Jason Heath’s Double Bass Blog

You are browsing the archives of Northwestern.

After the bleak nature of the last several installments of this series, I am pleased to talk about a more positive and constructive piece in the puzzle that makes up the life of a freelance musician.
Most musicians engage in at least some degree of private teaching. The tradition of passing down skills, [...]

 

 Standard Podcast: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

This week’s episode of Contrabass Conversations features an interview with National Symphony bassist Ira Gold. Ira is an outstanding performer on the instrument, and he brings valuable insight into the process of learning and developing on the double bass in this interview. You will also get to hear Ira play the last [...]

Here is a video of the great Boguslaw Furtok playing a seven minute excerpt from the Bottesini Gran Duo Concertante with violinist Sha Ye. I’m not sure where this performance is taking place, but it sounds great.
I have performed this piece a few times with a fabulous Portuguese violinist at Northwestern University, and it is [...]

Pianist Josh Nemith wrote a recent post highlighting a study done by Northwestern University (my alma mater) on the positive effects of musical study on the auditory system and the brain stem’s ability to track and analyze certain sounds:

A new study by Northwestern University researchers suggests that Mom was right when she insisted that you [...]

This episode of Contrabass Conversations features an interview with composer Bjorn Berkhout. Bjorn has written extensively for the double bass, and he has some great insight into the particular challenges of writing for this instrument. Several excerpts of Bjorn’s music appear throughout the episode. Bjorn’s double bass music can be ordered from [...]

Although it shames me to admit it, I cannot tell a lie—I have never been to a Midwest Young Artists performance before. Despite having had numerous students in this program over the years (as well as having served as one of the ensemble and sectional coaches) through some circumstance or another, I have always [...]

I have seen the excellent Chicago jazz bassist Kelly Sill in action recently, and I have to say that I am quite impressed. Seeing Kelly reminded me of my student days at Northwestern University. I remember many performances with Kelly and former Northwestern University jazz faculty member Mike Kocour. Mike is a [...]

Here is a link to a video featuring University of North Texas double bass professor Jeff Bradetich demonstrating left hand techniques for the instrument. The video comes from the UNT website and is very informative. Check it out here.
For those of you unfamiliar with Jeff’s background, here is his bio. Click his [...]

Lyric Opera of Chicago and Grant Park Symphony double bassist Andy Anderson has just been appointed as a member of the bass faculty of the Chicago College of Performing Arts at Roosevelt University in Chicago, Illinois. This is really exciting news both for Andy and for the bass community at large.
Here’s why:

Andy is [...]

As I was wrapping up my Masters degree from Northwestern University in 2000, reality started to set in. I needed to pay my bills as a musician! I had won a position in the Milwaukee Ballet and in the IRIS Chamber Orchestra (I ended up getting a position in the Elgin Symphony that [...]