Contrabass Conversations

This year's Winter Olympics inspired podcast listener Steven Bingham to write in the following topic request: "If I could suggest a future podcast topic, it would be "performance psychology" with a bassist or other musician who also is a subject matter expert, for example, a university teacher or researcher. Watching the Winter Olympics reminds me of what human beings are capable of achieving when...

Barry Green 's creative output is filled with surprises and unexpected new directions.   The last tie he was on the podcast, we were chatting with Barry and Jeff Bradetich about Anna's Promise . An article from Barry just came out in the American String Teachers Association 's journal.   Titled "Chair Factor," this article is an examination of body energy in playing, and how posture can indicate g...

I was first introduced to Erik Higgins by orchestra director and bassist Jonathan Lane .   Jonathan passed along a mesmerizing video of Erik performing an improvised duet with clarinetist Kinan Azmeh.  This duet is based on a Syrian Folk tune and took place during a live performance with A Far Cry and the Silk Road Ensemble.  Like New Century Chamber Orchestra bassist Tony Manzo , Erik has carved...

James Oesi is truly blazing new trails for double bassists worldwide.   Originally from South Africa, James spent several years studying in Russia before moving to the Netherlands.  Over the past decade, James has established a vibrant career for himself as a solo double bassist.   He also founded and hosted the Dutch Double Bass Festival in 2017. We dig into many meaty topics, like: How can you m...

This episode is one of those astoundingly complex projects that I love digging into!  We're featuring questions from double bass student Baylee Brown, which are answered by 27 noted double bass faculty members.   This idea was suggested by University of Texas at Arlington bass faculty member Jack Unzicker , who help design and execute this project. A big shout-out to Baylee, Jack, and all of the f...

The line-up for the 2018 TCU International Double Bass Festival (March 3-4, 2018)  is like a who's who in the double bass world! Founded and organized by Artistic Director and TCU Professor of Double Bass Yuan Lu , this fifth bi-annual festival is the largest such event for double bassists in North America. Learn more about this event on their website , and be sure to like TCU on Facebook to follo...

Gary Karr… I mean, what can I say?   He's the reason that I play bass. That so many people play the bass.   He's truly one of a kind, and he's not slowing down anytime soon! When International Society of Bassists General Manager Madeleine Crouch heard that I would be the guest artist for the 2018 Las Vegas Bass Workshop , she suggested that Gary Karr and I coordinate an "at home with Gary" podcast...

I first became acquainted with REMIC microphones through my good friend Adam Booker .  Adam did a comprehensive video review of the REMIC bass mics in 2017, and I was mesmerized by how well the acoustic sound of the bass is reproduced. When Trine from REMIC reached out to me and suggested that company founder Thorkild Larsen and I chat about the technology behind these mics, I immediately said yes...

Lauren Pierce has been a guest on the podcast many times in the past.   She's a great friend and is constantly looking for new ways to help bass players learn ket concepts. Lauren has just come out with a Left Hand Technique course through Discover Double Bass .   Talk about a big concept to tackle!   Lauren has done a magnificent job laying out a logical sequence of major concepts for the left ha...

How do we learn a piece? That's a question thatI recently put out to the Contrabass Conversations community .   The responses I got back were fascinating. While we all have a different approach to learning a piece (as you'll see in this episode!), there are certain recurring approaches that I discovered: Listening to recordings Watching videos on YouTube. Beginning with a "bird's eye" perspective...

We are chatting with Daniel Smith on today's podcast!   Daniel recently joined the San Francisco Symphony as associate principal bass after spending two seasons in the San Diego Symphony double bass section. About Daniel Smith: A native to Southern California, bassist Daniel Smith was recently appointed Associate Principal Bass of the San Francisco Symphony after performing for two seasons with th...

Today's episode covers injury prevention and recovery.   We feature excerpts from the following individuals: Randy Kertz Nina DeCesare Lloyd Goldstein Robin Kesselman Nash Tomey Susan Wulff Scott Devine Leigh Mesh Listen to Contrabass Conversations with our free app for iOS, Android, and Kindle! Contrabass Conversations is sponsored by: Robertson & Sons Violins For more than four decades, Robertso...

We're chatting with double bass performer, composer, and Hutchins Consort founder Joe McNalley .   I had the chance to spend time with Joe at Andrés Martín 's Contrabajos de Baja California Double Bass Festival About Joe McNalley: Joe McNalley began bass violin studies at the age of eleven, and started writing orchestral music in his early teens. Formal training with Edwin Barker, Ran Blake, Miros...

I had a wonderful time chatting with Peabody Conservatory double bass faculty member Paul Johnson ! About Paul Johnson: Paul Johnson earned his Bachelor of Music degree in 1980 from St. Olaf College in Northfield Minnesota before earning his Master of Music degree in 1986 at the Peabody Conservatory of the Johns Hopkins University. A "Liberace Foundation Scholar" during his graduate years of study...

We're chatting today with Killer Walking Bass co-author and Mike Stern band member Teymur Phell ! About Teymur Phell: ​" Unbelievable bass player, both electric and upright… Great feel, amazing soloist, love playing with him! " - Mike Stern " A virtuoso, incredible musician! " - Arturo Sandoval Teymur is a virtuoso bassist, proficient in classical, upright jazz and electric bass styles. He graduat...

Today's "best of" episode features bassist and composer Miles Mosley ! About Miles Mosley: Throughout the years Mosley has written, composed, performed live, appeared in videos and recorded for various artists including Chris Cornell, Jonathan Davis, Everlast, Terrence Howard, Joni Mitchell, Lauryn Hill, Gnarls Barkley, Jeff Beck, Common, Christina Aguilera, Lesa Carlson, and Kamasi Washington. A...

This "best of" episode features a conversation with the fantastic Adam Ben Ezra ! About Adam Ben Ezra: Double-Bass phenomenon, multi-instrumentalist and online sensation Adam Ben Ezra; a man seemingly on a mission to bring his instrument from its status as a background note to the dominant front-presence it deserves. For the past few years Adam has been pushing his craft in new, exciting direction...

We're chatting about how to start a podcast on today's solo episode.   This episode is based on a series of articles that Jason published on Artshacker.com in 2016 and includes updates for today's newest publishing and editing tools. 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...

We're chatting with Eric Snoza of Fifth House Ensemble on today's episode.   Eric has built a remarkable career for himself as a chamber musician, educator, and entrepreneur, and we dig into the hows and whys of his journey. About Eric Snoza: Eric Snoza has been a double bass performer before he could even properly reach the fingerboard. He received his Bachelors and continuing Masters degrees fro...

We're chatting about the Pareto Principle and how Jason has focused on discovering those "hell yes" moments now that he is out in San Francisco building a new career. Blog post referenced: Unemployment Never Sounded So Sweet 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 b...

We're chatting with violinist Nathan Cole on today's podcast.   Nathan is a member of the Los Angeles Philharmonic and has just released a new podcast called Stand Partners for Life .   Nathan and his wife Akiko (also a member of the LA Phil) have all sorts of exciting plans for this new venture.  We dig into Nathan's journey through music, getting into tech, the motivations behind launching a pod...

This "best of" episode features a conversation with the always inspiring Leon Bosch ! About Leon Bosch: Leon Bosch has an honoured place among the select group of virtuoso double bass players worldwide. Concerto engagements in many parts of the world with the likes of conductors Pinchas Zukerman, Nicolas Kraemer, Nicolae Moldoveanu and Guido Johannes Rumstadt have been matched by collaborations wi...

Today's "best of" episode features Certified Music Practitioner Lloyd Goldstein . About Lloyd Goldstein: When Lloyd was in sixth grade he had a dream. He envisioned playing the double bass in such a way listening audiences would be emotionally moved. He played the double bass through high school, but was unprepared for college and as a result, dropped out. While attempting to cut wood on a table s...

Jason and D'Addario Orchestral social media manager (also a bassist!) Sabrina Brengel answer listener questions about strings on this special Q&A episode. Listen to Contrabass Conversations with our free app for iOS, Android, and Kindle! Contrabass Conversations is sponsored by: Robertson & Sons Violins For more than four decades, Robertson & Sons has specialized in providing the highest quality s...

We take a look back at all the guests we've featured in 2017 on Contrabass Conversations plus thoughts for the future of the show.  Here's the list (in order of appearance): Adam Booker Jeff Bradetich Brandino Dan Styffe David Heyes Eric Steffens Kevin Brown Composed Documentary Ted Botsford Sean Perrin Bernard O'Neill Emilio Guarino Tracy Rowell Patrick Neher Audition Breakthrough Summit Enrico F...