Links links links… who doesn’t love links? If you’ve got a suggestion for me to add, leave a comment and let me know!
But first…..
My all-time favorite double bass link
Why, it’s Contrabass Conversations of course! The double bass podcast that I have hosted for the past 10 years has featured featured “heavy hitters” like Ron Carter, Paul Ellison, Rufus Reid, Carlos Henriquez, Chuck Israels, Adam Ben Ezra, and a huge number of other guests. We release multiple episodes per week and have thousands of regular listeners. Check it out!
P.S. – We also have a free Contrabass Conversations app!
A book that all bass players should check out is Peter Tambroni’s excellent new work An Introduction to Double Bass playing. It is full of great advice for beginners, experienced players, teachers, and parents. This is a really valuable resource. Check it out!
Teaching and Learning the Double Bass
This page contains a wealth of information on how to get started as a double bass student. It’s also filled with useful material for teachers.
“Desert Island” Technique Materials for Jazz and Classical Bass
Double Bass Articulations Guide
Geoff Chalmers and Lauren Pierce of Discover Double Bass have created an outstanding articulations and markings guide. Be sure to bookmark this page–super-useful!
If you’re looking to build up your library with the most essential materials, check out this link. These are the books that I can’t live without.
General Bass Sites:
International Society of Bassists
Talkbass
MostlyBass
Bass Club Chicago
No Treble
Lemur Music
American School of Double Bass
Bob’s House of Basses
Bob Gollihur’s Double Bass Links Page
Double Bass and Violone Internet Archive
Polyphonic.org
The Online Double Bass Guide
Harmony Central Bass Resources (great for electric bass)
The Double Bass Page (UK)
DaXun Zhang’s Website
Sigi Busch’s Website
Gary Karr’s Website
Encyclopedia of Bass Logic
The Online Journal of Bass Research
Bottesini.com
Rufus Reid Homepage
playbassonline.com
Chicagoland and Wisconsin Youth Symphony Programs:
Midwest Young Artists
Chicago Youth Symphony
Elgin Youth Symphony
Rockford Youth Symphony
Milwaukee Youth Symphony Orchestra
Wisconsin Youth Symphony Orchestra
Staff Paper:
click here to download some staff paper (free PDF download)
Rosin:
Pop’s Bass Rosin (fresh!)
Oak Bass Rosin
Wheels:
Gaines Bass Wheel
Bob’s Bass Buggy
Stools:
Stool Cushions (these things are great!):
Cases (soft):
Professional-Quality Soft Bass Cases
Bob’s Bass Bag
Mooradian Deluxe
Soundwear
Reunion Blues
Cases (hard):
Misc. Gear:
Bass Bib
Humidifier (Dampit)
mute
practice mute
string winding crank
bow quiver
Strings:
check my string article for advice on what to choose
Pickups:
Bob’s House of Basses has a very comprehensive listing
Wilson Pickups – handmade in Denmark
Bow Rehair and Bow Services in Chicago (I’ve lived in Chicago for decades, so excuse the Midwest bias):
Ward Hansen (Chicago) 630-567-2697
Kenneth Stein Violins (Elmhurst) 630-782-0273
Robertson & Sons Violins (New Mexico–contact them for mailing instructions)
Chicago Luthiers/String Shops:
SMR Doublebasses Steve Reinfranck – Bass Dealer (847) 477-4773
Scott Henrie – Bass Luthier 773-743-8738
Classic Contrabass – Bass Rentals
Sonksen Strings- Repairs and Sales
A440 – Repairs and Sales
String Shops Outside Chicago:
The String Emporium – upright bass specialists
Bob Beerman’s Bass Violin Shop
Heartland String Bass Shop
Robertsons Violins
Upton Bass
Guarneri House
KC Strings
Cincinnati Bass Cellar
David Gage String Instrument Repair
Hammond Ashley
Kolstein Bass Shop
Gollihur Music
Lemur Music
The String Emporium
Chicago Area Music Schools:
DePaul University School of Music
Rob Kassinger and Alex Hanna, bass faculty
Northeastern Illinois University School of Music
Greg Sarchet, bass faculty
Northwestern University School of Music
Andrew Raciti, bass faculty
Roosevelt University College of Performing Arts
Andy Anderson and Steve Lester, bass faculty
Northern Illinois University
John Floeter, bass faculty
University of Illinois Bass
Michael Cameron and Larry Gray, bass faculty
Music Publishers for Bass:
Discordia Music
Slava Publishing (Progressive Repertoire by George Vance)
Liben Music
BassPlace.com online distributor
Thomas B. Gale publications
Aebersold Bass Publications – jazz
www.BassScores.com – Michael Cameron’s publishing company
Jazz Resources:
playjazznow.com
Ray Brown 9 part master class
Sigi Busch’s Website – great MP3 and MIDI resources
www.allaboutjazz.com
jazzcorner.com
Jazz FM
Downbeat.com
A Jazz Improvisaton Primer (on-line guide to jazz improvisation)
Aebersold Play-Along Series
The FREE Jazz Handbook (Aebersold) – excellent resource!
Musical Playground for Kids – The History of Jazz Music (thanks Sarah!)
Musical Instrument Insurance:
American String Teachers Association
International Society of Bassists
Clarion
Music Educator Resources:
Starzandcatz.com – Music Teacher Network
String Pedagogy Notebook (excellent internet resource with videos)
Blogging for teachers
Internet Public Library
http://chicago.learningguidenetwork.com
Professional Associations for Bass Players:
International Society of Bassists
American String Teachers Association
Career Websites for Performers:
MyAuditions
Musical Chairs
American Federation of Musicians
Summer Camps:
Chicago Area Professional Orchestras/Concerts to See:
Chicago Symphony Orchestra
Lyric Opera of Chicago
Elgin Symphony
Chicago Opera Theater
Music of the Baroque
Lake Forest Symphony
Chicago Sinfonietta
Chicago Philharmonic
Milwaukee Symphony
Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra
Rockford Symphony
Madison Symphony
United States Orchestral Training:
Civic Orchestra of Chicago
New World Symphony
Quality Bass Programs Beyond Chicagoland:
Peabody Conservatory
Indiana University
Rice University
Curtis Institute of Music
University of Maryland
Boston University
Colburn School
University of North Texas
Cleveland Institute of Music
Oberlin Conservatory
Duquense University
University of Southern California
Juilliard School of Music
Yale University
Manhattan School of Music
Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music
New England Conservatory
Instrument Insurance:
I use the International Society of Bassists insurance program and highly recommend this as an option.
Practice Tools:
doublebassexcerpts.com – this site is extremely useful!
Double Bass MIDI Files from albsound Studio – this is a great resource for MIDI files!
Audacity – a great FREE sound recording and multi-track editing program
Classicalmusicarchives.com (comprehensive MIDI orchestral repertoire)
Violinmasterclass.com – an excellent educational resource for all string players with videos, practice charts, and more
MusicTheory.net – great online music theory compendium
Online Ear Training
Practicespot.com – great site filled with practice tools, games, downloads, exercises, articles, etc.
Getting the Most Out of Your Practice Session (Bill Koehler)
Inner Game of Music
more solo bass MIDI
MIDI World
Hans Sturm’s Double Bass Audition Resources (audio and text bass resources)
Electric Bass Downloads Page
Douglas Yeo Trombone Home Page (not a bass page, but full of valuable career and practice info.)
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