reflects on his time studying with Roger Scott at Curtis, his involvement with the Marlboro Music Festival, and the transition from the Met Orchestra to the Philharmonic.

Tim also delves into his teaching philosophy, the importance of enthusiasm and work ethic in students, and the evolving world of double bass craftsmanship.

Enjoy, and check out the video version here.

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1070: The Story Behind 'Lost Beauty' - Szymon Marciniak on Recording, Repertoire, and Gut Strings

Thu, 05 Dec 2024 10:00:00 +0000

In this episode, I chat with Szymon Marciniak about his newly released album 'Lost Beauty: Music for Double-Bass by František Hertl and Contemporaries.' Szymon shares the recording process, the repertoire's significance, and his experience using gut strings.

We discuss the challenges and inspirations behind the project, including the role of early 20th-century performance practices. The episode delves into the technical and emotional aspects of music-making and sheds light on how historical sound aesthetics shaped the album.

Check out this great new release from Szymon and Jongsuk Kim on the Solaire Records website, Apple Music, Spotify, or wherever you listen to music!

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1069: Exploring Music and Innovation with Petru Iuga

Fri, 29 Nov 2024 10:00:00 +0000

In this conversation, Petru Iuga, a renowned Romanian double bassist, discusses his experiences during the pandemic, his contributions to the ToneBase platform, and the development of the ErgoBass, a product designed to enhance bass playing ergonomics.

He reflects on his musical journey, incorporating elements of martial arts into his musical practice, and the impact of physics and mindfulness in bass playing.

Petru also shares insights about his recently released album, which features a mix of familiar and less-known compositions, including works by Weinberg, Hindemith, and Schubert, emphasizing the music's emotional and artistic depth.

Enjoy, and check out this video covering Petru's innovative invention ErgoBass!

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1068: Mastering Double Bass and Digital Presence with Emilse Rios

Thu, 21 Nov 2024 10:00:00 +0000

In this episode, Emilse Rios recounts her journey from studying music at the José Luis Paz Music Conservatory in Venezuela to balancing her academic pursuits in sociology at La Universidad del Zulia.

Emilse talks about the challenges and cultural richness of moving to Buenos Aires, her experiences as one of the few female double bass players, and the influence of her sociology background on teaching music. Through Venezuela's national orchestra system, El Sistema, she has managed to blend her dual interests seamlessly.

She also delves into her strategies for maintaining an online presence on platforms like Instagram and YouTube, especially during the pandemic, and discusses the importance of efficient time management to balance her professional life and content creation.

Emilse shares valuable insights on finances, sustaining creativity, the myth of perfectionism in classical music, and the importance of building a supportive community through newsletters and independent platforms.

Enjoy, and connect with Emilse on her website and on Instagram!

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1067: Jazz Bass 101 with Matt Rybicki

Fri, 15 Nov 2024 10:00:00 +0000

In this episode, the conversation explores the development and launch of Matt Rybicki's new online jazz bass course, JAZZ BASS 101, which aims to deepen participants' understanding of fundamental jazz concepts through innovative teaching methods. Rybicki shares the inspiration behind the course, stemming from his 26 years in New York City and his experience in the Juilliard Jazz program. He discusses the inclusion of master bass player transcriptions, original compositions, call and response exercises, and play-along tracks featuring renowned musicians. The course promises a comprehensive and user-friendly experience for bassists of all levels, enabling them to master essential jazz tunes and structures.

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Double Bassists: Register for the Grunewald International Music Competition, which will take place in the former Mendelssohn family palace in Berlin's Grunewald from December 2nd to 7th. Klaus Trumpf and Miloslav Gadjoš are double bass jury members.

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1066: Brian Powell on Stravinsky for the double bass

Thu, 07 Nov 2024 10:00:00 +0000

Today's episode features Brian Powell, double bass faculty at the Frost School of Music, discussing his recently released album, 'Suite Italienne Double Bass and Piano.' This album marks the first full arrangement and recording of Igor Stravinsky's Suite Italienne for double bass and piano, approved by Stravinsky's estate and published by Boosey & Hawkes.

It features 8 movements, incorporating elements of Pulcinella, with contributions from artists Oleksii Ivanchenko, Karen Lord-Powell, and Ross Harbaugh. Recorded in 2023 at the University of Miami, the album aims to contribute to the double bass repertoire, highlighting Powell's ongoing efforts to promote new music for the instrument.

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1065: From Choral Singing to Bass Fiddler - Nate Sabat's Musical Journey

Thu, 31 Oct 2024 09:00:00 +0000

In this conversation, Nate Sabat, a bassist, singer-songwriter, and arranger based in Brooklyn, NY, discusses his musical journey from joining the Young People's Chorus in New York City to exploring the role of bass in folk and bluegrass music.

Nate talks about his inspirations, including Edgar Meyer, and the influences that shaped his debut album, 'Bass Fiddler'. He shares insights into his education at Berklee, mentors like Scott Lee and Susan Hagen, and his approach to upright bass playing.

Nate also discusses his teaching endeavors aimed at bridging the gap between beginner and advanced bluegrass bass players, promoting a curriculum for acoustic music bassists. His unique contribution to the genre comes through his exploration of acoustic and folk music, blending classical techniques with folk traditions.

Enjoy, and be sure to check out Nate's Patreon for additional content from this cool artist!

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Double Bassists: Register for the Grunewald International Music Competition December 2nd - 7th. The Grunewald International Music Competition will take place in the former Mendelssohn family palace in the middle of Berlin's Grunewald. Double bass jury members are Klaus Trumpf and Miloslav Gadjoš.

The competition also supports young up-and-coming artists with cash, non-cash prizes, and vouchers.

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1064: Exploring Intonation - A Double Bass Journey with Lauren Pierce

Thu, 24 Oct 2024 09:00:00 +0000

In this episode, double bass performer and educator Lauren Pierce delves into the inspiration and development of her new book on intonation titled 'Please Play in Tune.'

She shares her personal journey and challenges in tackling the daunting topic! We explore the concepts of ear, technique, and response as key elements in mastering intonation.

Lauren covers the importance of making intonation a fun and rewarding process, while addressing common misconceptions such as the belief that intonation is an innate ability.

Through detailed exercises, etudes, and repertoire examples, she provides a structured method for musicians to improve their playing technique. Her approach aims to demystify the process and make it accessible, even for individuals learning without a teacher.

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1063: Financial Strategies for Young Musicians with Trevor Jones

Thu, 17 Oct 2024 09:00:00 +0000

In this episode, Jason Heath and Trevor Jones discuss the financial challenges and strategies for young musicians. They draw parallels between financial management and scheduling, emphasizing the importance of planning for unexpected expenses. They share personal experiences from their early freelance careers, highlight the significance of building financial habits, and explore achieving financial flexibility in a music career. The episode also addresses broader financial principles, such as saving habits, budget management, diverse revenue streams, and seeking opportunities beyond traditional paths in the music industry.

Trevor also wrote an accompanying blog post about this topic titled Personal Finance For Musicians: Getting Started.

Enjoy, and a big shout-out to podcast listener Rick Dennis for the topic idea!

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1062: Ali Watson - A Journey Through Jazz from London to Glasgow and Beyond

Thu, 10 Oct 2024 09:00:00 +0000

In this episode, we chat with Ali Watson, a Glasgow-based bassist, who is set to release his debut album, 'Terrarium,' on November 26th.

Ali shares his experiences from studying jazz at the Guildhall in London and contrasts it with Glasgow's smaller but thriving jazz scene. He reflects on his musical influences, the process of creating his album, and the unique jazz community in Scotland. We also explore his early days in music, including his classical training and transition to jazz, as well as his participation in various projects and collaborations.

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1061: From Biology to Bass - Aidan Plank's Musical Journey

Thu, 03 Oct 2024 09:00:00 +0000

In this episode, Aidan Plank shares his unique journey from attempting nursing school and working with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources to becoming a dedicated bassist and educator. Aidan recently joined the music faculty at Bowling Green State University.

He discusses his transition from biology to music, the influence of early mentors, and his experiences teaching and playing jazz.

Aidan reflects on the challenges and rewards of composing for big bands, the intricacies of playing on gut strings, and the importance of following one's passion, even if it leads to unexpected places.

Along the way, he offers insights into the practical challenges of being a musician, such as long commutes and the benefits of taking breaks during travels. Whether considering a significant career shift or simply pondering the diverse paths within the music world, Aidan's story is a powerful reminder of the value of pursuing what truly brings joy and fulfillment.

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1060: Mastering Auditions Through Technique and Intonation with Daniel Chiva Sanz

Thu, 26 Sep 2024 09:00:00 +0000

In this episode, Daniel Chiva Sanz shares his journey of mastering musical auditions by focusing on technical precision and intonation.

Two years ago, after a failed audition at the Seattle Symphony, he realized that his practice method needed restructuring. The result is 'The School of Patience,' an exercise series that develops the intonational security required to develop a professional level of playing and win auditions.

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1059: Exploring the Rich Soundscape of Gut Strings with Ernst Glerum

Thu, 19 Sep 2024 09:00:00 +0000

Today's episode dives into the multifaceted career of bassist and pianist Ernst Glerum, focusing on his recent piano-bass album Détaché.

We delve into Ernst's use of gut strings on his mid-19th-century English bass and his shift to a mix including Pirastro Olive strings. Ernst shares his compositional process, the technical challenges and expressive nuances of playing with gut strings versus steel strings, particularly the influence of rosin type on sound quality.

Ernst speaks fondly about his admiration for iconic musicians and his future plans for composing new music, encapsulating the essence of his artistic explorations.

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1058: Into the Light with Sasha Witteveen

Thu, 12 Sep 2024 09:00:00 +0000

photo credit: Marco Borggreve

This episode features a conversation with Sasha Witteveen, who recently released her debut album titled '…Into the Light.'

We dig into the creative process behind the album, upcoming concerts, including her upcoming Concertgebouw recital featuring the 'Alice in Wonderland Suite' and Bottesini pieces with a mix of visual elements like stage lights and props.

We also talk about the challenges and experiences of transitioning from French to German bow technique, her time studying in Düsseldorf, and reflections on various compositions including works by Xavier Foley and Dave Anderson.

Enjoy, and follow along with Sasha and her career through the following links:

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1057: From Naples to Berlin with Giuseppe Bottiglieri

Thu, 05 Sep 2024 09:00:00 +0000

Giuseppe Bottiglieri's musical journey spans from his early years in Naples, Italy, where he transitioned from guitar to double bass, to his career development playing on cruise ships and exploring jazz and contemporary music. Currently based in Berlin, Bottiglieri focuses on solo bass performances and experiments with electronics, drawing inspiration from various sources, including visual arts.

The supportive arts scene in Berlin has significantly influenced his work, leading him to reflect on the importance of live music. Throughout his evolution as a musician, Giuseppe has embraced diverse experiences and influences, shaping his unique artistic voice in the vibrant cultural landscape of his adopted city.

Giuseppe also shares insights on his upcoming projects and future aspirations, providing a comprehensive view of his evolving musical career. Enjoy, and follow along with him on Instagram.

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1056: Mark Morton and his awesome books

Thu, 29 Aug 2024 09:00:00 +0000

In this engaging conversation, Mark Morton shares updates on his well-known educational series for bass, including revisions to his study books on scales, arpeggios, and technical exercises.

We reflect on the evolution of bass pedagogy, the influence of past mentors, and the importance of making instructional materials accessible.

We also delve into the bass community's rich history and the joys of attending festivals and playing music in beautiful locations like Costa Rica.

Check out Mark's great books on DBHQ!

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1055: Audition prep with Brendan Fitzgerald

Thu, 22 Aug 2024 09:00:00 +0000

Join Brendan Fitzgerald, Assistant Principal Double Bass for the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra, as he shares his comprehensive approach to preparing for and succeeding in orchestra auditions. From practicing at half tempo and balancing practice with a full-time job to managing nerves with beta-blockers, Brendan covers all aspects of his preparation process.

Learn how to handle the audition day, manage your workload, and ensure your best performance under pressure. Don't miss his key takeaways for musicians looking to secure a professional orchestra position.

Check out Brendan's past podcast appearance here as well as his appearance on Ryan Beach's podcast.

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1054: Exploring the Rhythms of Tango with Pascale Delache Feldman, Emmanuel Feldman, and Victor Cayres

Thu, 15 Aug 2024 09:00:00 +0000

In this episode, Pascale Delache Feldman, Emmanuel Feldman, and Victor Cayres discuss their newly released tango album, 'Let's Tango.' The conversation dives into the intricacies of tango music, its cultural roots, and the creative process behind their collaboration. With stories about their musical journeys, unique tango techniques, and the joy of performing live, this episode offers a rich look into the world of tango. Listeners are provided with insights on musical improvisation, the influence of dance on their performances, and the joy of artistic experimentation. The episode is a celebration of the trio's synergy and the vibrant musical landscape of tango.

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1053: Exploring Jazz Innovations with Bassist Richard Andersson

Thu, 08 Aug 2024 09:00:00 +0000

In this conversation, Richard Andersson discusses his new album WAW!, recent touring experiences, and his unique collaborations with Carl Winther and Jeff 'Tain' Watts. He recounts his musical journey from starting with the piano to becoming a professional bassist following a life-changing accident.

Highlighting his interdisciplinary projects, such as improvising music based on audience descriptions of visual art and a unique dance show for visually impaired audiences, Richard shares insights into his creative processes and the challenges of balancing teaching, touring, and composing. The episode also dives into his experience with specialized equipment, like the Nadine microphone, and his future plans.

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1052: Daniel Kimbro's solo album 'Carpet in the Kitchen'

Thu, 01 Aug 2024 09:00:00 +0000

In this episode, acclaimed bassist Daniel Kimbro reflects on his experiences as a touring artist and the challenges of maintaining routine and mental well-being on the road. Daniel recalls significant moments from his musical journey, including his collaborations with Jerry Douglas and Tommy Emmanuel.

He emphasizes the importance of staying grounded through activities like fly fishing, despite the rigors of tour life. Daniel shares his writing process, his passion for music, and the excitement surrounding his upcoming solo album, 'Carpet in the Kitchen.' The discussion also touches on the support and inspiration he gets from fellow musicians and the bass community.

Enjoy, and check out, Daniel's past podcast appearance here, along with this great interview on ForBassPlayersOnly.com.

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1051: Alessandro Fongaro on his journey from Italy to the Netherlands

Thu, 25 Jul 2024 09:00:00 +0000

In this episode, Alessandro Fongaro shares his fascinating journey from Italy to the Netherlands, where he fell in love with the vibrant jazz scene. He discusses his extensive experience with orchestral and jazz music, his shift from playing bass guitar to double bass, and his passion for composing.

Alessandro also touches upon his involvement in Rotterdam's North Sea Round Town festival, where he curates and performs multiple projects. Additionally, he offers insights into his creative processes, practice routines, and the challenges and rewards of borrowing instruments while traveling. The conversation also delves into Alessandro's hobbies, such as analog photography, and the importance of taking breaks for mental refreshment.

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1050: Ben Ticknor on Never Come Down

Thu, 18 Jul 2024 09:00:00 +0000

We're excited to introduce our podcast guest for today, Ben Ticknor! A versatile artist, Ben is the bassist for the band Never Come Down who recently released their new album. He's not just an accomplished musician but also an educator, having studied bass under Jeff Johnson at Portland State University. Currently, he's the Principal Bass of the Oregon East Symphony. And guess what? When he's not creating music, he's a professional Ski Patroller and Avalanche professional on Mt Hood. Stay tuned for a fascinating chat with Ben!

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1049: Renata Soares Caceres on Bass Bites

Thu, 11 Jul 2024 09:00:00 +0000

In this episode, we're excited to bring you a conversation with Dr. Renata Soares Cáceres. Originally from Brazil, Renata began her journey in music as an electric bassist at age 11. She has since studied and performed in the US, obtaining a Master's degree from the University of Southern Mississippi, an Artist Diploma Certificate from Texas Christian University, and a DMA degree from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. With a passion for teaching, Renata currently teaches at Illinois Wesleyan University and has extensive experience teaching double bass in the American school system and is certified in Paul Rolland's String Pedagogy.

We discuss Renata's unique project, "Bass Bites - Bite-sized Double Bass Instruction", which was born out of a PechaKucha-style session at the Illinois Music Educators Conference and ASTA National Conference in 2021. The aim of Bass Bites is to create two-minute videos on double bass pedagogy for string teachers, providing them with enough information to understand the basic concepts of double bass playing without taking too much of their time.

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1048: Peter Dominguez on The Milt Hinton Institute for Studio Bass

Thu, 04 Jul 2024 09:00:00 +0000

On this episode, we welcome accomplished bassist and Professor of Double Bass and Jazz Studies at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Peter Dominguez. Peter started his career in Milwaukee and has also taught at Michigan State University, the Oberlin Conservatory of Music, and performed with various artists globally.

Peter's contributions include adjudicating international competitions, directing the Richard Davis Foundation conference, and the Milt Hinton Institute for Studio Bass. His discography includes "How About This", "Groove Dreams", and a solo recording "Bass Salute".

We discuss the Milt Hinton Institute for Studio Bass, a summer program for teenage bass players, which Peter directs. Hosted by NJPAC and Montclair State University in July 2024, the program offers classes, performances, ensemble work, studio sessions, and more. Visit njpac.org/hinton for more information.

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1047: Mike Gaisbacher on bowmaking

Thu, 27 Jun 2024 09:00:00 +0000

Our guest, Mike Gaisbacher, is a Nashville-based bow maker who specializes in bass bows. He started his journey in bow making in 2022 after graduating from Berklee in 2015 and learning how to rehair from Sue Lipkins. Mike has since dedicated himself to perfecting the craft, studying with experts like Sue Lipkins, Matt Wheling, and attending Rodney Mohr's workshops.

His work includes a remarkable project: a bow for Paul Kowert of the Punch Brothers, which is a copy of Edgar Meyer's bow. Mike's bows have also been played by Ethan Jodziewicz, Mark Schatz, and are featured in the Minneapolis orchestra. Learn more about Mike's work on his website or Instagram.

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1046: Sam Suggs on his double bass journey

Thu, 20 Jun 2024 09:00:00 +0000

Sam Suggs is the first solo bassist in 36 years to join the Concert Artists Guild roster, and was recently recognized with an award for Extraordinary Creativity at the 2017 Bradetich Foundation International Double Bass Competition.

We dig into his unique path from a strong piano background in Buffalo, through Northwestern University, where he studied both performance and theory, to his time at Yale focusing on contemporary music. We also explore Sam's philosophy on concert programming and the importance of engaging the audience.

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1045: Stephanie Patterson on the value of community orchestras

Thu, 13 Jun 2024 09:00:00 +0000

Stephanie Patterson specializes in teaching adult learners and has been playing in community orchestras for decades. We talk about the joys and community benefits of participating in community orchestras, Stephanie's role in the Abington Festival Strings, and highlight various community orchestra activities and events, including rehearsals, concerts, and the engagement of various age groups.

Enjoy, and check out Stephanie's past podcast appearances here.

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1044: Robin Kesselman on Bow Speed Geography

Thu, 06 Jun 2024 09:00:00 +0000

Robin Kesselman is the author of Bow Speed Geography, which elegantly explores concepts of bow speed geography in string playing, focusing on the importance of evenness in bow speed, control, and the application of bow speed.

We dig into life for Robin in the eight years since our past interview, the inspiration behind the book, and all kinds of topics surrounding bow speed, technique, and expressivity. Enjoy, and you can pick up a copy of this great new resource at the ISB Store and Robertson and Sons.

Photo courtesy of the Houston Symphony

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1043: Paul Thompson on the evolution of pdbass

Thu, 30 May 2024 09:00:00 +0000

Paul Thompson is a bassist and educator in the Pittsburgh metro area. He also runs a successful YouTube Channel under the name pdbass.

This interview discusses content creation challenges, audience management, social media usage, balancing creative goals with audience expectations, and YouTube's influence on careers. It emphasizes music passion, content segmentation, understanding platform success/failure, and navigating YouTube analytics. It also covers the emotional impact of views/comments, feedback from renowned musicians, live streaming plans, and exploring creative content ideas.

Check out the video version of this conversation on YouTube, and check out Paul's past appearances on the podcast and YouTube Channel to learn more about this cool artist!

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1042: Carlos Pino and Dana Saba on Between the Bass

Thu, 23 May 2024 14:08:00 +0000

In this episode, we delve into a fascinating conversation with Dana Saba David from Israel and Carlos Pino from Colombia, the duo behind the bass duet Between the Bass.

They share their unique approach to the double bass and electric bass, blending tradition with innovation in a way that redefines the possibilities of these instruments.

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1041: Peter Doubrovsky and Brandino on 5 string double basses

Thu, 16 May 2024 09:00:00 +0000

Peter Doubrovsky and Brandino are both renowned musicians and fans of the 5-string double bass.

Peter Doubrovsky, aside from his work with the Pasadena Symphony and POPS orchestra, is a highly sought-after recording musician. His illustrious career spans over twenty years, during which he has recorded for countless feature film soundtracks. Some notable works include Coco (2017), Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017), Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016), Star Trek (2009), and Conspiracy Theory (1997).

Brandino's success is marked by his collaborations with many of the world's top recording artists and entertainers. His extensive involvement encompasses the music, entertainment, television, multimedia, web designing, and film industries.

In 2007, his musicianship was recognized with double Grammys for his participation in the 2007 Grammy Nominated "Album of the Year" and "Best Pop Vocal Album" Justin Timberlake's "FutureSex/LoveSounds," Mary J Blige's "Breakthrough" which won 2006 Best R&B Album of the Year, Beyonce and Stevie Wonder's "So Amazing" single in 2005, and "OUTKAST" which bagged the 2004 Grammy Album Of The Year and Best Rap Album.

Thanks to both Peter and Brandino for their insightful conversation on this episode. For further inquiries or to connect with Peter, he can be reached directly at pdoubrosky@hotmail.com.

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1040: Alejandro Arenas on jazz gigging and teaching

Thu, 09 May 2024 09:00:00 +0000

Alejandro Arenas is a versatile musician, composer, producer, and educator who has performed with various bands and genres, co-founded award-winning Jazz ensemble La Lucha and World Music ensemble Orilla, and worked as a freelance bassist for numerous artists.

He also serves as an adjunct professor of bass at St. Petersburg College for the Music Industry Recording Arts program.

We dig into his journey through the music world and much more. Follow along with Alejandro on his website, Instagram, and Facebook, and a big thanks to our mutual friend Geoff Neuman for connecting us!

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1039: Mark Dresser on Tines of Change

Thu, 02 May 2024 09:00:00 +0000

Mark Dresser is a Grammy-nominated, internationally renowned bass player, improviser, composer, and interdisciplinary collaborator. At the core of his music is an artistic obsession and commitment to expanding the sonic, musical, and expressive possibilities of the contrabass. He has recorded over one hundred forty CDs including three solo CDs and a DVD.

Mark's latest solo album is Tines of Change, which features luthier Kent McLagan's innovative bass designs, including a set of metal tines that can be bowed and plucked. Check out the trailer for Tines of Change here,, and bravo to Mark for this fascinating new sonic adventure.

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1038: Gustavo Lorenzatti on tango bass and composition

Thu, 25 Apr 2024 09:00:00 +0000

Gustavo Lorenzatti is an Argentine double bass player, composer and long standing member of the Symphony Orchestra of Córdoba. He has a background in jazz, improvised and classical music, tango and Argentine folklore. He formally studied at the Rotterdam Conservatory of music with the soloist of the Netherlands Philharmonic, Hans Roelofsen.

We dig into Gustavo's path through the music world, his unique approach to composition and solo performance, and also hear several musical examples of his special double bass approach.

Enjoy, and be sure to follow along with Gustavo on Instagram, Spotify, and YouTube!

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Dorico - This podcast episode is sponsored by Dorico: the next-generation music notation software from Steinberg, that's packed with smart, time-saving features to help you spend less time in front of your computer and more time doing what you love: making music.

The latest version of Dorico 5, includes Iconica Sketch, a new orchestral sound library, bringing more expressive playback, and making it easy to produce more life-like performances with a dynamic stereo soundstage. Try Dorico Now For 60 Days For Free: visit dorico.com

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1037: Anne Luna on bluegrass bass

Thu, 18 Apr 2024 09:00:00 +0000

Anne Luna recently launched a series on her YouTube Channel called Bass Bites, which explore various aspects of double bass technique. Anne is an experienced performer and educator with an extensive background in bluegrass, and these videos are a great exploration into her approach to teaching the bass.

We talk about her aspiration for the channel, living in rural New Mexico, the world of bluegrass, and much more in this engaging conversation. Enjoy!

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1036: Matt Rybicki on learning jazz bass

Thu, 11 Apr 2024 09:00:00 +0000

Matt Rybicki has performed with renowned artists like Wynton Marsalis and played at esteemed venues from The Village Vanguard to international concert halls. He balances an active performance schedule with his roles as a faculty member at The Juilliard School and the University of North Carolina at Pembroke.

Matt recently started a YouTube Channel titled Learn Jazz Bass with Matt Rybicki, which digs into all kinds of insights into jazz bass for players of all levels.

We talk about the inspiration for starting this channel, what it has been like making weekly videos, and much more. Enjoy!

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1035: Dominik Wagner on his double bass journey

Thu, 04 Apr 2024 09:00:00 +0000

Dominik Wagner is one of the world's leading double bassists and has built a remarkable career as a soloist and educator. He has begun hosting long-form interviews on his YouTube Channel with bassists such as Christoph Wimmer and Jeff Bradetich.

We cover Dominik's latest projects, the inspiration for these long-form interviews, working through focal dystonia, and much more. Enjoy!

photo credit: Maria Frodl

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1034: Adnata Ensemble on their bass quartet album

Thu, 28 Mar 2024 09:00:00 +0000

Bassists Ari Folman-Cohen, Michael Isvara Montgomery, Ran Livneh, and Scott Colberg make up the Adnata Ensemble, which has just released their debut album Oku. We dig into the story behind this bass quartet, coming together in the park in 2020, how these collaborations led to this album, and much more.

Check out Oku here, and be sure to give this quartet a follow on Instagram!

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1033: Sam Loeck on his audition path

Thu, 21 Mar 2024 09:00:00 +0000

Sam Loeck has recently been appointed Principal Bass of Canada's National Arts Centre Orchestra. Prior to this position, he served as Principal Bass of the Calgary Philharmonic. He was also a finalist and trialist for Principal Bass of the London Symphony Orchestra.

We dig into Sam's path into the world of double bass and his auditioning journey, exploring the twists and turns and lessons learned. Enjoy!

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1032: Stephen Tramontozzi on Basso Novo

Thu, 14 Mar 2024 10:00:00 +0000

In this episode, we delve into the intricacies of Stephen Tramontozzi's new solo double bass album, Basso Novo. Tramontozzi shares the three-fold mission behind the album: to uncover and bring to light underappreciated works for the double bass, to transcribe works from other instruments for the double bass, and to commission new works for the instrument.

This is his fourth, and most ambitious recording project to date, with all tracks designed for solo double bass and featuring contemporary works. Among the highlights, Tramontozzi commissioned Larry Wolfe from the Boston Symphony Orchestra for a suite, "Blomidon Set", inspired by Bach suites but adding a twist from Celtic, Scottish, Irish, and Acadian fiddler traditions.

An exciting addition to the album is "The Earth and Stars", a piece written by talented composition student at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, José Vargas. This piece, which Tramontozzi premiered in the previous year, stands out as the only track where he used his orchestra tuned bass.

The album also features other important works like "Ballade" by Ranjbaran, written for the 1999 International Society of Bassists solo competition, "Hommage a J.S. Bach" by Zbinden, and Berio's short gem "Psy". Join us as we explore the rich sounds and captivating stories behind Basso Novo.

Check out the sheet music for Blomidon Set here, and be sure to check out the latest album on Apple Music and Spotify!

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Bonus: Szymon Marciniak on The Hertl Project

Wed, 13 Mar 2024 18:58:00 +0000

1031: Lauren Pierce on Basstudes

Thu, 07 Mar 2024 10:00:00 +0000

Lauren Pierce recently released Basstudes, a series of 16 etudes organized around bowing, left hand technique, and right and left-hand coordination.

We dig into the inspiration behind this project, her accompanying audio guides, and much more. Enjoy, and be sure to check out more titles from Lauren on DBHQ and also give her a follow on Instagram.

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1030: Sean Michael Casey on Progressive Orchestral Excerpts

Thu, 29 Feb 2024 10:00:00 +0000

Sean Michael Casey has just released A Progressive Guide to Orchestral Excerpts for the Double Bass, which is a step-by-step method for teaching the fundamentals of good orchestral double bass playing.

Sean Michael Casey is a bass teacher in the greater Seattle-Tacoma region, offering lessons to students of all ages and experience. After ten years teaching in Texas, Mr. Casey and his wife relocated to Washington state in 2024 to be nearer family.

Learn more about Sean on his website, and pick up a copy of his book in our DBHQ sheet music store!

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1029: Jordyn Davis on Compose the Way

Thu, 22 Feb 2024 10:00:00 +0000

Jordyn Davis, a multi-talented bassist, composer, singer-songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist from Detroit, MI, is the first African-American woman to earn a Bachelor's Degree in Music Composition from Michigan State University.

She also earned a Master's in Jazz Studies from the same university. In 2021, after moving to Brooklyn, NY, she was honored as one of the inaugural Jazz Leader Fellowship recipients by the Brooklyn Conservatory of Music. Recently, she has worked on the Tony-Winning Broadway Musical "New York, New York: A new musical and had a residency at Brown University collaborating with Craig Harris & the contemporary dance company Urban Bush Women.

We talk about her journey into bass, studies with Rodney Whittaker, life in New York City, and much more. Enjoy, and be sure to follow along with her work on her website, Facebook, and Instagram!

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1028: Jacob Warren on his Debussy Cello Sonata transcription

Thu, 15 Feb 2024 10:00:00 +0000

Jacob Warren has just released his transcription of the Debussy Cello Sonata, which was the main piece on his competition winning program at the 2023 International Society of Bassists Convention. This transcription is a notable new addition to the double bass repertoire and a great opportunity to explore the music of this great composer.

We talk about the history of this piece as well as the challenges and solutions for mapping this piece out on the bass. We also listen to several selections of Jacob's new recording of this work and break down the specifics of these sections.

Jacob's transcription is available in our store here.

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1027: Mark Foley on his Double Bass Concerto

Thu, 08 Feb 2024 10:00:00 +0000

Dr. Mark Foley is Professor of Double Bass and Electric Bass at Wichita State University is the Principal Double Bass for the Wichita Symphony Orchestra. He's also a key figure in Wichita's jazz scene, collaborating with local and national artists, and has performed as a concerto soloist. Mark also engages in rock gigs, bluegrass sessions at the Walnut Valley Music Festival, and creates records and live electronic music as a composer.

Mark recently premiered his Little Wichita Concerto for Double Bass and Chamber Orchestra with the Wichita State Symphony Orchestra. We talk about Mark's background, getting into composition, what it was like writing this piece, and much more. Enjoy, and check out this great local news clip about the piece with Mark Foley and his WSU colleague Mark Laycock!

Photo: Douglas Hahn

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1026: The Only Girl in the Orchestra

Thu, 01 Feb 2024 10:00:00 +0000

In this episode, we delve into The Only Girl in the Orchestra, a new documentary directed by Molly O'Brien about the life and career of trailblazer Orin O'Brien, the first female musician in the New York Philharmonic. Despite the spotlight her unique position brought, Orin always preferred playing a supporting role to her family, students, friends, and colleagues.

Jason and Molly are joined by editor Monique Zavistovski to discuss this remarkable profile of one of the double bassist's major figures. Watch the documentary on Netflix.

Learn more about this documentary on their website, and learn more about Molly, Monique, and all of the other collaborators here.

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This podcast episode is sponsored by Dorico, the next-generation music notation software from Steinberg that's packed with smart, time-saving features to help you spend less time in front of your computer and more time doing what you love: making music.

The latest version of Dorico 5 includes Iconica Sketch, a new orchestral sound library, bringing more expressive playback and making it easy to produce more life-like performances with a dynamic stereo soundstage. Try Dorico Now For 60 Days For Free: visit dorico.com.

1025: Michael Bates on Lutoslawski

Thu, 25 Jan 2024 10:00:00 +0000

Michael Bates recently released an album titled Metamorphosis: Variations on Lutoskawski. This album contains Michael's arrangements and is based on arrangements of the composer Witold Lutoslawski, with music for clarinet, violin, bassoon, double bass, drums, plus string quartet. It's a hybrid of jazz, classical, and improvisation and is a wild ride of styles and textures.

We talk about the genesis of this idea, what it was like traveling to Poland to record this album, plans or touring with this ensemble, future projects with the Lutoslawski quartet, and more.

Check out the promo for this project on YouTube, give the album a listen on Spotify and Apple Music, and follow along with Michael's inspiring work on Instagram!

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Timestamps

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00:00 Introduction and Album Promotion

00:08 Discussing Michael Bates' New Album

01:02 Catching Up with Michael Bates

01:16 Exploring Lutoslavsky's Music

04:03 The Making of the Album

09:55 Sponsor Shoutout: Carnegie Mellon University

12:05 Deep Dive into Lutoslavsky's Music

16:32 The Composing Process

22:51 Finding Inspiration in the Backyard

23:31 The Art of Balancing Work and Rest

24:19 The Challenges of Being an Early Riser in the Music Industry

25:19 The Ideal Environment for Writing Music

26:22 Drawing Inspiration from Ludo Slavsky

26:43 The Journey of Creating the Album

31:03 The Influence of Polish Musicians and Culture

34:25 Future Projects and Plans

36:48 The Role of Instruments in Music Creation

42:03 The Power of Podcasts in Connecting Musicians

42:52 Wrapping Up and Looking Forward

1024: Hein Van de Geyn on his jazz bass journey

Thu, 18 Jan 2024 10:00:00 +0000

Hein van de Geyn is jazz double bassist, composer, teacher and band leader from the Netherlands. His groundbreaking Comprehensive Bass Method has influenced a generation of bassists and is widely regarded as one of the leading pedagogical works for jazz double bass.

We talk about Hein's remarkable career, his time in San Francisco, writing his bass method, what life in South Africa has been like these last several years, and much more. Enjoy!

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Time Stamps

00:00 Introduction and Guest Background

01:28 Getting to Know Hein van de Gein

01:50 Reminiscing About San Francisco's Jazz Scene

03:17 Exploring the Jazz Scene in South Africa

04:35 The Importance of Practice and Mastery

10:17 The Role of a Music Teacher

14:10 The Art of Improvisation and Composition

18:12 The Value of Consistent Practice

22:33 The Journey of Learning and Teaching Music

26:58 Closing Thoughts and Reflections

28:50 Discovering Pablo Records and Dreaming of Playing

29:09 Memories of Performing with Joe Pass

30:07 The Art of Musical Language and Influence of Charlie Hayden

31:14 The Impact of Michael Brecker and the Role of Charlie Hayden

32:03 Reflections on Early Musical Influences and Evolution

32:56 The Shift in Bass Playing and Amplification Over the Years

33:33 The Unexpected Impact of Jaco Pastorius

34:57 The Evolution of Bass Amplification and Sound

36:56 Memories of Playing with Jazz Legends

39:00 The Importance of Technique and Style in Bass Playing

42:10 The Transition from Jazz Musician to South African Entrepreneur

47:32 The Enduring Passion for Music and Jazz

52:31 Lessons Learned from Playing with Jazz Greats

53:55 Closing Thoughts on the Global Jazz Community

1023: Thoughts on 2023 and beyond

Thu, 11 Jan 2024 10:00:00 +0000

Jason selects on 2023 and plans for 2024 in this "solo rant."

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Overview

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00:00 Introduction and Reflections on Solo Shows
01:35 Moving to California and Weather Benefits
02:21 Experiences with San Francisco Symphony
03:04 Journey as a Freelancer and Teaching
04:29 Launch of Double Bass HQ
06:20 Attending the Pittsburgh Double Bass Symposium
07:23 Travel and Performances in Early 2023
11:22 Summer Events and Performances
14:04 Fall Performances and Future Plans
17:26 Closing Thoughts on Life Balance

1022: Steve Husted on San Francisco, Austin, and his new album

Thu, 04 Jan 2024 08:00:00 +0000

Steve Husted began his musical journey at the ripe old age of 6. From there he was always involved in everything musical from school band to private instruction to playing local parties for friends. At age 15, Steven moved from CT. to San Francisco, where he jumped head first into the study of jazz. By the time Steven was 23, he was one of the top call bassists in the San Francisco Bay Area, including 6 years teaching at the acclaimed Stanford Jazz Workshop. Steven has played with many jazz greats including Kenny Burrell, Billy Higgins, and Vince Wallace. Now residing in Austin, TX, Steven remains an in demand bassist/composer and band leader.

We talk about growing up in San Francisco, his new album Standards and Then Some, how life led hi to move to Austin, and much more. Enjoy, and be sure to check out Steve's cool new album and also follow him on Instagram and his website!

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Carnegie Mellon University Double Bass Studio – The School of Music at CMU highly values each and every individual who wants to be a part of an innovative fine arts community immersed in a top research university.

Every week each student receives private lessons and participates in a solo class with Micah Howard. Peter Guild, another member of the PSO, teaches Orchestral Literature and Repertoire weekly. They encourage students to reach out to the great bassists in their area for lessons and direction. Many of the bassists from all of the city's ensembles are more than willing to lend a hand. Every year members of the Symphony, the Opera and the Ballet give classes and offer our students individual attention. Click here to visit Micah's website and to sign up for a free online trial lesson.

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00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction
00:43 Conversation with Steve Husted
00:55 Discussing San Francisco and Austin Music Scenes
06:14 Reflecting on the Impact of the Pandemic
13:05 Sponsor Shoutout: Carnegie Mellon University
14:27 Continuing the Conversation: Life in Austin and Music Career
25:54 Discussing the Stanford Jazz Workshop
30:45 The Unpredictability of a Music Career
31:17 The Challenges of Being a Musician
31:32 The Impact of Internet on Music Industry
32:03 The Art of Bass Playing
32:40 The Importance of Technique in Playing Instruments
32:54 The Role of Internet in Learning Music
33:28 The Difference Between Arco Playing and Pizzicato in Jazz
33:46 The Struggles of Learning Classical Music
34:20 The Fear of Performing Solo
35:25 The Mastery of Arco Jazz
35:33 The Influence of Christian McBride in Arco Playing
36:18 The Art of Playing Double Bass
37:06 The Challenges of Playing Different Instruments
39:09 The Importance of the Right Equipment in Music
39:18 The Influence of Heavy Metal in Bass Playing
56:16 The Experience of Touring with Different Bands
01:02:55 The Journey of Podcasting

1021: Sonia Ray on her creative double bass career

Thu, 21 Dec 2023 10:00:00 +0000

Sonia Ray is titular professor of double bass at the Federal University of Goiás (Brazil). She holds an undergraduate degree in Conducting and Composition from the State University of São Paulo and master's and Doctoral Degrees from the University of Iowa, both in Double Bass Performance under Dr. Gannett.

Ray performs regularly performing both Brazilian and contemporary repertoire as a priority. Guest artist of ISB since 1993, Ray is a co-founding member of the Brazilian Society of Music Performance (ABRAPEM) and the Brazilian Society of Bassists (ABC).

We talk about Sonia's background, her cool daily interview series from 2020, how she got into composition and bass, and much more. Enjoy!

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00:00 Introduction and Guest Presentation
00:41 Podcast History and Personal Connections
01:08 Memories from ISB Conventions
02:40 Influence of Diana Gannett
05:43 Adapting to Remote Music Making
07:15 Daily Interview Project During Pandemic
08:43 Reflections on Career Choices
10:58 Sponsor Shoutout: Carnegie Mellon University
11:53 The Upside of the Pandemic
12:55 The Challenges of Online Community Building
17:26 The Artistic Freedom in University Positions
20:38 The Joy of Chamber Music
22:41 The Art of Making Choices
22:49 Exploring New Musical Horizons
24:06 The Joy of Learning New Instruments
24:58 The Challenges and Rewards of Musical Experimentation
25:56 The Evolution of a Musician's Journey
26:31 The Power of Collaboration in Music
29:22 The Impact of Technology on Music
36:46 The Importance of Preserving Musical History
39:19 The Future of Music and Education
41:49 Reflecting on Personal Growth and Future Plans

1020: Gregg Goodhart on practicing and improvement

Thu, 14 Dec 2023 22:00:00 +0000

Gregg Goodhart has a passion for teaching others how to learn so they can surpass their perceived limitations. This passion led to an intense interest in cognitive and behavioral neuroscience and psychology as they relate to teaching. By putting these principles into practical use in the classroom over many years, he has come to an understanding of how to teach others to reach their potential.

We dig into Gregg's background, how to actually improve, recommended books, and much more. Enjoy, and be sure to check out Gregg's website to get in touch and learn more about his important work.

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00:00 Introduction and Background
00:45 Reminiscing About Hometowns
02:15 Discussing Urban Development and Nature
03:41 Adapting to California Weather
05:36 Podcast Recording Techniques
07:59 The Importance of Teaching Music
09:41 Sponsor Shoutout: Carnegie Mellon University
10:53 Exploring the Concept of Deliberate Practice
17:27 The Journey of Personal Musical Improvement
23:46 Promotion of Double Bass Course
24:03 The Influence of Heavy Metal on Bass Playing
25:21 The Importance of Proper Learning Methods
25:46 The Power of Repetition and Retrieval Practice
26:12 The Importance of Spacing in Learning
28:44 The Role of Contextual Interference in Learning
29:09 The Impact of Dotted Rhythms in Music Practice
34:15 The Misunderstanding of Talent in Learning
39:51 The Role of Stage Fright in Performance
48:22 The Importance of Deliberate Practice
50:20 Closing Thoughts and Future Directions

1019: Cécile-Laure Kouassi on her EP Beaux Jours

Thu, 07 Dec 2023 10:00:00 +0000

Oslo Philharmonic bassist Cécile-Laure Kouassi recently released an EP titled Beaux Jours. This album features two arrangements by Cécile-Laure as well as two original works for double bass and piano.

We talk about this project and much more in this engaging conversation. Check out the new album on Spotify and visit her website for her arrangements and much more!

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00:00 Introduction and Guest Presentation

00:58 Inspiration Behind the EP

03:02 Exploring the Unique Sound of the Double Bass

04:04 Unearthing Hidden Gems in Bass Compositions

07:30 The Art of Arranging Music

11:41 The Challenges and Rewards of Recording

17:48 The Accessibility of Music Production

18:40 Conclusion and Future Plans

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1018: Drew Banzhaf on his audition path to the Malmö Symphony

Thu, 30 Nov 2023 10:00:00 +0000

Drew Banzhaf won the audition for Associate Principal Bass Malmö Symphony in 2023. He spent three years as a guest musician of the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra and has regularly appeared with renowned orchestras such as the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, and Minnesota Orchestra. Drew was also a New World Symphony Fellow for three seasons and is a graduate of Indiana University and Rice University.

We dig into Drew's background, his decade spent taking 36 professional auditions, lessons learned along the journey, and much more. Enjoy!

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1017: Gregg August on balancing jazz, classical, and composition

Fri, 24 Nov 2023 10:00:00 +0000

Gregg August is a New York double bassist who successfully balances careers in classical and jazz music, as well as composition. He is member of the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra (Associate), the American Composers Orchestra, Westchester Philharmonic and Orchestra of St. Luke's. He is also an active composer and performer in avant-garde, jazz and Latin jazz worlds.

We talk about his background, how he balances these multiple disciplines, his 2020 project "Dialogues on Race," his experience with the innovative "Bang on a Can" summer festival, and much more. Enjoy, and be sure to check out Gregg's website to learn more about his exceptional work!

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1016: Kostas Patsiotis on Greece and October

Thu, 16 Nov 2023 10:00:00 +0000

Greek bassist Kostas Patsiotis recently released his solo debut album October, which was recorded in a single day at Antart Studios in Athens and features Yiannis Papadopoulos on piano, Michael Tsiftis on guitar and Dimitris Klonis on drums.

We talk about what it's like being a jazz bassist in Greece, how Kostas got into bass playing, his gear, what it was like recording this album, and much more.

Enjoy, and be sure to check out October and also follow along with Kostas on his website, YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram!

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1015: Jesse Dietschi on balancing jazz and classical playing

Fri, 10 Nov 2023 10:00:00 +0000

Jesse Dietschi recently released Gradient, his debut album with fellow Toronto musicians Ethan Ardelli (drums) and Ewen Farncombe (piano). This album has been getting considerable acclaim and will be featured in the Debut Album Reviews section of the December 2023 edition of DownBeat Magazine, along with numerous radio programs throughout North America and Europe.

We talk about the story behind this album, how Jesse and I met several years ago at the Suzuki Association of the Americas Conference, what it's like balancing classical work like subbing with the Toronto Symphony with his jazz projects, and much more.

Enjoy, and be sure to check out October on Spotify and bandcamp, and be sure to follow along with Jesse on his website and Instagram!

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1014: Joseph Whitt on a career as a military bassist

Thu, 02 Nov 2023 09:00:00 +0000

Technical Sergeant Joseph Whitt is the bassist for the United States Air Force Band of the Pacific in Tokyo, Japan. Prior to joining the Band of the Pacific, he was stationed at the United States Air Force Band of Flight, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, and at the United States Air Forces in Europe Band at Ramstein Air Base in Germany.

We dig into a variety of topics, including:

the USAF Band mission
the USAF audition process and preparation
military lifestyle, service, and overseas experience
benefits, education, training
professional development
double/electric bass cross-over

Enjoy, and you can learn more about a career in The United States Air Force Band here.

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1013: Marty Isenberg on "The Way I Feel Inside" - Inspired by the films of Wes Anderson

Thu, 26 Oct 2023 09:00:00 +0000

Marty Isenberg recently released his debut album "The Way I Feel Inside" - Inspired by the films of Wes Anderson, and it has been getting great press. In this interview, we chat with Marty about his life in music, his career as a jazz bassist, the inspiration for this album, and much more. We also bring up a great interview that Marty also did for the Bass Shed.

Check out this super cool album on bandcamp and Spotify, and follow along with Marty and his projects on Instagram and his website!

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1012: Phoebe Russell on Smash Your Audition

Thu, 19 Oct 2023 09:00:00 +0000

Phoebe Russell is Principal Bass for the Queensland Symphony Orchestra. She recently released a course on Discover Double Bass titled Smash Your Audition.

We released a YouTube video digging into this course, and in this podcast we cover Phoebe's tips for preparing orchestral excerpts, what it was like to put all of her knowledge into a video course, general life updates, and more.

Check out Phoebe's 2019 podcast appearance here, and be sure to check out her awesome course here!

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1011: Bobby Scharmann on winning an orchestra audition

Thu, 12 Oct 2023 09:00:00 +0000

Bobby Scharmann is Associate Principal Bass with the Omaha Symphony Orchestra and has been documenting his audition journey and what he has learned through the 24 professional orchestra auditions he took.

We last had Bobby on the podcast in 2020, and it was great to catch up with him and dig into his preparation process and what it was like landing his full-time orchestral position. Enjoy, and be sure to check out Bobby's website, Instagram, and YouTube Channel!

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1010: Lorraine Chai on music theory for young double bassists

Thu, 05 Oct 2023 09:00:00 +0000

Lorraine Chai is the author of Stringstastic, a set of music theory books for double bass and the other string instruments. We talk about these cool books, both of which are available through Amazon. Enjoy!

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1009: Susan Hagen on her new edition of BASSics for Bass

Thu, 28 Sep 2023 09:00:00 +0000

Susan Hagen is a Boston native and is extremely active in that city's musical scene. She serves as principal double bassist of the Boston Pops Esplanade Orchestra, teaches bass at the Berklee College of Music, and is a regular substitute in the Boston Symphony.

She recently updated her remarkable book BASSics of Bass, and we dig into this and much more. Enjoy, and be sure to check her 2023 August Recital for some inspiring bass playing!

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1008: Pete Lampe on building his own double basses

Thu, 21 Sep 2023 09:00:00 +0000

Pete Lampe is the owner of Pete's Upright Bass Shop in Portland, Oregon, and he has been an active bassist in Portland since 1986. He won a Silver Medal for Tone at the 2023 International Society of Bassists Convention, and he is currently focused on building his own double basses. We dig into Pete's background, setup, strings, the "Golden Age" of bass building happening now, and much more.

Enjoy, and be sure to follow along with Pete and his great work on his website and on Instagram!

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1007: Behind the scenes with Ear Trumpet Labs

Fri, 15 Sep 2023 16:07:00 +0000

It was a pleasure to visit Ear Trumpet Labs founder Philip Graham and go behind the scenes with the Nadine microphone for double bass. I did a review of this mic back in 2020 and have been loving it ever since. Enjoy, and check out the video version of this for some cool visuals from the workshop.

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1006: Abe Gumroyan freelancing chat

Thu, 07 Sep 2023 09:00:00 +0000

Abe Gumroyan is a Grammy-award winning bassist who plays a wide range of gigs, ranging from major motion picture soundtracks to professional orchestras like the San Francisco Symphony.

We dig into Abe's background, what it's like freelancing, advice on developing a multifaceted career, Abe's surprising "pandemic job," and much more. Enjoy!

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1005: Lauren Pierce on Scales

Thu, 31 Aug 2023 07:00:00 +0000

Lauren Pierce has written a new book title Scales, Scales, Scales: A Progressive Technical Journey for the Double Bass. We dig into the inspiration for this book and catch up with Lauren and her current projects in this wide-ranging conversation.

Check out her new book here, and be sure to give Lauren a follow on Instagram and YouTube!

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1004: Jacob Warren on his multi-style career

Fri, 25 Aug 2023 09:00:00 +0000

Jacob Warren is a multi-style bassist whose background and interests lie in a wide ranging variety of acoustic styles, including, but not limited to classical, jazz, bluegrass, Swedish fiddle, and many others. In 2023 Jacob won first prize in the International Society of Bassists Soloist Competition.

We dig into Jacob's background, his recital at the 2023 ISB convention and plans for his solo recital at the 2025 convention, alternate tunings, balancing multiple projects, practicing, his YouTube series on chopping, and much more.

Enjoy, and be sure to follow along with Jacob on Instagram, YouTube, Facebook, and his website!

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1003: Tacet No More with Joseph Conyers and Yumi Kendall

Thu, 17 Aug 2023 14:43:00 +0000

Hosted by Joseph Conyers and Yumi Kendall, Tacet No More is "a new podcast where we are asking the questions that need to be asked and saying the things that need to be said about classical music".

Check out the podcast and follow along with future episodes here, and bravo to Joe and Yuri for starting this cool new show!

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1002: Krista Kopper on excavating your creativity

Thu, 10 Aug 2023 09:00:00 +0000

Double bassist Krista Kopper recently released a solo, improvised double bass album titled "Blessed Are Those Who Mourn" that was inspired by eight women who have been killed while running.

We dig into the story behind this album and much more. Listen to her solo album as well as my two other improvised duo albums here on bandcamp, and give her a follow on Instagram as well.

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1001: Gael McKeon interviews Jason

Thu, 03 Aug 2023 09:00:00 +0000

Gael McKeon interviews Jason about the origins of the podcast, the experience of putting out 1000 episodes, and plans for the podcast's future. Enjoy!

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1000: Live in San Francisco with Chuck Israels, Charles Chandler, Amos Yang, and Andres Martin

Tue, 25 Jul 2023 09:00:00 +0000

We celebrate the 1000th episode of Contrabass Conversations live at the 2023 Golden Gate Bass Camp!

Learn more about today's guests:

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Carnegie Mellon University Double Bass Studio – CMU is dedicated to helping each student achieve their goals as a musician. Every week each student receives private lessons and participates in a solo class with Micah Howard. Peter Guild, another member of the PSO, teaches Orchestral Literature and Repertoire weekly. They encourage students to reach out to the great bassists in their area for lessons and direction. Many of the bassists from all of the city's ensembles are more than willing to lend a hand. Every year members of the Symphony, the Opera and the Ballet give classes and offer our students individual attention. Click here to visit Micah's website and to sign up for a free online trial lesson.

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999: How to bring up your energy for a performance with Louis Levitt

Thu, 20 Jul 2023 09:00:00 +0000

Today we feature double bass performer and educator Louis Levitt on how to bring up your energy level for a performance. Enjoy, and be sure to check out Louis' website, Rutgers University teaching profile, and Instagram, and be sure to follow along with his awesome group Sybarite5!

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998: How to warm up in ANY situation (silent and effective!) with Louis Levitt

Thu, 13 Jul 2023 09:00:00 +0000

Today we feature double bass performer and educator Louis Levitt on how to warm up when you don't have much time. Enjoy, and be sure to check out Louis' website, Rutgers University teaching profile, and Instagram, and be sure to follow along with his awesome group Sybarite5!

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997: Arnold Schnitzer on The Handy Double Bassist

Thu, 06 Jul 2023 09:00:00 +0000

Renowned double bass luthier Arnold Schnitzer recently released a book titled The Handy Double Bassist; Maintenance, Adjustments and Repairs for the Non-Luthier. This book is available in print edition through the ISB Store as well as through the DBHQ digital store.

We dig into the inspiration for this book, what bassists can and can't do on their own, strange tales from years of maintaining basses, and much more. Enjoy, and check out our conversation from 2016 to learn more about Arnold's cool path into the bass building world.

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996: Change a string in record time with Louis Levitt

Thu, 29 Jun 2023 09:00:00 +0000

Today we feature double bass performer and educator Louis Levitt on how to change a string much more quickly than normal. Enjoy, and be sure to check out Louis' website, Rutgers University teaching profile, and Instagram, and be sure to follow along with his awesome group Sybarite5!

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995: John Kennedy on teaching

Thu, 22 Jun 2023 09:00:00 +0000

Today we feature John Kennedy, who has been one of the leading double bass educators for decades. I've had the good pleasure to serve on the International Society of Bassists Board of Directors with him as well as on the faculty of several double bass camps, and he is a first-class performer, teacher, and human being.

I hope you enjoy this thoughtful conversation with a dear friend and wonderful member of the double bass community!

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994: Nick Lloyd on his bench copy of Edgar Meyer's Gabrielli double bass

Thu, 15 Jun 2023 09:00:00 +0000

Today we chat with double bass maker Nick Lloyd about the story behind his bench copy of Edgar Meyer's Giovanni Battista Gabrielli from 1769. Nick copied Edgar's bass (#55) for Paul Kowert, and the Meyer bass copy that he bright to ISB (#60) was played by Gary Karr during the ISB headliner concert with Steve Bailey and Victor Wooten.

Enjoy, and be sure to check out more of Nick's great work on his website, Facebook, and Instagram!

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993: Bill Harrison on Making the Low Notes

Thu, 08 Jun 2023 09:00:00 +0000

Today, we talk with former podcast guest Bill Harrison about his new memoir Making the Low Notes: A Life in Music. This is a great read about what it was like diving into Chicago's lively jobbing world through the 1970s and beyond. Enjoy, and you can pick up a copy on Amazon!

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992: Sean O'Hara on long-term progress

Thu, 01 Jun 2023 09:00:00 +0000

Sean O'Hara recently won an audition for a double bass section position in the Fort Worth Symphony. In this episode, we talk about Sean's journey from the San Francisco Bay area to UCLA to study with Chris Hanulik, his time working with Brian Johnson at Cal State Fullerton, his with studying with Tim Pitts at Rice University, lessons learned after 33 auditions, getting into traditional Irish, music, and much more. Enjoy!

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991: Szymon Marciniak and Evan Mitchell on their bass and piano partnership

Thu, 25 May 2023 09:00:00 +0000

This year's San Francisco Winter Bass Bash recital guest was Szymon Marciniak, a fabulous bass soloist and educator who appeared on the podcast in 2016. Szymon performed an inspiring program with his longtime collaborator and pianist Evan Mitchell. In this interview we discuss how Szymon and Evan have approached collaborating over the past decade. Enjoy, and check out more footage from this event here!

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990: Nicole Melrose on double bass strings

Thu, 18 May 2023 09:00:00 +0000

Nicole Melrose is an orchestral string clinician for D'Addario and the founder of StringRise, which we covered with Nicole in a 2021 interview.

Today, we dig into the world of double bass strings, how they are made, what makes double bass strings unique, and the various strings offered by D'Addario.

D'Addario is a past sponsor of the podcast, and if you join their Players Circle with the code DCLINIC2023, you can get 50% off of up to five D'Addario products with free shipping.

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989: Alexander Verster on composition and London freelance life

Thu, 11 May 2023 09:00:00 +0000

Alexander Verster is a composer and double bassist located in London. He was born in South Africa, but soon ended up in New Zealand prior to his move to London.

We talk about his deep dive into the double bass, how composing fits into his life, and much more. Enjoy and be sure to check out Alexander's scores and recordings and also give his YouTube Channel a follow!

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988: Kaelan Decman on his audition path and process

Thu, 04 May 2023 09:00:00 +0000

Kaelan Decman joined the Los Angeles Philharmonic as Associate Principal Bass in spring 2022. Prior to his appointment, he was a member of the San Diego

Symphony Orchestra bass section. He is a graduate of the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music and the University of Southern California Thornton School of Music.

We talk about his audition journey and much more in this wide-ranging conversation. Enjoy!

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987: Jonathan Colbert on career possibilities

Thu, 27 Apr 2023 09:00:00 +0000

Jonathan Colbert recently joined the faculty of the University of Memphis, bringing a wealth of experience gathered from playing with ensembles like the Atlanta Symphony, Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, and Philadelphia Orchestra. He spent six years serving as co-principal bass of the Royal Danish Orchestra, and he is in high demand as a performer and private teacher.

We talk about his path through the music world, the highlights and challenges of a career as an orchestral player, his approach to building a varied career, and much more.

Enjoy, and be sure to check out Jonathan's University of Memphis faculty page and also this cool article on his appointment to this position!

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986: Lauren Pierce on how to learn a piece

Thu, 20 Apr 2023 09:00:00 +0000

Lauren Pierce is a double bassist and educator who has put together a cool guide titled 6 Steps to Learning A New Piece. In this episode, we dive into each of these steps and why it's important in the preparatory process of learning a new piece. We also catch up on a variety of topics in this fun conversation with a longtime friend and colleague.

Pick up a copy of the guide here, and be sure to give Lauren a follow on Instagram and YouTube. You can also check out prior podcasts with Lauren here.

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985: Sebastiano Dessanay on 377 and multidisciplinary creativity

Thu, 13 Apr 2023 09:00:00 +0000

Sebastiano Dessanay recently released his 377: double CD. This remarkable project, which we discussed in early 2020, featured Sebastiano visiting the 377 municipalities of Sardinia traveling exclusively by bicycle: one a day for 14 months.

We talk how this album evolved out of his epic journey, his book covering the journey, and much more. Enjoy, and be sure to check out Sebastiano and his cool project on his website, bandcamp, YouTube, and Instagram!

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984: Dan McCain on Moments in Time

Thu, 06 Apr 2023 09:00:00 +0000

Born and raised in Philadelphia, Dan McCain is a bassist, composer/arranger, and band leader who has recently released his debut album, Moments in Time. We dig into Dan's background, the Philly jazz scene, the story behind this album, and more.

A big shout-out to Katie Thiroux for connecting us, and be sure to check out Dan's new album on bandcamp or Spotify and also give him a follow on Instagram!

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983: Nataly Linares on young bassist education

Thu, 30 Mar 2023 09:00:00 +0000

Nataly Linares is a bassist and educator originally from Bogotá, Colombia. Since December 2020, she has been working with young students and teachers through the Festival Internacional de Contrabajo Infantil with teachers from Mexico, Spain, United States and Germany. She also works with the International Society of Bassists helping the Young Bassists Program.

We talk about the inspiration behind this festival and what the 2023 festival will look like in Colombia. Enjoy!

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982: Zachary Martin and Scott Pingel on double bass restoration

Thu, 23 Mar 2023 09:00:00 +0000

In this episode, we go behind the scenes of double bass restoration with Zachary Martin and Scott Pingel. Zachary is internationally renowned for his repair, restoration and maintenance services, and Scott had him come to the San Francisco Conservatory of Music for a residency covering basic emergency setup and repair.

Enjoy, and be sure to give Zachary a follow on Instagram and check out his website for a video covering the work that he does.

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981: Jason on the Touching Greatness Podcast

Thu, 16 Mar 2023 09:00:00 +0000

Allan Jay Santos recently launched his podcast Touching Greatness, and it was a pleasure to be his guest for episode 6! This "turn the tables" episode features Allan interviewing me, and the conversation goes into all kinds of interesting territory.

Enjoy, and if you dig this episode, give Allan's podcast a follow on Apple Podcasts or Spotify!

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980: Podcast vs. Video - How I decide what format to use

Thu, 09 Mar 2023 10:00:00 +0000

This solo show explores my decision-making process about what kind of content warrants a podcast versus a video. Enjoy!

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Carnegie Mellon University Double Bass Studio - CMU is dedicated to helping each student achieve their goals as a musician. Every week each student receives private lessons and participates in a solo class with Micah Howard. Peter Guild, another member of the PSO, teaches Orchestral Literature and Repertoire weekly. They encourage students to reach out to the great bassists in their area for lessons and direction. Many of the bassists from all of the city's ensembles are more than willing to lend a hand. Every year members of the Symphony, the Opera and the Ballet give classes and offer our students individual attention. Click here to visit Micah's website and to sign up for a free online trial lesson.

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979: Andy Moritz on Scale Skills for double bass

Thu, 02 Mar 2023 10:00:00 +0000

Andy Moritz is a double bassist and educator in the Houston area, and he has recently released Scale Skills, groundbreaking new work covering how Andy approaches major scales with his students. This book is available in our sheet music store, and in this episode, we talk about the concept behind the book and what it covers. Enjoy!

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978: Are bridge adjusters a good idea on double bass?

Mon, 27 Feb 2023 10:00:00 +0000

This solo show explores the pros and cons of double bass bridge adjusters and is an accompaniment to a recent YouTube video. Enjoy!

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977: Gael McKeon on building double basses

Fri, 24 Feb 2023 10:00:00 +0000

Gael McKeon is a double bass luthier who recently moved back to the United States after moving his shop to Toulouse, France. He was based in the San Francisco Bay Area from 2011 to 2018, and we recorded a podcast back in 2018 right before he relocated.

We talk about Gael's past few years and his shift into bass building. He is currently focused on building instruments of his own design, inspired by classic and modern forms and ideas. His first completed bass is currently in the Finlay+Gage showroom in New York City.

Enjoy, and be sure to check out Gael's first completed double bass and also follow him on Instagram!

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976: 6 apps that help my double bass practicing

Mon, 20 Feb 2023 10:00:00 +0000

This solo show explores six apps that I use for daily double bass practice and is an accompaniment to this week's YouTube video. Enjoy!

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975: Roberto Cassani of poet / shuts / clock

Thu, 16 Feb 2023 10:00:00 +0000

Roberto Cassani has recently released a duo album on Sunnyside Records. Titled poet / shuts / clock, it is a collaboration with saxophonist Fraser A. Campbell and is filled with a rich array of textures and sonic explorations.

Enjoy this new release from Roberto and Fraser, and check out our past conversations with Roberto here.

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974: About George Bornoff with Jacob Dakon

Mon, 13 Feb 2023 10:00:00 +0000

This episode features a guest lecture with Jacob M. Dakon, the Associate Professor and Area Coordinator of Music Education at the University of Kansas, Division of Music Education and Music Therapy, detailing the life, history, and impact of esteemed string pedagogue Dr. George Bornoff.

Enjoy, and check out the accompanying YouTube video and my extended interview with FASE Executive Director Debbie Lisle.

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973: Nisse Palm on Chain of Sounds

Thu, 09 Feb 2023 10:00:00 +0000

Nisse Palm is getting close to a launch of Chain of Sounds, his MusicTech portal for Double Bass. His advisory board is made up of prominent bassists in a variety of styles as well as bass luthier Arnold Schnitzer, and he has a video presentation about the project and two survey questions.

We talk about the idea behind Chain of Sounds and much more. Enjoy, and be sure to check out the video and survey to help get this project launched.

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972: Exploring the universe of double bass harmonics

Mon, 06 Feb 2023 10:00:00 +0000

Kyle Motl recently released a book titled Bells Plucked from the Air - a guide to (mostly) pizzicato harmonic techniques for the double bass. I put out a YouTube review of the book and demonstrated the techniques, and this podcast dig deeper into the cool world of harmonics on the bass. Enjoy!

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971: Dan Carson on his path to the Chicago Symphony bass section

Thu, 02 Feb 2023 10:00:00 +0000

Daniel Carson is the most recent addition to the Chicago Symphony bass section. Dan and I chatted in 2018 about his journey thus far, and today we dig into his audition process, lessons learned during his studies with David Allen Moore, and much more. Enjoy!

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970: Four winter bass events you should know about

Mon, 30 Jan 2023 10:00:00 +0000

Winter can be a slow time of year, with treacherous weather making double bass travel tough.

Fortunately, there are several vibrant double bass events that make this season a time of learning and community.

Here are four upcoming events that are great for students, professionals, amateurs, and anyone interested in the bass. You can check out even more events like this on our double bass events map.

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969: Chuck Israels on his new bass and upcoming projects

Thu, 26 Jan 2023 10:00:00 +0000

Chuck Israels recently picked up a new Jonathan Li bass from Eastman Strings, the company for whom I work. I got together with Chuck in Portland over the holidays to talk to him about what he likes about it and to do some play tests. Enjoy!

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968: Cole Davis - The New Simandl

Tue, 24 Jan 2023 10:00:00 +0000

Today's episode digs into a new version of the Simandl Method by Cole Davis that is re-fingered with the jazz bassist in mind. Enjoy!

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967: Thoughts on Simandl vs Rabbath as foundational double bass methods

Thu, 19 Jan 2023 10:00:00 +0000

Today's episode is a musing on the value and/or frustration posed by the Simandl Method. Find Cole Davis's adaptation, The New Simandl. Enjoy!

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966: My current favorite solo double bass pieces

Thu, 12 Jan 2023 10:00:00 +0000

Today's episode digs into some of my current double bass repertoire and was inspired by this recent blog post. Enjoy, and you can find the individual pieces I talked about in this episode below:

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965: Hagai Bilitzky on New Sound of the Middle East

Mon, 09 Jan 2023 10:00:00 +0000

Hagai Bilitzky recently released a new album titled New Sound of the Middle East. Hagai specializes in the Middle Eastern double bass and is an active performer and teacher based in Jerusalem. We spoke live for the podcast at the 2018 European Bass Congress in Lucca.

Today, we talk about the story behind this new album, what Hagai has been up to the past few years, double bass in Middle Eastern music, and much more.

Enjoy, and be sure to check out the new album and follow along with Hagai on Spotify, Apple Music, and bandcamp!

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964: 10 most ANNOYING stand partner traits for double bassists

Thu, 05 Jan 2023 10:00:00 +0000

This episode covers the 10 most annoying stand partner habits. Enjoy, and you can check out the video version of this here.

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963: Nina Bernat on chamber music and career possibilities

Mon, 02 Jan 2023 10:00:00 +0000

Nina Bernat is the first prize winner at the 2019 International Society of Bassists Solo Competition and first and grand prize winner of the 2022 Minnesota Orchestra Young Artist Competition.

At the age of 19, she performed as guest principal of the Israel Philharmonic under Adrás Schiff and Osmo Vänskä and the New York Philharmonic under Gustavo Dudamel. As a recipient of the 2019 Keston MAX Fellowship, she performed with the London Symphony Orchestra on a subscription series concert at the Barbican Centre and in a chamber music concert for LSO Discovery Day at LSO St. Lukes.

We dig into her journey so far, what it was like having her dad as her teacher, the great Discover Double Bass interview she did with Geoff Chalmers, her father Mark Bernat's recent second recording of the Bach Cello Suites, and more.

Enjoy, and be sure to follow along with Nina on her website, Instagram, and YouTube!

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962: Happy Holidays and plans for 2023

Thu, 29 Dec 2022 10:00:00 +0000

In this episode, Jason shares plans for 2023 and more. Enjoy!

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961: Nick Scholefield on winning a position in the Atlanta Symphony

Mon, 26 Dec 2022 10:00:00 +0000

Nick Scholefield joined the double bass section of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra in 2022. Prior to joining the ASO, Scholefield was a member of the Alabama Symphony Orchestra since 2019. He studied with Jeffrey Turner and Bruce Bransby and is a Georgia native.

We talk about Nick's audition process, lessons learned along the way, his preparation process and how it evolved, and much more.

Enjoy, and give Nick a follow on YouTube to hear this great player in action!

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960: Transcribing pieces for the double bass - pros and cons

Thu, 22 Dec 2022 19:28:00 +0000

This episode covers the benefits and challenges of transcribing music for the double bass. Enjoy!

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959: Lynn Hannings on bow making and sustainability

Mon, 19 Dec 2022 10:00:00 +0000

Lynn Hannings founded her bowmaking studio in 1970 and is regarded as one of the world's finest double bass bow makers. In addition to her bowmaking, she is an advocate for the conservation of tropical hardwoods used in musical instruments. Lynn recently retired from the Portland (ME) Symphony Orchestra after 50 years as a bassist in this ensemble.

We talk about her journey into bowmaking, how the process of bowmaking works, the complexities and urgency in conservation, topics she covered on Katie Thiroux's podcast, and much more.

Enjoy, and be sure to learn more about Lynn on her website, Instagram, and Facebook. You can also learn more about the conservation efforts we talked about and make a donation at Alliance-USA.

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958: Choosing double bass strings

Thu, 15 Dec 2022 10:00:00 +0000

This episode digs into the ever-complex topic of choosing bass strings. Enjoy, and you can check out videos on bass strings here.

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957: Rufus Reid on his life in jazz

Mon, 12 Dec 2022 10:00:00 +0000

It was such a pleasure to sit down with Rufus Reid and catch up on his recent activities! Rufus was in San Francisco doing a residency at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, and we got a chance to carve out some time to talk shop.

We dig into the origins of his revolutionary book The Evolving Bassist, his time at Northwestern, lessons learned on the gig, and much more. Enjoy, and check out Rufus' recent CD Celebration to hear some super-cool writing for jazz trio and string quartet!

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956: 15 practicing mistakes and how to fix them

Fri, 09 Dec 2022 10:00:00 +0000

This episode elaborates on a blog post devoted to common practicing mistakes and their solutions. Enjoy, and you can check out the video version on the topic here.

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955: Christian Hales on auditioning and his path so far

Wed, 07 Dec 2022 10:00:00 +0000

Christian Hales joined the Charleston Symphony in 2022 as Principal Bass. I met him in person here in the San Francisco Bay Area before he departed for this exciting new chapter in his life. We talk about how he got into music, his initial career goals and how they shifted toward orchestral performance, his audition process and lessons learned along the way, and much more. Enjoy!

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Carnegie Mellon University Double Bass Studio - CMU is dedicated to helping each student achieve their goals as a musician. Every week each student receives private lessons and participates in a solo class with Micah Howard. Peter Guild, another member of the PSO, teaches Orchestral Literature and Repertoire weekly. They encourage students to reach out to the great bassists in their area for lessons and direction. Many of the bassists from all of the city's ensembles are more than willing to lend a hand. Every year members of the Symphony, the Opera and the Ballet give classes and offer our students individual attention. Click here to visit Micah's we bsite and to sign up for a free online trial lesson.

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954: Tell us your story!

Thu, 01 Dec 2022 10:00:00 +0000

We'd love to have you contribute to our new website Double Bass HQ! This podcast outlines some ideas for how you can get involved.

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Upton Bass String Instrument Company - Upton's Karr Model Upton Double Bass represents an evolution of our popular first Karr model, refined and enhanced with further input from Gary Karr. Since its introduction, the Karr Model with its combination of comfort and tone has gained a loyal following with jazz and roots players. The slim, long "Karr neck" has even become a favorite of crossover electric players.

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953: Gloria Jones Allgood on her Atlanta Symphony Orchestra journey

Mon, 28 Nov 2022 10:00:00 +0000

Gloria Jones Allgood joined the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra at age 20 in 1984, just before completing her Bachelor's Degree in Double Bass Performance at The University of Michigan.

Born into a musical family in Greenville, SC, she studied violin and piano until age 12 when she started studying the bass. She was a member of the Greenville Symphony Orchestra for five years before college, soloing with the Charleston Symphony Orchestra at age 14. Six of her summers were spent at Interlochen Center of the Arts, studying with Lawrence Hurst, Oscar Zimmerman, and Jack Budrow. She also studied with her late husband, Atlanta Symphony Orchestra Principal Bass Ralph Jones for two years in high school.

While at The University of Michigan, Allgood was Principal Bass of the Flint Symphony Orchestra from 1982-1984, and she received the Mitslav Rostropovich Award for Outstanding Musicianship. She studied on Full Fellowship at the Aspen Music Festival in the summers of 1983 and 1984, studying with Stuart Sankey.

Joining the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra as a section player, she was promoted to Assistant Principal in 1989 and to Associate Principal in 2001. Additionally, she served as Acting Principal Bass during the 2013/14 and 2014/15 seasons. She teaches privately, coaches the Atlanta Symphony Youth Orchestra, participates in the Talent Development Program and has performed in many chamber music groups around Atlanta. She presently holds the Lucy R. and Gary Lee Jr. Associate Principal Bass Chair.

Gloria Jones Allgood is married to musician and recording engineer William Allgood.

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952: The story behind DBHQ

Fri, 25 Nov 2022 10:00:00 +0000

Jason Heath, Trevor Jones, and Merrill Richmond chat about the idea for Double Bass HQ, working with our developer Wonderly, and the journey from idea to launch.

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951: Richard Andersson on his jazz bass journey

Mon, 21 Nov 2022 10:00:00 +0000

Richard Andersson is a Danish/Faroese/Icelandic bass player and composer based in Copenhagen, Denmark. He has gained great recognition for his work as a composer and bass player in the modern jazz field and has released several albums as a bandleader with Danish and international musicians.

We talk about his musical background, studies in New York City, what it's like being a jazz musician in Denmark, his recent album Inviting, and much more.

Enjoy, and be sure to follow Richard on his website, Spotify, bandcamp, and YouTube!

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950: Choosing double bass rosin - what's best for your needs?

Fri, 18 Nov 2022 10:00:00 +0000

This solo show digs into various brands of rosin and the pros and cons of each. Enjoy, and check out video reviews of several brands of rosin here.

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949: Sienna George on double bass mutes

Wed, 16 Nov 2022 10:00:00 +0000

Sienna George is a bassist and wood carver currently living in New York City. She is also the founder of Sienna Geo Woodwork, which specializes in handcrafted wooden double bass mutes and other musical accessories.

We chat about her musical upbringing, discovering the double bass, her studies at the Manhattan School of Music with Orin O'Brien, and much more.

Enjoy, and be sure to check out Sienna and her beautiful bass mutes on her website, Etsy store, and Instagram!

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948: How to pizzicato faster on double bass!

Fri, 11 Nov 2022 10:00:00 +0000

This episode covers techniques for developing faster pizzicato on the double bass. Enjoy!

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947: Ultimate Music Business Summit 2023

Wed, 09 Nov 2022 10:00:00 +0000

The Ultimate Music Business Summit's mission is simple—to help you take control of your music business and get a variety of valuable strategies for increasing your income and growing your impact.

Today, we chat with event coordinators Dr. Garrett Hope and Arthur Breur about the story behind the summit and what to expect in 2023.

The event is taking place January 5-7, 2023, and you can learn more and purchase tickets here.

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946: How DO you find good fingerings for double bass parts?

Fri, 04 Nov 2022 09:00:00 +0000

This episode covers the "rules" of good bass fingering and how and when to apply or break them. Enjoy!

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945: Valentina Ciardelli on Ruutsu

Wed, 02 Nov 2022 09:00:00 +0000

Valentina Ciardelli has just released Ruutsu , the first CD ever recorded for contemporary double bass and harp chamber duo ensemble in the EU.

Ruutsu (which means roots in Japanese), is an album dedicated to the deep connection and mutual influence between Japanese and Western Europe music culture.

Anna and Valentina present a cultural contribution and a turning point in contemporary chamber music. The duo focused on Japanese culture, which is incredibly colorful, elegant, and mystic. The repertoire of this CD will explore how Western and Japanese Music developed parallelly between the 19th and 20th centuries.

You can learn more and pick up a copy of the album here.

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944: Tenor and Treble clef on double bass

Fri, 28 Oct 2022 04:08:00 +0000

This episode covers why we use tenor and treble clef on the double bass and tips for learning them. It's a companion piece to this week's YouTube video. Enjoy!

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943: Mark Roman on his album, Seasonal Allergies

Mon, 24 Oct 2022 09:00:00 +0000

Mark Roman is a recording artist, songwriter and bassist originally from Woodstock, New York. A second-generation American, he came up with a wide range of musical influences, including classical training at Juilliard pre-college.

Mark has recently released 'Seasonal Allegories,' his first release as a string bassist & songwriter. We talk about this and much more.

Enjoy, and be sure to follow Mark on Instagram and bandcamp!

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938: Remembering Kelly Sill

Thu, 20 Oct 2022 09:00:00 +0000

obituary courtesy of the International Society of Bassists:

The ISB is sad to learn of the passing yesterday of bassist, composer, educator and recording artist Kelly Sill. He was 70 years old.

Kelly was a beloved mainstay of the Chicago jazz scene for more than 35 years. Born in Fargo, North Dakota, he grew up in the Chicago area. After receiving his bachelor's degree from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, he returned to Chicago to perform and record with jazz artists such as Art Blakey, Joe Henderson, Art Farmer, Clark Terry, Cedar Walton, Herb Ellis, Woody Shaw, Hank Jones, Freddie Hubbard, Kenny Burrell, Barney Kessel, Chris Potter, Ernie Watts, Bob Mintzer, Mel Torme, Anita O'Day, Jackie McLean, Joey DeFrancesco, Donald Byrd, Eddie Harris, Scott Hamilton, Victor Lewis, Clifford Jordan and Bucky Pizzarelli. He performed at the Chicago Jazz Festival, the Elkhart Jazz Festival, the Red Sea Jazz Festival, Thessaloniki Concert Hall in Greece and Symphony Center in Chicago. Kelly's discography includes more than fifty recordings as a sideman and leader.

Kelly served on the faculties of Northeastern Illinois University, Lake Forest College, DePaul University and Northern Illinois University. He also taught at the Interlochen Arts Camp, Jamey Aebersold Summer Jazz Workshop, Janice Borla Vocal Jazz Camp, University of Wisconsin/Stevens Point Jazz Camp, Clark Terry Great Plains Jazz Camp and the University of Illinois (Urbana-Champaign) Summer Music Program.

Saxophonist Gregory Dudzienski recalls his friend: "Kelly was one of the warmest, most welcoming, supportive, and funniest people I've ever had the fortune to spend time with. He had that way of interacting with you, that way of giving you his full attention and self that made it feel like you were the most important person in the world to him. That way of interacting carried into his playing as well."

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937: Joel Braun on Unaccompanied

Mon, 17 Oct 2022 15:00:00 +0000

University of Texas at Austin double bass professor Joel Braun just released a solo album. Titled Unaccompanied, it contains his own transcription of the Bach Flute Partita, premiere recordings of works by Lera Auerbach, Caleb Burhans and Olga Magidenko, and his own composition "Awake," which received an honorable mention from the ISB David Walter composition competition.

We talk about the story behind this album, performing works by women composers, life events since our last chat at ISB 2019, and much more.

Enjoy, and check out the following links to hear recital performances from Joel featuring women composers:

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936: Phrasing on the double bass

Thu, 06 Oct 2022 09:00:00 +0000

This episode covers various techniques to develop more expressive phrasing on the bass and is a companion piece to next week's YouTube video. Enjoy and don't forget to download the Phrasing Workbook I put together for you.

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935: Mark Gollihur on the bass business

Mon, 03 Oct 2022 09:00:00 +0000

Mark Gollihur is the owner of Gollihur Music, which has been serving the double bass community online since 1997.

We chat with Mark about his father Bob's passing, how Bob built the company, the satisfactions and challenges of the business, and much more. Enjoy!

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934: Remembering Wolfgang Guettler

Thu, 29 Sep 2022 09:00:00 +0000

obituary courtesy of the International Society of Bassists:

Wolfgang Güttler, whose decades-long career as a performer, recording artist and educator garnered numerous awards, including the Concours de Genève, died on September 18, 2022. He was 77 years old.

Born in Brasov, Romania, he was solo bassist with the SWR Symphony Orchestra Baden-Baden and Freiburg, and tutti double bass with the Berlin Philharmonic and Bucharest Radio Orchestra. He served as professor of double bass at the Hochschule für Musik und Tanz Köln and the Hochschule für Musik Karlsruhe, and gave masterclasses at the Julliard School.

He was dedicated to expanding the double bass repertoire, from classical standards to jazz, and was a champion of contemporary music. His remarkable musical partnership with the Rumanian double bass virtuoso Ovidiu Badila was cut short by Badila's untimely passing.

Says Martin Wind of his late teacher Wolfgang Güttler, "He encouraged me to listen to my own voice, follow my instincts and become an independently thinking, complete musician. In my 25+ years of teaching there has not been one day where I did not pass on the lessons that I learned from him." Petru Iuga also paid tribute upon learning of Güttler's death: "He was one of the greatest bassists and musicians I ever met. A great man, friend and a spiritual double-bass father who has inspired me."

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933: Don Prell - Double Bass Legend - Part 1

Tue, 27 Sep 2022 02:14:23 +0000

Today's episode is the first in a series of chats with double bass legend Don Prell.

Born in 1929, Don went on the road with the Frank Ortega Band, played with people like Buddy Rich and Chet Baker, and was in the original Bud Shank Quartet.

He played for the San Francisco Symphony for 30 years and, after retirement, formed his own group called the Sea Bop Ensemble, which played at various San Francisco spots, including the legendary Bay View Boat Club.

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932: Scale "hacks" for the double bass

Thu, 22 Sep 2022 09:00:24 +0000

This episode covers "accelerating scales" and why they are a core comment of my daily double bass practice. Enjoy, and check out the accompanying YouTube video here.

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931: Debbie Lyle on George Bornoff

Mon, 19 Sep 2022 09:00:52 +0000

Debbie Lyle is the Executive Director of The Foundation for the Advancement of String Education (FASE), a 501(c)(3) charitable organization that promotes the philosophy and pedagogy of Dr. George Bornoff by providing financial support for the development of string education and teacher training.

We talk about the recent National Bornoff Summer Workshop and my experience as bass faculty there, the legacy and appeal of the Bornoff approach, Bornoff's influence on bass pedagogy, and much more. Enjoy!

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930: How harmonics work on the double bass

Thu, 15 Sep 2022 09:00:49 +0000

This episode digs into how harmonics work on the double bass and was inspired by Chris West's book A Guide to Double Bass Harmonics. Enjoy, and check out my accompanying YouTube video here.

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929: Ethan Phillion on Charles Mingus

Mon, 12 Sep 2022 09:00:03 +0000

Ethan Philion is an award-winning bassist, composer, and bandleader based in Chicago. A graduate of Oberlin Conservatory and DePaul University, he has performed with Rufus Reid, Greg Ward, Dana Hall, and many other artists. Ethan also won the International Society of Bassists Jazz Competition in 2019 and was selected to Chicago's Luminarts Jazz Fellowship in 2020.

Ethan recently released an album with his 10-piece ensemble on Sunnyside Records titled Meditations on Mingus. We dig into the story behind this album and much more. Enjoy!

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928: What I practice when my time is limited

Thu, 08 Sep 2022 09:00:13 +0000

This episode digs into ways of organizing practice sessions when time is limited. It was inspired by this week's YouTube video, and you can download the 20, 45, and 90 minute routines here.

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927: Holly Reinhardt on being a UK bass student

Mon, 05 Sep 2022 15:00:46 +0000

Holly Reinhardt is a student of David Heyes at Wells Cathedral School and the creator of BassNotes, a site featuring interviews with prominent people in the double bass community.

We talk about Holly's inspiration for the site, what it's like going to school and studying bass in the UK, her plans and hopes for the future, and much more. Enjoy!

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926: What part of the thumb do I use for thumb position?

Thu, 01 Sep 2022 09:00:03 +0000

This solo episode covers what part of the thumb to use while in thumb position and is inspired by this week's YouTube video.

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925: Jon Liebman on For Bass Players Only

Mon, 29 Aug 2022 09:00:38 +0000

Jon Liebman is a world-renowned bassist, composer, arranger, author, and educator and the founder and "1st Bassman" for the wonderful site For Bass Players Only. He has been on the podcast a couple of times in the past, and it's always a pleasure to catch up with Jon and learn about his current and upcoming projects.

We dig into all kinds of topics, including Jon's latest Funk/Jazz bass book.

Jon has also put together a special link for podcast listeners to download his Walking Bass Basics book for free!

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924: The strangest double bass videos

Thu, 25 Aug 2022 09:00:35 +0000

Past podcast guest Cole Davis teamed up with Jason for a collaboration about his approach to practicing scales on the double bass. Enjoy, and you can pick up a copy of his book in our sheet music store.

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923: Cole Davis on scales for jazz bassists

Mon, 22 Aug 2022 09:00:56 +0000

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922: Top 10 double bass excerpts

Thu, 18 Aug 2022 09:00:47 +0000

This episode features audio from a Bass Works live stream featuring Cleveland Orchestra bassist Derek Zadinsky. This is a companion to a YouTube video that Jason did reacting to this super-cool recital of the top 10 most requested double bass excerpts. You can also pick up a PDF copy of these excerpts here.

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921: Conversations in Germany

Mon, 15 Aug 2022 09:00:58 +0000

This episode features conversations with four young bassists during Bass Camp NRW in Germany in 2022. Enjoy, and learn more about this cool camp in my conversation with camp director Uli Schneider.

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920: My recital from the Rabbath Institute Los Angeles (2022)

Thu, 11 Aug 2022 09:00:36 +0000

This episode features a recital that I recorded at the 2022 Rabbath Institute Los Angeles. Enjoy!

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919: Jon Button on The Who, Roger Daltrey, and Shakira (with guest host Katie Thiroux!)

Mon, 08 Aug 2022 09:00:56 +0000

This episode, recorded live at the Golden Gate Bass Camp, features Katie Thiroux and me interviewing Jon Button, who is the current bassist for The Who. Enjoy, and be sure to check out Jon on his website, Instagram, and Facebook!

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918: Parts of the double bass

Thu, 04 Aug 2022 09:00:05 +0000

We dig into all the parts of the double bass in today's solo show—enjoy!

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917: Dave Anderson's bass music back in print!

Mon, 01 Aug 2022 09:00:07 +0000

We're thrilled to announce that the music of bassist and composer David Anderson is now available through our sheet music store!

To celebrate, we're chatting with Dave and his longtime friend and collaborator Sidney King, who was the inspiration for many of Dave's early works. Enjoy, and be sure to check out Dave's music in our catalog!

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916: How to tune a double bass

Thu, 30 Jun 2022 09:00:51 +0000

This solo show covers various ways to tune a double bass. Enjoy!

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915: Learning double bass as an adult

Mon, 27 Jun 2022 09:00:23 +0000

In today's episode, recorded live at Bass Camp NRW in Germany, we chat with adult learners Gabriele Fritz, Eef Weenink, and Katja Boenninghoff about their experiences learning bass and what continues to fascinate them about the instrument. Enjoy!

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914: The German double bass scene

Thu, 23 Jun 2022 09:00:59 +0000

In this solo show, Jason shares thoughts on his recent trip to Germany and his observations of the double bass scene in the communities he visited. Enjoy!

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913: Uli Schneider on the German bass community

Mon, 20 Jun 2022 09:00:51 +0000

Uli Schneider is a double bass performer and teacher in Germany and is the artistic director of Bass Camp NRW, which brings together dozens of bass students of all ages each summer in Heek, Germany. He is internationally active as a clinician and regularly plays as a freelancer with professional

orchestras like the Duisburger Philharmoniker and the WDR Funkhausorchester.

We talk about the origins of this bass camp, what it's like putting it together each year, the challenges and satisfactions of bringing together the bass community with his event, and much more.

Enjoy, and be sure to check out Bass Camp NRW on Facebook, Instagram, and their website!

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912: Making Thumb Position less scary for double bass

Thu, 16 Jun 2022 15:19:15 +0000

In this solo show, we dig into ways to make thumb position more natural and less scary on the double bass.

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911: Fer Acosta on connecting the Latin American double bass community

Mon, 13 Jun 2022 09:00:47 +0000

Fernanda Acosta began her formal music studies at the age of 15 in the Conservatorio de las Rosas. She has had the opportunity to participate in different festivals in Mexico, including OSIM (2016), Encuentro de orquestas en Toluca de Lerdo (2016), Festival internacional de Música de Morelia (FIMM 2016) with the Orchestra of the Swan, FIMM 2017 with Voces 8 and La Galatea, and FIMM 2019 with Andrew Laurence-King.

She has participated in masterclasses with Víctor Flores, David Curtis, Stacey Watton, Philip Alejo, Jacqueline Thomas, and Dominic Seldis, among others. She is pursuing her Bachelor's degree, is a member of Orquesta del Conservatorio de las Rosas and Orquesta del Tzintzuni, and currently studies with Pierluigi Ferrari.

We talk about life in Morelia as a double bassist, her goals to organize the Latin American double bass community, a new podcast she's working on, and much more.

Enjoy, and be sure to follow Fer on Instagram as well as the latinamericanbassist feed she manages!

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910: Why extensions on double bass?

Thu, 09 Jun 2022 09:00:12 +0000

In this deep-dive solo show, Jason explores why double bass extensions are popular for reaching the low notes, their various styles, and advantages vs. disadvantages between 4 string basses with extensions and 5 string basses.

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909: Kyle Motl on harmonics and sound worlds

Mon, 06 Jun 2022 09:00:11 +0000

Kyle Motl is a bassist, composer, and improviser dedicated to the performance of creative music.

His work explores aspects of chaos and complexity through involved rhythmic and spectral transformations while remaining grounded in an embodied approach to performance. Kyle regularly gives solo concerts that expand upon the vast timbral resources of the contrabass.

We talk about how he found his way into the world of creative music, harmonics on the bass, what it's like working as a performing bassist in the genres he explores, and much more.

Enjoy, and be sure to check out Kyle's solo album and website and also follow him on bandcamp, YouTube, and Instagram!

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908: A cool new bass quartet for students or pros

Thu, 02 Jun 2022 07:00:46 +0000

Today's episode features a performance of Andrés Martin's bass quartet Kitsune with Andrés (bass 1), Barry Green (bass 2), Owen Lee (bass 3), and Jason (bass 4).

To purchase a copy of Kitsune, you can email Andrés at mgandres@gmail.com, and you can learn more about his great music on his website, YouTube, Instagram, and Facebook!

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907: Eli Broxham on his Newgrass path

Mon, 30 May 2022 09:00:04 +0000

Eli Broxham is a bassist in Nashville who recently released Watch Me Learn, the debut album from his band Dallas Ugly. We talk about his path from classical performance major to multi-style bassist, making the move from Chicago to Nashville and lessons learned along the way, and much more.

Enjoy, and be sure to follow Eli and his work on his website, and check out the latest from Dallas Ugly on Spotify, Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram!

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906: 12 tips to ACTUALLY get better at double bass

Thu, 26 May 2022 09:00:51 +0000

Today's deep-dive is a "highlight reel" from our recent conversation with Luis Celis, the awesome new bassist in the Cincinnati Symphony, sharing tips for improving that will help anyone. Enjoy!

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905: A cool double bass camp in France!

Mon, 23 May 2022 09:00:09 +0000

We're chatting with Eleanor Martindale about this summer's RCR Double Bass Camp, which will be coming up August 15-20 in Perpignan, France.

We talk about how the camp is organized, the teachers that will be there, and much more.

Enjoy, and you can learn more about the RCR Double Bass Camp on their website, Instagram, and Facebook!

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904: Thoughts on Nicholas Walker's Chorale

Thu, 19 May 2022 09:00:19 +0000

Today's episode is a deep-dive into Nicholas Walker's beautiful solo bass work Chorale. Enjoy!

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903: Renée-Paule Gauthier on life coaching

Mon, 16 May 2022 09:00:08 +0000

Renée-Paule Gauthier is a violinist, teacher, performance coach, writer, clinician, yogi, wife, mother, aspiring hiker, and personal growth junkie. She is also the host of the Mind Over Finger podcast, runs the Music Mastery Experience coaching program for musicians, and has recently been certified as a life coach.

We chat about podcasting, playing with professional orchestras, mindset, and much more.

You can reach out to Renée to work with directly, and be sure to follow along with her work on Instagram, Facebook, and her podcast!

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902: Fixing collapsing left hand fingers

Thu, 12 May 2022 09:00:39 +0000

Today's deep-dive covers techniques for fixing collapsing left-hand fingers. Enjoy!

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901: Luis Celis on auditioning

Mon, 09 May 2022 09:00:52 +0000

Luis Celis recently won an audition for the double bass section of the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra. Luis is originally from Venezuela and studied with Susan Hagen at the Berklee College of Music. He was also a diversity fellow with the CSO prior to winning the audition with the CSO.

We talk about Luis' musical journey, what his preparation process for the CSO audition was like, and much more.

Enjoy, and be sure to follow along with Luis on Instagram!

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900: Joe Policastro live from Cincinnati

Thu, 05 May 2022 09:00:44 +0000

Joe Policastro played a great set to close out the Cincinnati Bass Bash this April. This episode features Joe on bass along with Steve Schmidt on piano and James Leslie on drums.

Enjoy, and be sure to follow along with Joe and his trio on their website, Instagram, YouTube, Facebook, and Spotify!

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899: Barry Green in Ohio

Mon, 02 May 2022 09:00:46 +0000

Barry Green hit the ground running when he moved back to Cincinnati a few years ago, and I was fortunate to be a part of two recent Ohio events. This short episode features an interview with Barry and is a great example of his enthusiasm for the double bass and the community surrounding it. Enjoy!

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898: Intonation "hacks"

Thu, 28 Apr 2022 09:00:20 +0000

Today's deep-dive covers ideas for getting more accurate with double bass intonation. Enjoy!

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897: Tom Fiorini on electric bass concertos

Mon, 25 Apr 2022 09:00:31 +0000

Thomas Fiorini recently performed the premiere of the Groslot Concerto for Bass Guitar with the Brussels Philharmonic. This concerto has recently been released on all digital platforms, and Tom has released a fascinating video series documenting the story behind this important new addition to the repertoire.

We talk about the story behind this piece, what it has been like working toward the premiere, similarities, and differences in the mindset and physical skills needed for electric bass and double bass, and much more.

Enjoy, and be sure to follow along with Tom on his website, Facebook, and YouTube!

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896: Bass camps - my thoughts

Thu, 21 Apr 2022 09:00:24 +0000

Today's deep-dive covers thoughts on bass camps and the benefits they have to local communities. Enjoy!

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895: Richard Duke on bass camps

Mon, 18 Apr 2022 09:00:53 +0000

Richard Duke is the director for the Golden Gate Bass Camp and the San Francisco Winter Bass Bash. In this episode, we talk about Richard's early years in music, moving from Alaska to California to study at UC-Santa Cruz, our shared time at Northwestern University in the late 1990s, the Bay Area music scene, how Richard got involved with the bass camp, and what it has been like since taking over as director a decade ago.

Enjoy, and you can learn more about the bass camp here (now accepting applications!). Also, be sure to give Richard a follow on Instagram!

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894: Getting older - my thoughts

Thu, 14 Apr 2022 09:00:22 +0000

In this solo show, Jason covers his thoughts about turning 46 and what the last few years have been like.

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893: Johnny Hamil's new podcast

Mon, 11 Apr 2022 09:00:45 +0000

Johnny Hamil recently released a new podcast called Jamming With Johnny, and we hopped on the line to do a podcast for both of our respective shows.

In this episode, we catch up with Johnny, dig into his inspiration for and continued experiences starting and running the Kansas City Bass Workshop, and much more.

Enjoy, and learn more about this summer's KC Bass Workshop here.

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892: Deliberate practice

Thu, 07 Apr 2022 09:00:46 +0000

This podcast is a deep-dive on the topic of deliberate practice, inspired by this week's YouTube video about the Musical SuperLearning course from Musical U. Enjoy!

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891: Jackson Jay Kidder on singing and playing the double bass

Mon, 04 Apr 2022 09:00:14 +0000

Jackson Jay Kidder is a bassist, vocalist, and composer based in Chicago. He recently released his debut EP Standing By and will be celebrating with a live event in April.

We talk about his musical background, his time studying at DePaul University, what it has been like as a working jazz artist, how the pandemic inspired Jackson's singing, and much more.

Enjoy, and be sure to check out Jackson's album on bandcamp and Spotify, and also give him a follow on Facebook!

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890: Nina DeCesare in San Francisco

Thu, 31 Mar 2022 09:00:12 +0000

Nina DeCesare was recently in San Francisco as the guest artist for the 2022 San Francisco Winter Bass Bash. We talk about her recital, her recent faculty appointment to the Peabody Institute, and much more.

Enjoy. and be sure to follow Nina on her website, Instagram, and YouTube Channel!

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Check out our Online Sheet Music Store with 100+ wide-ranging titles for bassists.

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Check out my Beginner's Classical Bass course and Intermediate to Advanced Classical Bass course, available exclusively from Discover Double Bass.

Thank you to our sponsors!

theme music by Eric Hochberg

889: Susan Hagen on warming up on the double bass

Mon, 28 Mar 2022 09:00:30 +0000

Susan Hagen has recently written a book of Warm Ups for double bassists. It's titled BASSics of Bass and is available in digital form through our sheet music store or in print form by emailing Susan.

We talk about this book and much more. Enjoy, and be sure to check out Susan on her website, YouTube Channel, and Berklee faculty profile!

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Check out our Online Sheet Music Store with 100+ wide-ranging titles for bassists.

Listen to Contrabass Conversations with our free app for iOS, Android, and Kindle.

Check out my Beginner's Classical Bass course and Intermediate to Advanced Classical Bass course, available exclusively from Discover Double Bass.

Thank you to our sponsors!

theme music by Eric Hochberg

888: Auditions and more - live from the 2022 Pittsburgh Double Bass Symposium

Thu, 24 Mar 2022 09:00:12 +0000

Today's episode is a panel discussion on auditioning and other topics from the 2022 Pittsburgh Double Bass Symposium. The panelists for this discussion are Brandon McLean, Andrew Kohn, Tracy Rowell, Jeremy Kurtz-Harris, and event organizer Micah Howard. Enjoy!

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Check out my Beginner's Classical Bass course and Intermediate to Advanced Classical Bass course, available exclusively from Discover Double Bass.

Thank you to our sponsors!

theme music by Eric Hochberg

887: Peter Willems on singing plus bass

Mon, 21 Mar 2022 09:00:28 +0000

Photo by Rens Dekker

Peter Willems is a bassist and vocalist and is currently studying both subjects at the conservatory of Maastricht. He recently released Double Dare, Vol. 1 with the Grammy-nominated Gary Lucas.

We talk about his musical background, the unique learning environment in Maastricht, practicing, plans for the future, and much more.

Enjoy, and be sure to follow Peter on his website, Spotify, YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram!

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Check out our Online Sheet Music Store with 100+ wide-ranging titles for bassists.

Listen to Contrabass Conversations with our free app for iOS, Android, and Kindle.

Check out my Beginner's Classical Bass course and Intermediate to Advanced Classical Bass course, available exclusively from Discover Double Bass.

Thank you to our sponsors!

theme music by Eric Hochberg

886: Weird bowing sounds

Thu, 17 Mar 2022 10:00:04 +0000

Today's deep-dive covers the strange sounds that we can get when learning to bow, and some possible diagnoses. Enjoy, and check out the accompanying YouTube video there plus a PDF copy of the checklist.

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Check out our Online Sheet Music Store with 100+ wide-ranging titles for bassists.

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Check out my Beginner's Classical Bass course and Intermediate to Advanced Classical Bass course, available exclusively from Discover Double Bass.

Thank you to our sponsors!

theme music by Eric Hochberg

885: Gahlord Dewald on moving to Hawaii

Mon, 14 Mar 2022 10:00:27 +0000

It's a pleasure to bring back Gahlord Dewald as a guest today. He was featured on an in-person episode at the 2017 International Society of Bassists Convention and also on a remote chat in 2020 about his album Coherent Light Enclosed Without, which was recorded at The Tank Center for Sonic Arts.

Gahlord recently moved from Vermont to Hawaii. We talk about what it was like relocating, finding artistic inspiration in this new place, and much more on today's episode.

Enjoy, and be sure to connect with Gahlord on his website and bandcamp, and check out his album Ashuelot, which we featured in the intro.

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Check out our Online Sheet Music Store with 100+ wide-ranging titles for bassists.

Listen to Contrabass Conversations with our free app for iOS, Android, and Kindle.

Check out my Beginner's Classical Bass course and Intermediate to Advanced Classical Bass course, available exclusively from Discover Double Bass.

Thank you to our sponsors!

theme music by Eric Hochberg

884: The first bass lesson

Thu, 10 Mar 2022 10:00:11 +0000

Today's deep-dive covers how I approach teaching the very first bass lesson. Enjoy, and check out the accompanying YouTube video to see me attempt to teach bass to my wife for the first time!

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Check out our Online Sheet Music Store with 100+ wide-ranging titles for bassists.

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Check out my Beginner's Classical Bass course and Intermediate to Advanced Classical Bass course, available exclusively from Discover Double Bass.

Thank you to our sponsors!

theme music by Eric Hochberg

883: Christopher Sutton On Musical U

Mon, 07 Mar 2022 10:00:27 +0000

Today we're featuring Christopher Sutton of Musical U. I've been a fan of Christopher's for years, and it was so cool to be able to sit down and talk through his online journey. '

We dig into his musical upbringing, how he "blew up" in the early days of the App Store, the trials and tribulations of pivoting over the years, what it's like to teach the incredibly important but often overlooked concept of musicality, and much more.

Enjoy, and be sure to learn more about Christopher on Musical U's website, give their podcast a listen, and follow them on Facebook and Instagram!

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Check out our Online Sheet Music Store with 100+ wide-ranging titles for bassists.

Listen to Contrabass Conversations with our free app for iOS, Android, and Kindle.

Check out my Beginner's Classical Bass course and Intermediate to Advanced Classical Bass course, available exclusively from Discover Double Bass.

Thank you to our sponsors!

Theme music by Eric Hochberg

882: What I carry to the gig

Thu, 03 Mar 2022 10:00:19 +0000

Today's deep-dive covers what I carry to the gig. Enjoy, and check out the accompanying YouTube video for links to everything.

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Check out our Online Sheet Music Store with 100+ wide-ranging titles for bassists.

Listen to Contrabass Conversations with our free app for iOS, Android, and Kindle.

Check out my Beginner's Classical Bass course and Intermediate to Advanced Classical Bass course, available exclusively from Discover Double Bass.

Thank you to our sponsors!

theme music by Eric Hochberg

881: Paul Cannon on Polyglot and modern music

Mon, 28 Feb 2022 10:00:36 +0000

photo by Andreas Etter

Paul Cannon has just released his first solo album through Ensemble Modern. Titled Polyglot, it is a wide-ranging look at contemporary music written for double bass from the past few decades.

We dig into what it was like recording this album, life as the bassist for this unique ensemble, creativity in general, and much more.

Enjoy, and be sure to check out Polyglot, follow Paul on Instagram and YouTube, and also check out our conversation with him from 2017!

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Check out our Online Sheet Music Store with 100+ wide-ranging titles for bassists.

Listen to Contrabass Conversations with our free app for iOS, Android, and Kindle.

Check out my Beginner's Classical Bass course and Intermediate to Advanced Classical Bass course, available exclusively from Discover Double Bass.

Thank you to our sponsors!

theme music by Eric Hochberg

880: Breaking out of your stylistic comfort zone

Thu, 24 Feb 2022 11:00:39 +0000

Today's deep-dive covers how to take creative chances and get out of your comfort zone—enjoy!

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Check out our Online Sheet Music Store with 100+ wide-ranging titles for bassists.

Listen to Contrabass Conversations with our free app for iOS, Android, and Kindle.

Check out my Beginner's Classical Bass course and Intermediate to Advanced Classical Bass course, available exclusively from Discover Double Bass.

Thank you to our sponsors!

Contrabass Conversations production team:

Jason Heath, host
Michael Cooper and Steve Hinchey, audio editing
Mitch Moehring, audio engineer
Trevor Jones, publication and promotion
theme music by Eric Hochberg

879: Lawrence Wolfe on composition

Mon, 21 Feb 2022 10:00:07 +0000

Longtime Boston Symphony bassist Lawrence Wolfe wrote a piece for San Francisco Symphony bassist Stephen Tramontozzi titled Melodies. We dig into the story behind this piece and much more in this engaging chat with Larry. Enjoy, and you can listen to Steve's recording of Melodies plus pick up a copy of the sheet music in our digital store.

Subscribe to the podcast to get these interviews delivered to you automatically!

Check out our Online Sheet Music Store with 300+ wide-ranging titles for bassists.

Listen to Contrabass Conversations with our free app for iOS, Android, and Kindle.

Check out my Beginner's Classical Bass course and Intermediate to Advanced Classical Bass course, available exclusively from Discover Double Bass.

Thank you to our sponsors!

Contrabass Conversations production team:

Jason Heath, host
Michael Cooper and Steve Hinchey, audio editing
Mitch Moehring, audio engineer
Trevor Jones, publication and promotion
theme music by Eric Hochberg
Longtime Boston Symphony bassist Lawrence Wolfe wrote a piece for San Francisco Symphony bassist Stephen Tramontozzi titled Melodies. We dig into the story behind this piece and much more in this engaging chat with Larry. Enjoy, and you can listen to Steve's recording of Melodies plus pick up a copy of the sheet music in our digital store.

Subscribe to the podcast to get these interviews delivered to you automatically!

Check out our Online Sheet Music Store with 100+ wide-ranging titles for bassists.

Listen to Contrabass Conversations with our free app for iOS, Android, and Kindle.

Check out my Beginner's Classical Bass course and Intermediate to Advanced Classical Bass course, available exclusively from Discover Double Bass.

Thank you to our sponsors!

Upton Bass String Instrument Company - Upton's Karr Model Upton Double Bass represents an evolution of our popular first Karr model, refined and enhanced with further input from Gary Karr. Since its introduction, the Karr Model with its combination of comfort and tone has gained a loyal following with jazz and roots players. The slim, long "Karr neck" has even become a favorite of crossover electric players.

Dorico - Dorico 4 is here to supercharge your workflow. Steinberg's latest major version of music notation and composition software for macOS & Windows is packed with powerful new features that are designed to accelerate your workflow and make it quicker and easier than ever to go from inspiration to finished product. If you're a composer, arranger or orchestrator, you'll be delighted by the sophisticated new tools on offer – and there are improvements across the whole application, whatever your focus. For more information and to download a free 30-day trial of Dorico 4 visit steinberg.net/dorico.

Carnegie Mellon University Double Bass Studio - CMU is dedicated to helping each student achieve their goals as a musician. Every week each student receives private lessons and participates in a solo class with Micah Howard. Peter Guild, another member of the PSO, teaches Orchestral Literature and Repertoire weekly. They encourage students to reach out to the great bassists in their area for lessons and direction. Many of the bassists from all of the city's ensembles are more than willing to lend a hand. Every year members of the Symphony, the Opera and the Ballet give classes and offer our students individual attention. Click here to visit Micah's website and to sign up for a free online trial lesson.

Contrabass Conversations production team:
- Jason Heath, host
- Michael Cooper and Steve Hinchey, audio editing
- Mitch Moehring, audio engineer
- Trevor Jones, publication and promotion
- theme music by Eric Hochberg

878: Orchestra vs Jazz Pizz

Thu, 17 Feb 2022 11:00:07 +0000

Today's deep-dive takes a look at the similarities and differences between orchestral and jazz pizzicato—enjoy!

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Check out our Online Sheet Music Store with 100+ wide-ranging titles for bassists.

Listen to Contrabass Conversations with our free app for iOS, Android, and Kindle.

Check out my Beginner's Classical Bass course and Intermediate to Advanced Classical Bass course, available exclusively from Discover Double Bass.

Thank you to our sponsors!

Contrabass Conversations production team:

Jason Heath, host
Michael Cooper and Steve Hinchey, audio editing
Mitch Moehring, audio engineer
Trevor Jones, publication and promotion
theme music by Eric Hochberg

877: Stephen Tramontozzi on Urban Bass

Mon, 14 Feb 2022 11:00:48 +0000

Stephen Tramontozzi recently released Urban Bass, his third album, which features chamber works with Carlos Ortega, Jerome Simas, Russ deLuna, and Jeremy Cohen.

We talk about the story behind these pieces, the recording process for this album, lessons learned from decades of learning music for recitals, and much more.

Enjoy, and check out Urban Bass on Spotify, Apple Music, and Steve's website!

Subscribe to the podcast to get these interviews delivered to you automatically!

Check out our Online Sheet Music Store with 100+ wide-ranging titles for bassists.

Listen to Contrabass Conversations with our free app for iOS, Android, and Kindle.

Check out my Beginner's Classical Bass course and Intermediate to Advanced Classical Bass course, available exclusively from Discover Double Bass.

Thank you to our sponsors!

Wabass Institute - Wabass Institute, a part of the Honeywell Arts Academy, is a unique full-scholarship performance institute. Wabass uniquely fosters an inclusive, supportive environment where ideas are freely shared from teacher to student and vice versa. Check out Wabass behind the scenes here, and be sure to apply by February 15th!

Contrabass Conversations production team:

Jason Heath, host
Michael Cooper and Steve Hinchey, audio editing
Mitch Moehring, audio engineer
Trevor Jones, publication and promotion
theme music by Eric Hochberg

876: Approaching Bach on the bass - what I've learned

Thu, 10 Feb 2022 11:00:34 +0000

Today's deep-dive is all about learning Bach on the bass and was inspired by this week's YouTube video—enjoy!

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Check out our Online Sheet Music Store with 100+ wide-ranging titles for bassists.

Listen to Contrabass Conversations with our free app for iOS, Android, and Kindle.

Check out my Beginner's Classical Bass course and Intermediate to Advanced Classical Bass course, available exclusively from Discover Double Bass.

Thank you to our sponsors!

Contrabass Conversations production team:

Jason Heath, host
Michael Cooper and Steve Hinchey, audio editing
Mitch Moehring, audio engineer
Trevor Jones, publication and promotion
theme music by Eric Hochberg

875: Daniel Spreadbury and Garrett Hope on Dorico

Mon, 07 Feb 2022 11:00:22 +0000

We're talking today with Daniel Spreadbury and Garrett Hope about what's new in Dorico 4, my music notation app of choice. For more information and to download a free 30-day trial of Dorico 4 visit steinberg.net/dorico.

Subscribe to the podcast to get these interviews delivered to you automatically!

Check out our Online Sheet Music Store with 100+ wide-ranging titles for bassists.

Listen to Contrabass Conversations with our free app for iOS, Android, and Kindle.

Check out my Beginner's Classical Bass course and Intermediate to Advanced Classical Bass course, available exclusively from Discover Double Bass.

Thank you to our sponsors!

Contrabass Conversations production team:

Jason Heath, host
Michael Cooper and Steve Hinchey, audio editing
Mitch Moehring, audio engineer
Trevor Jones, publication and promotion
theme music by Eric Hochberg

874: How I learn a new piece

Thu, 03 Feb 2022 11:00:58 +0000

Today's deep-dive is an audio riff on how I approach learning a new piece. It was inspired by this week's YouTube video. Enjoy!

Subscribe to the podcast to get these interviews delivered to you automatically!

Check out our Online Sheet Music Store with 100+ wide-ranging titles for bassists.

Listen to Contrabass Conversations with our free app for iOS, Android, and Kindle.

Check out my Beginner's Classical Bass course and Intermediate to Advanced Classical Bass course, available exclusively from Discover Double Bass.

Thank you to our sponsors!

Contrabass Conversations production team:

Jason Heath, host
Michael Cooper and Steve Hinchey, audio editing
Mitch Moehring, audio engineer
Trevor Jones, publication and promotion
theme music by Eric Hochberg

873: Wabass alumni podcast

Mon, 31 Jan 2022 11:00:08 +0000

We're talking today with four alumni of Wabass: Christian Gray, Braizhan Jones, Brittany Conrad, and Louis Levitt.

Wabass is a part of the Honeywell Arts Academy, is a unique full-scholarship performance institute. Wabass uniquely fosters an inclusive, supportive environment where ideas are freely shared from teacher to student and vice versa.

Get your application in by Feb. 15, and I hope to see you there!

Subscribe to the podcast to get these interviews delivered to you automatically!

Check out our Online Sheet Music Store with 100+ wide-ranging titles for bassists.

Listen to Contrabass Conversations with our free app for iOS, Android, and Kindle.

Check out my Beginner's Classical Bass course and Intermediate to Advanced Classical Bass course, available exclusively from Discover Double Bass.

Thank you to our sponsors!

Contrabass Conversations production team:

Jason Heath, host
Michael Cooper and Steve Hinchey, audio editing
Mitch Moehring, audio engineer
Trevor Jones, publication and promotion
theme music by Eric Hochberg

872: Staying healthy on the bass

Thu, 27 Jan 2022 11:00:00 +0000

Today's deep-dive takes a look at how to stay healthy on the bass and is a longer riff on this week's YouTube video—enjoy!

Subscribe to the podcast to get these interviews delivered to you automatically!

Check out our Online Sheet Music Store with 100+ wide-ranging titles for bassists.

Listen to Contrabass Conversations with our free app for iOS, Android, and Kindle.

Check out my Beginner's Classical Bass course and Intermediate to Advanced Classical Bass course, available exclusively from Discover Double Bass.

Thank you to our sponsors!

Contrabass Conversations production team:

Jason Heath, host
Michael Cooper and Steve Hinchey, audio editing
Mitch Moehring, audio engineer
Trevor Jones, publication and promotion
theme music by Eric Hochberg

871: Joe Rosato Jr. on storytelling

Mon, 24 Jan 2022 11:00:00 +0000

Joe Rosato Jr. is an Emmy Award-winning video journalist with NBC Bay Area News. He is also a bassist, songwriter, San Francisco resident… and Vespa rider!

Joe and I talk about how he got into journalism, tools, and techniques for telling compelling stories, the endless amount of stories that San Francisco and the Bay Area provide, and much more.

Enjoy, and be sure to check out Joe and his great work on Twitter, the NBC Bay Area website, and learn about Joe and his music making on his website!

Subscribe to the podcast to get these interviews delivered to you automatically!

Check out our Online Sheet Music Store with 100+ wide-ranging titles for bassists.

Listen to Contrabass Conversations with our free app for iOS, Android, and Kindle.

Check out my Beginner's Classical Bass course and Intermediate to Advanced Classical Bass course, available exclusively from Discover Double Bass.

Thank you to our sponsors!

Contrabass Conversations production team:

Jason Heath, host
Michael Cooper and Steve Hinchey, audio editing
Mitch Moehring, audio engineer
Trevor Jones, publication and promotion
theme music by Eric Hochberg

870: German vs French bow

Thu, 20 Jan 2022 11:00:00 +0000

Today's deep-dive riffs on the topic of German and French bow, and advantages and disadvantages of both.

Enjoy, and check out the accompanying YouTube video for a more caffeinated and shorter version!

Subscribe to the podcast to get these interviews delivered to you automatically!

Check out our Online Sheet Music Store with 100+ wide-ranging titles for bassists.

Listen to Contrabass Conversations with our free app for iOS, Android, and Kindle.

Check out my Beginner's Classical Bass course and Intermediate to Advanced Classical Bass course, available exclusively from Discover Double Bass.

Thank you to our sponsors!

Contrabass Conversations production team:

Jason Heath, host
Michael Cooper and Steve Hinchey, audio editing
Mitch Moehring, audio engineer
Trevor Jones, publication and promotion
theme music by Eric Hochberg

869: Ali Cook on moving to Austin and high-level subbing

Mon, 17 Jan 2022 11:00:00 +0000

Ali Cook is a bassist, singer, and songwriter currently located in Austin, Texas.

She has performed with the National Symphony Orchestra, Detroit Symphony Orchestra, Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, Washington Ballet, Tanglewood, Spoleto Festival USA, the Alabama Symphony, and at the Salzburger Festspiele. Ali is currently teaching in Austin and building her career as an independent singer-songwriter.

We talk about her path into music, what it was like being a long-term substitute player in top-level orchestras, creativity and how it works (or doesn't!) in an orchestral setting, taking the plunge and moving to Austin to pursue new directions, and much more.

Enjoy, and be sure to check out Ali's website, her singer-songwriter website Ali and the Wild Geese, and you can also help her raise funds for her debut album!

Subscribe to the podcast to get these interviews delivered to you automatically!

Check out our Online Sheet Music Store with 100+ wide-ranging titles for bassists.

Listen to Contrabass Conversations with our free app for iOS, Android, and Kindle.

Check out my Beginner's Classical Bass course and Intermediate to Advanced Classical Bass course, available exclusively from Discover Double Bass.

Thank you to our sponsors!

Contrabass Conversations production team:

Jason Heath, host
Michael Cooper and Steve Hinchey, audio editing
Mitch Moehring, audio engineer
Trevor Jones, publication and promotion
theme music by Eric Hochberg

868: Is it cheating to mark the fingerboard?

Thu, 13 Jan 2022 11:00:00 +0000

Today's solo show is a deeper dive into this week's video topic of marking the fingerboard and the resulting benefits and pitfalls. Enjoy!

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Check out our Online Sheet Music Store with 100+ wide-ranging titles for bassists.

Listen to Contrabass Conversations with our free app for iOS, Android, and Kindle.

Check out my Beginner's Classical Bass course and Intermediate to Advanced Classical Bass course, available exclusively from Discover Double Bass.

Thank you to our sponsors!

Contrabass Conversations production team:

Jason Heath, host
Michael Cooper and Steve Hinchey, audio editing
Mitch Moehring, audio engineer
Trevor Jones, publication and promotion
theme music by Eric Hochberg

867: Kai Jack on bass community development

Mon, 10 Jan 2022 11:00:00 +0000

Kai Jack is the founder of The Mediterranean Double Bass Forum, which is a community-driven organization by and for double bassists designed to empower, inspire and connect double bassists of all ages and levels, particularly in countries around the Mediterranean Sea.

We talk about Kai's musical journey, his inspiration to start this organization, the impact that they've had so far, bass community organizing in general, and much more.

Enjoy, and be sure to follow The Mediterranean Double Bass Forum on Facebook and Instagram!

Subscribe to the podcast to get these interviews delivered to you automatically!

Check out our Online Sheet Music Store with 100+ wide-ranging titles for bassists.

Listen to Contrabass Conversations with our free app for iOS, Android, and Kindle.

Check out my Beginner's Classical Bass course and Intermediate to Advanced Classical Bass course, available exclusively from Discover Double Bass.

Thank you to our sponsors!

Contrabass Conversations production team:

Jason Heath, host
Michael Cooper and Steve Hinchey, audio editing
Mitch Moehring, audio engineer
Trevor Jones, publication and promotion
theme music by Eric Hochberg

866: The "rules" of double bass fingering

Thu, 06 Jan 2022 11:00:00 +0000

Today's solo show is a deeper dive into this week's video topic of bass fingering "rules." Enjoy, and you can download a PDF of these rules here.

Subscribe to the podcast to get these interviews delivered to you automatically!

Check out our Online Sheet Music Store with 100+ wide-ranging titles for bassists.

Listen to Contrabass Conversations with our free app for iOS, Android, and Kindle.

Check out my Beginner's Classical Bass course and Intermediate to Advanced Classical Bass course, available exclusively from Discover Double Bass.

Thank you to our sponsors!

Contrabass Conversations production team:

- Jason Heath, host
- Michael Cooper and Steve Hinchey, audio editing
- Mitch Moehring, audio engineer
- Trevor Jones, publication and promotion
- theme music by Eric Hochberg

865: Remembering Inez Wyrick

Mon, 03 Jan 2022 11:00:00 +0000

Inez Wyrick, one of our young bassist pedagogy pioneers, passed away at the end of 2021. In this episode, we rebroadcast our interview with her from 2016 and reflect on her impact on countless bassists across the globe.

About Inez (from Tribute Archive):

She began performing music in the 8th grade with her father, and taught music, and served as a psychic consultant for the entirety of her adult life, never fully retiring. She served on the Board of Directors for the International Society of Bassists who awarded her the "Young Bass Ambassador" award in 2001, and which, starting in 2022, is named the Under 14 Solo Prize the "Inez Wyrick Prize," in her honor.

She was also Co-founder and Co-Artistic Director of the Bass Coalition Summer Workshop. In addition to teaching music privately, she also served on the faculties of Shenandoah Conservatory, Indiana University's String Academy, Amarillo College, Odessa College, and Texas Tech University's Orchestra Camp. She founded the Amarillo Bass Base, the first organization of its kind for young bassists, and members of her family of students over the years teach and hold professional positions in ensembles, music businesses, and educational institutions worldwide.

An active lecturer, clinician, and adjudicator, Inez appeared regularly at the Richard Davis Bass Conference, Golden Gate Bass Camp, and International Society of Bassists conventions. She has had over 500 arrangements/compositions published for Double Bass Ensemble.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials to either the ISB or Bass Coalition:

Subscribe to the podcast to get these interviews delivered to you automatically!

Check out our Online Sheet Music Store with 100+ wide-ranging titles for bassists.

Listen to Contrabass Conversations with our free app for iOS, Android, and Kindle.

Check out my Beginner's Classical Bass course and Intermediate to Advanced Classical Bass course, available exclusively from Discover Double Bass.

Thank you to our sponsors!

Contrabass Conversations production team:

Jason Heath, host
Michael Cooper and Steve Hinchey, audio editing
Mitch Moehring, audio engineer
Trevor Jones, publication and promotion
theme music by Eric Hochberg

864: Reflections on 2021

Thu, 30 Dec 2021 11:00:00 +0000

Today's episode is a look back at 2021 and things to come. Enjoy, and see you in 2022 for more bass content!

Subscribe to the podcast to get these interviews delivered to you automatically!

Check out our Online Sheet Music Store with 100+ wide-ranging titles for bassists.

Listen to Contrabass Conversations with our free app for iOS, Android, and Kindle.

Check out my Beginner's Classical Bass course and Intermediate to Advanced Classical Bass course, available exclusively from Discover Double Bass.

Thank you to our sponsors!

Ear Trumpet Labs - They make hand-built mics out of Portland, OR and they have an excellent mic for upright bass called Nadine. The Nadine is a condenser mic with a clear natural sound and incredible feedback rejection. This mic is a completely new design -- the head mounts in between the strings above the tailpiece with a rubber grommet, and the body securely straps to the tailpiece with velcro elastic. A 14-inch Mogami cable connects the two parts making it easy to place on any bass. It's durable and holds up to the demanding needs of the instrument while offering excellent sound quality. Ear Trumpet Labs is offering a free t-shirt just for Contrabass listeners with the purchase of a mic, just visit EarTrumpetLabs.com/contrabass to claim yours and check out the Nadine!

Contrabass Conversations production team:

Jason Heath, host
Michael Cooper and Steve Hinchey, audio editing
Mitch Moehring, audio engineer
Trevor Jones, publication and promotion
theme music by Eric Hochberg

863: Metrics and milestones

Mon, 27 Dec 2021 11:00:00 +0000

Today's episode is a solo show reflecting on major milestones for the podcast over the years. Enjoy!

Subscribe to the podcast to get these interviews delivered to you automatically!

Check out our Online Sheet Music Store with 100+ wide-ranging titles for bassists.

Listen to Contrabass Conversations with our free app for iOS, Android, and Kindle.

Check out my Beginner's Classical Bass course and Intermediate to Advanced Classical Bass course, available exclusively from Discover Double Bass.

Thank you to our sponsors!

Contrabass Conversations production team:

Jason Heath, host
Michael Cooper and Steve Hinchey, audio editing
Mitch Moehring, audio engineer
Trevor Jones, publication and promotion
theme music by Eric Hochberg

862 - celebrating 10,000 subscribers!

Thu, 23 Dec 2021 11:00:00 +0000

Today's episode is an audio rebroadcast for our 10,000 YouTube subscribers celebration from December 3, 2021.

Enjoy, and thanks to John Grillo, Paul Thompson, Valentina Ciardelli, and Geoff Chalmers for joining me!

Subscribe to the podcast to get these interviews delivered to you automatically!

Check out our Online Sheet Music Store with 100+ wide-ranging titles for bassists.

Listen to Contrabass Conversations with our free app for iOS, Android, and Kindle.

Check out my Beginner's Classical Bass course and Intermediate to Advanced Classical Bass course, available exclusively from Discover Double Bass.

Thank you to our sponsors!

Contrabass Conversations production team:

Jason Heath, host
Michael Cooper and Steve Hinchey, audio editing
Mitch Moehring, audio engineer
Trevor Jones, publication and promotion
theme music by Eric Hochberg

861: Orin O'Brien - from the archives

Mon, 20 Dec 2021 11:00:00 +0000

Orin O'Brien has retired from playing after an unparalleled 65-year career combined in the NY Philharmonic and the NYC Ballet. To celebrate her remarkable career, we're re-releasing this epic two-hour conversation with Orin from 2017.

Enjoy, and check out the original show notes for links to the many topics we dig into!

Subscribe to the podcast to get these interviews delivered to you automatically!

Check out our Online Sheet Music Store with 100+ wide-ranging titles for bassists.

Listen to Contrabass Conversations with our free app for iOS, Android, and Kindle.

Check out my Beginner's Classical Bass course and Intermediate to Advanced Classical Bass course, available exclusively from Discover Double Bass.

Thank you to our sponsors!

Contrabass Conversations production team:

Jason Heath, host
Michael Cooper and Steve Hinchey, audio editing
Mitch Moehring, audio engineer
Trevor Jones, publication and promotion
theme music by Eric Hochberg

860: Composing new music for double bass

Fri, 17 Dec 2021 11:00:00 +0000

My Intermediate to Advanced Classical Bass course with Discover Double Bass featured compositions from seven of the most exciting composers writing for double bass.

In this episode, we talk with the composers about writing for double bass and the stories behind the pieces they wrote for this course. Enjoy, and be sure to check out these seven great composers through these links:

Subscribe to the podcast to get these interviews delivered to you automatically!

Check out our Online Sheet Music Store with 100+ wide-ranging titles for bassists.

Listen to Contrabass Conversations with our free app for iOS, Android, and Kindle.

Check out my Beginner's Classical Bass course and Intermediate to Advanced Classical Bass course, available exclusively from Discover Double Bass.

Thank you to our sponsors!

Contrabass Conversations production team:

Jason Heath, host
Michael Cooper and Steve Hinchey, audio editing
Mitch Moehring, audio engineer
Trevor Jones, publication and promotion
theme music by Eric Hochberg

859: Molly Sharp on intonation

Mon, 13 Dec 2021 11:00:00 +0000

Molly Sharp has written a book for bassists titled Making Double Stops Ring: a guided exploration of Just Intonation.

In this episode, we catch up with Molly and her many activities and dive into a discussion of what Just Intonation is and how it can help to level up your intonation abilities. Enjoy!

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Check out our Online Sheet Music Store with 100+ wide-ranging titles for bassists.

Listen to Contrabass Conversations with our free app for iOS, Android, and Kindle.

Check out my Beginner's Classical Bass course and Intermediate to Advanced Classical Bass course, available exclusively from Discover Double Bass.

Thank you to our sponsors!

Contrabass Conversations production team:

Jason Heath, host
Michael Cooper and Steve Hinchey, audio editing
Mitch Moehring, audio engineer
Trevor Jones, publication and promotion
theme music by Eric Hochberg

858: Allan Santos on the Touching Greatness podcast

Thu, 09 Dec 2021 11:00:00 +0000

Allan Jay Santos recently started a new podcast titled Touching Greatness.

We talk about the inspiration for this podcast, Allan's work as a coach to entrepreneurs and artists, the many things that have transpired since our first podcast together in 2016, and much more.

Enjoy, and be sure to check out the Touching Greatness podcast and follow Allan on Facebook, Instagram, and his email newsletter!

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Check out our Online Sheet Music Store with 100+ wide-ranging titles for bassists.

Listen to Contrabass Conversations with our free app for iOS, Android, and Kindle.

Check out my Beginner's Classical Bass course and Intermediate to Advanced Classical Bass course, available exclusively from Discover Double Bass.

Thank you to our sponsors!

Contrabass Conversations production team:

Jason Heath, host
Michael Cooper and Steve Hinchey, audio editing
Mitch Moehring, audio engineer
Trevor Jones, publication and promotion
theme music by Eric Hochberg

857: Steve Tramontozzi on Home Bass

Mon, 06 Dec 2021 11:00:00 +0000

Stephen Tramontozzi has recently released a new album titled Home Bass. We talk about the concept behind this new album, how this project differed from his first album Walkabout, picking repertoire, his "album a year" project, and much more.

Enjoy, and check out this new album from Steve on Spotify, Apple Music, and his website!

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Check out our Online Sheet Music Store with 100+ wide-ranging titles for bassists.

Listen to Contrabass Conversations with our free app for iOS, Android, and Kindle.

Check out my Beginner's Classical Bass course and Intermediate to Advanced Classical Bass course, available exclusively from Discover Double Bass.

Thank you to our sponsors!

Contrabass Conversations production team:

Jason Heath, host
Michael Cooper and Steve Hinchey, audio editing
Mitch Moehring, audio engineer
Trevor Jones, publication and promotion
theme music by Eric Hochberg

856: Peter Seymour on teaching the modern bassist

Thu, 02 Dec 2021 11:00:00 +0000

Peter Seymour is the co-founder of PROJECT Trio and recently joined the double bass faculty of the Longy School of Music of Bard College. We talk about Peter's approach to bass teaching, how he prepares students for a diverse set of career options, his journey through the music world, his Carnival of the Animals "pandemic project," and much more. You can also find Peter's past appearances on the podcast here.

Enjoy, and you can learn more about Peter and his teaching at Longy here.

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Check out our Online Sheet Music Store with 100+ wide-ranging titles for bassists.

Listen to Contrabass Conversations with our free app for iOS, Android, and Kindle.

Check out my Beginner's Classical Bass course and Intermediate to Advanced Classical Bass course, available exclusively from Discover Double Bass.

Thank you to our sponsors!

Contrabass Conversations production team:

Jason Heath, host
Michael Cooper and Steve Hinchey, audio editing
Mitch Moehring, audio engineer
Trevor Jones, publication and promotion
theme music by Eric Hochberg

855: Nicole Melrose on early bass pedagogy

Sat, 27 Nov 2021 11:00:00 +0000

Nicole Melrose is the founder of StringRise and has created the world's first buildable Bass Kit for students. We talk about the story behind these kits, her video with Kate Jones demonstrating how it works, providing access to the bass for more students, and much more.

Be sure to check out the StringRise website to learn more, and be sure to give them a follow on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube!

Subscribe to the podcast to get these interviews delivered to you automatically!

Check out our Online Sheet Music Store with 100+ wide-ranging titles for bassists.

Listen to Contrabass Conversations with our free app for iOS, Android, and Kindle.

Check out my Beginner's Classical Bass course and Intermediate to Advanced Classical Bass course, available exclusively from Discover Double Bass.

Thank you to our sponsors!

Contrabass Conversations production team:

Jason Heath, host
Michael Cooper and Steve Hinchey, audio editing
Mitch Moehring, audio engineer
Trevor Jones, publication and promotion
theme music by Eric Hochberg

854: Cole Davis on jazz career development

Thu, 18 Nov 2021 11:00:00 +0000

Cole Davis recently released a solo bass album titled Contrabass. He won the Ron Carter Bass Competition in 2017 and was named a "Future Jazz Master" by the National Endowment of the Arts in 2018.

We talk about this new album, Cole's journey through the jazz world, his impressive artistic output, and much more. Cole also has a course titled Innovative Thumb Position Techniques and has many titles available in our sheet music store.

Check out his new album here, and be sure to follow Cole on his website, Facebook, and Instagram.

Subscribe to the podcast to get these interviews delivered to you automatically!

Check out our Online Sheet Music Store with 100+ wide-ranging titles for bassists.

Listen to Contrabass Conversations with our free app for iOS, Android, and Kindle.

Check out my Beginner's Classical Bass course and Intermediate to Advanced Classical Bass course, available exclusively from Discover Double Bass.

Thank you to our sponsors!

Contrabass Conversations production team:

Jason Heath, host
Michael Cooper and Steve Hinchey, audio editing
Mitch Moehring, audio engineer
Trevor Jones, publication and promotion
theme music by Eric Hochberg

853: Alberto Bocini on Bottesini

Mon, 15 Nov 2021 11:00:00 +0000

Alberto Bocini recently released Mi caro Bottesini with pianist Alessandra Ammara. We talk about this new album, the history of The Bass Gang, Alberto's plans for a tour with Ottava Imports, and much more.

Enjoy, and be sure to check out Alberto's new album on Spotify and Apple Music!

Subscribe to the podcast to get these interviews delivered to you automatically!

Check out our Online Sheet Music Store with 100+ wide-ranging titles for bassists.

Listen to Contrabass Conversations with our free app for iOS, Android, and Kindle.

Check out my Beginner's Classical Bass course and Intermediate to Advanced Classical Bass course, available exclusively from Discover Double Bass.

Thank you to our sponsors!

Contrabass Conversations production team:

Jason Heath, host
Michael Cooper and Steve Hinchey, audio editing
Mitch Moehring, audio engineer
Trevor Jones, publication and promotion
theme music by Eric Hochberg

852: Andrew Arceci on leading from the bass

Thu, 11 Nov 2021 11:00:00 +0000

Andrew Arceci joins us again on the show, this time to discuss the experience of leading an early music ensemble from the bass, viol, and violone. We talk about this and much more on this "round two" podcast.

Enjoy, and be sure to check out Arcadia Players for more information on Andrew's projects!

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Check out our Online Sheet Music Store with 100+ wide-ranging titles for bassists.

Listen to Contrabass Conversations with our free app for iOS, Android, and Kindle.

Check out my Beginner's Classical Bass course and Intermediate to Advanced Classical Bass course, available exclusively from Discover Double Bass.

Thank you to our sponsors!

Contrabass Conversations production team:

Jason Heath, host
Michael Cooper and Steve Hinchey, audio editing
Mitch Moehring, audio engineer
Trevor Jones, publication and promotion
theme music by Eric Hochberg

851: Michael Geib on recording two albums

Mon, 08 Nov 2021 11:00:00 +0000

Michael T. Geib recently recorded two new albums for Onyx Lane: a historically informed recording of Dragonetti's 12 Waltzes for Solo Double Bass and a jazz album titled Not As They Seem. We talk about what it was like putting these two albums together, what the recording process can teach you about your playing, and much more.

Enjoy, and be sure to check out Michael's website and his University of Central Oklahoma faculty page to learn more about his work!

Subscribe to the podcast to get these interviews delivered to you automatically!

Check out our Online Sheet Music Store with 100+ wide-ranging titles for bassists.

Listen to Contrabass Conversations with our free app for iOS, Android, and Kindle.

Check out my Beginner's Classical Bass course and Intermediate to Advanced Classical Bass course, available exclusively from Discover Double Bass.

Thank you to our sponsors!

Contrabass Conversations production team:

Jason Heath, host
Michael Cooper and Steve Hinchey, audio editing
Mitch Moehring, audio engineer
Trevor Jones, publication and promotion
theme music by Eric Hochberg

850: Noelle Marty on hiking the Pacific Crest Trail

Thu, 04 Nov 2021 10:00:00 +0000

Noëlle Marty recently hiked 2100 miles of the Pacific Crest Trail, going from Tehachapi, California to Canada in 117 days and going through 5 pairs of shoes. We talk about what it was like doing this and more in today's inspiring episode.

Subscribe to the podcast to get these interviews delivered to you automatically!

Check out our Online Sheet Music Store with 250+ wide-ranging titles for bassists.

Listen to Contrabass Conversations with our free app for iOS, Android, and Kindle.

Check out my Beginner's Classical Bass course and Intermediate to Advanced Classical Bass course, available exclusively from Discover Double Bass.

Thank you to our sponsors!

Contrabass Conversations production team:

Jason Heath, host
Michael Cooper and Steve Hinchey, audio editing
Mitch Moehring, audio engineer
Trevor Jones, publication and promotion
theme music by Eric Hochberg

849: Ultimate Music Business Summit

Mon, 01 Nov 2021 10:00:00 +0000

The Ultimate Music Business Summit will be taking place January 6-8, 2022. We talk with event coordinators Dr. Garrett Hope, Dr. Heidi Kay Begay, and Arthur Breur about the story behind the summit and what to expect in 2022. Learn more here, and I hope you can join us!

Subscribe to the podcast to get these interviews delivered to you automatically!

Check out our Online Sheet Music Store with 100+ wide-ranging titles for bassists.

Listen to Contrabass Conversations with our free app for iOS, Android, and Kindle.

Check out my Beginner's Classical Bass course and Intermediate to Advanced Classical Bass course, available exclusively from Discover Double Bass.

Thank you to our sponsors!

Contrabass Conversations production team:

Jason Heath, host
Michael Cooper and Steve Hinchey, audio editing
Mitch Moehring, audio engineer
Trevor Jones, publication and promotion
theme music by Eric Hochberg

848: Harvey Estrada and Brandino

Thu, 28 Oct 2021 10:00:00 +0000

Today's episode features Compton College professor Harvey Estrada and Grammy award-winning bassist Kevin "Brandino" Brandon on the topic of five-string basses.

We also dig into the Los Angeles bass scene history and go down many other paths in today's spirited chat.

Subscribe to the podcast to get these interviews delivered to you automatically!

Check out our Online Sheet Music Store with 100+ wide-ranging titles for bassists.

Listen to Contrabass Conversations with our free app for iOS, Android, and Kindle.

Check out my Beginner's Classical Bass course and Intermediate to Advanced Classical Bass course, available exclusively from Discover Double Bass.

Thank you to our sponsors!

Contrabass Conversations production team:

Jason Heath, host
Michael Cooper and Steve Hinchey, audio editing
Mitch Moehring, audio engineer
Trevor Jones, publication and promotion
theme music by Eric Hochberg

847: Brandino is back!

Mon, 25 Oct 2021 10:00:00 +0000

Kevin "Brandino" Brandon is an Eastman artist and winner of multiple Grammy awards. He is also a longtime five-string bass player, and we dig into that topic and many more in today's episode.

Subscribe to the podcast to get these interviews delivered to you automatically!

Check out our Online Sheet Music Store with 100+ wide-ranging titles for bassists.

Listen to Contrabass Conversations with our free app for iOS, Android, and Kindle.

Check out my Beginner's Classical Bass course and Intermediate to Advanced Classical Bass course, available exclusively from Discover Double Bass.

Thank you to our sponsors!

Contrabass Conversations production team:

Jason Heath, host
Michael Cooper and Steve Hinchey, audio editing
Mitch Moehring, audio engineer
Trevor Jones, publication and promotion
theme music by Eric Hochberg

846: The FBI seized my bass course!

Thu, 21 Oct 2021 10:00:00 +0000

100% true story! You can check out the YouTube video for some visuals as well.

Subscribe to the podcast to get these interviews delivered to you automatically!

Check out our Online Sheet Music Store with 100+ wide-ranging titles for bassists.

Listen to Contrabass Conversations with our free app for iOS, Android, and Kindle.

Check out my Beginner's Classical Bass course and Intermediate to Advanced Classical Bass course, available exclusively from Discover Double Bass.

Thank you to our sponsors!

Contrabass Conversations production team:

Jason Heath, host
Michael Cooper and Steve Hinchey, audio editing
Mitch Moehring, audio engineer
Trevor Jones, publication and promotion
theme music by Eric Hochberg

845: Andrés Martín's solo bass launch

Mon, 18 Oct 2021 10:00:00 +0000

Andrés Martín's Signature Edition double basses are now available through Eastman! We go behind the scenes with Andrés on the experience of making these basses today.

Subscribe to the podcast to get these interviews delivered to you automatically!

Check out our Online Sheet Music Store with 100+ wide-ranging titles for bassists.

Listen to Contrabass Conversations with our free app for iOS, Android, and Kindle.

Check out my Beginner's Classical Bass course and Intermediate to Advanced Classical Bass course, available exclusively from Discover Double Bass.

Thank you to our sponsors!

Contrabass Conversations production team:

Jason Heath, host
Michael Cooper and Steve Hinchey, audio editing
Mitch Moehring, audio engineer
Trevor Jones, publication and promotion
theme music by Eric Hochberg

844: Elsen Price on Gastronomy Astrology

Thu, 14 Oct 2021 10:00:00 +0000

Elsen Price recently released a new album titled Gastronomy Astrology, which features some of Australia's leading jazz players. We talk about this latest album and much more in this third interview with Elsen. Enjoy!

Subscribe to the podcast to get these interviews delivered to you automatically!

Check out our Online Sheet Music Store with 100+ wide-ranging titles for bassists.

Listen to Contrabass Conversations with our free app for iOS, Android, and Kindle.

Check out my Beginner's Classical Bass course, available exclusively from Discover Double Bass.

Thank you to our sponsors!

Contrabass Conversations production team:

Jason Heath, host
Michael Cooper and Steve Hinchey, audio editing
Mitch Moehring, audio engineer
Trevor Jones, publication and promotion
theme music by Eric Hochberg

843: Marek Romanowski on Contemporary Sonatas

Mon, 11 Oct 2021 10:00:00 +0000

Marek Romanowski recently released his first CD. Titled Contemporary Sonatas for double bass and piano, this release features music by Sofia Gubaidulina, Lowell Liebermann, and Frank Proto.

We talk about how he chose the pieces for this release, how the pandemic has been for Marek, plans for the future, and much more. Enjoy, and be sure to follow along with Marek on his website, Facebook, and Instagram!

Timestamps

1:29 segment 1

14:36 segment 2

25:20 segment 3

1:03:52 outro

Subscribe to the podcast to get these interviews delivered to you automatically!

Check out our Online Sheet Music Store with 100+ wide-ranging titles for bassists.

Listen to Contrabass Conversations with our free app for iOS, Android, and Kindle.

Check out my Beginner's Classical Bass course, available exclusively from Discover Double Bass.

Thank you to our sponsors!

Contrabass Conversations production team:

Jason Heath, host
Michael Cooper and Steve Hinchey, audio editing
Mitch Moehring, audio engineer
Trevor Jones, publication and promotion
theme music by Eric Hochberg

842: Stephanie Patterson revisits adult learning

Thu, 07 Oct 2021 10:00:00 +0000

We're reconnecting with Stephanie Patterson today. Stephanie specializes in teaching adult learners and was featured on the podcast in 2019, and we dig into what she has learned about teaching adults over the past few years. We dig into pandemic teaching, lessons, learned through teaching many adults, and much more.

If this resonates with you and you'd like to learn more, you can reach out to Stephanie via email.

Timestamps

1:11 segment 1
13:19 segment 2
34:30 segment 3
1:31:16 outro

Subscribe to the podcast to get these interviews delivered to you automatically!

Check out our Online Sheet Music Store with 100+ wide-ranging titles for bassists.

Listen to Contrabass Conversations with our free app for iOS, Android, and Kindle.

Check out my Beginner's Classical Bass course, available exclusively from Discover Double Bass.

Thank you to our sponsors!

Contrabass Conversations production team:

Jason Heath, host
Michael Cooper and Steve Hinchey, audio editing
Mitch Moehring, audio engineer
Trevor Jones, publication and promotion
theme music by Eric Hochberg

841: Marc Johnson on solo bass

Mon, 04 Oct 2021 10:00:00 +0000

Marc Johnson recently released Overpass, his first solo double bass album. We talk about the process behind putting this album together, Marc's path through the music world, reflections on his time with Bill Evans, his longtime collaboration with Eliane Elias, and much more.

Enjoy, and be sure to check out Overpass on the ECM website, Spotify, Apple Music, or wherever you listen to music!

Timestamps:

1:20 segment 1
13:38 segment 2
27:40 segment 3
46:13 outro

Subscribe to the podcast to get these interviews delivered to you automatically!

Check out our Online Sheet Music Store with 100+ wide-ranging titles for bassists.

Listen to Contrabass Conversations with our free app for iOS, Android, and Kindle.

Check out my Beginner's Classical Bass course, available exclusively from Discover Double Bass.

Thank you to our sponsors!

Contrabass Conversations production team:

Jason Heath, host
Michael Cooper and Steve Hinchey, audio editing
Mitch Moehring, audio engineer
Trevor Jones, publication and promotion
theme music by Eric Hochberg

840: Micah Howard on the Carnegie Mellon University bass program

Thu, 30 Sep 2021 10:00:00 +0000

Micah Howard teaches at Carnegie Mellon University, which is one of the nation's leading programs for double bass study. CMU has recently come on board as a podcast sponsor, and Micah chats about the benefits of the program and what it's like studying at CMU in this sponsored episode.

Enjoy, and you can click here to visit Micah's website and sign up for a free online trial lesson.

Subscribe to the podcast to get these interviews delivered to you automatically!

Check out our Online Sheet Music Store with 100+ wide-ranging titles for bassists.

Listen to Contrabass Conversations with our free app for iOS, Android, and Kindle.

Check out my Beginner's Classical Bass course, available exclusively from Discover Double Bass.

Thank you to our sponsors!

Contrabass Conversations production team:

Jason Heath, host
Michael Cooper and Steve Hinchey, audio editing
Mitch Moehring, audio engineer
Trevor Jones, publication and promotion
theme music by Eric Hochberg

839: Study with Valentina Ciardelli!

Mon, 27 Sep 2021 10:00:00 +0000

Valentina Ciardelli is now teaching at the London Performing Academy of Music and is accepting applications through the end of September, including scholarship opportunities. You can visit this link to apply and learn more through this PDF.

This is a great opportunity to study with one of the most innovative bassists active today. Check it out, and be sure to also follow Valentina on her website, YouTube Channel, Instagram, and Facebook!

Subscribe to the podcast to get these interviews delivered to you automatically!

Check out our Online Sheet Music Store with 100+ wide-ranging titles for bassists.

Listen to Contrabass Conversations with our free app for iOS, Android, and Kindle.

Check out my Beginner's Classical Bass course, available exclusively from Discover Double Bass.

Thank you to our sponsors!

Contrabass Conversations production team:

Jason Heath, host
Michael Cooper and Steve Hinchey, audio editing
Mitch Moehring, audio engineer
Trevor Jones, publication and promotion
theme music by Eric Hochberg

838: Michael Bates and his jazz journey

Thu, 23 Sep 2021 10:00:00 +0000

Canadian-born bassist and composer Michael Bates has had a multifaceted career in the jazz world. Michael and I connected in person during the 2021 Wabass Institute, and it was great to spend some time digging into his musical path in this follow-up interview.

We talk about what the pandemic has been like for Michael, his path from hardcore music bassist into jazz, the big influence of the Banff Workshop on his development, what it's like getting back out on the road, his practicing routines, and much more.

Enjoy, and be sure to follow along with Michael and his musical adventures on Instagram!

Subscribe to the podcast to get these interviews delivered to you automatically!

Check out our Online Sheet Music Store with 100+ wide-ranging titles for bassists.

Listen to Contrabass Conversations with our free app for iOS, Android, and Kindle.

Check out my Beginner's Classical Bass course, available exclusively from Discover Double Bass.

Thank you to our sponsors!

Contrabass Conversations production team:

Jason Heath, host
Michael Cooper and Steve Hinchey, audio editing
Mitch Moehring, audio engineer
Trevor Jones, publication and promotion
theme music by Eric Hochberg

837: Frank Lestina on teaching

Mon, 20 Sep 2021 10:00:00 +0000

Frank Lestina is an educator and double bassist in metro Chicago. He received his Bachelor's Degree in Music Education from Roosevelt University and his Master's Degree in Administration from the University of Illinois, and he has had a celebrated career as a high school orchestra director and guest clinician.

We talk about Frank's sudden hearing loss on one ear right before a Midwest Clinic performance, his path from studying double bass into teaching, lessons learned along the way, and much more.

Enjoy, and be sure to follow along with Frank on his website and on Facebook!

Subscribe to the podcast to get these interviews delivered to you automatically!

Check out our Online Sheet Music Store with 100+ wide-ranging titles for bassists.

Listen to Contrabass Conversations with our free app for iOS, Android, and Kindle.

Check out my Beginner's Classical Bass course, available exclusively from Discover Double Bass.

Thank you to our sponsors!

Contrabass Conversations production team:

Jason Heath, host
Michael Cooper and Steve Hinchey, audio editing
Mitch Moehring, audio engineer
Trevor Jones, publication and promotion
theme music by Eric Hochberg

836: Christian Fabian catch-up

Fri, 17 Sep 2021 10:00:00 +0000

Born in Sweden and raised in Germany, Christian Fabian attended Berklee College of Music on a full scholarship.

Through Brian Bromberg, one of his early mentors, Christian became the bassist for the Lionel Hampton Band. He currently serves as co-leader of the New Lionel Hampton Band featuring Jason Marsalis, and he also co-founded the Native Jazz Quartet.

We talk about what Christian has been up to since the pandemic, the influence of Ron Carter and his teaching on Christian, and much more. Enjoy, and be sure to check out Christian's website for updates on his latest projects!

Subscribe to the podcast to get these interviews delivered to you automatically!

Check out our Online Sheet Music Store with 100+ wide-ranging titles for bassists.

Listen to Contrabass Conversations with our free app for iOS, Android, and Kindle.

Check out my Beginner's Classical Bass course, available exclusively from Discover Double Bass.

Thank you to our sponsors!

Contrabass Conversations production team:

Jason Heath, host
Michael Cooper and Steve Hinchey, audio editing
Mitch Moehring, audio engineer
Trevor Jones, publication and promotion
theme music by Eric Hochberg

836: Joseph Brown on pipe organs

Mon, 13 Sep 2021 10:00:00 +0000

Today's episode features a conversation with Joseph Brown, the new owner and current vice president of the J.F. Nordlie Pipe Organ Company. Joe is my brother-in-law, and it was great to talk about the craft of organ building and the similarities between the organ and double bass.

Enjoy, and be sure to follow J.F. Nordlie on Facebook and Instagram!

Subscribe to the podcast to get these interviews delivered to you automatically!

Check out our Online Sheet Music Store with 100+ wide-ranging titles for bassists.

Listen to Contrabass Conversations with our free app for iOS, Android, and Kindle.

Check out my Beginner's Classical Bass course, available exclusively from Discover Double Bass.

Thank you to our sponsors!

Contrabass Conversations production team:

Jason Heath, host
Michael Cooper and Steve Hinchey, audio editing
Mitch Moehring, audio engineer
Trevor Jones, publication and promotion
theme music by Eric Hochberg

834: Michael Fanelli on Paul Rolland

Thu, 09 Sep 2021 10:00:00 +0000

Michael Fanelli is a bassist, educator, musicologist, and author who is also Professor Emeritus of Education at the University of Northern Iowa.

As string/orchestra specialist at the UNI Malcolm Price Laboratory School, he created and taught the string curriculum for grades 4 through 12 based on Rolland Teaching of Action in String Playing materials. In the School of Music, he was the instructor of a string methods course modeled on Rolland's University of Illinois pedagogy course.

We talk about Michael's path through the music world, getting introduced to Paul Rolland and his innovative approach to string pedagogy, how this pedagogy can be applied to double bassists, and much more.

Enjoy, and be sure to stay tuned for Michael's soon-to-be-released biography on Rolland's life and pedagogy!

Subscribe to the podcast to get these interviews delivered to you automatically!

Check out our Online Sheet Music Store with 100+ wide-ranging titles for bassists.

Listen to Contrabass Conversations with our free app for iOS, Android, and Kindle.

Check out my Beginner's Classical Bass course, available exclusively from Discover Double Bass.

Thank you to our sponsors!

Contrabass Conversations production team:

Jason Heath, host
Michael Cooper and Steve Hinchey, audio editing
Mitch Moehring, audio engineer
Trevor Jones, publication and promotion
theme music by Eric Hochberg

833: Jeffrey Zimmerman on Stuart Knussen

Mon, 06 Sep 2021 09:00:00 +0000

Dr. Jeffrey C. Zimmerman is a bassist and former student of Stuart Knussen. His thirty-plus years of experience and study across various disciplines from masters in music, Asian medicine, martial arts, medical qigong, tai chi, and science led to the development of his technique, Harmonetiks, to enhance healing, self-care, and performance.

We talk about Jeff's path through the music world, what it was like studying with Stuart Knussen, Jeff's pivot into medicine, and much more. Enjoy, and be sure to check out Harmonetiks for more about Jeff's medical practice.

Subscribe to the podcast to get these interviews delivered to you automatically!

Check out our Online Sheet Music Store with 100+ wide-ranging titles for bassists.

Listen to Contrabass Conversations with our free app for iOS, Android, and Kindle.

Check out my Beginner's Classical Bass course, available exclusively from Discover Double Bass.

Thank you to our sponsors!

Contrabass Conversations production team:

Jason Heath, host
Michael Cooper and Steve Hinchey, audio editing
Mitch Moehring, audio engineer
Trevor Jones, publication and promotion
theme music by Eric Hochberg

832: James Oesi on the Dutch Double Bass Festival

Thu, 02 Sep 2021 10:00:00 +0000

James Oesi is the founder of the Dutch Double Bass Festival, which will be running for the third edition on October 29th and 30th in Rotterdam. This year's lineup will include Dave Holland, Ben Williams, Sasha Witteveen, and many others.

Pick up tickets on their website now, and be sure to follow the festival on Facebook, Instagram, and Spotify!

Subscribe to the podcast to get these interviews delivered to you automatically!

Check out our Online Sheet Music Store with 100+ wide-ranging titles for bassists.

Listen to Contrabass Conversations with our free app for iOS, Android, and Kindle.

Check out my Beginner's Classical Bass course, available exclusively from Discover Double Bass.

Thank you to our sponsors!

Contrabass Conversations production team:

Jason Heath, host
Michael Cooper and Steve Hinchey, audio editing
Mitch Moehring, audio engineer
Trevor Jones, publication and promotion
theme music by Eric Hochberg

832: Ishani Bhoola on International Youth Orchestra Bridges

Mon, 30 Aug 2021 16:00:00 +0000

Ishani Bhoola is building an orchestra of young musicians to tour South Africa in July 2024. This project is called International Youth Orchestra Bridges and is a collaboration between the West Coast Youth Orchestra (South Africa) and the Waverley Ensemble (UK).

It will bring together young musicians from the UK and South Africa, aged between 13 and 17, to form an international orchestra. The musicians will rehearse in their own countries and/or online, before coming together in South Africa in July 2024, to perform at venues in Cape Town, Pietermaritzburg, and Johannesburg.

Check out this brochure for more details, and if you're interested in applying for this cool new project, contact Ishani at waverlyensemble@gmail.com.

Subscribe to the podcast to get these interviews delivered to you automatically!

Check out our Online Sheet Music Store with 100+ wide-ranging titles for bassists.

Listen to Contrabass Conversations with our free app for iOS, Android, and Kindle.

Check out my Beginner's Classical Bass course, available exclusively from Discover Double Bass.

Thank you to our sponsors!

Contrabass Conversations production team:

Jason Heath, host
Michael Cooper and Steve Hinchey, audio editing
Mitch Moehring, audio engineer
Trevor Jones, publication and promotion
theme music by Eric Hochberg

830: Susanna Klein and Randall Pharr on Clipza

Thu, 26 Aug 2021 10:00:00 +0000

Susanna Klein and Randall Pharr have recently released a new iOS practice app called Clipza. In this episode, we discuss the inspiration behind the app, the simple interface, and how it solves a key problem for practicing musicians.

Enjoy, and be sure to check out the app and follow Susanna and her practicing mission on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube!

Subscribe to the podcast to get these interviews delivered to you automatically!

Check out our Online Sheet Music Store with 100+ wide-ranging titles for bassists.

Listen to Contrabass Conversations with our free app for iOS, Android, and Kindle.

Check out my Beginner's Classical Bass course, available exclusively from Discover Double Bass.

Thank you to our sponsors!

Dorico - Dorico helps you to write music notation, automatically producing printed results of exceptional quality — and plays it back with breathtaking realism. It is easy enough for anyone to learn, yet has hundreds of advanced notations, features, options and sounds to satisfy even the most demanding professionals. With its streamlined, natural user interface, students and those with less experience in scoring can compose and arrange straight into Dorico, making learning the language of music notation much faster and more intuitive. Editing and making changes — such as instrument, time signature or key — are straightforward, with the notation instantly and correctly adapting to include them, reinforcing the learning outcome.

Contrabass Conversations production team:

Jason Heath, host
Michael Cooper and Steve Hinchey, audio editing
Mitch Moehring, audio engineer
Trevor Jones, publication and promotion
theme music by Eric Hochberg

829: Chris West on Bottesini in Britain

Mon, 23 Aug 2021 10:00:00 +0000

Chris West has released a new book titled The Paganini of the Double Bass: Bottesini in Britain. This book tells the complete life story of Bottesini, with a huge amount of supporting material from periodicals of the time and a chronological listing of all of Bottesini's double bass compositions.

We talk about the idea for this book, how Chris went about this research and what he learned in the process, fascinating facts about Bottesini's life that Chris uncovered in the process, and much more.

Enjoy, and be sure to check out the book on Amazon, learn about the backstory on Chris' website, and Chris' accompanying video about playing Bottesini arpeggios on the bass!

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Thank you to our sponsors!

Contrabass Conversations production team:

Jason Heath, host
Michael Cooper and Steve Hinchey, audio editing
Mitch Moehring, audio engineer
Trevor Jones, publication and promotion
theme music by Eric Hochberg

828: Paul and Ella Sharpe

Thu, 19 Aug 2021 10:00:00 +0000

We're chatting with Paul Sharpe and Ella Sharpe about what it's like studying the bass from your parents. We talk about how both Paul and Ella got into playing the bass, the unique bass program at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts, perspectives from both Paul and Ella, and Ella's thoughts on her future. Enjoy!

About Paul Sharpe:

Paul Sharpe enjoys teaching all levels of student, whether it is starting instruction with young students and instilling them with good playing habits from the start or with an already well-developed graduate student that he can refine into something great. Sharpe pulls from his extensive performance career while teaching which includes countless performances with orchestras, quartets and as a member the strings duo Low and Lower.

About Ella Sharpe:

Ella Sharpe began double bass at seven years old under the tutelage of her father in North Carolina. At 17, she was a competitor in the semi-finals of the 2017 International Society of Bassists Solo Competition (15-18 division). Ella is now in her third year of undergraduate studies with David Allen Moore at the Thornton School of Music at the University of Southern California. Ella has attended music festivals including the National Youth Orchestra, Sarasota Music Festival, and Wabass. Ella also plays the viola da gamba.

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Check out our Online Sheet Music Store with 100+ wide-ranging titles for bassists.

Listen to Contrabass Conversations with our free app for iOS, Android, and Kindle.

Check out my Beginner's Classical Bass course, available exclusively from Discover Double Bass.

Thank you to our sponsors!

Contrabass Conversations production team:

Jason Heath, host
Michael Cooper and Steve Hinchey, audio editing
Mitch Moehring, audio engineer
Trevor Jones, publication and promotion
theme music by Eric Hochberg

827: Andrew Reinartz on the South Dakota scene

Mon, 16 Aug 2021 10:00:00 +0000

Andrew Reinartz is a musician and educator based in Sioux Falls, SD. Playing primarily upright and electric bass, he easily fits into a variety of styles including Jazz, Classical, Funk, R&B, Rock, and Folk. Andrew also does work as a producer, live/project studio recording & mixing engineer.

Also an avid educator, he is Jazz Bass Instructor at Augustana University, teaches privately and as a guest clinician, as well as performing for over 50,000 students across South Dakota with the Sioux Falls Jazz & Blues Society Jazz Diversity Project.

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Check out our Online Sheet Music Store with 100+ wide-ranging titles for bassists.

Listen to Contrabass Conversations with our free app for iOS, Android, and Kindle.

Check out my Beginner's Classical Bass course, available exclusively from Discover Double Bass.

Thank you to our sponsors!

Contrabass Conversations production team:

Jason Heath, host
Michael Cooper and Steve Hinchey, audio editing
Mitch Moehring, audio engineer
Trevor Jones, publication and promotion
theme music by Eric Hochberg

826: Intern with us!

Thu, 12 Aug 2021 10:00:00 +0000

We are now accepting applications to intern with us! Learn about the program and what it entails in this episode, and you can apply to intern through this link.

Subscribe to the podcast to get these interviews delivered to you automatically!

Check out our Online Sheet Music Store with 100+ wide-ranging titles for bassists.

Listen to Contrabass Conversations with our free app for iOS, Android, and Kindle.

Check out my Beginner's Classical Bass course, available exclusively from Discover Double Bass.

Thank you to our sponsors!

Contrabass Conversations production team:

Jason Heath, host
Michael Cooper and Steve Hinchey, audio editing
Mitch Moehring, audio engineer
Trevor Jones, publication and promotion
theme music by Eric Hochberg

825: Wabass Institute 2021 - a look back

Mon, 09 Aug 2021 10:00:00 +0000

This short episode features a look at the 2021 Wabass Institute, with short interviews from faculty members Ranaan Meyer, Eric Larson, and Hal Robinson. Enjoy, and you can also check out this video for a deep-dive at this year's event.

Subscribe to the podcast to get these interviews delivered to you automatically!

Check out our Online Sheet Music Store with 100+ wide-ranging titles for bassists.

Listen to Contrabass Conversations with our free app for iOS, Android, and Kindle.

Check out my Beginner's Classical Bass course, available exclusively from Discover Double Bass.

Thank you to our sponsors!

Contrabass Conversations production team:

Jason Heath, host
Michael Cooper and Steve Hinchey, audio editing
Mitch Moehring, audio engineer
Trevor Jones, publication and promotion
theme music by Eric Hochberg

824: Rabbath Institute 2021

Thu, 05 Aug 2021 10:00:00 +0000

This mini-episode digs into the Rabbath Institute Los Angeles, with a short interview from event founder Cielito De Jesus. You can also check out this video featuring behind-the-scenes footage from this event.

823: Why I Keep Doing This Podcast

Mon, 02 Aug 2021 10:00:00 +0000

Jason digs into why he keeps doing this podcast after so many years in this solo mini-episode.

Subscribe to the podcast to get these interviews delivered to you automatically!

Check out our Online Sheet Music Store with 100+ wide-ranging titles for bassists.

Listen to Contrabass Conversations with our free app for iOS, Android, and Kindle.

Check out my Beginner's Classical Bass course, available exclusively from Discover Double Bass.

Thank you to our sponsors!

Contrabass Conversations production team:

Jason Heath, host
Michael Cooper and Steve Hinchey, audio editing
Mitch Moehring, audio engineer
Trevor Jones, publication and promotion
theme music by Eric Hochberg

822: Nick Tsiavos on his bass universe

Thu, 29 Jul 2021 10:00:00 +0000

Nick Tsiavos recently put out a new solo album titled Maps for Losing Oneself to considerable critical acclaim. We dig into the inspiration behind this latest solo album, what the pandemic has been like for him, the influence of Francois Rabbath and Barre Phillips on his music path, and much more.

Enjoy, and be sure to check out more about Nick on The Sound Barrier with Ian Parsons and also on his website! You can also watch Nick perform with Deborah Kayser from the 2018 Resonant Bodies Festival.

Subscribe to the podcast to get these interviews delivered to you automatically!

Check out our Online Sheet Music Store with 100+ wide-ranging titles for bassists.

Listen to Contrabass Conversations with our free app for iOS, Android, and Kindle.

Check out my Beginner's Classical Bass course, available exclusively from Discover Double Bass.

Thank you to our sponsors!

Contrabass Conversations production team:

Jason Heath, host
Michael Cooper and Steve Hinchey, audio editing
Mitch Moehring, audio engineer
Trevor Jones, publication and promotion
theme music by Eric Hochberg

821: Isaline Leloup on 18th Century Viennese Bass Music

Mon, 26 Jul 2021 10:00:00 +0000

Isaline Leloup has recently released an album of 18th Century Viennese Bass Music. We talk about how she got into historical performance, the inspiration behind the album, what it was like to record it, and much more.

Enjoy, and be sure to check out Isaline's album on Spotify and Apple Music, and learn more about her on Facebook and YouTube!

Subscribe to the podcast to get these interviews delivered to you automatically!

Check out our Online Sheet Music Store with 100+ wide-ranging titles for bassists.

Listen to Contrabass Conversations with our free app for iOS, Android, and Kindle.

Check out my Beginner's Classical Bass course, available exclusively from Discover Double Bass.

Thank you to our sponsors!

Contrabass Conversations production team:

Jason Heath, host
Michael Cooper and Steve Hinchey, audio editing
Mitch Moehring, audio engineer
Trevor Jones, publication and promotion
theme music by Eric Hochberg

820: Rodney Jordan and Christian Fabian on Conversations

Thu, 22 Jul 2021 10:00:00 +0000

Rodney Jordan and Christian Fabian have recently released a new album of bass duos called Conversations. We chat about the idea behind this album, what it was like putting it together, and much more.

Enjoy, and be sure to check out Conversations on Spotify, Apple Music, and wherever you listen to music!

Subscribe to the podcast to get these interviews delivered to you automatically!

Check out our Online Sheet Music Store with 100+ wide-ranging titles for bassists.

Listen to Contrabass Conversations with our free app for iOS, Android, and Kindle.

Check out my Beginner's Classical Bass course, available exclusively from Discover Double Bass.

Thank you to our sponsors!

Contrabass Conversations production team:

Jason Heath, host
Michael Cooper and Steve Hinchey, audio editing
Mitch Moehring, audio engineer
Trevor Jones, publication and promotion
theme music by Eric Hochberg

819: Eleanor Martindale on RCR Double Bass Camp 2021

Mon, 19 Jul 2021 10:00:00 +0000

We're chatting with Eleanor Martindale about this summer's RCR Double Bass Camp, which will be coming up August 16-21 in Perpignan, France.

We talk about how the camp is organized, the teachers that will be there, and much more.

Enjoy, and you can learn more about the RCR Double Bass Camp on their website, Instagram, and Facebook!

Subscribe to the podcast to get these interviews delivered to you automatically!

Check out our Online Sheet Music Store with 100+ wide-ranging titles for bassists.

Listen to Contrabass Conversations with our free app for iOS, Android, and Kindle.

Check out my Beginner's Classical Bass course, available exclusively from Discover Double Bass.

Thank you to our sponsors!

Contrabass Conversations production team:

Jason Heath, host
Michael Cooper and Steve Hinchey, audio editing
Mitch Moehring, audio engineer
Trevor Jones, publication and promotion
theme music by Eric Hochberg

818: Christian Gray on opera bass life

Thu, 15 Jul 2021 10:00:00 +0000

Christian Gray joined the double bass section of the Kennedy Center Opera House Orchestra at the start of their 2017-2018 Season. Prior to his appointment, he performed frequently with numerous other ensembles, including the National Symphony Orchestra, Houston Symphony Orchestra, and San Antonio Symphony.

We talk about what life in an opera orchestra is like, how he prepared for this particular audition, performing for the 2021 Sphinx Competition, and much more.

Enjoy, and be sure to follow Christian on his YouTube Channel!

Subscribe to the podcast to get these interviews delivered to you automatically!

Check out our Online Sheet Music Store with 100+ wide-ranging titles for bassists.

Listen to Contrabass Conversations with our free app for iOS, Android, and Kindle.

Check out my Beginner's Classical Bass course, available exclusively from Discover Double Bass.

Thank you to our sponsors!

Contrabass Conversations production team:

Jason Heath, host
Michael Cooper and Steve Hinchey, audio editing
Mitch Moehring, audio engineer
Trevor Jones, publication and promotion
theme music by Eric Hochberg

817: Ben Hanlon on Stravinsky in duo form

Mon, 12 Jul 2021 15:05:17 +0000

Ben Hanlon is a bassist in the Melbourne Symphony and is also an active jazz bassist. He and James Sherlock have recently released a new duo album titled Stravinsky, and his trio Ball Hanlon Schulz has also released a new album titled Land Of If.

We talk about these new projects, life in Melbourne during the pandemic, and much more. Enjoy, and check out more great work from Ben and his collaborators below:

Subscribe to the podcast to get these interviews delivered to you automatically!

Check out our Online Sheet Music Store with 100+ wide-ranging titles for bassists.

Listen to Contrabass Conversations with our free app for iOS, Android, and Kindle.

Check out my Beginner's Classical Bass course, available exclusively from Discover Double Bass.

Thank you to our sponsors!

Contrabass Conversations production team:

Jason Heath, host
Michael Cooper and Steve Hinchey, audio editing
Mitch Moehring, audio engineer
Trevor Jones, publication and promotion
theme music by Eric Hochberg

816: Noah Reitman on his path to the Vancouver Symphony

Thu, 08 Jul 2021 10:00:00 +0000

Noah Reitman has been assistant principal bass of the Vancouver Symphony since 2015 and is also currently the president of the Vancouver Musicians' Association.

He also coaches bass and chamber music at Idyllwild Arts in California in the summers. He is also on the faculty at the VSO School of Music where he teaches bass lessons and coaches chamber music, as well as the Saint James Academy of Music.

He and his wife Maggie are also the founders of Purple Mollusk Music, a label for their varied projects.

He grew up in Los Angeles and began studying at the Colburn School with David Young at age 12. He continued his studies at the University of Michigan, where he studied with Diana Gannett, followed by Indiana University, where he studied with Lawrence Hurst. After that, he freelanced in New York while working towards a Professional Certificate from the Manhattan School of Music, and he was a bass fellow at the New World Symphony from 2012-2015.

We talk about life in 2021, auditions, Noah's path through the music world, and much more. Enjoy, and be sure to check out Noah's website and follow him on YouTube!

Subscribe to the podcast to get these interviews delivered to you automatically!

Check out our Online Sheet Music Store with 100+ wide-ranging titles for bassists.

Listen to Contrabass Conversations with our free app for iOS, Android, and Kindle.

Check out my Beginner's Classical Bass course, available exclusively from Discover Double Bass.

Thank you to our sponsors!

Contrabass Conversations production team:

Jason Heath, host
Michael Cooper and Steve Hinchey, audio editing
Mitch Moehring, audio engineer
Trevor Jones, publication and promotion
theme music by Eric Hochberg

815: Bram De Man on his luthier journey

Tue, 06 Jul 2021 10:00:00 +0000

Bram De Man is a double bass luthier in Brussels, Belgium. After first studying as a bass player, at the age of 18, he was admitted to the Ghent Conservatory to study musical instrument making, graduating with a first-class distinction and receiving an honorary bequest for his research into D-violones and the early double bass.

After these studies, he traveled throughout Europe to expand his knowledge and experience; from observing the Hungarian Tamburaški bass to studying historical instruments in Brescia, Cremona, Paris, Oslo, London, etc., working and learning in ateliers in Vienna, Berlin, and Brussels.

After these years, he decided to move back to Belgium to open his shop in Brussels, keeping a close connection to Vienna as a second home and working place.

We talk about life, the pandemic, the joys and mysteries of building and restoring basses, and much more. Enjoy, and be sure to check out Bram's website and follow him on Instagram!

Subscribe to the podcast to get these interviews delivered to you automatically!

Check out our Online Sheet Music Store with 100+ wide-ranging titles for bassists.

Listen to Contrabass Conversations with our free app for iOS, Android, and Kindle.

Check out my Beginner's Classical Bass course, available exclusively from Discover Double Bass.

Thank you to our sponsors!

Contrabass Conversations production team:

Jason Heath, host
Michael Cooper and Steve Hinchey, audio editing
Mitch Moehring, audio engineer
Trevor Jones, publication and promotion
theme music by Eric Hochberg

814: Travis Harrison on the Canadian School of Double Bass

Thu, 01 Jul 2021 10:00:00 +0000

Travis Harrison is a freelance bassist in Toronto and a former member of the Winnipeg Symphony. As a former student of Joel Quarrington, Travis worked with Joel for many years to develop and refine the Canadian School of Double Bass, which has been recently updated and released in a new edition for both fourths and fifths tuning.

We talk about Travis' background, living and playing bass in various parts of Canada, the process behind putting together the Canadian School of Double Bass, and much more.

Enjoy, and be sure to check out Travis' website, follow him on Instagram, check out the Canadian School of Double Bass, and even check out a dissertation an Australian jazz bassist named Samuel Dobson did on these Canadian School of Double bass exercises.

Subscribe to the podcast to get these interviews delivered to you automatically!

Check out our Online Sheet Music Store with 100+ wide-ranging titles for bassists.

Listen to Contrabass Conversations with our free app for iOS, Android, and Kindle.

Check out my Beginner's Classical Bass course, available exclusively from Discover Double Bass.

Thank you to our sponsors!

Modacity - Are you a practice-savvy musician? Get Modacity – the music practice app that organizes, focuses, and tracks your progress. Recorder… metronome… tone generator… timer… note taking… Do away with the random assortment of music practice apps in your arsenal. Modacity™ combines all the tools you need into one easy to use, music practice tool. Organize, focus, and reflect on your practice – motivating you to increase retention in less time. Modacity has a special offer for Contrabass Conversations listeners that includes lifetime access to the app.

Contrabass Conversations production team:

Jason Heath, host
Michael Cooper and Steve Hinchey, audio editing
Mitch Moehring, audio engineer
Trevor Jones, publication and promotion
theme music by Eric Hochberg

813: Bass Players for Black Composers

Mon, 28 Jun 2021 10:00:00 +0000

Today's episode features a conversation with Camellia Aftahi, Michael Martin, and Tyson Davis about Bass Players for Black Composers. This organization commissions and publishes new works for double bass by Black composers, and it is celebrating its one-year anniversary with an ambitious fundraising campaign for future projects.

We talk about the founding of the organization in June of 2020, their events (both remote and in-person), what it has been like working behind the scenes, and much more.

Help them reach their fundraising goal by donating here, and be sure to check out their website and follow them on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube. Also, check out Black Reflections. a three-part series Michael organized last year through Oberlin and the New World Symphony.

Subscribe to the podcast to get these interviews delivered to you automatically!

Check out our Online Sheet Music Store with 100+ wide-ranging titles for bassists.

Listen to Contrabass Conversations with our free app for iOS, Android, and Kindle.

Check out my Beginner's Classical Bass course, available exclusively from Discover Double Bass.

Thank you to our sponsors!

Contrabass Conversations production team:

Jason Heath, host
Michael Cooper and Steve Hinchey, audio editing
Mitch Moehring, audio engineer
Trevor Jones, publication and promotion
theme music by Eric Hochberg

812: Paul Leverger on Newzik

Thu, 24 Jun 2021 10:00:00 +0000

Today's episode features a conversation with Paul Leverger, who heads the marketing team for the music score reading app Newzik. Newzik just rolled out a new LiveScores feature which uses Maestria, their AI-driven Optical Music Recognition technology. This new feature allows for any PDF or paper score to be turned into an interactive document.

Enjoy, and Contrabass Conversations listeners can check out Newzik for a month for free by visiting https://newzik.com/contrabassconversations.

Subscribe to the podcast to get these interviews delivered to you automatically!

Check out our Online Sheet Music Store with 100+ wide-ranging titles for bassists.

Listen to Contrabass Conversations with our free app for iOS, Android, and Kindle.

Check out my Beginner's Classical Bass course, available exclusively from Discover Double Bass.

Thank you to our sponsors!

Contrabass Conversations production team:

Jason Heath, host
Michael Cooper and Steve Hinchey, audio editing
Mitch Moehring, audio engineer
Trevor Jones, publication and promotion
theme music by Eric Hochberg

811: Patrick Staples on bowmaking

Mon, 21 Jun 2021 10:00:00 +0000

Patrick Staples is a bassist with the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra and has begun making bows recently. We talk about growing up in Canada, moving to Los Angeles to attend Colburn and study with David Allen Moore and Paul Ellison, further studies with Tim Pitts at Rice University, and landing his job in Calgary.

We also dig into how Patrick got started repairing bows, getting into making bass bows, the lessons learned and experience gained from his bow-making journey, and much more.

Enjoy, and be sure to check out Patrick and his excellent bow work on Instagram!

Subscribe to the podcast to get these interviews delivered to you automatically!

Check out our Online Sheet Music Store with 100+ wide-ranging titles for bassists.

Listen to Contrabass Conversations with our free app for iOS, Android, and Kindle.

Check out my Beginner's Classical Bass course, available exclusively from Discover Double Bass.

Thank you to our sponsors!

Contrabass Conversations production team:

Jason Heath, host
Michael Cooper and Steve Hinchey, audio editing
Mitch Moehring, audio engineer
Trevor Jones, publication and promotion
theme music by Eric Hochberg

810: Christopher Jeffer on Cat's Cradle

Thu, 17 Jun 2021 10:00:00 +0000

Christopher Jeffer is a double bassist and recording engineer who recently released a solo bass album titled Cat's Cradle. We dig into the inspiration for this album, what he has learned about recording double bass, the challenge of doing this recording during the pandemic, goals for the future, and much more.

Check out Cat's Cradle on Spotify, Apple Music, and Bandcamp, and be sure to follow Chris on his website, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube!

Subscribe to the podcast to get these interviews delivered to you automatically!

Check out our Online Sheet Music Store with 100+ wide-ranging titles for bassists.

Listen to Contrabass Conversations with our free app for iOS, Android, and Kindle.

Check out my Beginner's Classical Bass course, available exclusively from Discover Double Bass.

Thank you to our sponsors!

Contrabass Conversations production team:

Jason Heath, host
Michael Cooper and Steve Hinchey, audio editing
Mitch Moehring, audio engineer
Trevor Jones, publication and promotion
theme music by Eric Hochberg

809: Trevor Jones on our sheet music store

Mon, 14 Jun 2021 10:00:00 +0000

Trevor Jones and Jason talk about the behind-the-scenes work behind the launch of the Double Bass Blog Sheet Music Store in today's special mini-episode.

Enjoy, and be sure to check out the store for over 100 titles covering different styles, techniques like harmonics, repertoire for solo double bass, 2 basses, and more! Every purchase goes directly to the double bass community.

Subscribe to the podcast to get these interviews delivered to you automatically!

Check out our Online Sheet Music Store with 100+ wide-ranging titles for bassists.

Listen to Contrabass Conversations with our free app for iOS, Android, and Kindle.

Check out my Beginner's Classical Bass course, available exclusively from Discover Double Bass.

Thank you to our sponsors!

Contrabass Conversations production team:

Jason Heath, host
Michael Cooper and Steve Hinchey, audio editing
Mitch Moehring, audio engineer
Trevor Jones, publication and promotion
theme music by Eric Hochberg

808: Rob Knopper on online learning

Thu, 10 Jun 2021 10:00:00 +0000

Rob Knopper is a percussionist with the MET Orchestra, and he is a force of nature in the online learning world, with his popular auditionhacker program and other associated ventures.

We talk about what the last few years have been like since our previous interview in 2016, how his online programs have evolved, what the pandemic has been like for him, recent launches, thoughts on music entrepreneurship in general, and much more.

Enjoy, and be sure to check out everything Rob is up to and also join his excellent mailing list!

Subscribe to the podcast to get these interviews delivered to you automatically!

Check out our Online Sheet Music Store with 100+ wide-ranging titles for bassists.

Listen to Contrabass Conversations with our free app for iOS, Android, and Kindle.

Check out my Beginner's Classical Bass course, available exclusively from Discover Double Bass.

Thank you to our sponsors!

Contrabass Conversations production team:

Jason Heath, host
Michael Cooper and Steve Hinchey, audio editing
Mitch Moehring, audio engineer
Trevor Jones, publication and promotion
theme music by Eric Hochberg

807: Build a Bass 2021

Mon, 07 Jun 2021 10:00:00 +0000

Today's episode features a discussion with the following luthiers about the 2021 Build a Bass event in conjunction with the virtual International Society of Bassists Convention:

Enter the 2021 ISB Build-a-Bass Sweepstakes by Saturday, June 12 at 11:59 PM Central Time for your chance to win this bass!

Subscribe to the podcast to get these interviews delivered to you automatically!

Check out our Online Sheet Music Store with 100+ wide-ranging titles for bassists.

Listen to Contrabass Conversations with our free app for iOS, Android, and Kindle.

Check out my Beginner's Classical Bass course, available exclusively from Discover Double Bass.

Thank you to our sponsors!

Contrabass Conversations production team:

Jason Heath, host
Michael Cooper and Steve Hinchey, audio editing
Mitch Moehring, audio engineer
Trevor Jones, publication and promotion
theme music by Eric Hochberg

806: Nicky Schwartz on Stolen Pearls

Thu, 03 Jun 2021 10:00:00 +0000

Nicky Schwartz just released Stolen Pearls with his wife Anna Fedorova, including the most epic double bass album trailer ever. Nicky and Anna call themselves the Oyster Duo, and in this album they uncover all kinds of pieces not commonly played on bass.

We talk about the new album, Nicky's journey through the music world, what it's like playing in the Concertgebouw Orchestra, starting to gig on cello, how the pandemic has been for him, and much more.

Enjoy, and be sure to check out the new album and also follow the Oyster Duo on Facebook!

Subscribe to the podcast to get these interviews delivered to you automatically!

Check out our Online Sheet Music Store with 100+ wide-ranging titles for bassists.

Listen to Contrabass Conversations with our free app for iOS, Android, and Kindle.

Check out my Beginner's Classical Bass course, available exclusively from Discover Double Bass.

Thank you to our sponsors!

Contrabass Conversations production team:

Jason Heath, host
Michael Cooper and Steve Hinchey, audio editing
Mitch Moehring, audio engineer
Trevor Jones, publication and promotion
theme music by Eric Hochberg

805: Nina DeCesare on moving to Baltimore

Mon, 31 May 2021 10:00:00 +0000

Nina DeCesare recently joined the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra in 2020 after spending several seasons playing with the Oregon Symphony. She studied at Rice University with Paul Ellison and leads an active performing and teaching life outside of the orchestra.

We talk about what the pandemic has been like for her, auditioning for a job while holding down another job, how non-ideal audition circumstances can lead to positive results, moving across the country during the pandemic, life in the Baltimore Symphony, and much more.

Enjoy, and be sure to follow Nina on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube!

Subscribe to the podcast to get these interviews delivered to you automatically!

Check out our Online Sheet Music Store with 100+ wide-ranging titles for bassists.

Listen to Contrabass Conversations with our free app for iOS, Android, and Kindle.

Check out my Beginner's Classical Bass course, available exclusively from Discover Double Bass.

Thank you to our sponsors!

Contrabass Conversations production team:

Jason Heath, host
Michael Cooper and Steve Hinchey, audio editing
Mitch Moehring, audio engineer
Trevor Jones, publication and promotion
theme music by Eric Hochberg

804: Jonathan Borden on YouTube

Thu, 27 May 2021 10:00:00 +0000

Jonathan Borden is a double bassist with the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra and a graduate of Juilliard. He has recently launched an awesome YouTube Channel and is filming detailed tutorials about all kinds of double bass topics.

We dig deep into YouTube tech talk, the joys and challenges of being a "YouTuber," Jonathan's future plans for his channel, and much more.

Enjoy, and be sure to check out Jonathan's YouTube Channel and also follow him on Instagram!

Subscribe to the podcast to get these interviews delivered to you automatically!

Check out our Online Sheet Music Store with 100+ wide-ranging titles for bassists.

Listen to Contrabass Conversations with our free app for iOS, Android, and Kindle.

Check out my Beginner's Classical Bass course, available exclusively from Discover Double Bass.

Thank you to our sponsors!

Contrabass Conversations production team:

Jason Heath, host
Michael Cooper and Steve Hinchey, audio editing
Mitch Moehring, audio engineer
Trevor Jones, publication and promotion
theme music by Eric Hochberg

803: Tony Alcock on three-dimensional careers

Mon, 24 May 2021 10:00:00 +0000

Tony Alcock is Double Bass Section Leader for the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra. He has previously been Principal double bass of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra in London and section leader with the BBC Now (Wales), BBC SSO (Scotland), Scottish Opera, and Co-Principal with the Halle.

We talk about all kinds of topics, including Tony's path through the music world, what the pandemic has been like for him, getting into coaching, and much more.

Tony coaches people all over the world through Skype audio or video. Check out his coaching site here, and be sure to subscribe to his YouTube Channel as well!

Subscribe to the podcast to get these interviews delivered to you automatically!

Check out our Online Sheet Music Store with 100+ wide-ranging titles for bassists.

Listen to Contrabass Conversations with our free app for iOS, Android, and Kindle.

Check out my Beginner's Classical Bass course, available exclusively from Discover Double Bass.

Thank you to our sponsors!

Contrabass Conversations production team:

Jason Heath, host
Michael Cooper and Steve Hinchey, audio editing
Mitch Moehring, audio engineer
Trevor Jones, publication and promotion
theme music by Eric Hochberg

802: Isaac Trapkus on IMSLP and his path

Thu, 20 May 2021 10:00:00 +0000

Isaac Trapkus joined the New York Philharmonic in November 2016. Before joining the Philharmonic he was a member of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra and, before that, principal double bass of the New Haven Symphony while he was studying with Leigh Mesh, associate principal bass of The Metropolitan Opera Orchestra. Isaac also volunteers as a designer and administrator with IMSLP, the online sheet music library.

We talk about many topics, including Isaac's background, the auditon trail, and personal breakthroughs in his preparation process. We also dig into thoughts surrounding music education, volunteerism, digital publishing, and access to educational materials. Be sure to check out his IMSLP profile page and also Thingy Person, who is Isaac's "best kept secrets" in IMSLP bass publishing. If you'd like to get involved with IMSLP, you can reach out to Isaac at icactusmusic@gmail.com.

Isaac also recently created an edition of Bach's Third Cello Suite—check it out here on our sheet music store!

Subscribe to the podcast to get these interviews delivered to you automatically!

Check out our Online Sheet Music Store with 100+ wide-ranging titles for bassists.

Listen to Contrabass Conversations with our free app for iOS, Android, and Kindle.

Check out my Beginner's Classical Bass course, available exclusively from Discover Double Bass.

Thank you to our sponsors!

Contrabass Conversations production team:

Jason Heath, host
Michael Cooper and Steve Hinchey, audio editing
Mitch Moehring, audio engineer
Trevor Jones, publication and promotion
theme music by Eric Hochberg

801: Marc Gelfo on the art of learning

Mon, 17 May 2021 09:00:00 +0000

Marc Gelfo is the founder of Modacity, which has transformed my practice habits during the three years that I've been using it.

We dig into what Marc has been up to since our last podcast chat, the power of deliberate practice, new features coming for Modacity, the new iPad edition, and more.

Enjoy, and check out this special lifetime offer that Marc has set up for Contrabass Conversations listeners!

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Contrabass Conversations production team:

Jason Heath, host
Michael Cooper and Steve Hinchey, audio editing
Mitch Moehring, audio engineer
Trevor Jones, publication and promotion
theme music by Eric Hochberg

800: Erica Bramham on pandemic projects

Thu, 13 May 2021 10:00:00 +0000

Erica Bramham just released Enamel, her third album, and her first self-recorded release. We talk about how the pandemic inspired these compositions, what it was like shooting the music videos for this album, what the pandemic has been like for her in Melbourne, thoughts on future projects, and such more.

Enjoy, and be sure to check out Erica's work on her website, Bandcamp, YouTube, Instagram, and Facebook!

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Check out our Online Sheet Music Store with 100+ wide-ranging titles for bassists.

Listen to Contrabass Conversations with our free app for iOS, Android, and Kindle.

Check out my Beginner's Classical Bass course, available exclusively from Discover Double Bass.

Thank you to our sponsors!

Contrabass Conversations production team:

Jason Heath, host
Michael Cooper and Steve Hinchey, audio editing
Mitch Moehring, audio engineer
Trevor Jones, publication and promotion
theme music by Eric Hochberg

799: Mary Rannie on writing Life on the G String

Mon, 10 May 2021 10:00:00 +0000

Mary Rannie is the principal double bass of the Victoria Symphony in British Columbia, Canada, the double bassist in the Galiano Ensemble, and former bass instructor at the University of Victoria. She is also the author of Gary Karr: Life on the G String, which chronicles the remarkable career of one of the most influential bassists in history.

We talk about the inspiration for the book, the decade-plus process of collating and outlining, what it was like to actually finish this book, takeaways from the whole experience, and much more.

Enjoy, and be sure to check out more about Mary and this great book on her website!

798: Michael Fuller on his orchestral journey

Thu, 06 May 2021 10:00:00 +0000

Michael Fuller is currently a Resident Bass Fellow at the Los Angeles Philharmonic. Prior to that, he spent three seasons with the New World Symphony.

We talk about Michael's background, growing up in Philadelphia, discovering the bass, his time spent at Eastman and Rice, learning Sofia Gubaidulina's Eight Studies for Double Bass, what the pandemic has been like for him, much more.

Enjoy, and be sure to check out his great rendition of the Gubaidulina studies on the LA Phil website!

797: Daniel Chiva Sanz on a newly discovered bass concerto

Mon, 03 May 2021 10:00:00 +0000

Daniel Chiva Sanz recently recorded his own orchestration of the Second Double Bass Concerto Op. 25 by Findeisen. We dig into how this work was lost in a fire, leaving only the nearly impossible to play piano reduction. We also cover how Danny discovered the work, the compositional style of Findeisen, challenges and pleasures of learning this work, and much more. Dani also plays through a great deal of this piece on this episode.

Enjoy, and be sure to follow Dani on Instagram and Facebook!

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Listen to Contrabass Conversations with our free app for iOS, Android, and Kindle.

Check out my Beginner's Classical Bass course, available exclusively from Discover Double Bass.

Thank you to our sponsors!

Contrabass Conversations production team:

Jason Heath, host
Michael Cooper and Steve Hinchey, audio editing
Mitch Moehring, audio engineer
Trevor Jones, publication and promotion
theme music by Eric Hochberg

796: Peter Rofé on his orchestral career

Thu, 29 Apr 2021 10:00:00 +0000

Peter Rofé has been a bassist with the Los Angeles Philharmonic since 1986. He began his orchestral career as the principal bassist with the San Diego Symphony and the San Diego Opera and held those posts for fourteen years. He also recently started a YouTube Channel where he sings and play bass with arrangements of classic songs.

We talk about Peter's background, what it was like playing in the San Diego Symphony, his move to the LA Phil, the evolution of the LA Phil contracts over the years and his role in negotiating them, how orchestras have fared during the pandemic, the inspiration to launch his YouTube Channel, and much more.

Enjoy, and be sure to check out Peter's great arrangements on YouTube!

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Check out our Online Sheet Music Store with 100+ wide-ranging titles for bassists.

Listen to Contrabass Conversations with our free app for iOS, Android, and Kindle.

Check out my Beginner's Classical Bass course, available exclusively from Discover Double Bass.

Thank you to our sponsors!

Contrabass Conversations production team:

Jason Heath, host
Michael Cooper and Steve Hinchey, audio editing
Mitch Moehring, audio engineer
Trevor Jones, publication and promotion
theme music by Eric Hochberg

795: Kenneth Knudson on Uummat and beyond

Mon, 26 Apr 2021 10:00:00 +0000

Kenneth Knudson recently released an album titled Uummat which was inspired by working on the Western Greenland island of Uummannaq.

Knudsen was exposed to the vast, calm and awe-inspiring natural surroundings, which were the first catalyst for a new set of compositions. Soon, a second incidence added a new dimension to the music. During a dinner with the leader of the local orphanage, Knudsen was invited to read from author Lise Andersen's book Uummat - Stories from the heart, a book documenting the personal experiences of neglect of children from the orphanage. Third, Kenneth encountered the rich Greenlandic folklore in the recently published Bestiarium Groenlandica - an illustrated handbook of mythical beings, spirits and animals.

We talk about the inspiration for this album, his continually evolving compositional style, what the pandemic has been like for him, his upcoming trio project, and much more.

Enjoy, and be sure to check out Uummat and follow along with Kenneth's work on his website and Instagram!

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Check out our Online Sheet Music Store with 100+ wide-ranging titles for bassists.

Listen to Contrabass Conversations with our free app for iOS, Android, and Kindle.

Check out my Beginner's Classical Bass course, available exclusively from Discover Double Bass.

Thank you to our sponsors!

Contrabass Conversations production team:

Jason Heath, host
Michael Cooper and Steve Hinchey, audio editing
Mitch Moehring, audio engineer
Trevor Jones, publication and promotion
theme music by Eric Hochberg

794: Bassists with Boobs

Thu, 22 Apr 2021 10:00:00 +0000

Evangeline Tang, Phoebe Clarke and Yijia Cui started the Bassists with Boobs Instagram account in July 2020 to improve the online representation of bass players and create a positive and empowering community.

We talk about their recent Leeds trip to do an interview with Geoff Chalmers of Discover Double Bass, the idea behind founding the channel, rewards, and challenges of the work they're doing, and much more.

Be sure to check out more from them on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube!

photo courtesy of Discover Double Bass

Subscribe to the podcast to get these interviews delivered to you automatically!

Check out our Online Sheet Music Store with 100+ wide-ranging titles for bassists.

Listen to Contrabass Conversations with our free app for iOS, Android, and Kindle.

Check out my Beginner's Classical Bass course, available exclusively from Discover Double Bass.

Thank you to our sponsors!

Contrabass Conversations production team:

Jason Heath, host
Michael Cooper and Steve Hinchey, audio editing
Mitch Moehring, audio engineer
Trevor Jones, publication and promotion
theme music by Eric Hochberg

793: Roberto Cassani on Ansema We Stand

Mon, 19 Apr 2021 10:00:00 +0000

Roberto Cassani has just released an intriguing new album titled Ansema We Stand. This album is a mix of world and folk music, blending the cultures of Scotland and rural northern Italy, Roberto's two main homes with some of Scotland's finest musicians.

We talk about the new album, how the pandemic has been for him, his "other life" working in health care and what that has been like this past year, and much more.

Be sure to check out Roberto's latest album on his website, Bandcamp, Spotify, and Apple Music!

Subscribe to the podcast to get these interviews delivered to you automatically!

Check out our Online Sheet Music Store with 100+ wide-ranging titles for bassists.

Listen to Contrabass Conversations with our free app for iOS, Android, and Kindle.

Check out my Beginner's Classical Bass course, available exclusively from Discover Double Bass.

Thank you to our sponsors!

Contrabass Conversations production team:

Jason Heath, host
Michael Cooper and Steve Hinchey, audio editing
Mitch Moehring, audio engineer
Trevor Jones, publication and promotion
theme music by Eric Hochberg

792: Mark Helias on pandemic collaborations

Thu, 15 Apr 2021 10:00:00 +0000

Mark Helias is a renowned bassist, composer, and producer who has performed throughout the world for more than four decades with some of the most important and innovative musicians in Jazz and Improvised Music including Don Cherry, Edward Blackwell, Anthony Davis, Dewey Redman, Anthony Braxton, Abbey Lincoln, Cecil Taylor, and Uri Caine. Mark recently released Some Kind of Tomorrow with saxophonist Jane Ira Bloom.

We talk about what life has been like during the pandemic, this latest remote album collaboration with Jane and about remote collaboration in general, and many lessons learned from Mark's years working as a jazz bassist.

Enjoy, and be sure to check out Some Kind of Tomorrow and Mark's many other albums!

Subscribe to the podcast to get these interviews delivered to you automatically!

Check out our Online Sheet Music Store with 80+ wide-ranging titles for bassists.

Listen to Contrabass Conversations with our free app for iOS, Android, and Kindle.

Check out my Beginner's Classical Bass course, available exclusively from Discover Double Bass.

Thank you to our sponsors!

Contrabass Conversations production team:

Jason Heath, host
Michael Cooper and Steve Hinchey, audio editing
Mitch Moehring, audio engineer
Trevor Jones, publication and promotion
theme music by Eric Hochberg

791: Petru Iuga on teaching and inspiration

Mon, 12 Apr 2021 10:00:00 +0000

Petru Iuga currently holds a professorship at the University of Music and Arts in Mannheim, Germany and Haute École de Musique de Lausanne. Having received his first training in his native Romania, he was selected by Yehudi Menuhin for the International Menuhin Music Academy in Gstaad (Switzerland).

After further training at the Hochschule der Künste-Bern and the Conservatoire national supérieur de musique in Paris, he became a member of the Ensemble Orchestral de Paris and principal double bass in the Munich Chamber Orchestra. Petru was also guest solo Double-Bass at the London Symphony Orchestra.

We talk about his early years, the joys and discoveries of teaching double bass, the rapid growth of this instrument's technical capabilities, Petru's passion for music, the ErgoBass, and much more.

Enjoy, and be sure to check out Petru's website to learn more about his work!

Subscribe to the podcast to get these interviews delivered to you automatically!

Check out our Online Sheet Music Store with 80+ wide-ranging titles for bassists.

Listen to Contrabass Conversations with our free app for iOS, Android, and Kindle.

Check out my Beginner's Classical Bass course, available exclusively from Discover Double Bass.

Thank you to our sponsors!

Contrabass Conversations production team:

Jason Heath, host
Michael Cooper and Steve Hinchey, audio editing
Mitch Moehring, audio engineer
Trevor Jones, publication and promotion
theme music by Eric Hochberg

790: Bernardo Alviz on working through an injury

Thu, 08 Apr 2021 09:00:00 +0000

Bernardo Alviz was born and raised in Bogota, Colombia. He started his music studies at the age of 17 and holds a Bachelor's degree from the Universidad Javeriana in Bogota as well as a Bachelor's and Master's degree from the Hochschule für Musik Hanns Eisler Berlin in Germany.

Bernardo is a passionate performer of contemporary music and has performed in some of the most renowned festivals including the Lucerne festival in 2017 with Heinz Holliger and Mathias Pintcher as chief conductors; as principal bass with the Solistenensemble Kaleidoskop at the Donaueschingen Musiktagen in 2017 as well as at the Rainy Days music festival in Luxembourg 2014; as principal bass of the Staatskapelle Berlin during the Infektio! Music festival in Berlin in 2016; and as principal bass with the Mahler Chamber Orchestra at the Malmo International Chamber music festival 2016 in Sweden.

We talk about growing up in Colombia, his training in Germany, meeting his wife Phoebe Russell, and their subsequent move to Australia, and getting established as a bassist there. We also dig into his struggles with a performance injury and the mystery surrounding it, the struggles and discoveries that have come from it, and his move into teaching a large studio of young bassists and doing a PHD in composition.

Enjoy, and be sure to check out Bernardo's website to learn more about this work!

Subscribe to the podcast to get these interviews delivered to you automatically!

Check out our Online Sheet Music Store with 80+ wide-ranging titles for bassists.

Listen to Contrabass Conversations with our free app for iOS, Android, and Kindle.

Check out my Beginner's Classical Bass course, available exclusively from Discover Double Bass.

Thank you to our sponsors!

Contrabass Conversations production team:

Jason Heath, host
Michael Cooper and Steve Hinchey, audio editing
Mitch Moehring, audio engineer
Trevor Jones, publication and promotion
theme music by Eric Hochberg

789: Shawn Conley on his bass path

Mon, 05 Apr 2021 10:00:00 +0000

Shawn Conley leads an inspiring life playing all kinds of music. He has been playing with the Silkroad Ensemble for six years and is a member of the Brooklyn-based chamber orchestra The Knights.

We talk about growing up in Hawaii, his paradigm-shifting first International Society of Bassists Convention and how it shaped his development, his path into his current career, and much more.

Enjoy, and be sure to check out Shawn on Instagram and Facebook!

Subscribe to the podcast to get these interviews delivered to you automatically!

Check out our Online Sheet Music Store with 80+ wide-ranging titles for bassists.

Listen to Contrabass Conversations with our free app for iOS, Android, and Kindle.

Check out my Beginner's Classical Bass course, available exclusively from Discover Double Bass.

Thank you to our sponsors!

Contrabass Conversations production team:

Jason Heath, host
Michael Cooper and Steve Hinchey, audio editing
Mitch Moehring, audio engineer
Trevor Jones, publication and promotion
theme music by Eric Hochberg

788: Travis Gore on orchestra life during a pandemic

Thu, 01 Apr 2021 10:00:00 +0000

Travis Gore has held a position with the Seattle Symphony and currently maintains a private studio of students in South Seattle. He remains an active studio musician and can be heard on major film and game soundtracks such as Men Who Stare at Goats, Valkyrie, Halo, Dragon Age and more.

He has recorded with many recording artists like Bryan John Appleby, Hey Marseilles, Wall of Ears and composes his own music as Feeds On Majesty.

We talk about the audition trail, life in the Pacific Northwest, what it's like playing in the Seattle Symphony, and much more. Enjoy, and be sure to check out Travis' new teaching site seattledoublebasslessons.com!

Subscribe to the podcast to get these interviews delivered to you automatically!

Check out our Online Sheet Music Store with 80+ wide-ranging titles for bassists.

Listen to Contrabass Conversations with our free app for iOS, Android, and Kindle.

Check out my Beginner's Classical Bass course, available exclusively from Discover Double Bass.

Thank you to our sponsors!

Contrabass Conversations production team:

Jason Heath, host
Michael Cooper and Steve Hinchey, audio editing
Mitch Moehring, audio engineer
Trevor Jones, publication and promotion
theme music by Eric Hochberg

787: ISB Young Bassist Program Preview

Mon, 29 Mar 2021 10:00:00 +0000

Learn about the latest Young Bassist program offerings for the 2021 International Society of Bassists Convention in this special episode!

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Check out our Online Sheet Music Store with 80+ wide-ranging titles for bassists.

Listen to Contrabass Conversations with our free app for iOS, Android, and Kindle.

Check out my Beginner's Classical Bass course, available exclusively from Discover Double Bass.

Thank you to our sponsors!

Contrabass Conversations production team:

Jason Heath, host
Michael Cooper and Steve Hinchey, audio editing
Mitch Moehring, audio engineer
Trevor Jones, publication and promotion
theme music by Eric Hochberg

786: Stephen Street on publishing and Bottesini

Thu, 25 Mar 2021 10:00:00 +0000

Stephen Street has been establishing himself as one of the most versatile emerging UK bassists. Equally adept at jazz and classical music, Stephen has studied with Leon Bosch, Chris West, and many other noted UK teachers. He has also started his own publishing house and has the goal to put our urtext editions of all of Bottesini's works.

We talk about Stephen's background, his publishing plans, goals for the future, life as a UK freelance bassist, what the pandemic has been like for him, and much more. Enjoy, and be sure to check out his website and follow him on Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, and Twitter!

Subscribe to the podcast to get these interviews delivered to you automatically!

Check out our Online Sheet Music Store with 80+ wide-ranging titles for bassists.

Listen to Contrabass Conversations with our free app for iOS, Android, and Kindle.

Check out my Beginner's Classical Bass course, available exclusively from Discover Double Bass.

Thank you to our sponsors!

Contrabass Conversations production team:

Jason Heath, host
Michael Cooper and Steve Hinchey, audio editing
Mitch Moehring, audio engineer
Trevor Jones, publication and promotion
theme music by Eric Hochberg

785: Anne-Gabrièle Douce on piano and bass

Mon, 22 Mar 2021 10:00:00 +0000

Anne-Gabrièle Douce is a French bassist and pianist currently living in London. She has built a fascinating career both in the piano and double bass worlds, and she is remarkable at telling her story on platforms like Instagram.

We talk about her early years, similarities and differences in piano and bass pedagogy and performance, what the pandemic has been like for her, and many other topics. Enjoy, and be sure to follow her on Instagram and YouTube!

Subscribe to the podcast to get these interviews delivered to you automatically!

Check out our Online Sheet Music Store with 80+ wide-ranging titles for bassists.

Listen to Contrabass Conversations with our free app for iOS, Android, and Kindle.

Check out my Beginner's Classical Bass course, available exclusively from Discover Double Bass.

Thank you to our sponsors!

Contrabass Conversations production team:

Jason Heath, host
Michael Cooper and Steve Hinchey, audio editing
Mitch Moehring, audio engineer
Trevor Jones, publication and promotion
theme music by Eric Hochberg

784: Makram Aboul Hosn on the Beirut jazz scene

Thu, 18 Mar 2021 10:00:00 +0000

Makram Aboul Hosn is a Lebanon-based jazz bassist and composer. He is also the band leader of Ad-Hoc Trio and the Aboul Hosn Quartet, and has recently released a new album titled Transmigration.

We talk about life in Lebanon, the Beirut jazz scene and the impact that the port explosion has had on the country, Makram's studies and time spent in Europe and New York, and much more. Enjoy, and check out Makram's excellent blog to learn more about his art, craft, and thoughts!

Subscribe to the podcast to get these interviews delivered to you automatically!

Check out our Online Sheet Music Store with 80+ wide-ranging titles for bassists.

Listen to Contrabass Conversations with our free app for iOS, Android, and Kindle.

Check out my Beginner's Classical Bass course, available exclusively from Discover Double Bass.

Thank you to our sponsors!

Contrabass Conversations production team:

Jason Heath, host
Michael Cooper and Steve Hinchey, audio editing
Mitch Moehring, audio engineer
Trevor Jones, publication and promotion
Krista Kopper, archival and cataloging
theme music by Eric Hochberg

783: John Goldsby on Tell Your Story

Mon, 15 Mar 2021 10:00:00 +0000

John Goldsby is one of the world's best-known jazz bassists and a course creator for Discover Double Bass. His latest course Tell Your Story covers the topic of developing jazz soloing abilities.

We talk about this course, what it's like filming courses for Discover Double Bass, John's latest album Segment (check out his website for more info), his very cool recent set with the John Goldsby Trio, which was live-streamed on Facebook through the WDR Big Band, and much more. Enjoy!

Subscribe to the podcast to get these interviews delivered to you automatically!

Check out our Online Sheet Music Store with 125+ wide-ranging titles for bassists.

Listen to Contrabass Conversations with our free app for iOS, Android, and Kindle.

Check out my Beginner's Classical Bass course, available exclusively from Discover Double Bass.

Thank you to our sponsors!

Contrabass Conversations production team:

Jason Heath, host
Michael Cooper and Steve Hinchey, audio editing
Mitch Moehring, audio engineer
Trevor Jones, publication and promotion
Krista Kopper, archival and cataloging
theme music by Eric Hochberg

782: Dave Anderson on a life in composition

Thu, 11 Mar 2021 11:00:00 +0000

Dave Anderson is one of the most well-known composers writing for the double bass. In addition to being internationally acclaimed as a composer, Dave serves as Principal Bass for the Louisiana Philharmonic in New Orleans and for the Britt Festival Orchestra in Oregon.

We dig into all kinds of topics, like what the past year has been like, Dave's recent compositions, including his Nonet for Musaica Chamber Ensemble, which premiered in early 2021. We also dig into our shared past, Dave's adventures in the music world, great stories about Edgar Meyer and Frank Proto, and much more.

Subscribe to the podcast to get these interviews delivered to you automatically!

Check out our Online Sheet Music Store with 80+ wide-ranging titles for bassists.

Listen to Contrabass Conversations with our free app for iOS, Android, and Kindle.

Check out my Beginner's Classical Bass course, available exclusively from Discover Double Bass.

Thank you to our sponsors!

Contrabass Conversations production team:

Jason Heath, host
Michael Cooper and Steve Hinchey, audio editing
Mitch Moehring, audio engineer
Trevor Jones, publication and promotion
Krista Kopper, archival and cataloging
theme music by Eric Hochberg

781: Charles Laux on podcasting for orchestra teachers

Mon, 08 Mar 2021 11:00:00 +0000

Charles Laux is the orchestra director at Alpharetta High School in Alpharetta, Georgia, and is the host of the excellent Orchestra Teacher Podcast. He also runs an incredible website and YouTube Channel dedicated to orchestra teaching, and he is an active clinician and presenter.

We talk about our shared podcasting roots, Charles' path through the music world, his work as a college music education professor in Georgia and as a public school orchestra director in Nevada, Florida, and Ohio, what it's like teaching music for him during the pandemic, and much more. Enjoy!

Subscribe to the podcast to get these interviews delivered to you automatically!

Check out our Online Sheet Music Store with 80+ wide-ranging titles for bassists.

Listen to Contrabass Conversations with our free app for iOS, Android, and Kindle.

Check out my Beginner's Classical Bass course, available exclusively from Discover Double Bass.

Thank you to our sponsors!

Contrabass Conversations production team:

Jason Heath, host
Michael Cooper and Steve Hinchey, audio editing
Mitch Moehring, audio engineer
Trevor Jones, publication and promotion
Krista Kopper, archival and cataloging
theme music by Eric Hochberg

780: Ivy Wong on her orchestral path

Thu, 04 Mar 2021 11:00:00 +0000

Ivy Wong is a member of Switzerland's Orchestre De La Suisse Romande and has had a fascinating path through the music world. We talk about what it's like playing and living in Switzerland, growing up in Hong Kong and moving to New York for college, the ups and downs of freelancing and auditioning in the US, the set of coincidences that led to her auditioning for her current job, mental practice, and much more. We even dig into her former colleague Jonathan Haskell's murder mystery novel about a bassist!

Ivy is awesome, and I know you'll enjoy this conversation!

Subscribe to the podcast to get these interviews delivered to you automatically!

Check out our Online Sheet Music Store with 80+ wide-ranging titles for bassists.

Listen to Contrabass Conversations with our free app for iOS, Android, and Kindle.

Check out my Beginner's Classical Bass course, available exclusively from Discover Double Bass.

Thank you to our sponsors!

Contrabass Conversations production team:

Jason Heath, host
Michael Cooper and Steve Hinchey, audio editing
Mitch Moehring, audio engineer
Trevor Jones, publication and promotion
Krista Kopper, archival and cataloging
theme music by Eric Hochberg

779: Charles Chandler, Amos Yang, and Shinji Eshima on 2LOW

Mon, 01 Mar 2021 14:17:04 +0000

We are talking about the release of Bariolage - Duets for Violoncello and Double Bass by 2LOW, a cello and bass duo made up of San Francisco Symphony members Charles Chandler and Amos Yang. We are also joined by composer and San Francisco Opera and Ballet bassist Shinji Eshima, who composed the title track for this release from 2LOW.

We talk about how Charles and Amos got started in music, Charles working with Shinji as his very first student, details about the album, how this project balances out their work in the symphony, and much more.

Enjoy, and be sure to check out this album on Spotify or wherever you get your music!

Subscribe to the podcast to get these interviews delivered to you automatically!

Check out our Online Sheet Music Store with 80+ wide-ranging titles for bassists.

Listen to Contrabass Conversations with our free app for iOS, Android, and Kindle.

Check out my Beginner's Classical Bass course, available exclusively from Discover Double Bass.

Thank you to our sponsors!

Contrabass Conversations production team:

Jason Heath, host
Michael Cooper and Steve Hinchey, audio editing
Mitch Moehring, audio engineer
Trevor Jones, publication and promotion
Krista Kopper, archival and cataloging
theme music by Eric Hochberg

778: Mitch Moehring on his luthier journey

Thu, 25 Feb 2021 11:00:00 +0000

Mitch Moehring is the owner and operator of Mitch Moehring Strings, a locally owned and operated lutherie shop based in Kilgore, Texas. Mitch Moehring Strings specializes in hand-crafted 5/8 basses with grandiose sound.

Mitch Moehring Strings offers a variety of services including string instrument repair, bow rehairs, rentals, and instrument/bow/supply sales.

We talk about Mitch's path into the luthier world, his teaching career and how it contrasts with life running a string shop, lessons learned at the Oberlin Bass Workshop, and much more.

Enjoy, and be sure to check out Mitch's great shop on Facebook and Instagram!

Subscribe to the podcast to get these interviews delivered to you automatically!

Check out our Online Sheet Music Store with 80+ wide-ranging titles for bassists.

Listen to Contrabass Conversations with our free app for iOS, Android, and Kindle.

Check out my Beginner's Classical Bass course, available exclusively from Discover Double Bass.

Thank you to our sponsors!

Contrabass Conversations production team:

Jason Heath, host
Michael Cooper and Steve Hinchey, audio editing
Mitch Moehring, audio engineer
Trevor Jones, publication and promotion
Krista Kopper, archival and cataloging
theme music by Eric Hochberg

777: Tobias Glöckler on urtext editions

Mon, 22 Feb 2021 11:00:00 +0000

Tobias Glöckler is the associate principal double bass player at the Dresdner Philharmonie and a prizewinner of the International ISB Double Bass Competition (USA). He studied with Konrad Siebach at the Music Conservatory in Leipzig, perfecting his skills with Jeff Bradetich (Chicago) and Ulrich Lau (Stuttgart).

While studying, he was the principal double bass player with the International Gustav Mahler Youth Orchestra under Claudio Abbado. He has performed as a soloist with different orchestras, including the Dresdner Philharmonie with Ton Koopman. In addition he has made recordings for radio and has made guest appearances at diverse music festivals. He is a founding member of and solo bass player with the "ensemble frauenkirche" and has explored a great many chamber music works with the Dresdner String Quintet.

Glöckler teaches at the music conservatory in Dresden. His efforts concerning the revival of the "Viennese Tuning" have been rewarded with a Distinguished Achievement Award for historical performance practice.

We talk about all sort of topics, including:

me meeting Tobias back in the 1990s at Jeff Bradetich's masterclasses
seeing his session in 2016 at Bass Europe in Prague
how Tobias got into creating urtext editions and what he has learned in the process

Enjoy, and be sure to check out Tobias' writing and projects on the Henle blog!

Subscribe to the podcast to get these interviews delivered to you automatically!

Check out our Online Sheet Music Store with 80+ wide-ranging titles for bassists.

Listen to Contrabass Conversations with our free app for iOS, Android, and Kindle.

Check out my Beginner's Classical Bass course, available exclusively from Discover Double Bass.

Thank you to our sponsors!

Contrabass Conversations production team:

Jason Heath, host
Michael Cooper and Steve Hinchey, audio editing
Mitch Moehring, audio engineer
Trevor Jones, publication and promotion
Krista Kopper, archival and cataloging
theme music by Eric Hochberg

776: James Barket on teaching and bass history

Thu, 18 Feb 2021 11:00:00 +0000

James Barket is Orchestra Director at Webb Bridge Middle School in Alpharetta, GA. He also teaches bass at Kennesaw State University, and he did the English translation for Alfred Planyavsky's groundbreaking book The Baroque Double Bass Violone.

We start out by talking about the Midsummers Music Festival and Allyson Fleck, the Assistant Artistic Director. She used to teach at Kennesaw State University in suburban Atlanta along with her husband, who is a conductor.

We dig into all kinds of topics around education and being an orchestra director, James' path through the music world from bassist into the world of teaching, how he came to be the translator for Alfred Planyavsky's book The Baroque Double Bass Violone, and much more. Enjoy!

Subscribe to the podcast to get these interviews delivered to you automatically!

Check out our Online Sheet Music Store with 80+ wide-ranging titles for bassists.

Listen to Contrabass Conversations with our free app for iOS, Android, and Kindle.

Check out my Beginner's Classical Bass course, available exclusively from Discover Double Bass.

Thank you to our sponsors!

Contrabass Conversations production team:

Jason Heath, host
Michael Cooper and Steve Hinchey, audio editing
Mitch Moehring, audio engineer
Trevor Jones, publication and promotion
Krista Kopper, archival and cataloging
theme music by Eric Hochberg

775: Katie Eakes on Alaskan bass life

Mon, 15 Feb 2021 11:00:00 +0000

Katie Eakes is the assistant principal bassist for the Anchorage Symphony and Anchorage Opera. She also has a thriving career as an orchestra teacher, and she was recently profiled on the Anchorage Opera's YouTube Channel.

We talk about what it's like being a bassist in Alaska, the challenges and satisfactions of her professional life, and much more. Enjoy, and be sure to follow Katie on Instagram!

Subscribe to the podcast to get these interviews delivered to you automatically!

Check out our Online Sheet Music Store with 80+ wide-ranging titles for bassists.

Listen to Contrabass Conversations with our free app for iOS, Android, and Kindle.

Check out my Beginner's Classical Bass course, available exclusively from Discover Double Bass.

Thank you to our sponsors!

Contrabass Conversations production team:

Jason Heath, host
Michael Cooper and Steve Hinchey, audio editing
Mitch Moehring, audio engineer
Trevor Jones, publication and promotion
Krista Kopper, archival and cataloging
theme music by Eric Hochberg

774: Dave Krehbiel on going through the door

Thu, 11 Feb 2021 11:00:00 +0000

David Krehbiel is former principal horn player for the Chicago, Detroit, and San Francisco Symphony Orchestras and has recently released an autobiography titled Through the Door: A Horn Player's Journey. He has also served on the faculty of the Colburn School, San Francisco Conservatory, and many other renowned music schools.

We talk about his remarkable journey through the music world, from being hired by Fritz Reiner to his many orchestral pranks, his "Creative Not Caring" philosophy, our remarkable amount of shared history, and much more.

Check out our Online Sheet Music Store with 80+ wide-ranging titles for bassists.

Listen to Contrabass Conversations with our free app for iOS, Android, and Kindle.

Check out my Beginner's Classical Bass course, available exclusively from Discover Double Bass.

Thank you to our sponsors!

Contrabass Conversations production team:

Jason Heath, host
Michael Cooper and Steve Hinchey, audio editing
Mitch Moehring, audio engineer
Trevor Jones, publication and promotion
Krista Kopper, archival and cataloging
theme music by Eric Hochberg

773: Korneel Le Compte on early bass traditions

Mon, 08 Feb 2021 11:00:00 +0000

Korneel Le Compte is the principal bassist for the Belgian National Opera and has extensive experience in the early music world.

We talk about his epic Viennese Violone book Meta Hodos, his remarkable YouTube Channel, his very cool series The Vanhal Tapes, the lives of these past legends of the double bass, and much more.

Enjoy, and be sure to subscribe to Korneel's YouTube Channel!

Subscribe to the podcast to get these interviews delivered to you automatically!

Check out our Online Sheet Music Store with 80+ wide-ranging titles for bassists.

Listen to Contrabass Conversations with our free app for iOS, Android, and Kindle.

Check out my Beginner's Classical Bass course, available exclusively from Discover Double Bass.

Thank you to our sponsors!

Contrabass Conversations production team:

Jason Heath, host
Michael Cooper and Steve Hinchey, audio editing
Mitch Moehring, audio engineer
Trevor Jones, publication and promotion
Krista Kopper, archival and cataloging
theme music by Eric Hochberg

772: Danny Ziemann on jazz bass soloing

Thu, 04 Feb 2021 11:00:00 +0000

Danny Ziemann recently launched his latest book Topics in Jazz Bass Vol. 2: Soloing, and the two of us decided to try something a little different. We hopped on Zoom with our basses and did a quasi interview/bass lesson on how to work on jazz bass soloing.

I hope you enjoy this different format, and be sure to check out Danny's new book on Amazon and follow him on Facebook!

Subscribe to the podcast to get these interviews delivered to you automatically!

Check out our Online Sheet Music Store with 80+ wide-ranging titles for bassists.

Listen to Contrabass Conversations with our free app for iOS, Android, and Kindle.

Check out my Beginner's Classical Bass course, available exclusively from Discover Double Bass.

Thank you to our sponsors!

Practizma - The Practizma practice journal is packed with research based strategies to turn your ho-hum practice into extraordinary practice. Develop your curiosity, discipline, creativity, daring, tenacity and zen. Take a journey with four elements each week: goal setting, reflection prompt, action challenge, and journal pages to track your practice. Curious? Download the introductory chapter of the journal for free - this gives you an idea of what it's all about.

Contrabass Conversations production team:

Jason Heath, host
Michael Cooper and Steve Hinchey, audio editing
Mitch Moehring, audio engineer
Trevor Jones, publication and promotion
Krista Kopper, archival and cataloging
theme music by Eric Hochberg

780: Ivy Wong on her orchestral path

Thu, 04 Feb 2021 11:00:00 +0000

Ivy is awesome, and I know you'll enjoy this conversation!

Subscribe to the podcast to get these interviews delivered to you automatically!

Check out our Online Sheet Music Store with 80+ wide-ranging titles for bassists.

Listen to Contrabass Conversations with our free app for iOS, Android, and Kindle.

Check out my Beginner's Classical Bass course, available exclusively from Discover Double Bass.

Thank you to our sponsors!

Contrabass Conversations production team:

Jason Heath, host
Michael Cooper and Steve Hinchey, audio editing
Mitch Moehring, audio engineer
Trevor Jones, publication and promotion
Krista Kopper, archival and cataloging
theme music by Eric Hochberg

771: Krista Kopper on two years of podcasting

Mon, 01 Feb 2021 11:00:00 +0000

Krista Kopper is a theater bassist and host of The Backstage Creative podcast. She recently celebrated two years of podcasting and put out a thoughtful episode about the challenges and rewards of a long-term project like her podcast.

Enjoy, and be sure to check out The Backstage Creative wherever you listen to podcasts!

Subscribe to the podcast to get these interviews delivered to you automatically!

Check out our Online Sheet Music Store with 80+ wide-ranging titles for bassists.

Listen to Contrabass Conversations with our free app for iOS, Android, and Kindle.

Check out my Beginner's Classical Bass course, available exclusively from Discover Double Bass.

Thank you to our sponsors!

Contrabass Conversations production team:

Jason Heath, host
Michael Cooper and Steve Hinchey, audio editing
Mitch Moehring, audio engineer
Trevor Jones, publication and promotion
Krista Kopper, archival and cataloging
theme music by Eric Hochberg

779: Charles Chandler, Amos Yang, and Shinji Eshima on 2LOW

Mon, 01 Feb 2021 11:00:00 +0000

Enjoy, and be sure to check out this album on Spotify or wherever you get your music!

Subscribe to the podcast to get these interviews delivered to you automatically!

Check out our Online Sheet Music Store with 80+ wide-ranging titles for bassists.

Listen to Contrabass Conversations with our free app for iOS, Android, and Kindle.

Check out my Beginner's Classical Bass course, available exclusively from Discover Double Bass.

Thank you to our sponsors!

Contrabass Conversations production team:

Jason Heath, host
Michael Cooper and Steve Hinchey, audio editing
Mitch Moehring, audio engineer
Trevor Jones, publication and promotion
Krista Kopper, archival and cataloging
theme music by Eric Hochberg

770: Barry Green on thinking ahead

Thu, 28 Jan 2021 11:00:00 +0000

Barry Green is one of the most prolific and creative artists I've even spent time with. He has appeared on the podcast multiple times over the years, and he and I co-organized the International Online Bass Summit during the spring and summer of 2020.

In today's episode, we catch up on all sorts of projects that Barry has been working on, including his incredible Stringersize program and his The Art of a Note article. We also dig into how he approaches projects in general, new ideas he has been developing, and much more. Enjoy!

Subscribe to the podcast to get these interviews delivered to you automatically!

Check out our Online Sheet Music Store with 80+ wide-ranging titles for bassists.

Listen to Contrabass Conversations with our free app for iOS, Android, and Kindle.

Check out my Beginner's Classical Bass course, available exclusively from Discover Double Bass.

Thank you to our sponsors!

Contrabass Conversations production team:

Jason Heath, host
Michael Cooper and Steve Hinchey, audio editing
Mitch Moehring, audio engineer
Trevor Jones, publication and promotion
Krista Kopper, archival and cataloging
theme music by Eric Hochberg

769: Hal Robinson, Ranaan Meyer, and Eric Larson on Wabass

Mon, 25 Jan 2021 11:00:00 +0000

The 14th annual Wabass Institute will be taking place in Wabash, Indiana June 24-29. In this episode, we sit down with faculty members Eric Larson, Hal Robinson, and Ranaan Meyer to learn about this uniquely inspiring program and what it's all about.

Details on how to apply are listed here, and be sure to follow Wabash and other programs of the Honeywell Arts Academy on Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram!

Subscribe to the podcast to get these interviews delivered to you automatically!

Check out our Online Sheet Music Store with 80+ wide-ranging titles for bassists.

Listen to Contrabass Conversations with our free app for iOS, Android, and Kindle.

Check out my Beginner's Classical Bass course, available exclusively from Discover Double Bass.

Thank you to our sponsors!

Contrabass Conversations production team:

Jason Heath, host
Michael Cooper and Steve Hinchey, audio editing
Mitch Moehring, audio engineer
Trevor Jones, publication and promotion
Krista Kopper, archival and cataloging
theme music by Eric Hochberg

768: Aaron Olguin on orchestral playing

Thu, 21 Jan 2021 11:00:00 +0000

Aaron Olguin serves as principal bass for Norway's Trondheim Symphony Orchestra, and he has appeared several times on the podcast in recent years.

We connected for today's episode to discuss bass section playing and the challenges of not falling behind the beat for a recent video, but we cover a lot of other ground and get a general life update on Aaron and how things have been during the pandemic.

Enjoy, and be sure to check out Aaron on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and his website!

Subscribe to the podcast to get these interviews delivered to you automatically!

Check out our Online Sheet Music Store with 80+ wide-ranging titles for bassists.

Listen to Contrabass Conversations with our free app for iOS, Android, and Kindle.

Check out my Beginner's Classical Bass course, available exclusively from Discover Double Bass.

Thank you to our sponsors!

Contrabass Conversations production team:

Jason Heath, host
Michael Cooper and Steve Hinchey, audio editing
Mitch Moehring, audio engineer
Trevor Jones, publication and promotion
Krista Kopper, archival and cataloging
theme music by Eric Hochberg

767: John Van Lierop on orchestral playing

Mon, 18 Jan 2021 11:00:00 +0000

John Van Lierop serves as principal bass for Sinfonia Rotterdam and is a frequent guest principal bass in many European orchestras. We connected to talk about the challenges of leading a bass section for a recent video, but we covered many other topics like John's path through the music world, the effect of strings upon a player's perceptions, rosin, articulation, and much more.

Enjoy, and check out John's playing on Thomas and George Martin's YouTube Channel!

Subscribe to the podcast to get these interviews delivered to you automatically!

Check out our Online Sheet Music Store with 80+ wide-ranging titles for bassists.

Listen to Contrabass Conversations with our free app for iOS, Android, and Kindle.

Check out my Beginner's Classical Bass course, available exclusively from Discover Double Bass.

Thank you to our sponsors!

Contrabass Conversations production team:

Jason Heath, host
Michael Cooper and Steve Hinchey, audio editing
Mitch Moehring, audio engineer
Trevor Jones, publication and promotion
Krista Kopper, archival and cataloging
theme music by Eric Hochberg

766: Thomas Fiorini on orchestral playing

Thu, 14 Jan 2021 11:00:00 +0000

Thomas Fiorini is a member of the bass section of the Brussels Philharmonic and is an active performer in many genres.Equally at home on the bass guitar, he has performed with acts such as Rob Thomas, Gap Mangione, Bjork, Dave Samuels, Gregg Allman and top Belgian singers like Sarah Bettens, Stan Van Samang, Natalia, Niels Destadsbader, Belle Perez, Jean Bosco Safari, Boogie Boy, Wim Leys and N8N.

Thomas is an alumnus of The Berklee College of Music and has received his Bachelor's Degree from Mannes College of Music and Master's Degree from The Lemmensinstituut.

We talk about all kinds of topics, like playing together as a bass section, Tom's path through the music world, his decision to move to Europe and what that experience has been like over the years, and much more.

Enjoy, and be sure to check out Thomas on Facebook, YouTube, and his website!

Subscribe to the podcast to get these interviews delivered to you automatically!

Check out our Online Sheet Music Store with 80+ wide-ranging titles for bassists.

Listen to Contrabass Conversations with our free app for iOS, Android, and Kindle.

Check out my Beginner's Classical Bass course, available exclusively from Discover Double Bass.

Thank you to our sponsors!

Contrabass Conversations production team:

Jason Heath, host
Michael Cooper and Steve Hinchey, audio editing
Mitch Moehring, audio engineer
Trevor Jones, publication and promotion
Krista Kopper, archival and cataloging
theme music by Eric Hochberg

765: Michael Kurth on composition

Mon, 11 Jan 2021 11:00:00 +0000

Michael Kurth has had a remarkable career both as a member of the Atlanta Symphony bass section and as a composer. The Atlanta Symphony has commissioned and premiered many of his orchestral and choral works. A recording on the ASO Media label is scheduled for commercial release on CD and digital platforms in February 2019, including Everything Lasts Forever, A Thousand Words, May Cause Dizziness, and Miserere featuring Grammy Award-winning mezzo-soprano Kelley O'Connor.

We talk about Michael's background, the entertaining way in which he won a spot in the ASO, his composing routines, and much more. Enjoy and be sure to check out Michael on Facebook, Instagram, and his website!

Subscribe to the podcast to get these interviews delivered to you automatically!

Check out our Online Sheet Music Store with 80+ wide-ranging titles for bassists.

Listen to Contrabass Conversations with our free app for iOS, Android, and Kindle.

Check out my Beginner's Classical Bass course, available exclusively from Discover Double Bass.

Thank you to our sponsors!

Contrabass Conversations production team:

Jason Heath, host
Michael Cooper and Steve Hinchey, audio editing
Mitch Moehring, audio engineer
Trevor Jones, publication and promotion
Krista Kopper, archival and cataloging
theme music by Eric Hochberg

764: Brent Edmondson on composing for Netflix

Thu, 07 Jan 2021 11:00:00 +0000

Brent Edmondson has made one of the most remarkable pandemic pivots of any musician I know. After spending the last several years subbing regularly with the Philadelphia Orchestra and performing with many other ensembles, Brent found himself, like so many other musicians, with a blank calendar in front of him.

Brent saw the writing on the wall and reached out to several contacts in other areas of the music industry. He soon found himself deep into the film composing world and is currently writing music for shows in production on Netflix.

We talk about this pivot, what Brent had been focusing on in the years leading up to 2020, what he has learned about himself through this process.

I hope you enjoy this insightful conversation with a dear friend, and be sure to check out Brent's website, his titles on our Sheet Music Store, and my conversation with him from 2016.

Subscribe to the podcast to get these interviews delivered to you automatically!

Check out our Online Sheet Music Store with 80+ wide-ranging titles for bassists.

Listen to Contrabass Conversations with our free app for iOS, Android, and Kindle.

Check out my Beginner's Classical Bass course, available exclusively from Discover Double Bass.

Thank you to our sponsors!

Contrabass Conversations production team:

Jason Heath, host
Michael Cooper and Steve Hinchey, audio editing
Mitch Moehring, audio engineer
Trevor Jones, publication and promotion
Krista Kopper, archival and cataloging
theme music by Eric Hochberg

763: Paul Thompson on developing his YouTube Channel

Mon, 04 Jan 2021 11:00:00 +0000

Paul Thompson has spent the pandemic focusing on his YouTube Channel, and the results have been tremendous. has been playing bass professionally for over 25 years, including recording and touring stints with trumpeter Maynard Ferguson and saxophonist Stanley Turrentine. He is currently an adjunct professor of Jazz Bass at Duquesne University and West Virginia University. He has been an Instrumental Music teacher at his alma mater, Pittsburgh CAPA 6-12 Performing Arts School, since 2005.

We talk about all things YouTube, how Will Lee's sharing of one of Paul's videos caused it to go viral, Paul's background and early years, and how he sees his YouTube Channel developing over the long haul.

Enjoy, and be sure to check out Paul on his website, YouTube, Instagram, and Facebook!

Subscribe to the podcast to get these interviews delivered to you automatically!

Check out our Online Sheet Music Store with 80+ wide-ranging titles for bassists.

Listen to Contrabass Conversations with our free app for iOS, Android, and Kindle.

Check out my Beginner's Classical Bass course, available exclusively from Discover Double Bass.

Thank you to our sponsors!

Contrabass Conversations production team:

Jason Heath, host
Michael Cooper and Steve Hinchey, audio editing
Mitch Moehring, audio engineer
Trevor Jones, publication and promotion
Krista Kopper, archival and cataloging
theme music by Eric Hochberg

762: Jon McCullough-Benner on The Auditioning Bassist's Tool Kit

Sat, 02 Jan 2021 11:00:00 +0000

Jon McCullough-Benner recently released a great new book called An Auditioning Double Bassist's Tool Kit: Bowings, Fingerings, and Useful Tips for Standard Audition Repertoire. In this book, he shares his wealth of knowledge learned over his years in a detailed and compelling fashion.

Jon joined the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra as its Principal Bass in 2017 after serving as Principal Bass for the Oregon Symphony. He also serves as the Assistant Principal Bass for the Grant Park Music Festival Orchestra and is an Artist-Faculty member of Roosevelt University's Chicago College of Performing Arts.

Check out my YouTube review of this book here, and check out my 2017 conversation with Jon for more details about his background. Enjoy!

Subscribe to the podcast to get these interviews delivered to you automatically!

Check out our Online Sheet Music Store with 80+ wide-ranging titles for bassists.

Listen to Contrabass Conversations with our free app for iOS, Android, and Kindle.

Check out my Beginner's Classical Bass course, available exclusively from Discover Double Bass.

Thank you to our sponsors!

Contrabass Conversations production team:

Jason Heath, host
Michael Cooper and Steve Hinchey, audio editing
Mitch Moehring, audio engineer
Trevor Jones, publication and promotion
Krista Kopper, archival and cataloging
theme music by Eric Hochberg

761: Zach VanderGraaff on teaching general music during a pandemic

Mon, 28 Dec 2020 11:00:00 +0000

Zach VanderGraaff is an elementary school general music teacher who has been adapting his teaching during the global pandemic in interesting ways. He launched his website Dynamic Music Room prior to the pandemic, and he has been offering resources like his 9 weeks of online lessons survival pack to teachers looking for guidance in the unfamiliar new format of teaching.

We talk about Zach's background, his wonderful interview for the Musicality Now podcast, the Kodaly method, and much more.

Check out Dynamic Music Room on Facebook and YouTube, and you can use the code JASON55 for $5 off of Zach's 9 weeks of online lessons survival pack through the end of the year!

Subscribe to the podcast to get these interviews delivered to you automatically!

Check out our Online Sheet Music Store with 80+ wide-ranging titles for bassists.

Listen to Contrabass Conversations with our free app for iOS, Android, and Kindle.

Check out my Beginner's Classical Bass course, available exclusively from Discover Double Bass.

Thank you to our sponsors!

Contrabass Conversations production team:

Jason Heath, host
Michael Cooper and Steve Hinchey, audio editing
Mitch Moehring, audio engineer
Trevor Jones, publication and promotion
Krista Kopper, archival and cataloging
theme music by Eric Hochberg

760: Garrett Hope on Dorico and portfolio careers

Sat, 26 Dec 2020 11:00:00 +0000

In addition to a thriving career as a composer and podcast host, Garrett Hope has been using Steinberg's new music notation software Dorico for several years. After having Daniel Spreadbury, Product Marketing Manager for Dorico, on the podcast, I decided to sit down with Garrett to talk through my experiences with the software as a novice and his as a seasoned professional.

We also talk about how Garrett has been adapting to changes brought about by the pandemic, how musicians can continue to build their portfolio careers despite the current challenges of live performance, and much more.

Check out Garrett's 2016 appearance on the podcast, and be sure to subscribe to his excellent podcast as well!

Subscribe to the podcast to get these interviews delivered to you automatically!

Check out our Online Sheet Music Store with 90+ wide-ranging titles for bassists.

Check out my Beginner's Classical Bass course, available exclusively from Discover Double Bass.

Thank you to our sponsors!

Contrabass Conversations production team:

Jason Heath, host
Michael Cooper and Steve Hinchey, audio editing
Mitch Moehring, audio engineer
Trevor Jones, publication and promotion
Krista Kopper, archival and cataloging
theme music by Eric Hochberg

759: Susan Cahill on reimagining senior recitals

Mon, 21 Dec 2020 11:00:00 +0000

Susan Cahill has been rethinking the entire senior recital experience for her students at the University of Denver's Lamont School of Music.

In addition to playing a traditional senior recital, she has reconfigured the senior recital concept into a variety of new options:

Composition for bassists
Multi Instrumental Techniques for bassists
Chamber Techniques for bassists
Orchestral Auditioning for bassists
Not for Profit Study for bassists
Pedagogy and Studio Creation for bassists

Learn more about Susan on her website, and check out her past podcast appearances as well!

Subscribe to the podcast to get these interviews delivered to you automatically!

Check out our Online Sheet Music Store with 80+ wide-ranging titles for bassists.

Listen to Contrabass Conversations with our free app for iOS, Android, and Kindle.

Check out my Beginner's Classical Bass course, available exclusively from Discover Double Bass.

Thank you to our sponsors!

Contrabass Conversations production team:

Jason Heath, host
Michael Cooper and Steve Hinchey, audio editing
Mitch Moehring, audio engineer
Trevor Jones, publication and promotion
Krista Kopper, archival and cataloging
theme music by Eric Hochberg

758: Trevor Jones on the cost of college

Thu, 17 Dec 2020 11:00:00 +0000

We're talking today with Trevor Jones of The Scholarship Roadmap about the value of a college education and the critical importance of finding a school that fits a student's needs and a scholarship that makes it possible.

Trevor is doing great work connecting students to colleges. Learn more about his work on his website, and follow The Scholarship Roadmap on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. Register for his upcoming workshop on December 19th for student musicians and their parents covering non-audition topics.

Subscribe to the podcast to get these interviews delivered to you automatically!

Check out our Online Sheet Music Store with 80+ wide-ranging titles for bassists.

Listen to Contrabass Conversations with our free app for iOS, Android, and Kindle.

Check out my Beginner's Classical Bass course, available exclusively from Discover Double Bass.

Thank you to our sponsors!

Contrabass Conversations production team:

Jason Heath, host
Michael Cooper and Steve Hinchey, audio editing
Mitch Moehring, audio engineer
Trevor Jones, publication and promotion
Krista Kopper, archival and cataloging
theme music by Eric Hochberg

757: David White on music school vs real world experience

Mon, 14 Dec 2020 11:00:00 +0000

We're joined today by past podcast guest David White, who has played for many Broadway and National Touring shows, including Charlie & The Chocolate Factory, The Bridges Of Madison County, Motown: The Musical, The Producers, HAIR!, Guys & Dolls and The Illusionists: Turn Of The Century.

We talk about a wide array of topics, including the pandemic's effect on musical theatre and how various companies are handling this crisis. We also dig into the value that music school actually offers and whether this is the best path for many aspiring performers.

Enjoy, and be sure to check out David's website and his YouTube Channel!

Subscribe to the podcast to get these interviews delivered to you automatically!

Check out our Online Sheet Music Store with 80+ wide-ranging titles for bassists.

Listen to Contrabass Conversations with our free app for iOS, Android, and Kindle.

Check out my Beginner's Classical Bass course, available exclusively from Discover Double Bass.

Thank you to our sponsors!

Contrabass Conversations production team:

Jason Heath, host
Michael Cooper and Steve Hinchey, audio editing
Mitch Moehring, audio engineer
Trevor Jones, publication and promotion
Krista Kopper, archival and cataloging
theme music by Eric Hochberg

756: Brandi Disterheft on Surfboard and NYC life

Thu, 10 Dec 2020 11:00:00 +0000

Brandi Disterheft's latest album Surfboard, featuring tenor sax legend George Coleman and Brazilian drummer Portinho, has been turning a lot of heads since its release. The project gestated in Disterheft's decade-long musical relationship with Portinho, whom she met through Mueller soon after she moved to New York from Canada in 2010 to study with Ron Carter.

We talk about this new album, what it was like growing up in Vancouver, her musical family, and how that shaped her career, long bus rides from Toronto to study with Ron Carter, and much more.

Enjoy, and be sure to check out Surfboard and also follow Brandi on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube!

Listen to Contrabass Conversations with our free app for iOS, Android, and Kindle!

Check out my Beginner's Classical Bass course, available exclusively from Discover Double Bass!

Thank you to our sponsors!

Contrabass Conversations production team:

Jason Heath, host
Michael Cooper and Steve Hinchey, audio editing
Mitch Moehring, audio engineer
Trevor Jones, publication and promotion
Krista Kopper, archival and cataloging
theme music by Eric Hochberg

Subscribe to the podcast to get these interviews delivered to you automatically!

755: Jeremy Watt on pandemic projects and auditioning later in life

Mon, 07 Dec 2020 11:00:00 +0000

Originally from Australia, Jeremy Watt spent 16 years freelancing through the UK and Europe, including stints as guest principal in Spanish, Norwegian and UK orchestras. Jeremy worked extensively with the UK's finest ensembles, including the Philharmonia and London Symphony Orchestras. In 2018, Jeremy obtained a permanent position with the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra.

During the pandemic, Jeremy carved out time from his frenetic schedule of pandemic-induced childcare to record himself playing all the parts of Colin Brumby's Suite for Four Basses. This turned out to be a surprisingly satisfying musical outlet for him.

We talk about this pandemic project, Jeremy's background, the twists and turns of his career, what it's like auditioning after 16 years of freelancing, and much more.

Enjoy, and be sure to check out Jeremy's website and his recording of the Brumby Suite!

Listen to Contrabass Conversations with our free app for iOS, Android, and Kindle!

Check out my Beginner's Classical Bass course, available exclusively from Discover Double Bass!

Thank you to our sponsors!

Contrabass Conversations production team:

Jason Heath, host
Michael Cooper and Steve Hinchey, audio editing
Mitch Moehring, audio engineer
Trevor Jones, publication and promotion
Krista Kopper, archival and cataloging
theme music by Eric Hochberg

754: Kris Funn on life in the greatest city in America

Thu, 03 Dec 2020 11:00:00 +0000

Born and raised in Baltimore, Maryland, Kris Funn is part of the jazz faculty at the Peabody Institute of Johns Hopkins. Kris released his first debut album, Cornerstore, in 2017, and he is an active performer internationally and in the Baltimore/Washington D.C. area.

We dig into all kinds of topics, like what Baltimore is like (and if HBO's show The Wire captured the city's essence!), Kris' upbringing and musical background, the art and writing he has begun to create during the pandemic, stories from the road, and much more.

Enjoy, and be sure to follow Kris on Spotify, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter!

Listen to Contrabass Conversations with our free app for iOS, Android, and Kindle!

Check out my Beginner's Classical Bass course, available exclusively from Discover Double Bass!

Thank you to our sponsors!

Contrabass Conversations production team:

Jason Heath, host
Michael Cooper and Steve Hinchey, audio editing
Mitch Moehring, audio engineer
Trevor Jones, publication and promotion
Krista Kopper, archival and cataloging
theme music by Eric Hochberg

Subscribe to the podcast to get these interviews delivered to you automatically!

753: Bobby Scharmann on leveling up on YouTube

Mon, 30 Nov 2020 11:00:00 +0000

Bobby Scharmann has been making cool YouTube videos since the pandemic broke out, and a recent one titled Specialization vs. Diversification prompted me to get in touch with him about doing an interview. We talk about how he is putting together his videos, finding topics to cover, leveling up in terms of skill with each video, life as a gigging musician in Omaha, and also about specialization and the benefits and pitfalls.

Be sure to check out Bobby's YouTube Channel and also follow him on Instagram!

Listen to Contrabass Conversations with our free app for iOS, Android, and Kindle!

Check out my Beginner's Classical Bass course, available exclusively from Discover Double Bass!

Thank you to our sponsors!

Contrabass Conversations production team:

Jason Heath, host
Michael Cooper and Steve Hinchey, audio editing
Mitch Moehring, audio engineer
Trevor Jones, publication and promotion
Krista Kopper, archival and cataloging
theme music by Eric Hochberg

Subscribe to the podcast to get these interviews delivered to you automatically!

752: James Newcomb and Jason talk podcasting and business

Mon, 23 Nov 2020 11:00:00 +0000

This is an off-the-cuff and laid-back conversation with my friend and fellow podcaster James Newcomb all about what goes on behind the scenes of a podcast. We get into the business of podcasting, nuts and bolts of approaching content, mindset, and much more.

Enjoy, and be sure to check out James' podcast Musicpreneur!

Listen to Contrabass Conversations with our free app for iOS, Android, and Kindle!

Check out my Beginner's Classical Bass course, available exclusively from Discover Double Bass!

Thank you to our sponsors!

Contrabass Conversations production team:

Jason Heath, host
Michael Cooper and Steve Hinchey, audio editing
Mitch Moehring, audio engineer
Trevor Jones, publication and promotion
Krista Kopper, archival and cataloging
theme music by Eric Hochberg

751: Alison Rayner on a life in jazz

Thu, 19 Nov 2020 11:00:00 +0000

Short Stories, Alison Rayner's latest album with her quintet, has been getting critical acclaim in the UK and worldwide. In this interview, we dig into Alison's journey through the music world, how the pandemic has affected the quintet's plans, what it has been like to play gigs again after so any months, what the British jazz scene is like and how it has changed over the years, her London partnership Blow the Fuse, and much more.

Enjoy, and be sure to check out Alison's website and follow her on YouTube and Facebook!

Listen to Contrabass Conversations with our free app for iOS, Android, and Kindle!

Check out my Beginner's Classical Bass course, available exclusively from Discover Double Bass!

Thank you to our sponsors!

Contrabass Conversations production team:

Jason Heath, host
Michael Cooper and Steve Hinchey, audio editing
Mitch Moehring, audio engineer
Trevor Jones, publication and promotion
Krista Kopper, archival and cataloging
theme music by Eric Hochberg

Subscribe to the podcast to get these interviews delivered to you automatically!

750: Scott Pingel and Metallica

Mon, 16 Nov 2020 11:00:00 +0000

San Francisco Symphony principal bassist and San Francisco Conservatory bass faculty member Scott Pingel had a unique opportunity in 2019 to play a Cliff Burton tribute solo in front of two packed houses with Metallica and the San Francisco Symphony. Scott and I sat down in the fall of 2019 to talk about this project, the cool backstory behind it, going to play for Metallica and the band's staff to demo his idea, and much more.

This interview was the bassist for the cover story for the fall 2020 edition of Bass World, the journal of the International Society of Bassists. Enjoy, and be sure to follow Scott on Instagram!

Listen to Contrabass Conversations with our free app for iOS, Android, and Kindle!

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Contrabass Conversations production team:

Jason Heath, host
Michael Cooper and Steve Hinchey, audio editing
Mitch Moehring, audio engineer
Trevor Jones, publication and promotion
Krista Kopper, archival and cataloging
theme music by Eric Hochberg

749: Mike Bullock on the experimental bass scene

Thu, 12 Nov 2020 11:00:00 +0000

Mike Bullock is a composer, improviser, visual artist, and writer based in Western Massachusetts. Mike has been performing since the mid 90s at venues across the US and in Europe, including Fylkingen in Stockholm, Sweden; Instants Chavirés in Paris; Café OTO in London; Experimental Intermedia and ISSUE Project Room in New York City; The Philadelphia Museum of Art; and EMPAC in Troy, NY. In June 2015, Bullock received a Performance Grant from the Pew Center for Arts and Heritage.

We talk about his early years, how he discovered his creative calling, the concept of self-idiomatic music, how Covid has impacted his plans, the western Massachusetts creative music scene, and much more.

Enjoy, and be sure to check out Mike's website and bandcamp page and follow him on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and Vimeo!

Listen to Contrabass Conversations with our free app for iOS, Android, and Kindle!

Check out my Beginner's Classical Bass course, available exclusively from Discover Double Bass!

Thank you to our sponsors!

Contrabass Conversations production team:

Jason Heath, host
Michael Cooper and Steve Hinchey, audio editing
Mitch Moehring, audio engineer
Trevor Jones, publication and promotion
Krista Kopper, archival and cataloging
theme music by Eric Hochberg

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748: Luke Stewart on the Washington, DC music scene

Mon, 09 Nov 2020 11:00:00 +0000

Luke Stewart is a DC/NYC-based musician and organizer of important musical presentations and has a strong presence in the national and international Improvised Music community. He was profiled in the Washington Post in early 2017 as "holding down the jazz scene," selected as "Best Musical Omnivore" in the Washington City Paper's 2017 "Best of DC," chosen as "Jazz Artist of the Year" for 2017 in the District Now, and in the 2014 People Issue of the Washington City Paper as a "Jazz Revolutionary," citing his multifaceted cultural activities throughout DC.

We talk about his upbringing in Mississippi, the DC music scene, how Covid has affected aspects of this scene, his personal goals moving forward, working in broadcasting, and much more.

Enjoy, and be sure to check out Luke on Instagram, Twitter, and Soundcloud!

Listen to Contrabass Conversations with our free app for iOS, Android, and Kindle!

Check out my Beginner's Classical Bass course, available exclusively from Discover Double Bass!

Thank you to our sponsors!

Contrabass Conversations production team:

Jason Heath, host
Michael Cooper and Steve Hinchey, audio editing
Mitch Moehring, audio engineer
Trevor Jones, publication and promotion
Krista Kopper, archival and cataloging
theme music by Eric Hochberg

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747: Daniel Spreadbury on next-generation music notation

Thu, 05 Nov 2020 11:00:00 +0000

Daniel Spreadbury is the Product Marketing Manager for Steinberg's professional scoring application Dorico. Before joining Steinberg, Daniel and many members of the Dorico team worked for many years on the Sibelius music notation software.

We discuss the innovative approach Dorico takes to user interface, how Adobe Lightroom influenced the initial development of Dorico, lessons learned from legacy products like Sibelius and Finale, and much more.

Enjoy, and pick up a free version of Dorico SE to experiment with all the interface and design concepts that we dig into here!

Listen to Contrabass Conversations with our free app for iOS, Android, and Kindle!

Check out my Beginner's Classical Bass course, available exclusively from Discover Double Bass!

Thank you to our sponsors!

Contrabass Conversations production team:

Jason Heath, host
Michael Cooper and Steve Hinchey, audio editing
Mitch Moehring, audio engineer
Trevor Jones, publication and promotion
Krista Kopper, archival and cataloging
theme music by Eric Hochberg

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746: Nicholas Walker on benefits of remote teaching

Mon, 02 Nov 2020 11:00:00 +0000

Nicholas Walker faced a vastly different school environment upon returning from his sabbatical from Ithaca College this fall, and he has found several innovative ways to use online teaching to enhance the way he is working with his students.

We chat about the four pedagogical components of his approach (fundamentals, performance, deliberate practice, and lessons), how his weekly program runs, how he uses pre-recorded videos to enhance the teaching experience, thinking of lessons as meetings, and much more.

Enjoy, and be sure to check out Nicholas on YouTube as well as a video presentation of the ideas we discussed in this podcast!

Listen to Contrabass Conversations with our free app for iOS, Android, and Kindle!

Check out my Beginner's Classical Bass course, available exclusively from Discover Double Bass!

Subscribe to the podcast to get these interviews delivered to you automatically!

Thank you to our sponsors!

Contrabass Conversations production team:

Jason Heath, host
Michael Cooper and Steve Hinchey, audio editing
Mitch Moehring, audio engineer
Trevor Jones, publication and promotion
Krista Kopper, archival and cataloging
theme music by Eric Hochberg

745: Heiri Kaenzig on jazz and World Music

Thu, 29 Oct 2020 10:00:00 +0000

When Gary Karr reached out to me asking about a piece of software named JackTrip, I was determined to learn more about it and share my findings with the bass community. I soon found myself on the Networked Music Performance Resources page of UV Irvine professor Michael Dessen, and soon thereafter I found myself on a call with Michael and his longtime collaborator Mark Dresser.

I also found myself going through the excellent JackTrip tutorial laid out on the YouTube Channel of Jan Stoltenberg, a graduate student at Stanford University's Center for Computer Research in Music and Acoustics. Jan is an enthusiast of spatial audio and has several cool projects that he is working on which are featured here and also on his YouTube Channel.

This episode first features Michael and Mark talking about their experiences with telematic performance, big picture concepts about latency (also explained by Christian McBride in this excellent NPR video), and how this kind of connectivity opens up a whole new world of possibilities. We then feature my conversation with Jan Stoltenberg about his experiences with JackTrip, spatial audio, and thoughts on the future of telematic performance.

Enjoy, and be sure to check out the JackTrip website for more information about this rapidly evolving open source product!

Listen to Contrabass Conversations with our free app for iOS, Android, and Kindle!

Check out my Beginner's Classical Bass course, available exclusively from Discover Double Bass!

Thank you to our sponsors!

Contrabass Conversations production team:

Jason Heath, host
Michael Cooper and Steve Hinchey, audio editing
Mitch Moehring, audio engineer
Trevor Jones, publication and promotion
Krista Kopper, archival and cataloging
theme music by Eric Hochberg

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744: Networked Music Performance with Michael Dessen, Mark Dresser, and Jan Stoltenberg

Mon, 26 Oct 2020 10:00:00 +0000

Enjoy, and be sure to check out the JackTrip website for more information about this rapidly evolving open-source product!

Listen to Contrabass Conversations with our free app for iOS, Android, and Kindle!

Check out my Beginner's Classical Bass course, available exclusively from Discover Double Bass!

Thank you to our sponsors!

Contrabass Conversations production team:

Jason Heath, host
Michael Cooper and Steve Hinchey, audio editing
Mitch Moehring, audio engineer
Trevor Jones, publication and promotion
Krista Kopper, archival and cataloging
theme music by Eric Hochberg

743: Do We Need Music School with Jason Haaheim

Thu, 22 Oct 2020 10:00:00 +0000

Jason Haaheim, principal timpanist of the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, joins us again on this episode to dig into one specific topic:

What's the value of music school?

Instead of going to music school, Jason got a PhD and worked for 10 years as an engineer and researcher for a Chicago-based nanotechnology startup. During this time, he used principles of deliberate practice to continue improving, eventually winning the audition for his current position with the MET.

If he didn't need to go to music school to make it to the top of the profession, does anybody? It's not an easy question, and there's not an easy answer, but it's a topic that is worth considering, and I hope you find it valuable.

Enjoy, and be sure to check out Jason's website for more about his musical journey plus information about his next upcoming Deliberate Practice Bootcamp Online.

742: An Impossible Choice with Zach Finkelstein and Dana Lynne Varga

Mon, 19 Oct 2020 10:00:00 +0000

Zach Finkelstein and Dana Lynne Varga turned a lot of heads earlier this year with their co-authored article An Impossible Choice: Music Majors, COVID-19, and an Uncertain Future.

We dig into this complicated topic, plus the unique challenges vocalists face in their career, the concept of a correlating career, the pitfalls of Young Artist Programs, and much more.

Enjoy, and be sure to check out Dana's site The Empowered Musician, Zach's site The Middleclass Artist, plus check out Zach's latest album and MassOpera, which Dana co-directs.

Listen to Contrabass Conversations with our free app for iOS, Android, and Kindle!

Check out my Beginner's Classical Bass course, available exclusively from Discover Double Bass!

Thank you to our sponsors!

Contrabass Conversations production team:

Jason Heath, host
Michael Cooper and Steve Hinchey, audio editing
Mitch Moehring, audio engineer
Trevor Jones, publication and promotion
Krista Kopper, archival and cataloging
theme music by Eric Hochberg

741: Derrick Hodge on Color of Noize

Thu, 15 Oct 2020 10:00:00 +0000

Derrick Hodge's latest Blue Note solo album Color of Noize is incredible and is the latest chapter in his multifaceted artistic life. Since releasing the album, which was co-produced by Don Was, it's his first album to feature a live band throughout.

We cover a wide range of topics, including his creative approach to his Color of Noize Instagram Live Sunday Sessions, the thoughtful interview he did recently with Mitch Joel for No Treble, capturing ideas and how that process has evolved, why his Temple University schooling was so important to his artistic development and much more. Derrick also answers several questions submitted by podcast listeners, and his warmth and spirit radiate throughout the entire conversation.

Be sure to pick up Color of Noize, visit Derrick's website, and follow him on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram!

Listen to Contrabass Conversations with our free app for iOS, Android, and Kindle!

Check out my Beginner's Classical Bass course, available exclusively from Discover Double Bass!

Thank you to our sponsors!

Contrabass Conversations production team:

Jason Heath, host
Michael Cooper and Steve Hinchey, audio editing
Mitch Moehring, audio engineer
Trevor Jones, publication and promotion
Krista Kopper, archival and cataloging
theme music by Eric Hochberg

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740: Linda May Han Oh on her artistic journey

Mon, 12 Oct 2020 10:00:00 +0000

Linda May Han Oh's 2019 album Aventurine on Biophilia Records recently received the award "Best New Work - Jazz" from Art Music Awards, and it's the latest in a series of wide-ranging projects from this innovative artist. Linda recently relocated to her hometown of Perth, Australia, and she is teaching full-time for the Berklee College of Music.

We talk about the pandemic, travels to Australia, the unique Biopholio™ physical medium, composing, and much more. Enjoy, and be sure to check out Aventurine and her website and follow her on YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram!

Listen to Contrabass Conversations with our free app for iOS, Android, and Kindle!

Check out my Beginner's Classical Bass course, available exclusively from Discover Double Bass!

Thank you to our sponsors!

Practizma - The Practizma practice journal is packed with research-based strategies to turn your ho-hum practice into extraordinary practice. Develop your curiosity, discipline, creativity, daring, tenacity and zen. Take a journey with four elements each week: goal setting, reflection prompt, action challenge, and journal pages to track your practice. Curious? Download the introductory chapter of the journal for free - this gives you an idea of what it's all about.

Contrabass Conversations production team:

Jason Heath, host
Michael Cooper and Steve Hinchey, audio editing
Mitch Moehring, audio engineer
Trevor Jones, publication and promotion
Krista Kopper, archival and cataloging
theme music by Eric Hochberg

739: Jeff Picker on creating his own genre

Thu, 08 Oct 2020 10:00:00 +0000

With the Bass in Mind the debut solo album from Jeff Picker, is being released on October 9th. This album reimagines the contemporary string band, drawing on the harmonic, metric, and improvisational intrigue of his jazz background, while never straying too far from the front porch.

Past podcast guest Michael Thurber connected us to chat about this cool project. We dig into how the pandemic has been for him, what it's like touring with artists like Ricky Skaggs, Mark O'Connor, and Sarah Jarosz, making the move from New York City to Nashville, his pivot from jazz into roots music, and much more.

Be sure to follow Jeff on Facebook and Instagram, and pre-order his debut solo album on bandcamp, iTunes, and Amazon!

Listen to Contrabass Conversations with our free app for iOS, Android, and Kindle!

Check out my Beginner's Classical Bass course, available exclusively from Discover Double Bass!

Thank you to our sponsors!

Contrabass Conversations production team:

Jason Heath, host
Michael Cooper and Steve Hinchey, audio editing
Mitch Moehring, audio engineer
Trevor Jones, publication and promotion
Krista Kopper, archival and cataloging
theme music by Eric Hochberg

Subscribe to the podcast to get these interviews delivered to you automatically!

Christopher Still launches Honesty Pill podcast

Wed, 07 Oct 2020 20:40:36 +0000

Honesty Pill is the project of Christopher Still, a trumpet player with the Los Angeles Philharmonic. Chris creates focused, actionable plans that help musicians and other creatives address the issues standing between them and their goals.

Chris has just launched the Honesty Pill podcast, and his first guest was Trevor Jones from The Scholarship Roadmap and also a member of the Contrabass Conversations team.

Enjoy, and be sure to check out Chris' new podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

Adam Booker and Miles Brown on new ISB youth competition

Wed, 07 Oct 2020 16:01:04 +0000

Adam Booker and Miles Brown are launching a new 14 and under jazz competition for the 2021 International Society of Bassists Convention in Lincoln, Nebraska.

Miles and Adam share details on this short episode, and you can learn more by visiting the ISB website here.

738: Ian Hallas on four auditions for the same ensemble

Mon, 05 Oct 2020 10:00:00 +0000

Ian Hallas has had quite a journey on the road to his position as Principal Bass of the Lyric Opera Orchestra. We first spoke for the podcast in early 2016 after winning a section bass position, and he won three additional auditions for Lyric for title chairs.

We talk about what it's like auditioning for another job in your same orchestra, how his audition process has evolved since our conversation four years ago, what he learned along the journey, and much more!

Ian teaches bass privately and also for Northwestern University, so don't hesitate to send him an email if you'd like to study with this incredible teacher!

About Ian:

Ian Hallas began his tenure as Principal Bass of the Lyric Opera Orchestra in 2019 after joining the section in 2016. He holds a bachelor's degree with Distinction in Research and Creativity from Rice University where he studied with Paul Ellison as well as a master's degree from the University of Southern California under David Moore. He has also been heavily influenced by Chris Hanulik and Todd Seeber and has worked extensively with master luthier Mike Shank. In addition to the Lyric Opera, Ian has performed with the Los Angeles Philharmonic, the Detroit, Atlanta and Milwaukee Symphonies and the Grant Park Orchestra.

Ian was an award-winning fellow at the Tanglewood Music Center. He was also an invited guest chamber musician at Spoleto Festival USA where he performed with the St. Lawrence quartet and members of the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center. Additionally, he has attended the Aspen Music Festival, Music Academy of the West, and Domaine Forget Summer Music Academy. He serves on faculty at Northwestern's Bienen School of Music and maintains a private studio on the north shore of Chicago. He also teaches at the National Music Festival and was a teaching assistant at the Double Bass Workshop at BUTI.

In his spare time, Ian enjoys running, laughing and spending time with his wife, playing with his two Siberian Forest cats and expanding his bourbon collection.

Listen to Contrabass Conversations with our free app for iOS, Android, and Kindle!

Check out my Beginner's Classical Bass course, available exclusively from Discover Double Bass!

Subscribe to the podcast to get these interviews delivered to you automatically!

Thank you to our sponsors!

Contrabass Conversations production team:

Jason Heath, host
Michael Cooper and Steve Hinchey, audio editing
Mitch Moehring, audio engineer
Trevor Jones, publication and promotion
Krista Kopper, archival and cataloging
theme music by Eric Hochberg

737: Musicians for the World

Thu, 01 Oct 2020 10:00:00 +0000

Musicians for the World is a non-profit incorporated in the spring of 2020 to give free musical education to students in need globally. So far, they have over 150 students in Haiti, Peru, and Mexico.

Bassist Adam Rowton reached out to me about doing an interview with him and co-founders Jesus Saenz and Kelley McGarry, and it was great to learn about this new organization and their inspiring mission.

Jesus, Kelley, and Adam are looking for staff and volunteers as they continue to increase their fundraising efforts, so be sure to contact them if you would like to get involved in some capacity. Learn more about this new organization on their website, and follow along with them on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube!

Listen to Contrabass Conversations with our free app for iOS, Android, and Kindle!

Check out my Beginner's Classical Bass course, available exclusively from Discover Double Bass!

Contrabass Conversations production team:

Jason Heath, host
Michael Cooper and Steve Hinchey, audio editing
Mitch Moehring, audio engineer
Trevor Jones, publication and promotion
Krista Kopper, archival and cataloging
theme music by Eric Hochberg

Subscribe to the podcast to get these interviews delivered to you automatically!

736: Fumi Tomita on playing jazz and academia

Mon, 28 Sep 2020 10:00:00 +0000

Fumi Tomita just released a new album called Celebrating Bird: A Tribute To Charlie Parker. This new release from Fumi explores the ideas of Bird in a fresh and creative way.

We dig into all kinds of topics, like what it was like growing up in New York City, Fumi's move into academia, and his current position at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, the surprises and opportunities of this career pivot, and much more.

Check out the latest album and more on Fumi's website, and be sure follow along with him on YouTube and Instagram!

Listen to Contrabass Conversations with our free app for iOS, Android, and Kindle!

Check out my Beginner's Classical Bass course, available exclusively from Discover Double Bass!

Contrabass Conversations production team:

Jason Heath, host
Michael Cooper and Steve Hinchey, audio editing
Mitch Moehring, audio engineer
Trevor Jones, publication and promotion
Krista Kopper, archival and cataloging
theme music by Eric Hochberg

Subscribe to the podcast to get these interviews delivered to you automatically!

735: Chris Lightcap on forging a path in jazz

Thu, 24 Sep 2020 10:00:00 +0000

Chris Lightcap is a bassist and composer with over 80 album credits and six critically acclaimed albums of original music. Chris is known for his work with Marc Ribot, Regina Carter, Craig Taborn, and many other noted artists, and his 2019 album SuperBigmouth was listed by Rolling Stone in their Best Jazz of 2019 article.

We dig into Chris' early years, his circuitous path through the music world, his appearance on the burning ambulance podcast, and much more.

Enjoy, and be sure to check out Chris and his great albums on his website and follow along with him on Facebook snd Instagram!

Listen to Contrabass Conversations with our free app for iOS, Android, and Kindle!

Check out my Beginner's Classical Bass course, available exclusively from Discover Double Bass!

Contrabass Conversations production team:

Jason Heath, host
Michael Cooper and Steve Hinchey, audio editing
Mitch Moehring, audio engineer
Trevor Jones, publication and promotion
Krista Kopper, archival and cataloging
theme music by Eric Hochberg

Subscribe to the podcast to get these interviews delivered to you automatically!

Creating a Discover Double Bass Course - a look inside my process

Wed, 23 Sep 2020 18:36:01 +0000

Here's a deep-dive into the process I used to plan for my Beginner's Classical Bass course on Discover Double Bass.

Get course for 25% off until Sunday September 27 by following this link: https://bit.ly/JASON25

LINKS AND RESOURCES MENTIONED

Rob Knopper - AuditionHacker https://www.robknopper.com/auditionhacker

forScore - https://forscore.co/

Notion - https://www.presonus.com/products/notion

Dorico - https://new.steinberg.net/dorico/

Gary Karr course from DC Music School - https://www.dc-musicschool.com/store/in-the-style-of-gary-karr-vol1/

---------

all things double bass - https://doublebassblog.org

double bass podcast - https://contrabassconversations.com

instagram - https://instagram.com/contrabassconversations

twitter - https://twitter.com/cbc_podcast

facebook - https://facebook.com/contrabassconversations

newsletter: https://doublebassblog.org/email

course - https://courses.discoverdoublebass.com/p/beginners-classical-bass/?coupon_code=JASON

734: Heidi Kay Begay of Flute 360 podcast

Mon, 21 Sep 2020 10:00:00 +0000

Heidi Kay Begay is the host of the Flute 360 Podcast as well as a flutist, teacher, and non-profit organizer. She and I connected to talk about all things podcasting, and she cross-posted this conversation on her podcast as well.

We dig into content creation, daily and weekly routines, social media and marketing, email newsletters, and much more. Heidi also recently featured my friend and colleague (and fellow bassist!) Garrett Hope, which was an inspiring and thought-provoking conversation.

Enjoy, and be sure to follow Heidi's great work on Instagram and Facebook!

Listen to Contrabass Conversations with our free app for iOS, Android, and Kindle!

Check out my Beginner's Classical Bass course, available exclusively from Discover Double Bass!

Contrabass Conversations production team:

Jason Heath, host
Michael Cooper and Steve Hinchey, audio editing
Mitch Moehring, audio engineer
Trevor Jones, publication and promotion
Krista Kopper, archival and cataloging
theme music by Eric Hochberg

Subscribe to the podcast to get these interviews delivered to you automatically!

733: Alan Lewine on Sephardic Treasures

Thu, 17 Sep 2020 10:00:00 +0000

I've had the good fortune to work with Alan Lewine on the International Society of Bassists board for several years, and his artistic journey has always seemed fascinating to me. The recent release of Sephardic Treasures, his latest album with his wife Ana María Ruimonte, was a good excuse to sit down and chat about his multifaceted career and unconventional journey.

We dig into Alan's path through the music world, the decision to go to law school and the career shift that resulted, this new chapter in his life after retiring, the latest album, and much more.

Check out the latest album here and on Ansonica Records, and be sure to follow along with Alan and Owlsong Productions on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube!

Listen to Contrabass Conversations with our free app for iOS, Android, and Kindle!

Contrabass Conversations production team:

Jason Heath, host
Michael Cooper and Steve Hinchey, audio editing
Mitch Moehring, audio engineer
Trevor Jones, publication and promotion
Krista Kopper, archival and cataloging
theme music by Eric Hochberg

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732: Tomoya Amori of AKDuo

Mon, 14 Sep 2020 10:00:00 +0000

Tomoya Amori is truly one of the most well-rounded musicians I've ever met. Not only is he an incredible bass player, but he also subs as a percussionist in the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra and has a vibrant career as a multi-genre cellist!

Tomoya and his wife Julia Kang form AKDuo, which specialize in playing jazz/classical/pop fusions composed or arranged by Tomoya. They also run performance workshops titled "Be Creative!" and have performed worldwide.

Learn more about Tomoya and his creative explorations on the AKDuo website, and follow their YouTube Channel to check out Tomoya's super-interesting Cello Vlog!

Listen to Contrabass Conversations with our free app for iOS, Android, and Kindle!

Contrabass Conversations production team:

Jason Heath, host
Michael Cooper and Steve Hinchey, audio editing
Mitch Moehring, audio engineer
Trevor Jones, publication and promotion
Krista Kopper, archival and cataloging
theme music by Eric Hochberg

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731: Katie Thiroux launches The Hump

Thu, 10 Sep 2020 10:00:00 +0000

It's great to have Katie Thiroux back on the podcast to chat about her new show The Hump. Katie was on the podcast in 2018, and it is so inspiring to follow along with her artistic career.

We talk about our respective Discover Double Bass courses, including Katie's "baseball card," which I hold up at the beginning of our chat. We mostly dig into her new show The Hump, online teaching, and how she has been spending her time during the quarantine.

Be sure to follow The Hump on Instagram, and check out Katie's great course From Beginner to Bandstand on Discover Double Bass!

Listen to Contrabass Conversations with our free app for iOS, Android, and Kindle!

Contrabass Conversations production team:

Jason Heath, host
Michael Cooper and Steve Hinchey, audio editing
Mitch Moehring, audio engineer
Trevor Jones, publication and promotion
Krista Kopper, archival and cataloging
theme music by Eric Hochberg

Subscribe to the podcast to get these interviews delivered to you automatically!

730: Deep Tones for Peace with Mark Dresser and William Parker

Mon, 07 Sep 2020 10:00:00 +0000

On today's episode, we're featuring Mark Dresser and William Parker in a discussion about Deep Tones for Peace 2020.

Here's a description of the current project, which is a continuation of the Deep Tones for Peace international event in 2009:

Deep Tones for Peace 2020 is a regular streaming of live meditations for peace, healing, and transformation. Musicians transmitting deep tones to counterbalance the many systemic injustices woven into the fabric of our society. Deep tones can strengthen the unseen bonds of our diversity as we oppose economic, educational, and environmental inequities fueled by racism, sexism, and greed.

The idea is to play your bass for 5-30 minutes with the intent of musically sending healing vibrations to be felt worldwide. Participation is open to all bassists who wish to join in an ongoing musical transmission of vibrations for peace. Any style or form of music and any level bass player can generate Deep Tones for Peace. The main requirement is the intent and desire to create peace in the world. We truly believe this project will have a positive impact on the balance of life.

If you'd like to get involved, email deeptonesforpeacelive@gmail.com, and check out the archive of all past performances on the Deep Tones for Peace Facebook Group.

Listen to Contrabass Conversations with our free app for iOS, Android, and Kindle!

Contrabass Conversations production team:

Jason Heath, host
Michael Cooper and Steve Hinchey, audio editing
Mitch Moehring, audio engineer
Trevor Jones, publication and promotion
Krista Kopper, archival and cataloging
theme music by Eric Hochberg

Subscribe to the podcast to get these interviews delivered to you automatically!

729: Jon Liebman on developing For Bass Players Only

Thu, 03 Sep 2020 10:00:00 +0000

Jon Liebman has led a varied and prolific career through the music world, and a lot has changed about his website For Bass Players Only since we last chatted for the podcast.

We talk about how Jon has consolidated his offerings into a single site, how he has restructured his interviews for the site, his online teaching offerings, and upcoming book projects. We also dig into a ton of great tales from Jon's wild adventures from his years in the music business.

Enjoy, and be sure to follow along with Jon and his great content at For Bass Players Only!

Listen to Contrabass Conversations with our free app for iOS, Android, and Kindle!

Contrabass Conversations production team:

Jason Heath, host
Michael Cooper and Steve Hinchey, audio editing
Mitch Moehring, audio engineer
Trevor Jones, publication and promotion
Krista Kopper, archival and cataloging
theme music by Eric Hochberg

Subscribe to the podcast to get these interviews delivered to you automatically!

728: Ian Allison on finding his niche

Mon, 31 Aug 2020 10:00:00 +0000

Ian Allison has been going all-in on Instagram these past few years, and he has been inspiring countless people in the process. As the bassist for Eric Hutchinson and a seasoned veteran in the industry, Ian has been working to connect and educate through Instagram, and the results have been incredible.

We talk about growing up in Montana, the Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival and its early influence on him, basing his career in Minneapolis, the "synth bass on electric" niche that he has created for himself, what the pandemic is like, the practice routine he outlined for a Bass Magazine article, and much more.

Enjoy, and be sure to check out Ian and his remarkable work on Instagram!

Listen to Contrabass Conversations with our free app for iOS, Android, and Kindle!

Contrabass Conversations production team:

Jason Heath, host
Michael Cooper and Steve Hinchey, audio editing
Mitch Moehring, audio engineer
Trevor Jones, publication and promotion
Krista Kopper, archival and cataloging
theme music by Eric Hochberg

727: Alyssa Peterson on launching a podcast

Thu, 27 Aug 2020 10:00:00 +0000

Alyssa Peterson has had quite the freshman year. She hails from La Crosse, Wisconsin and has spent the past year at New England Conservatory, where she launched a podcast called Something to Consider: College Edition.

We talk about how crazy her first year of school has been with the pandemic, her goals for starting the podcast, the importance of self-care for musicians, and much more.

Enjoy, and be sure to check out Alyssa on Instagram and her podcast on Apple Podcasts!

Listen to Contrabass Conversations with our free app for iOS, Android, and Kindle!

Contrabass Conversations production team:

Jason Heath, host
Michael Cooper and Steve Hinchey, audio editing
Mitch Moehring, audio engineer
Trevor Jones, publication and promotion
Krista Kopper, archival and cataloging
theme music by Eric Hochberg

726: Jason Haahiem on how to actually improve

Mon, 24 Aug 2020 10:00:00 +0000

Jason Haaheim's path to his current position as principal timpanist of the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra is unconventional and inspiring. He didn't go to music school, instead of getting a PhD and working for 10 years as an engineer and researcher for a Chicago-based nanotechnology startup.

Through the principles of deliberate practice, Jason set out on a long journey of continual improvement in his playing, ultimately winning an audition for his current position.

We dig into a ton of topics, like our shared time spent freelancing in Chicago, discovering deliberate practice, the groundbreaking work of Anders Ericsson and his impact on Jason, realities of life in the MET Orchestra, the two fascinating podcasts he did on The Bulletproof Musician, and much more.

Enjoy, and be sure to check out Jason's website for more great content on deliberate practice and information about his next upcoming Deliberate Practice Bootcamp Online!

Listen to Contrabass Conversations with our free app for iOS, Android, and Kindle!

725: Richard Myron on early music

Thu, 20 Aug 2020 10:00:00 +0000

Brooklyn native Richard Myron has spent his professional life in Europe working in the early music world. Currently residing in Paris, Richard is professor of contrabass and chamber music in the early music department of the CRR de Paris and the Conservatoire National Supérieur de Music de Paris.

He is also a founding member of the Freiburger Barockorchester and Consort, the Atlantis Ensemble, Il Seminario Musicale, les Basses Réunies and a member of the Ensemble Mosaïques, and he has performed internationally with a great number of other ensembles.

We dig into many topics, including growing up in New York City, memories of his time at Juilliard studying with Homer Mensch, how he found himself being drawn to Europe, discovering early music, parallels between jazz and early music, how the scene for this music has developed over the decades, and much more.

I hope you enjoy this spirited conversation, and I can't wait to have Richard on the podcast again for a round two!

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Contrabass Conversations production team:

Jason Heath, host
Michael Cooper and Steve Hinchey, audio editing
Mitch Moehring, audio engineer
Trevor Jones, publication and promotion
Krista Kopper, archival and cataloging
theme music by Eric Hochberg

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724: Jonathan Haskell reflects on new directions

Mon, 17 Aug 2020 10:00:00 +0000

I had a wonderful conversation with Jonathan Haskell a few years ago, and a lot has changed in his life since then.

He recently retired from L'Orchestre De La Suisse Romande in Switzerland, and he has been diving deep into the world of contemporary music. He also wrote a thoughtful article for the Chicago Tribune about the conflicting emotions surrounding retiring after 40 years on the job.

We talk about a wide range of topics, including diving into contemporary music, how he approaches learning a piece, the bass' role in contemporary ensembles, how he has been handling the pandemic, and much more.

I hope you enjoy these wide-ranging conversations from one of the most interesting musicians I know!

Listen to Contrabass Conversations with our free app for iOS, Android, and Kindle!

Contrabass Conversations production team:

Jason Heath, host
Michael Cooper and Steve Hinchey, audio editing
Mitch Moehring, audio engineer
Trevor Jones, publication and promotion
Krista Kopper, archival and cataloging
theme music by Eric Hochberg

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723: T. Alan Stewart on his musical journey

Thu, 13 Aug 2020 10:00:00 +0000

T. Alan Stewart wears many musical hats in the Baltimore/Washington DC area.

In addition to serving as principal bass with the Williamsburg Symphony and Roanoke Symphony, Alan has performed with the Baltimore Opera, National Symphony, Baltimore Symphony, Spoleto Festival, Alexander Schnieder String Orchestra; and many other ensembles in the area.

We cover a lot of ground in this conversation, digging into topics like Alan's path through the music world, his time in the New World Symphony and subsequently working with Mstislav Rostropovich and the National Symphony, audition preparation, The Artist's Way, diversity and inclusion in classical music, freelance life, and much more.

I hope you enjoy Alan's thoughtful insights and perspectives, and I can't wait to spend some more time with him in the future!

Listen to Contrabass Conversations with our free app for iOS, Android, and Kindle!

Contrabass Conversations production team:

Jason Heath, host
Michael Cooper and Steve Hinchey, audio editing
Mitch Moehring, audio engineer
Trevor Jones, publication and promotion
Krista Kopper, archival and cataloging
theme music by Eric Hochberg

722: Andrea Beyer on auditions and teaching

Mon, 10 Aug 2020 10:00:00 +0000

Andrea Beyer is a bassist, teacher, and advocate for social growth. Having recently finished up three years with the New World Symphony, Andrea has relocated to Austin, Texas.

She recently started blogging for AuditionCafe.com, where she has been focusing on how all kinds of musicians are handling the pandemic and lockdown. Andrea also recently asked me to write a piece for the blog, which was a pleasure for me to do.

We talk about her background, the teaching and performing that she has done in Mexico, El Salvador, Uruguay, Bolivia, and other countries, the work that she does for the MusAid Organization, how she has been handling the pandemic, and much more.

Enjoy, and be sure to follow Andrea and her great work on AuditionCafe.com and Instagram!

Listen to Contrabass Conversations with our free app for iOS, Android, and Kindle!

Contrabass Conversations production team:

Jason Heath, host
Michael Cooper and Steve Hinchey, audio editing
Mitch Moehring, audio engineer
Trevor Jones, publication and promotion
Krista Kopper, archival and cataloging
theme music by Eric Hochberg

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721: Gahlord Dewald on water tank acoustics

Thu, 06 Aug 2020 10:00:00 +0000

It was great to connect with Gahlord Dewald about his latest album Coherent Light Enclosed Without. This album was recorded at The Tank Center for Sonic Arts on a hill above the town of Rangely, Colorado.

We talk about this fascinating performance venue, how Gahlord found himself heading to The Tank for this project, what it's like preparing to record in such a unique acoustic space, and much more. Enjoy, and measure to follow Gahlord on YouTube and check out this new album here!

Listen to Contrabass Conversations with our free app for iOS, Android, and Kindle!

Contrabass Conversations production team:

Jason Heath, host
Michael Cooper and Steve Hinchey, audio editing
Mitch Moehring, audio engineer
Trevor Jones, publication and promotion
Krista Kopper, archival and cataloging
theme music by Eric Hochberg

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720: Giovanni Sanguineti on visual composition

Mon, 03 Aug 2020 10:00:00 +0000

It was great to connect with Giovanni Sanguineti for the podcast.

We start off talking about an online workshop that past podcast guest Danny Ziemann has been doing online. Giovanni is obsessed with learning and growing as a player, and we dig into a number of resources, including Dennis Whittaker's new series Incredibly Useful Exercises for Double Bass.

We also talk about the time we spent together in Lucca, Giovanni's latest album Remember The Future, how he has been handling the pandemic, his visual approach to composition, and much more. Enjoy!

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719: Olivier Babaz on The Creative Improvisor

Thu, 30 Jul 2020 10:00:00 +0000

It is a pleasure to have Olivier Babaz back on the podcast! Olivier recently released a course with Discover Double Bass titled The Creative Improvisor.

In this episode, we talk about our shared experiences filming for Discover Double Bass, using iPads creatively for music, Olivier's live streams, creative flow, and much more.

Enjoy, and be sure to follow Olivier on YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram!

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718: Brendan Fitzgerald on audition prep

Mon, 27 Jul 2020 10:00:00 +0000

Today we're featuring Christian Dillingham, a Grammy Award-winning bassist who happens to be one of my longtime friends. Christian recently joined the faculty at Indiana University to teach jazz bass. We chat about that and much more!

Check out my in-person conversation with Christian from the 2019 International Society of Bassists Convention, and be sure to follow him on Instagram!

Listen to Contrabass Conversations with our free app for iOS, Android, and Kindle!

Contrabass Conversations production team:

Jason Heath, host
Michael Cooper and Steve Hinchey, audio editing
Mitch Moehring, audio engineer
Trevor Jones, publication and promotion
Krista Kopper, archival and cataloging
theme music by Eric Hochberg

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717: Josh Skinner on the Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival

Thu, 23 Jul 2020 10:00:00 +0000

We're featuring Josh Skinner on today's podcast. Josh is a bassist, composer, and faculty member at the University of Idaho.

Josh also directs the annual Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival, which brings together thousands of jazz students from the United States and abroad. I also had the pleasure of being a clinician at the 2020 festival and spending some time in person with Josh.

We talk about the festival, how Josh is handling the pandemic, his path through the music world, and much more.

Enjoy, and be sure to follow along with Josh on Instagram!

Listen to Contrabass Conversations with our free app for iOS, Android, and Kindle!

Contrabass Conversations production team:

Jason Heath, host
Michael Cooper and Steve Hinchey, audio editing
Mitch Moehring, audio engineer
Trevor Jones, publication and promotion
Krista Kopper, archival and cataloging
theme music by Eric Hochberg

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716: Christian Dillingham on joining the Indiana University faculty

Mon, 20 Jul 2020 10:00:00 +0000

Check out my in-person conversation with Christian from the 2019 International Society of Bassists Convention, and be sure to follow him on Instagram!

Listen to Contrabass Conversations with our free app for iOS, Android, and Kindle!

Contrabass Conversations production team:

Jason Heath, host
Michael Cooper and Steve Hinchey, audio editing
Mitch Moehring, audio engineer
Trevor Jones, publication and promotion
Krista Kopper, archival and cataloging
theme music by Eric Hochberg

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715: Sam Morel on bass making

Thu, 16 Jul 2020 10:00:00 +0000

Today we're featuring Sam Morel, a French double bass luthier who has recently taken a job at David Gage String Instruments. Sam won a Silver Medal for Tone at the 2019 International Society of Bassists Convention and a Certificate of Merit at the 2018 Violin Society of America Competition.

We talk about the various basses he has built, how life has been for him during the pandemic, working with Patrick Charton, and much more.

Enjoy, and be sure to follow Sam on Facebook and Instagram!

Listen to Contrabass Conversations with our free app for iOS, Android, and Kindle!

Contrabass Conversations production team:

Jason Heath, host
Michael Cooper and Steve Hinchey, audio editing
Mitch Moehring, audio engineer
Trevor Jones, publication and promotion
Krista Kopper, archival and cataloging
theme music by Eric Hochberg

Listen to Contrabass Conversations with our free app for iOS, Android, and Kindle!

714: Stephen P. Brown on flipping your approach

Tue, 14 Jul 2020 10:00:00 +0000

We're chatting with conductor and career development coach Stephen P. Brown today. Stephen appeared on the podcast in 2019, and we dig into developing your career during the pandemic, what holds so many musicians back, what life is looking like for Stephen at the present moment, and much more.

Follow along with Stephen on Facebook and Twitter, and be sure to check out his podcast Classic Jabber!

Listen to Contrabass Conversations with our free app for iOS, Android, and Kindle!

Contrabass Conversations production team:

Jason Heath, host
Michael Cooper and Steve Hinchey, audio editing
Mitch Moehring, audio engineer
Trevor Jones, publication and promotion
Krista Kopper, archival and cataloging
theme music by Eric Hochberg

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713: Annie Bosler and Trevor Jones

Thu, 09 Jul 2020 10:00:00 +0000

Today's episode is the 4th and final of The Scholarship Roadmap's takeover of the Contrabass Conversations podcast feed. The Scholarship Roadmap is an online program for student musicians pursuing careers in music. It was developed by Contrabass Conversations team member, Trevor Jones. Book a discovery call with Trevor to see if it's right for you.

"A performance degree is a way to give you a language, it gives you skills you can carry into any other profession." -Annie Bosler

Dr. Bosler co-wrote College Prep For Musicians and How to practice effectively…for just about anything. As a freelance horn player, Annie has toured with John Williams' Star Wars in Concert and with Josh Groban and performed on Dancing with the Stars, The Ellen Show, and PBS's Live from Lincoln Center, and shared the stage with Ringo Starr and Paul McCartney on CBS's The Beatles: The Night That Changed America. She performed with Chance the Rapper at The Grammy's, Sean Combs (P-Diddy) at The American Music Awards, and Wu-Tang Clan at Coachella.

2m15s - Annie's Background
7m10s - What do you do with a music degree?
15m40s - Music Major Application Matrix
27m10s - Assessing your performance
31m42s - Tapering + Audition Strategies
41m18s - Covid-19 Education Strategies

Listen to Contrabass Conversations with our free app for iOS, Android, and Kindle!

Contrabass Conversations production team:

Jason Heath, host
Michael Cooper and Steve Hinchey, audio editing
Mitch Moehring, audio engineer
Trevor Jones, publication and promotion
Krista Kopper, archival and cataloging
theme music by Eric Hochberg

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713: Rob Kassinger and Trevor Jones: The Scholarship Roadmap

Wed, 08 Jul 2020 10:00:00 +0000

Today's episode is the 3rd of 4 of The Scholarship Roadmap's takeover of the Contrabass Conversations podcast feed. The Scholarship Roadmap is an online program for student musicians pursuing careers in music. It was developed by Contrabass Conversations team member, Trevor Jones. Book a discovery call with Trevor to see if it's right for you.

"What I'm looking for is seriousness, talent, and a work ethic that exceeds that talent." -Rob Kassinger

Today, I'm chatting with Chicago Symphony Orchestra bassist and Professor of Double Bass at DePaul University School of Music, Rob Kassinger.

Rob and I dig into a bunch of topics that were chosen to provide clarity to the student musician who is looking into musical schools.

•35s - Rob's background
•6m20s - am I right for a music degree?
•9m50s - Finding the right teacher
•13m57s - What does Rob look for in a student?
•21m50s - Am I ready for music school?
•26m05s - Audition Day — From Rob's perspective.
•28m25s - Common mistakes in an audition
•31m40s - Rob's audition advice
•37m05s - What should I do about Covid-19? Is online education worth it?

Thanks for listening! -Trevor Jones

Contrabass Conversations production team:

Jason Heath, host
Michael Cooper and Steve Hinchey, audio editing
Mitch Moehring, audio engineer
Trevor Jones, publication and promotion
Krista Kopper, archival and cataloging
theme music by Eric Hochberg

Subscribe to the podcast to get these interviews delivered to you automatically!

712: James Day and Trevor Jones: The Scholarship Roadmap

Tue, 07 Jul 2020 10:00:00 +0000

Today's episode is the 2nd of 4 of The Scholarship Roadmap's takeover of the Contrabass Conversations podcast feed. The Scholarship Roadmap is an online program for student musicians pursuing careers in music. It was developed by Contrabass Conversations team member, Trevor Jones. Book a discovery call with Trevor to see if it's right for you.

"We have to understand the significance of what we're doing, the place it is has in the world, and the potential impact every one of those choices can make." -Dr. James Day

On today's show, I'm chatting with Dr. James Day. James is Director of the Sunderman Conservatory of Music and Associate Professor of Music at Gettysburg College

I wanted to talk to James to get a sense of what a Conservatory looks for in prospective students and what students can do to make sure they're prepared for music school.

We dig into:

33s - James Day's background
5m59 - Why should someone major in music?
8m53s - Music in a Liberal Arts setting
11m43s - Different types of music majors
16m43s - Scholarship opportunities (even for non-majors)
27m18s - Best practices to secure a scholarship
33m13 - COVID 19

Thanks for listening! -Trevor Jones

Listen to Contrabass Conversations with our free app for iOS, Android, and Kindle!

Contrabass Conversations production team:

Jason Heath, host
Michael Cooper and Steve Hinchey, audio editing
Mitch Moehring, audio engineer
Trevor Jones, publication and promotion
Krista Kopper, archival and cataloging
theme music by Eric Hochberg

Subscribe to the podcast to get these interviews delivered to you automatically!

711: The Scholarship Roadmap with Trevor Jones

Mon, 06 Jul 2020 10:00:00 +0000

Trevor Jones is launching a new program called The Scholarship Roadmap that addresses the tricky business of choosing a college that fits your musical needs.

We talk about the challenges, experiences, and tactics that Trevor has developed through his broad range of experiences teaching at the high school and collegiate levels. Enjoy!

Listen to Contrabass Conversations with our free app for iOS, Android, and Kindle!

Contrabass Conversations production team:

Jason Heath, host
Michael Cooper and Steve Hinchey, audio editing
Mitch Moehring, audio engineer
Trevor Jones, publication and promotion
Krista Kopper, archival and cataloging
theme music by Eric Hochberg

Subscribe to the podcast to get these interviews delivered to you automatically!

710: Dan Turkos on crowdfunding during a crisis

Thu, 02 Jul 2020 10:00:00 +0000

It's rare for me to interview a fellow San Franciscan like Dan Turkos over the web instead of in person, but we're in strange times for sure right now. Despite the pandemic, Dan and his wife successfully raised over $12,000 on Kickstarter for her debut album.

We talk about this, their life before moving to San Francisco and what attracted them to the city, their multi-genre duo Beneath a Tree - Baroque to Folk, having the neck of his bass snapped off during a trip to California, and much more.

Enjoy, and be sure to follow along with Beneath a Tree on Instagram and Facebook!

Listen to Contrabass Conversations with our free app for iOS, Android, and Kindle!

Contrabass Conversations production team:

Jason Heath, host
Michael Cooper and Steve Hinchey, audio editing
Mitch Moehring, audio engineer
Trevor Jones, publication and promotion
Krista Kopper, archival and cataloging
theme music by Eric Hochberg

Subscribe to the podcast to get these interviews delivered to you automatically!

Johnny Hamil on Bassists 4 Bassists

Wed, 01 Jul 2020 10:00:00 +0000

Johnny Hamil has been building bass events for the past decade, and he has organized something really special for this summer: Bassists 4 Bassists.

This online event will take place July 7-11, and will feature Francois Rabbath, Lynn Seaton, Jessica Valls, Hans Sturm, Billy Sheehan, and many other well-known bassists.

You can register here, and check out this preview video to get a taste of what'll be happening at the event. Hope to see you there!

Listen to Contrabass Conversations with our free app for iOS, Android, and Kindle!

Contrabass Conversations production team:

Jason Heath, host
Michael Cooper and Steve Hinchey, audio editing
Mitch Moehring, audio engineer
Trevor Jones, publication and promotion
Krista Kopper, archival and cataloging
theme music by Eric Hochberg

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709: Helen Svoboda on her solo album

Mon, 29 Jun 2020 10:00:00 +0000

Helen Svoboda has just released a solo album titled Vegetable Bass featuring her compelling compositional voice and combination of bass and vocals.

I had the chance to chat with her in 2019, and it was so much fun connecting with her about this new project and other topics.

In addition to the album, we talk about our current respective living situations, her upcoming move back to Australia and how the pandemic temporarily derailed it, how she began using the bow, and much more.

Check out Helen's new album here, and be sure to follow her on Instagram, YouTube and Facebook!

Listen to Contrabass Conversations with our free app for iOS, Android, and Kindle!

Contrabass Conversations production team:

Jason Heath, host
Michael Cooper and Steve Hinchey, audio editing
Mitch Moehring, audio engineer
Trevor Jones, publication and promotion
Krista Kopper, archival and cataloging
theme music by Eric Hochberg

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708: Chris Fitzgerald on jujitsu and bass

Thu, 25 Jun 2020 10:00:00 +0000

Chris Fitzgerald has been putting out incredible jazz bass content on YouTube for years. He recently released a comprehensive review of the Noble Tube Preamp, and he is in the early stages of a new project that he is calling "Bass Jitsu."

We talk about this new project, how his early piano teacher was the original inspiration for this approach tot he bass, what it's like putting these massive video projects together, the challenges of teaching online in these current times, and much more.

I also bring up this excellent video from Chris and a bunch of well-known bassists from the Aebersold camps on varying right-hand approaches to jazz bass, and we talk about the importance of getting a "good pull" in the left arm for closing notes securely.

Be sure to follow along with Chris on YouTube, and also check out his recent asynchronous collaboration with Gabe Evans!

Listen to Contrabass Conversations with our free app for iOS, Android, and Kindle!

Contrabass Conversations production team:

Jason Heath, host
Michael Cooper and Steve Hinchey, audio editing
Mitch Moehring, audio engineer
Trevor Jones, publication and promotion
Krista Kopper, archival and cataloging
theme music by Eric Hochberg

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Bonus: Sara Neilson, Online Beginner Bass Camp

Wed, 24 Jun 2020 10:00:00 +0000

Sara Neilson will be running an online beginner bass camp for students age 8-12 from July 6th through July 30th. She'll be doing hourly sessions from 10-11 am Central Time.

Sara teaches bass at the Merit School of Music in Chicago, and she has been running a series of warm-up classes each weekday on Facebook. She also recently wrote an article titled 'Game Changer' for the International Society of Bassists' Bass World magazine.

We talk about all this, how things have been going during the pandemic, staying relaxed on the bass, and much more. You can also check out her podcast appearance on a career advice panel from the 2019 Chicago Bass Festival.

Enjoy, and be sure to follow Sara on Instagram!

Listen to Contrabass Conversations with our free app for iOS, Android, and Kindle!

Contrabass Conversations production team:

Jason Heath, host
Michael Cooper and Steve Hinchey, audio editing
Mitch Moehring, audio engineer
Trevor Jones, publication and promotion
Krista Kopper, archival and cataloging
theme music by Eric Hochberg

707: Susanna Klein on Practizma

Mon, 22 Jun 2020 10:00:00 +0000

Susanna Klein has been working on a really cool project the past few years: Practizma. This is a journal that takes you through 16 weeks of guided practice, with goal setting, reflection prompt, action challenges, and journal pages to track your practice.

In addition to this very cool system, we talk about Susanna's background, what it has been like teaching online these past few months, the evolution of the journal, the concept of deliberate practice, my trusty practice app Modiacty, and much more.

Be sure to check out the Practizma website for more info and to get a free sample, and be sure to follow along with Susanna on Instagram, YouTube, and Facebook!

Listen to Contrabass Conversations with our free app for iOS, Android, and Kindle!

This podcast is brought to you by the International Online Bass Summit and the sponsors who are proudly involved with this event:

Contrabass Conversations production team:

Jason Heath, host
Michael Cooper and Steve Hinchey, audio editing
Mitch Moehring, audio engineer
Trevor Jones, publication and promotion
Krista Kopper, archival and cataloging
theme music by Eric Hochberg

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706: Tom Walley on staying active during quarantine

Thu, 18 Jun 2020 10:00:00 +0000

Tom Walley has certainly been keeping busy during the quarantine, publishing a ton content on his Instagram and YouTube, including his arrangement of the Adagio from Mahler's 9th Symphony with his fellow London Philharmonic Orchestra section members.

Tom and I talk about this recording and his other quarantine projects, canceled tours, moving out of London for the time being, long-distance relationships, traveling with a bass, and even shaving his head! Enjoy, and be sure to say hi to Tom on Instagram.

Listen to Contrabass Conversations with our free app for iOS, Android, and Kindle!

This podcast is brought to you by the International Online Bass Summit and the sponsors who are proudly involved with this event:

Contrabass Conversations production team:

Jason Heath, host
Michael Cooper and Steve Hinchey, audio editing
Mitch Moehring, audio engineer
Trevor Jones, publication and promotion
Krista Kopper, archival and cataloging
theme music by Eric Hochberg

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705: Hans Roelofsen and Rudolf Senn on bass duo adventures

Mon, 15 Jun 2020 10:00:00 +0000

I've been following along with the musical adventures of Hans Roelofsen and Rudolph Senn for years. They have toured the world as a bass duo, with 15 trips to the United States alone.

Throughout these trips, they have collected some fantastic stories. We dig into these stories, how they came to play as a duo, challenges of transcription, the implications of choosing a particular key for an arrangement, and much more. Enjoy!

Listen to Contrabass Conversations with our free app for iOS, Android, and Kindle!

This podcast is brought to you by the International Online Bass Summit and the sponsors who are proudly involved with this event:

Contrabass Conversations production team:

Jason Heath, host
Michael Cooper and Steve Hinchey, audio editing
Mitch Moehring, audio engineer
Trevor Jones, publication and promotion
Krista Kopper, archival and cataloging
theme music by Eric Hochberg

Subscribe to the podcast to get these interviews delivered to you automatically!

704: Bill Rinehart and Jaime Slutzky on online learning

Thu, 11 Jun 2020 10:00:00 +0000

Bill Rinehart has been teaching jazz piano online for the past 13 years, and he has been working with Jaime Slutzky recently to redevelop certain aspects of his online offerings.

I've been obsessed with finding new ways to frame the private lesson experience for years, and the current pandemic has made music teachers across the globe rethink the one-on-one traditional private lesson experience.

Bill, Jaime, and I talk about a wide range of topics, including online learning platforms like Thinkific, Jaime's incubator program, the unique challenges and rewards that teaching an artistic pursuit like music in an online setting, and much more.

Enjoy, and be sure to also check out Jaime's excellent podcast Expand Online!

Listen to Contrabass Conversations with our free app for iOS, Android, and Kindle!

This podcast is brought to you by the International Online Bass Summit and the sponsors who are proudly involved with this event:

Contrabass Conversations production team:

Jason Heath, host
Michael Cooper and Steve Hinchey, audio editing
Mitch Moehring, audio engineer
Trevor Jones, publication and promotion
Krista Kopper, archival and cataloging

Subscribe to the podcast to get these interviews delivered to you automatically!

703: Abo Gumroyan on taking chances

Mon, 08 Jun 2020 10:00:00 +0000

Abo Gumroyan truly is a musical chameleon. In addition to winning Grammys with the Pacific Mambo Orchestra, Abo has played with the San Francisco Symphony, played on countless sessions, worked on Las Vegas shows, and much more.

We dig into Abo's musical background, his time studying with Scott Pingel, Steve Tramontozzi, David Allen Moore, and many others, what it has been like adjusting to the pandemic, and much more.

Be sure to follow along with Abo on Instagram, and also check out this cool video that he put together for us demonstrating the gear he uses in his home studio!

Listen to Contrabass Conversations with our free app for iOS, Android, and Kindle!

This podcast is brought to you by the International Online Bass Summit and the sponsors who are proudly involved with this event:

Contrabass Conversations production team:

Jason Heath, host
Michael Cooper and Steve Hinchey, audio editing
Mitch Moehring, audio engineer
Trevor Jones, publication and promotion
Krista Kopper, archival and cataloging

Subscribe to the podcast to get these interviews delivered to you automatically!

702: Mary Javian on career development

Thu, 04 Jun 2020 10:00:00 +0000

In addition to being an outstanding bassist, Mary Javian has an inspiring goal in life: to use music to create positive social change in communities.

We dig into her role as Chair of Career Studies at the Curtis Institute of Music, what this institution offered in terms of career development when she was a student and how it has evolved over the years, what this work means to her, the importance of authentic community engagement, and much more.

Mary and I have played together in the Iris Orchestra several times over the years, and it was such a pleasure to finally have her on the podcast!

Listen to Contrabass Conversations with our free app for iOS, Android, and Kindle!

This podcast is brought to you by the International Online Bass Summit and the sponsors who are proudly involved with this event:

Contrabass Conversations production team:

Jason Heath, host
Michael Cooper and Steve Hinchey, audio editing
Mitch Moehring, audio engineer
Trevor Jones, publication and promotion
Krista Kopper, archival and cataloging

701: Carlos Barriento and Opportunity Music Project

Mon, 01 Jun 2020 10:00:00 +0000

The whole world is adjusting to new ways of interaction, and the world of music advocacy is no exception. Jessica Garand's Opportunity Music Project has been doing a particularly good job of adapting their El Sistema-style program to these current times, with their Sponsor a Student program and many other initiatives and offerings.

In today's episode, we chat with Jessica and OMP bass instructor Carlos Barriento about the work that this program does, what it has been like teaching online, the challenges and meaningful moments that online teaching has been bringing them, and much more. Enjoy!

Listen to Contrabass Conversations with our free app for iOS, Android, and Kindle!

This podcast is brought to you by the International Online Bass Summit and the sponsors who are proudly involved with this event:

Contrabass Conversations production team:

Jason Heath, host
Michael Cooper and Steve Hinchey, audio editing
Mitch Moehring, audio engineer
Trevor Jones, publication and promotion
Krista Kopper, archival and cataloging

Subscribe to the podcast to get these interviews delivered to you automatically!

700: Drew Gress on jazz, birdwatching, and creativity

Thu, 28 May 2020 10:00:00 +0000

Drew Gress' biography reads like a who's who of the jazz world, including collaboration with Tim Berne, Ravi Coltrane, Uri Caine, John Hollenbeck, and countless others. He has appeared on over 140 recordings, 4 of which have received Grammy nominations.

In this conversation, which was prompted by Richard Ivy, a former student of Drew's, we discuss many topics, including:

Drew's in-depth interview with Pablo Held and the many areas they explore
similarities to jazz and birdwatching (a pastime of Drew's)
spending time and working with Gary Peacock

Enjoy!

Listen to Contrabass Conversations with our free app for iOS, Android, and Kindle!

This podcast is brought to you by the International Online Bass Summit and the sponsors who are proudly involved with this event:

Contrabass Conversations production team:

Jason Heath, host
Michael Cooper and Steve Hinchey, audio editing
Mitch Moehring, audio engineer
Trevor Jones, publication and promotion
Krista Kopper, archival and cataloging

699: Marcos Machado on Tao of Bass Volume 2

Mon, 25 May 2020 10:00:00 +0000

Marcos Machado shows no signs of slowing down even during the pandemic! He recently joined the Discover Double Bass teaching team and released a course in the fall of 2019 titled Integral Technique.

photo credit: Discover Double Bass

This course is based on the extensive research and experimentation Marcos has done in fingerings through his epic work Tao of Bass. We spoke with Marcos about volume one of this series a few years ago, and he's gearing up to release volume two later this year.

This interview digs into Marcos' fingering journey, what's in store for volume two, and much more. Enjoy!

Listen to Contrabass Conversations with our free app for iOS, Android, and Kindle!

This podcast is brought to you by the International Online Bass Summit and the sponsors who are proudly involved with this event:

Contrabass Conversations production team:

Jason Heath, host
Michael Cooper and Steve Hinchey, audio editing
Mitch Moehring, audio engineer
Trevor Jones, publication and promotion
Krista Kopper, archival and cataloging

Listen to Contrabass Conversations with our free app for iOS, Android, and Kindle!

698: Miles Perkin on extended techniques

Thu, 21 May 2020 10:00:00 +0000

Miles Perkin is exploring fascinating musical territory with the double bass. Originally from Canada and now living in Berlin, he recently released a solo bass album called Subtones that mixes voice, bass, and extended techniques in unexpected and compelling ways.

In this conversation, recorded in March just before the pandemic fully shut down the globe, we talk about his background the Berlin experimental music scene, and much more. Enjoy, and be sure to follow Miles on Facebook and Instagram!

Listen to Contrabass Conversations with our free app for iOS, Android, and Kindle!

I'd also like to thank the sponsors who have supported us over the months and years. If you'd like to help the bass community recover as quickly as possible, consider visiting their site and making a purchase:

Contrabass Conversations production team:

Jason Heath, host
Michael Cooper and Steve Hinchey, audio editing
Mitch Moehring, audio engineer
Trevor Jones, publication and promotion
Krista Kopper, archival and cataloging

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697: Susan Cahill on staying inspired under quarantine

Mon, 18 May 2020 10:00:00 +0000

Susan Cahill has been finding all kinds of ways to keep herself inspired musically during the pandemic. She had finished filming an episode for the PBS Series Now Hear This prior to the lockdown, and she has been immersing herself in several music at-home projects.

We talk about these projects, how practicing other instruments fits into her musicianship, thoughts on small and large group performances going forward, and much more.

Enjoy, and check out her appearance on the podcast from 2017 here!

Listen to Contrabass Conversations with our free app for iOS, Android, and Kindle!

Contrabass Conversations production team:

Jason Heath, host
Michael Cooper and Steve Hinchey, audio editing
Mitch Moehring, audio engineer
Trevor Jones, publication and promotion
Krista Kopper, archival and cataloging

696: Jaromir Honzak on the Czech jazz scene

Thu, 14 May 2020 10:00:00 +0000

We're featuring Czech double bass player Jaromír Honzák on the podcast today. Jaromír recently released an album called Hard To Understand, and like everyone else right now, he's finding new ways to cope with our current pandemic.

We talk about the jazz scene in Prague, the value of building a local scene, recording the latest album, and much more. Enjoy!

Listen to Contrabass Conversations with our free app for iOS, Android, and Kindle!

Contrabass Conversations production team:

Jason Heath, host
Michael Cooper and Steve Hinchey, audio editing
Mitch Moehring, audio engineer
Trevor Jones, publication and promotion
Krista Kopper, archival and cataloging

695: Andrew Goins on the Texas Online Bass Camp

Tue, 12 May 2020 10:00:00 +0000

Andrew Goins has been hard at work since the pandemic hit. He recently launched the Texas Double Bass Academy, which is dedicated to the online education of the pre-college double bass student, and he has been putting together a compelling offering with many of Texas' most renowned bass teachers.

This new organization will host the Texas Double Bass Academy Online Camp this June 1-4. This camp is made for students entering grades 9-12, and it is not limited to Texas residents.

The clinician lineup is incredible:

Additional topic presenters include:

Learn more on the Texas Double Bass Academy website, and be sure to follow them on Facebook and Instagram!

Listen to Contrabass Conversations with our free app for iOS, Android, and Kindle!

Contrabass Conversations production team:

Jason Heath, host
Michael Cooper and Steve Hinchey, audio editing
Mitch Moehring, audio engineer
Trevor Jones, publication and promotion
Krista Kopper, archival and cataloging

Subscribe to the podcast to get these interviews delivered to you automatically!

694: Ryan Roberts on podcasting

Mon, 11 May 2020 10:00:00 +0000

Ryan Roberts is a freelance bassist in Los Angeles and is the founder of The Bass Shed, which is focused on learning the language of music from legendary bassists and other instrumentalists.

We chat about many topics, including the COVID-19 pandemic and how it is affecting his work life, the impetus to start The Bass Shed and how he is incorporating it into his schedule, and much more.

Enjoy, and be sure to check out Ryan on YouTube, his site, and his podcast. Also, check out my appearance on his podcast here!

Listen to Contrabass Conversations with our free app for iOS, Android, and Kindle!

Contrabass Conversations production team:

Jason Heath, host
Michael Cooper and Steve Hinchey, audio editing
Mitch Moehring, audio engineer
Trevor Jones, publication and promotion
Krista Kopper, archival and cataloging

Subscribe to the podcast to get these interviews delivered to you automatically!

693: Elisa Janson Jones on online learning

Thu, 07 May 2020 10:00:00 +0000

We're chatting with past podcast guest Elisa Janson Jones today. I had the chance to spend some time in person with her during the NAMM Show in January 2020, and I was interested in learning about how she has been handling the current pandemic, with its many challenges and opportunities.

Elisa wears many hats: entrepreneur, author, educator, host of the Music Ed Mentor Podcast, and the founder of the International Music Education Summit.

We cover all kinds of online teaching topics in this helpful conversation, which Elisa also published on her podcast. Enjoy!

Listen to Contrabass Conversations with our free app for iOS, Android, and Kindle!

Contrabass Conversations production team:

Jason Heath, host
Michael Cooper and Steve Hinchey, audio editing
Mitch Moehring, audio engineer
Trevor Jones, publication and promotion
Krista Kopper, archival and cataloging

692: Elsen Price on diverse projects

Mon, 04 May 2020 10:00:00 +0000

It was a real pleasure having Sydney bassist Elsen Price back on the podcast to talk about his recent projects.

Elsen was been up to a lot just before the global pandemic hit, including:

a world tour throughout Australia, New Zealand, Japan, and the UK
his solo album Descent of the Free (ABC Jazz/ Universal)
Eishan Ensemble
Ephemera Ensemble
Masha's Legacy
Paul Cutlan String Project
Marais Project
Sonya Holowell and Elsen Price

We also play a couple of excerpts from Elsen's recent album Descent of the Free. Enjoy!

Contrabass Conversations production team:

Jason Heath, host
Michael Cooper and Steve Hinchey, audio editing
Mitch Moehring, audio engineer
Trevor Jones, publication and promotion
Krista Kopper, archival and cataloging

691: Hugh Sung on online teaching

Thu, 30 Apr 2020 10:00:00 +0000

When I saw a couple of recent projects that Hugh Sung had been working on since the pandemic hit, I knew that I had to have him back on the podcast and talk through what he was doing.

Hugh Sung is one of the most creative people I know when it comes to harnessing the power of technology to enhance our music teaching. As co-founder of the excellent AirTurn foot pedal, Hugh has inspired me for years.

We dig into a number of topics, including Hugh's Online Virtual Chorus and Orchestra Project, the collaborative sheet music reading app Newzik, cool ways to get a more immersive lesson experience in Zoom, and much more.

Enjoy, and be sure to follow along with Hugh on YouTube, Instagram, and his immensely useful blog.

Listen to Contrabass Conversations with our free app for iOS, Android, and Kindle!

Contrabass Conversations production team:

Jason Heath, host
Michael Cooper and Steve Hinchey, audio editing
Mitch Moehring, audio engineer
Trevor Jones, publication and promotion
Krista Kopper, archival and cataloging

690: Morgan Daly of ContraCover

Mon, 27 Apr 2020 10:00:00 +0000

It was an absolute pleasure having Morgan Daly on the podcast! In addition to a busy performing life, active teaching schedule, and working for the education program for the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, Morgan has created a really cool product called the ContraCover.

We talk about all the features of this cool bass cover, moments when I really wished I'd had one of these, Morgan's many projects, and much more. Enjoy, and be sure to follow her on Instagram also!

Listen to Contrabass Conversations with our free app for iOS, Android, and Kindle!

Contrabass Conversations production team:

Jason Heath, host
Michael Cooper and Steve Hinchey, audio editing
Mitch Moehring, audio engineer
Trevor Jones, publication and promotion
Krista Kopper, archival and cataloging

689: Dmitry Gorodetsky on reinventing himself

Thu, 23 Apr 2020 10:00:00 +0000

We're featuring Dmitry Gorodetsky on today's podcast. Dmitry has been on the road constantly since moving to LA a little over 4 years ago, working with Charlie Puth and many other artists.

Recently, his work has shifted more toward studio work, and he has been transforming himself into an artist working on dates for film, commercials, TV, and the like. He has been splitting his time between the electric and upright, working on projects with Kanye West, Dionne Warwick, recording for the Grammys, and many other artists.

We get into the specifics of these projects, growing up in Boston, living in New York, the Coronavirus pandemic, and much more with Dmitry. Enjoy, and be sure to follow him on Instagram!

Listen to Contrabass Conversations with our free app for iOS, Android, and Kindle!

Contrabass Conversations production team:

Jason Heath, host
Michael Cooper and Steve Hinchey, audio editing
Mitch Moehring, audio engineer
Trevor Jones, publication and promotion
Krista Kopper, archival and cataloging

Subscribe to the podcast to get these interviews delivered to you automatically!

688: Christian Fabian on a life in jazz

Mon, 20 Apr 2020 10:00:00 +0000

Today we're featuring Christian Fabian, the longtime bassist for the Lionel Hampton Big Band. We spent some time in person together during the 2020 Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival.

Born in Sweden and raised in Germany, Christian attended Berklee College of Music on a full scholarship. Through Brian Bromberg, one of his early mentors, Christian became the bassist for the Lionel Hampton Band. He currently serves as co-leader of the New Lionel Hampton Band featuring Jason Marsalis, and he also co-founded the Native Jazz Quartet.

We talk about Christian's long association with the Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival, what it was like working with Lionel, the joys and challenges of leading the New Lionel Hampton Band, studying with Ron Carter and Mike Longo, and much more. Enjoy!

Listen to Contrabass Conversations with our free app for iOS, Android, and Kindle!

Contrabass Conversations production team:

Jason Heath, host
Michael Cooper and Steve Hinchey, audio editing
Mitch Moehring, audio engineer
Trevor Jones, publication and promotion
Krista Kopper, archival and cataloging

687: Eleanor Martindale on RCR Bass Camp

Thu, 16 Apr 2020 10:00:00 +0000

We're chatting with Eleanor Martindale about the third annual RCR Double Bass Camp, which will be coming up August 17-22 in the south of France.

We talk about how the camp is organized, Lorraine Campet, Bernard Salles, Alberto Bocini, Giuseppe Ettorre, and all the other teachers that will be there, and much more.

Enjoy, and you can learn more about the RCR Double Bass Camp on their website and Facebook page!

Listen to Contrabass Conversations with our free app for iOS, Android, and Kindle!

Contrabass Conversations production team:

Jason Heath, host
Michael Cooper and Steve Hinchey, audio editing
Mitch Moehring, audio engineer
Trevor Jones, publication and promotion
Krista Kopper, archival and cataloging

686: Dennis Whittaker on Incredibly Useful Exercises

Mon, 13 Apr 2020 10:00:00 +0000

Houston Grand Opera principal bassist and University of Houston bass faculty Dennis Whittaker recently launched a YouTube Channel called Incredibly Useful Exercises.

Dennis has 45 of his favorite exercises that he is putting on YouTube and also into a series of 16 volumes plus an appendix. He rates each exercise on a scale of 1-5 for the following attributes:

Control
Mindfulness
Expression
Power
Velocity
Coordination
Endurance

We dig into his inspiration for the project, efficiency, and mindfulness while practicing, and much more. Enjoy!

Listen to Contrabass Conversations with our free app for iOS, Android, and Kindle!

Contrabass Conversations production team:

Jason Heath, host
Michael Cooper and Steve Hinchey, audio editing
Mitch Moehring, audio engineer
Trevor Jones, publication and promotion
Krista Kopper, archival and cataloging

685: Barry Lieberman on retirement and bass legends

Fri, 10 Apr 2020 10:00:00 +0000

After 30 years at the University of Washington, Barry Lieberman is retiring. I've had Barry on the podcast several times in the past, and we had an engaging chat about the hefty list of bass players that he has brought to the university for his Barry Lieberman and Friends series.

We also chatted about a wide variety of videos and artists, including:

This episode was recorded on March 10, 2020, and I congratulate Barry on his accomplishment!

684: Kieran Hanlon on Bass Fest and Eccles

Mon, 06 Apr 2020 10:00:00 +0000

I had a great time having Kieran Hanlon back on the podcast. In this episode, recorded on February 20, we talk about the Fredonia Bass Fest, which had recently wrapped up and which had past podcast guests Danny Ziemann and Lauren Pierce as guest artists.

We also dig into Kieran's new trio edition (bass, guitar, cello) of the Eccles Sonata, the interesting self-care topic that came up at the Bass Fest, and more. Enjoy!

Listen to Contrabass Conversations with our free app for iOS, Android, and Kindle!

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683: Valentina Ciardelli on arranging

Thu, 02 Apr 2020 10:00:00 +0000

It was great to have Valentina Ciardelli back on the podcast to talk about all the new developments in her career. In this episode, recorded on February 20, we dig into her new arrangements, including Zappa, Stravinsky, and her new arrangement of 'Nei Cieli Bigi' from La Bohème for cello and bass. We also talk about Music Academy International and other topics.

Valentina is currently offering Skype lessons for bassists worldwide, so be sure to reach out to her if you'd like to study with this inspiring artist! Also, she is now selling the following two arrangements online:

682: Lizzie Burns on chamber music and community engagement

Tue, 31 Mar 2020 10:00:00 +0000

It was a pleasure chatting with Lizzie Burns about the fascinating career that she has carved out for herself in the music world.

Lizzie spent six years studying in Boston while maintaining an active freelance career. She was a founding member of Phoenix and the Pianosofia Chamber Players; a fellow of Symphony Nova; and has been heard many times in Symphony Hall, Jordan Hall, and at the American Repertory Theater. Lizzie has appeared at Yellow Barn, both as a summer participant and as an artist-in-residence, and has served as principal bass of both the chamber and symphony orchestras at the National Orchestral Institute.

We talk about her path toward music school, how Don Palma inspired her to head down the path that she's now on, advice for people looking to explore a career in chamber music, and much more.

We chatted on February 25h for the podcast, and much has changed in the world in the intervening weeks, but I hope that you enjoy taking your mind off of these concerning times with this engaging and thoughtful conversation with Lizzie!

681: Gary Karr and his Influence

Thu, 26 Mar 2020 10:00:00 +0000

Today's episode features the following past podcast guests on the topic of Gary Karr and his influence:

David Murray - Butler University
Derek Jones - bassist for Cirque du Soleil's show KÀ
Diana Gannett - University of Michigan professor emeritus
Gary Karr - the man himself!
Hector Tirado - Puerto Rican bassist
Lawrence Hurst - Indiana University professor emeritus
James Oesi - soloist and bass community organizer
Jeff Bradetich - University of North Texas
Jim Ham - luthier
Larry Hutchinson - retired Detroit Symphony member
Phoebe Russell - Queensland Symphony principal bass
Ranaan Meyer - Time for Three
Steve Reeves - retired Melbourne Symphony principal bass

Check out Gary Karr's first and second appearances on this podcast, and listen to more "best of" episodes at contrabassconversations.com/highlights.

Listen to Contrabass Conversations with our free app for iOS, Android, and Kindle!

Contrabass Conversations is sponsored by:

D'Addario Strings

This episode is brought to you by D'Addario Strings! Check out their Zyex strings, which are synthetic core strings that produce an extremely warm, rich sound. Get the sound and feel of gut strings with more evenness, projection and stability than real gut.

Steve Swan String Bass

Steve Swan String Bass features the West Coast's largest selection of double basses between Los Angeles and Canada. Located in Burlingame, just south of San Francisco, their large retail showroom holds about 70 basses on display. Their new basses all feature professional setups and come with a cover at no additional cost. Used and consignment instruments receive any needed repairs and upgrades before getting a display position on the sales floor.

Upton Bass String Instrument Company

Upton's Karr Model Upton Double Bass represents an evolution of our popular first Karr model, refined and enhanced with further input from Gary Karr. Since its introduction, the Karr Model with its combination of comfort and tone has gained a loyal following with jazz and roots players. The slim, long "Karr neck" has even become a favorite of crossover electric players.

The Bass Violin Shop

The Bass Violin Shop offers the Southeast's largest inventory of laminate, hybrid and carved double basses. Whether you are in search of the best entry-level laminate, or a fine pedigree instrument, there is always a unique selection ready for you to try. Trade-ins and consignments welcome!

Modacity

Modacity is a practicing app that helps musicians be more effective at practice. They help you get the results you want, while keeping you encouraged and motivated to stick with it and reach those goals – however big, or small, they may be.

Kolstein Music

The Samuel Kolstein Violin Shop was founded by Samuel Kolstein in 1943 as a Violin and Bow making establishment in Brooklyn, New York. Now on Long Island, over 60 years later, Kolstein's has built a proud reputation for quality, craftsmanship and expertise in both the manufacture and repair of a whole range of stringed instruments, and has expanded to a staff of twelve experts in restoration, marketing and production.

A440 Violin Shop

An institution in the Roscoe Village neighborhood for over 20 years, A440's commitment to fairness and value means that we have many satisfied customers from the local, national, and international string playing communities. Our clients include major symphony orchestras, professional orchestra and chamber music players, aspiring students, amateur adult players, all kinds of fiddlers, jazz and commercial musicians, university music departments, and public schools.

Contrabass Conversations production team:

Jason Heath, host
Michael Cooper and Steve Hinchey, audio editing
Mitch Moehring, audio engineer
Trevor Jones, publication and promotion
Krista Kopper, archival and cataloging

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680: Working as a Jazz Bassist

Mon, 23 Mar 2020 10:00:00 +0000

Today's episode features the following past podcast guests on the topic of what it's like working these days as a jazz bassist:

Ben Allison - NYC
Dan Chmielinski - NYC
Herbert Smith - Brazil
John Goldsby - Germany
Katie Thiroux - Los Angeles
Kenneth Knudson - Denmark
Larry Gray - Chicago
Rufus Reid - NYC
Sean Conly - NYC

Listen to more "best of" episodes at contrabassconversations.com/highlights.

Listen to Contrabass Conversations with our free app for iOS, Android, and Kindle!

Contrabass Conversations is sponsored by:

D'Addario Strings

Steve Swan String Bass

Upton Bass String Instrument Company

The Bass Violin Shop

Modacity

Kolstein Music

A440 Violin Shop

Contrabass Conversations production team:

Jason Heath, host
Michael Cooper and Steve Hinchey, audio editing
Mitch Moehring, audio engineer
Trevor Jones, publication and promotion
Krista Kopper, archival and cataloging

Subscribe to the podcast to get these interviews delivered to you automatically!

679: Ranaan Meyer on COVID-19 and staying positive

Fri, 20 Mar 2020 10:00:00 +0000

We're all experiencing difficult times right now.

Ranaan Meyer, my longtime friend and member of Time for Three, reached out to me this week, and we had an inspiring conversation about how we're handling the current situation.

Ranaan has been on the podcast many times in the past, and I felt much better about what I can do to make the best of things after chatting with him.

We also featured music from Time for Three's recent track Joy, which is fitting music for these current times.

678: Inside America's Major Orchestras

Thu, 19 Mar 2020 10:00:00 +0000

Today's episode features the following past podcast guests on the topic of what it's like playing in major American orchestras:

Chris Hanulik - LA Phil
Jeff Weisner - National Symphony
Micah Howard - Pittsburgh Symphony
Orin O'Brien - New York Philharmonic
Rex Surany - Metropolitan Opera Orchestra
Scott Dixon - Cleveland Orchestra
Steve Tramontozzi - San Francisco Symphony
Tom Zera - Utah Symphony

Listen to more "best of" episodes at contrabassconversations.com/highlights.

Listen to Contrabass Conversations with our free app for iOS, Android, and Kindle!

Contrabass Conversations is sponsored by:

D'Addario Strings

Steve Swan String Bass

Upton Bass String Instrument Company

The Bass Violin Shop

Modacity

Kolstein Music

A440 Violin Shop

Contrabass Conversations production team:

Jason Heath, host
Michael Cooper and Steve Hinchey, audio editing
Mitch Moehring, audio engineer
Trevor Jones, publication and promotion
Krista Kopper, archival and cataloging

Subscribe to the podcast to get these interviews delivered to you automatically!

677: Bass Gear Geek-out

Mon, 16 Mar 2020 10:00:00 +0000

Today's episode features the following past podcast guests on the topic of bass gear:

Bill Merchant - luthier
Christian McBride - jazz bass legend
Daniel Kimbro - Jerry Douglas Band
Derek Jones - bassist for Cirque du Soleil's show KÀ
Donovan Stokes - Shenandoah University
Eric Revis - New York jazz bassist
Ethan Jodziewicz - newgrass bassist
Gael McKeon - luthier
Gahlord Dewald - modular synthesis specialist
Joe Zon - Zon guitars
Joel Quarrington - noted orchestral principal and soloist
Joey Naeger - luthier
Kevin Smith - bassist for Willie Nelson
Ralph Alcala - luthier
David Gage - luthier
Luthier roundtable
Tom Mendel - Chicago-based theater musician
Volkan Orhon - University of Iowa

Listen to more "best of" episodes at contrabassconversations.com/highlights.

Listen to Contrabass Conversations with our free app for iOS, Android, and Kindle!

Contrabass Conversations is sponsored by:

D'Addario Strings

Steve Swan String Bass

Upton Bass String Instrument Company

The Bass Violin Shop

Modacity

Kolstein Music

A440 Violin Shop

Contrabass Conversations production team:

Jason Heath, host
Michael Cooper and Steve Hinchey, audio editing
Mitch Moehring, audio engineer
Trevor Jones, publication and promotion
Krista Kopper, archival and cataloging

Subscribe to the podcast to get these interviews delivered to you automatically!

676: Working With the Jazz Greats

Thu, 12 Mar 2020 10:00:00 +0000

Today's episode features the following past podcast guests on the topic of working with the jazz greats:

Brian Bromberg - jazz bass legend
Chuck Israels - jazz bass legend
Frank Proto - bassist and composer
Gary Peacock - jazz bass legend
Gene Perla - jazz bassist and music business expert
Jeff Denson - California Jazz Conservatory
Jim Miller on Art Davis
Kenny Davis - NYC jazz bassist
Kurt Morrow on Milt Hinton
Larry Grenadier - jazz bass legend
Marco Panascia - NYC jazz bassist
Pete Coco - New York area jazz bassist

Listen to more "best of" episodes at contrabassconversations.com/highlights.

Listen to Contrabass Conversations with our free app for iOS, Android, and Kindle!

Contrabass Conversations is sponsored by:

D'Addario Strings

Steve Swan String Bass

Upton Bass String Instrument Company

The Bass Violin Shop

Modacity

Kolstein Music

A440 Violin Shop

Contrabass Conversations production team:

Jason Heath, host
Michael Cooper and Steve Hinchey, audio editing
Mitch Moehring, audio engineer
Trevor Jones, publication and promotion
Krista Kopper, archival and cataloging

Subscribe to the podcast to get these interviews delivered to you automatically!

675: Improv and Learning in Jazz

Mon, 09 Mar 2020 10:00:00 +0000

Today's episode features the following past podcast guests on the topics of improvisation and learning in jazz:

Adam Booker - Appalachian State University
Alexis Cuadrado - NYC jazz bassist
Ben Robertson - Melbourne jazz bassist
Bernard O'Neill - European jazz bassist and composer
Charley Sabatino - New York jazz bassist and educator
Chuck Israels - jazz bass legend
Christian McBride - jazz bass legend
Carlos Henriquez - jazz bass legend
Larry Grenadier - jazz bass legend
Marlene Rosenberg - Chicago jazz bassist
Peter Seymour - Project Trio bassist
Roberto Cassani - Scotland jazz bassist and composer
Ron Carter - jazz bass legend
Sélène Saint-Aime - French jazz bassist

Listen to more "best of" episodes at contrabassconversations.com/highlights.

Listen to Contrabass Conversations with our free app for iOS, Android, and Kindle!

Contrabass Conversations is sponsored by:

D'Addario Strings

Steve Swan String Bass

Upton Bass String Instrument Company

The Bass Violin Shop

Modacity

Kolstein Music

A440 Violin Shop

Contrabass Conversations production team:

Jason Heath, host
Michael Cooper and Steve Hinchey, audio editing
Mitch Moehring, audio engineer
Trevor Jones, publication and promotion
Krista Kopper, archival and cataloging

Subscribe to the podcast to get these interviews delivered to you automatically!

674: Developing Your Sound

Thu, 05 Mar 2020 11:00:00 +0000

Today's episode features the following past podcast guests on the topic of developing your sound:

Christine Hoock - German bassist and pedagogue
Dan Styffe - Oslo Philharmonic
David Allen Moore - LA Phil
David Murray - Butler University
Ethan Jodziewicz - newgrass artist
James VanDemark - Eastman School of Music
Mark Dresser - University of California San Diego
Matthew McDonald - Berlin Philharmonic
Pablo Aslan - tango bass specialist
Thierry Barbe - Paris National Opera
Volkan Orhon - University of Iowa

Listen to more "best of" episodes at contrabassconversations.com/highlights.

Listen to Contrabass Conversations with our free app for iOS, Android, and Kindle!

Contrabass Conversations is sponsored by:

D'Addario Strings

Steve Swan String Bass

Upton Bass String Instrument Company

The Bass Violin Shop

Modacity

Kolstein Music

A440 Violin Shop

Contrabass Conversations production team:

Jason Heath, host
Michael Cooper and Steve Hinchey, audio editing
Mitch Moehring, audio engineer
Trevor Jones, publication and promotion
Krista Kopper, archival and cataloging

Subscribe to the podcast to get these interviews delivered to you automatically!

673: What Makes a Teacher Great?

Mon, 02 Mar 2020 11:00:00 +0000

Today's episode features the following past podcast guests on the topic of what makes a teacher great:

George Amorim - University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
Caroline Emery - renowned UK bass teacher
Bob Phillips - clinician and educator
Paul Ellison - Rice University
Guy Tuneh - soloist and chamber musician
Lawrence Hurst - professor emeritus at Indiana University
Ira Gold - National Symphony and Peabody Conservatory
Johnny Hamil - Kansas City-based teacher
Jory Herman - LA Phil
Francois Rabbath - teacher and soloist
Peter Tambroni - Chicago-area educator
Tracy Rowell - Oberlin Conservatory
Lawrence Wolfe - Boston Symphony and New England Conservatory faculty
Victor Wooten - electric bass legend
Inez Wyrick - young bass teacher specialist and composer
Diego Zecharies - Spain-based pedagogue and composer
Danny Ziemann - jazz bassist and educator

Listen to more "best of" episodes at contrabassconversations.com/highlights.

Listen to Contrabass Conversations with our free app for iOS, Android, and Kindle!

Contrabass Conversations is sponsored by:

D'Addario Strings

Steve Swan String Bass

Upton Bass String Instrument Company

The Bass Violin Shop

Modacity

Kolstein Music

A440 Violin Shop

Contrabass Conversations production team:

Jason Heath, host
Michael Cooper and Steve Hinchey, audio editing
Mitch Moehring, audio engineer
Trevor Jones, publication and promotion
Krista Kopper, archival and cataloging

Subscribe to the podcast to get these interviews delivered to you automatically!

672: Stephen Newton on composition

Thu, 27 Feb 2020 11:00:00 +0000

It was such a pleasure to spend time with composer and Melbourne Symphony bassist Stephen Newton during my trip to Australia in 2019. Stephen is an outstanding performer, and he has a compelling voice as a composer.

A native of Sydney, Stephen joined the Melbourne Symphony in 2006, and he has performed internationally with the MSO and other ensembles.

We talk about this recent solo bass suite, developing his voice as a composer, connecting wit the audience, and much more. Enjoy!

Listen to Contrabass Conversations with our free app for iOS, Android, and Kindle!

Contrabass Conversations is sponsored by:

D'Addario Strings

Steve Swan String Bass

Upton Bass String Instrument Company

The Bass Violin Shop

Modacity

Kolstein Music

A440 Violin Shop

Contrabass Conversations production team:

Jason Heath, host
Michael Cooper and Steve Hinchey, audio editing
Mitch Moehring, audio engineer
Trevor Jones, publication and promotion
Krista Kopper, archival and cataloging

Subscribe to the podcast to get these interviews delivered to you automatically!

671: Eleonore Oppenheim on creating your own opportunities

Mon, 24 Feb 2020 11:00:00 +0000

I first learned about Eleonore Oppenheim from Contrabass Conversations team member Krista Kopper, and I knew that she'd prove to be an interesting podcast guest. Eleonore describes herself as a "genre surfing musical polyglot," and she explores the bass and its role as a solo and chamber instrument in a variety of creative ways. Eleonore also recently wrapped up a long stint as the bassist for the Broadway revival of Oklahoma.

We dig into her musical background, studying with Orin O'Brien and Don Palma, the challenges involving traditional music school environments, the audition trail and what it was like leaving that, creating her 2016 album Home and how she has evolved since then, her current project The Hands Free, and much more.

670: Stuart Riley on global musical adventures

Thu, 20 Feb 2020 11:00:00 +0000

Stuart Riley has led a multifaceted and inspiring musical life as a bassist. Both in the United Kingdom, Stuart moved to Melbourne, Australia in 1999 and worked as a freelancer in all sorts of ensembles. He took a permanent position with Orchestra Victoria in 2017 as Principal Double Bass. Also, Stuart has a wide array of interests, and he has provided a wealth of information regarding orchestral auditions and musical development on his website.

We got together in person during my trip to Australia and dug into his background, a fascinating article that covered how he ended up with his bass, the highs and lows of freelancing, the unique setup of Orchestra Victoria, and much more. Enjoy!

Listen to Contrabass Conversations with our free app for iOS, Android, and Kindle!

Contrabass Conversations is sponsored by:

D'Addario Strings

Steve Swan String Bass

Upton Bass String Instrument Company

The Bass Violin Shop

Modacity

Kolstein Music

A440 Violin Shop

Contrabass Conversations production team:

Jason Heath, host
Michael Cooper and Steve Hinchey, audio editing
Mitch Moehring, audio engineer
Trevor Jones, publication and promotion
Krista Kopper, archival and cataloging

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669: Ben Hanlon on the Melbourne jazz scene

Mon, 17 Feb 2020 11:00:00 +0000

Melbourne bassist Ben Hanlon lives a vibrant musical life as a classical and jazz musician. In addition to his job as a member of the Melbourne Symphony bass section, Ben enjoys a thriving career performing in Melbourne's many jazz venues. He often works with guitarist James Sherlock and has released an album featuring several of their duos.

We got together in person during my trip to Australia and talked about growing up in Australia, heading to Los Angeles to study at the Colburn Conservatory of Music with David Allen Moore, Paul Ellison, Leigh Mesh and Peter Lloyd, Melbourne's remarkably thriving jazz scene, and much more. Enjoy!

Listen to Contrabass Conversations with our free app for iOS, Android, and Kindle!

Contrabass Conversations is sponsored by:

D'Addario Strings

Steve Swan String Bass

Upton Bass String Instrument Company

The Bass Violin Shop

Modacity

Kolstein Music

A440 Violin Shop

Contrabass Conversations production team:

Jason Heath, host
Michael Cooper and Steve Hinchey, audio editing
Mitch Moehring, audio engineer
Trevor Jones, publication and promotion
Krista Kopper, archival and cataloging

Subscribe to the podcast to get these interviews delivered to you automatically!

668: Sebastiano Dessanay on cycling across Sardinia

Thu, 13 Feb 2020 11:00:00 +0000

In October 2018, Sebastiano Dessanay embarked on a humongous adventure: cycling between all 377 towns of his native Sardinia in 377 days. This project, which he called 377, involved him putting his bass ukulele on his back, chronicling his travels via photo, text, and music on his blog.

We talk about how he worked up the courage to make this tremendous journey, the logistical planning involved before he went on this trip, high and low points in the journey, what he's planning to do with all of this detailed material, and much more.

Enjoy, and be sure to say hi to this inspiring member of the bass community on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube!

Listen to Contrabass Conversations with our free app for iOS, Android, and Kindle!

Contrabass Conversations is sponsored by:

D'Addario Strings

Steve Swan String Bass

Upton Bass String Instrument Company

The Bass Violin Shop

Modacity

Kolstein Music

A440 Violin Shop

Contrabass Conversations production team:

Jason Heath, host
Michael Cooper and Steve Hinchey, audio editing
Mitch Moehring, audio engineer
Trevor Jones, publication and promotion
Krista Kopper, archival and cataloging

Subscribe to the podcast to get these interviews delivered to you automatically!

667: Lila Horovitz on tango, Spain, and theater

Mon, 10 Feb 2020 11:00:00 +0000

I've been following along with Lila Horovitz and her multidimensional career for well over a decade, and it was a real pleasure to finally have her as a guest on the podcast. Lila's album Preludio del Primer Dia and her video Alone... All one was groundbreaking in highlighting the bass as a solo instrument, and the influence of her Argentinian upbringing is evident throughout her compositions.

We talk about her new video series covering techniques used by tango bassists, what it was like playing for Cirque du Soleil's show Algeria last year, moving to Spain many years ago, musical life in Madrid, and much more. Enjoy, and be sure to follow her on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube!

Listen to Contrabass Conversations with our free app for iOS, Android, and Kindle!

Contrabass Conversations is sponsored by:

D'Addario Strings

Steve Swan String Bass

Upton Bass String Instrument Company

The Bass Violin Shop

Modacity

Kolstein Music

A440 Violin Shop

Contrabass Conversations production team:

Jason Heath, host
Michael Cooper and Steve Hinchey, audio editing
Mitch Moehring, audio engineer
Trevor Jones, publication and promotion
Krista Kopper, archival and cataloging

Subscribe to the podcast to get these interviews delivered to you automatically!

666: Kees Boersma on Sydney Symphony principal bass life

Thu, 06 Feb 2020 11:00:00 +0000

Kees Boersma has had a remarkable musical career. In addition to serving as Principal Bass of the Sydney Symphony since 1990, Kees teaches at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music and is an active clinician and guest artist.

I had the opportunity to catch up with Kees in person during my trip to Australia. He was one of the headliners for the Melbourne BassDay, and we met up in a charming Fitzroy coffeeshop to talk through what he played on his recital for this event, his varied career, favorite gig stories, what it's like behind the scenes at the Sydney Opera House, and much more. Enjoy!

Listen to Contrabass Conversations with our free app for iOS, Android, and Kindle!

Contrabass Conversations is sponsored by:

D'Addario Strings

Steve Swan String Bass

Upton Bass String Instrument Company

The Bass Violin Shop

Modacity

Kolstein Music

A440 Violin Shop

Contrabass Conversations production team:

Jason Heath, host
Michael Cooper and Steve Hinchey, audio editing
Mitch Moehring, audio engineer
Trevor Jones, publication and promotion
Krista Kopper, archival and cataloging

Subscribe to the podcast to get these interviews delivered to you automatically!

665: Cécile-Laure Kouassi on France, Norway, and development

Mon, 03 Feb 2020 11:00:00 +0000

Cécile-Laure Kouassi has had quite a musical journey so far. Growing up in the French Alps, she moved to New York to study with Albert Laszlo at Juilliard. She went on to study with Tim Pitts at Rice University before taking her current position as Assistant Principal Bass of the Oslo Philharmonic.

We talk about her upbringing, the decision to study in the United States, favorite memories of her studies with her former teachers, life in Norway, and much more. Enjoy!

Listen to Contrabass Conversations with our free app for iOS, Android, and Kindle!

Contrabass Conversations is sponsored by:

D'Addario Strings

Steve Swan String Bass

Upton Bass String Instrument Company

The Bass Violin Shop

Modacity

Kolstein Music

A440 Violin Shop

Contrabass Conversations production team:

Jason Heath, host
Michael Cooper and Steve Hinchey, audio editing
Mitch Moehring, audio engineer
Trevor Jones, publication and promotion
Krista Kopper, archival and cataloging

Subscribe to the podcast to get these interviews delivered to you automatically!