Contrabass Conversations

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 ed...

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 fu...

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...

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...

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. Aida...

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...

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 ste...

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...

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....

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 o...

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, ma...

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 l...

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 descripti...

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...

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...

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...

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 Univers...

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, directi...

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 remarkabl...

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 Ya...

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. Enj...

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 exp...

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 succ...

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.   Thank you to our Sponsor,  Upton Bass Upton's...

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: Homec...