• DBHQ
  • About
  • Episodes
  • Subscribe
  • Contact
Contrabass Conversations

Contrabass Conversations

double bass podcast

860: Composing new music for double bass

My Intermediate to Advanced Classical Bass course with Discover Double Bass featured compositions from seven of the most exciting composers writing for double bass.

In this episode, we talk with the composers about writing for double bass and the stories behind the pieces they wrote for this course.  Enjoy, and be sure to check out these seven great composers through these links:

  • Mason Bynes
  • Dani Brofe
  • Valentina Ciardelli
  • Andres Martin
  • Craig Butterfield
  • Donovan Stokes
  • Sam Suggs

Subscribe to the podcast to get these interviews delivered to you automatically!

Check out our Online Sheet Music Store with 100+ wide-ranging titles for bassists.

Listen to Contrabass Conversations with our free app for iOS, Android, and Kindle.

Check out my Beginner’s Classical Bass course and Intermediate to Advanced Classical Bass course, available exclusively from Discover Double Bass.

Thank you to our sponsors!

Upton Bass String Instrument Company – Upton’s Karr Model Upton Double Bass represents an evolution of our popular first Karr model, refined and enhanced with further input from Gary Karr. Since its introduction, the Karr Model with its combination of comfort and tone has gained a loyal following with jazz and roots players. The slim, long “Karr neck” has even become a favorite of crossover electric players.

Carnegie Mellon University Double Bass Studio – CMU is dedicated to helping each student achieve their goals as a musician. Every week each student receives private lessons and participates in a solo class with Micah Howard. Peter Guild, another member of the PSO, teaches Orchestral Literature and Repertoire weekly. They encourage students to reach out to the great bassists in their area for lessons and direction. Many of the bassists from all of the city’s ensembles are more than willing to lend a hand. Every year members of the Symphony, the Opera and the Ballet give classes and offer our students individual attention. Click here to visit Micah’s website and to sign up for a free online trial lesson.

Ear Trumpet Labs – They make hand-built mics out of Portland, OR and they have an excellent mic for upright bass called Nadine. The Nadine is a condenser mic with a clear natural sound and incredible feedback rejection. This mic is a completely new design — the head mounts in between the strings above the tailpiece with a rubber grommet, and the body securely straps to the tailpiece with velcro elastic. A 14-inch Mogami cable connects the two parts making it easy to place on any bass. It’s durable and holds up to the demanding needs of the instrument while offering excellent sound quality. Ear Trumpet Labs is offering a free t-shirt just for Contrabass listeners with the purchase of a mic, just visit EarTrumpetLabs.com/contrabass to claim yours and check out the Nadine!

Contrabass Conversations production team:

  • Jason Heath, host
  • Michael Cooper and Steve Hinchey, audio editing
  • Mitch Moehring, audio engineer
  • Trevor Jones, publication and promotion
  • theme music by Eric Hochberg
https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/contrabassconversations/860_-_composing__-_12_11_21_8.48_PM.mp3

254: Craig Butterfield on careers, ProTools, and American roots music

Craig Butterfield loved Edgar Meyer’s bass playing ever since discovering it.

Lately, he has been following in Edger’s footsteps. Performing American roots music with mandolinist Jesse Jones is now a key creative outlet.

Craig also teaches at the University of South Carolina. He shows young bassists how to hone their technique to explore creative new paths.

But that’s not it.

Craig also loves recording. He mixes and masters his own recordings in ProTools. His popular YouTube overdub videos have gotten tens of thousands of views.

We talk about:

  • his time studying with Jeff Bradetich at the University of North Texas
  • touring with Maynard Ferguson
  • career opportunities for musicians

…and much more!

Subscribe to the podcast to get these interviews delivered to your inbox! 

Links to check out:

Craig’s website

Craig’s YouTube Channel

Pisces (new album with Jesse Jones)

Stickerfoot (album with Jesse Jones)

http://traffic.libsyn.com/contrabassconversations/CBC_255_-_Craig_Butterfield_Interview.mp3
Facebook
Twitter
Instagram
YouTube

Copyright © 2026 · Maron Pro Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in