Jason Heath’s Double Bass Blog

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This week’s Contrabass Conversations episode features a continuation of our interview with double bassist François Rabbath plus some music from U.K.-based bassist Leon Bosch. You can check out episode 16 of the podcast for the first part of this interview with François, and detailed information for both guests is available in the show notes [...]

There is no sick leave for a freelance musician. I sure learned that lesson the hard way.
A couple of years ago I was booked to play Bugs Bunny on Broadway, a popular show using the orchestra to accompany some Looney Tunes classics. These shows are like musical flypaper, attracting huge numbers of [...]

I’d like to thank readers for all of the great comments (both via e-mail and through the comments on the blog) about the most recent installment of Road Warrior Without an Expense Account. This information and perspective on the music performance degree curriculum at most music schools is in dire need of change, and I [...]

Bassists who are feverishly practicing for audition x, y, or z this month may want to take a break and head on over to Matt Heller’s recent post containing some unusual audition advice from Philip Myers, principal horn of the New York Philharmonic.
Here are the main points of Phil’s audition advice talk:
1. Don’t practice [...]

In Part VIII of Road Warrior Without an Expense Account, the topic of freelancer burnout was discussed. This is a depressing and all-too-frequent result of engaging in this type of work, and the solution to this situation is quite complicated.

Actually, this whole topic becomes quite depressing, and the more one thinks about [...]

This is a Contrabass Conversations special episode featuring a complete recital performance by Civic Orchestra of Chicago double bassist Peter Lawson. If you’d like to get in touch with Pete, you can always e-mail him at ptklawson@gmail.com. Enjoy!
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Show notes:
Release Date: 5/10/07Length: 50:18Website: www.contrabassconversations.comE-mail: contrabassconversations@gmail.comBlog: www.doublebassblog.comPodcast T-shirts, hats, and more: www.cafepress.com/doublebassMySpace: www.myspace.com/cbcpodcast
You can always [...]

Yaro Starak wrote a post about freelancing that intrigued me. It is interesting to compare his observations about realities of freelancing in the business world with my series on music freelancing. Check out Yaro’s post here.

A good friend of mine told me as I started my freelance career that musicians can only last ten years as freelancers. After ten years, the majority of people pack it up and look for other means of employment.
“Bah!” I said.
I was a tough cookie, able to put in six, seven, or eight [...]

I’d like to thank people who checked out my story about conducting the violas yesterday. I got some great feedback about it, and I appreciate it! If you’d like to check out any more stories about odd moments in the life of a freelance musician, you can click on one of the links [...]

For years I worked as a coach and lesson teacher in the public schools of suburban Chicago. I ran sectionals, did some chamber music coaching, and taught a gaggle of kids during and after the school day. Although I was pretty hesitant about doing this work when I started freelancing, worrying that it [...]