Jeff Bradetich performs the Prelude from Bach Suite No. 1 for Solo Violoncello
Here’s a great video (with high production values to boot!) of University of North Texas and Cleveland Institute double bass professor Jeff Bradetich performing the Prelude from the first Bach Cello Suite. Very cool. I hope that Jeff knows his stuff’s out there on YouTube–something tells me that “deathgrind” (the username of the person [...]
CBC 95: The Bass Gang Rocks!
We hope you enjoyed last week’s episode featuring the music of bassist Matt Weiner and ukulele player Del Rey. I think that this duo rocks, and I hope you enjoyed hearing those tracks from them.
This week, we’re featuring another all-music episode. I’m pleased to bring you some tracks from The Bass Gang, one of [...]
Common Problems With Basses
The following excerpts are from an upcoming book by double bassist and educator Peter Tambroni. Peter has written an excellent double bass method book titled An Introduction to String Playing, and he has been a guest on Contrabass Conversations as well. In addition to a career as an active double bass performer and teacher, Peter [...]
New poll - How often do you take a day off from playing?
We’ve got a new poll up on doublebassblog.org–how often do you take a day off from playing? No gigs. No lessons. No practicing. Just a 100% instrument-free day. Let us know!
Kate Nettleman takes positon as principal bass of the Hong Kong Philharmonic
Double bassist Kate Nettleman, a previous Contrabass Conversations guest and a frequent extra musician with the Chicago Symphony and Minnesota Orchestra, has recetly accepted a position as Principal Bass of the Hong Kong Philharmonic. This is exciting news for Kate, and I am really happy that this outstanding musician has been put in place in [...]
Lawrence Hurst interview transcript now available
The wonderfully helpful bassist Satoru Tagawa just finished transcribing episode 20 of Contrabass Conversations, which featured co-host John Grillo and I interviewing Indiana University bass professor Lawrence Hurst. Check out the transcript here, and check out Satoru at www.myspace.com/eiahto38.
CBC 93: DaXun Zhang interview part 2
We’re concluding our interview with double bass soloist and University of Texas-Austin bass professorDaXun Zhang today, as well as featuring more tracks from this stellar musician. Check out episode 92 for the first part of this interview.
Along with the conclusion of our interview, we’ll be featuring DaXun performing a very cool Chinese piece for bass [...]
Audition preparation advice with Matt Heller
Calgary Philharmonic bassist Matt Heller (a frequent subject of posts here at doublebassblog.org) recently put out an excellent audition preperation breakdown on his blog hellafrisch.blogspot.com. Matt is an excellent bassist and blogger (and a swell guy to boot–we’ve been friends for years) who was featured in the New York Times by columnist Dan Wakin while [...]
The John Grillo Experience
Double bassist, blogger, and entrepreneur John Grillo has been a pivotal part of Contrabass Conversations since its inception in early 2007. John was one of our very first guests on the podcast, and his role quickly grew to that of collaborator and co-host. John and I have now co-hosted many of the Contrabass Conversations podcasts, [...]
CBC 92: DaXun Zhang interview part 1
We’re featuring an interview with and music from double bass soloist DaXun Zhang this week on Contrabass Conversations. The winner of numerous prestigious solo competitions, DaXun is a true virtuoso, capable of a level of musical expression and technical dexterity rarely seen on the instrument.
In this first segment of our interview (which we will conclude [...]
