Shows
Double Bass and Beyond - Gary Upton of Upton BassBass Renaissance – Reviving a 1910 Hawkes with Matt RybickiEver wondered what it takes to replicate a cherished instrument with precision and care? Join us as we uncover the secret world of custom bass design with our longtime friend and client, the talented Matt Rybicki. With two decades of collaborative projects under our belts, we revisit Matt's journey from hybrid bass models to his latest passion: recreating his beloved 1910 Hawkes bass. Listen to Matt’s fascinating story of using pencil-rubbing techniques on backdrop paper to capture the complex contours of his instrument, all while maneuvering around the bridge. Plus, we’ll explore Matt’s recent move to North Caroli...2024-10-3120 min
Contrabass ConversationsFrom Naples to Berlin with Giuseppe BottiglieriGiuseppe 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...2024-09-0547 min
Contrabass ConversationsMark Morton and his awesome booksIn 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! Subscribe to the podcast to get these interviews delivered to...2024-08-2928 min
Contrabass ConversationsAudition prep with Brendan FitzgeraldJoin 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...2024-08-221h 06
Contrabass ConversationsExploring the Rhythms of Tango with Pascale Delache Feldman, Emmanuel Feldman, and Victor CayresIn 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...2024-08-1528 min
Contrabass ConversationsExploring Jazz Innovations with Bassist Richard AnderssonIn 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 h...2024-08-0827 min
Contrabass ConversationsDaniel Kimbro's solo album 'Carpet in the Kitchen'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...2024-08-0156 min
Contrabass ConversationsAlessandro Fongaro on his journey from Italy to the NetherlandsIn 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 a...2024-07-2541 min
Contrabass ConversationsBen Ticknor on Never Come DownWe’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! Subscribe to the podcast to get these int...2024-07-1857 min
Contrabass ConversationsRenata Soares Caceres on Bass BitesIn 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 Str...2024-07-1132 min
Contrabass ConversationsPeter Dominguez on The Milt Hinton Institute for Studio BassOn 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...2024-07-0449 min
Contrabass ConversationsMike Gaisbacher on bowmakingOur 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...2024-06-2742 min
Contrabass ConversationsSam Suggs on his double bass journeySam 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. Subscribe to the podcast to get these interviews delivered to you automatically! 2024-06-2039 min
Contrabass ConversationsStephanie Patterson on the value of community orchestrasStephanie 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. Subscribe to the podcast to get these interviews delivered to you automatically! Connect with us: all things double bass double bass merch double bass sheet music T...2024-06-131h 09
Contrabass ConversationsRobin Kesselman on Bow Speed GeographyRobin 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 Su...2024-06-0649 min
Contrabass ConversationsPaul Thompson on the evolution of pdbassPaul 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 pas...2024-05-3053 min
Double Bass and Beyond - Gary Upton of Upton BassThe Rosin Revelation - Crafting the Perfect Grip with Gary Upton and Blake HinsonHave you ever found yourself awash in a sea of bass rosin choices, feeling more like a hapless fly than a master of your craft? Blake Hinson joins me, Gary Upton, in a gripping discussion that might just stick with you. Together, we explore the world of bass rosin, sharing tales from the quest for that elusive perfect grip. Pops may be the household name for its steadfast reliability, but our chat reveals the artistry in selecting the right rosin for the right moment. From the smooth draw of a Weedoft to the graininess-reducing power of Carlson, we expose...2024-03-2817 min
Double Bass and Beyond - Gary Upton of Upton BassString Theory Unstrung - Debating C Extensions, Five-String Basses, and Authentic Sound with Gary Upton and Blake HinsonGet ready to dive into the intriguing world of double bass strings in this captivating episode! Join hosts Gary Upton and Blake Hinson as they unravel the debate surrounding the necessity of a C Extension or a five-string bass for orchestral players. Discover the emotional impact and authenticity lost when bassists opt for playing notes an octave higher, and explore the nuanced complexities of maintaining musical integrity. They also delve into the realm of transcriptions and the responsibility every musician holds to preserve the original intent of the music. With their unique insights and passion for the double bass...2024-03-1511 min
Contrabass ConversationsBlake Hinson on auditioning and practicingBlake Hinson serves as Assistant Principal Bass of the New York Philharmonic and teaches bass at Stony Brook University. He previously served as principal bass of the Grand Rapids Symphony and was a fellow in the New World Symphony. Many podcast listeners have requested Blake as a guest, and as I was planning my trip to New York City, I knew that I wanted to connect with him and talk about his time studying with Hal Robinson and Edgar Meyer at Curtis, his path through the audition world, practicing, and all kinds of other topics. O...2018-10-2243 min