Contrabass Conversations

Contrabass Conversations

double bass podcast

284: Scott Devine is transforming online music education

scott-devine-web

“What else do you do?” said the neurologist to Scott Devine.

“Because you’ll never play bass again.”

How would you feel after hearing that news? What would you do?

Scott was making his living as a gigging bassist when he began having problems with his hands.  These problems grew progressively worse, prompting Scott to seek medical advice.

The diagnosis was focal dystonia, a neurological condition that affects a muscle or group of muscles in a specific part of the body, causing involuntary muscular contractions and abnormal postures.  Doctors told Scott that playing bass would not be an option for him anymore.

Fast-forward many years, and Scott is now making his living teaching electric bass (and yes, playing it!) to thousands of people world-wide.

How in the world did Scott overcome this?

We dig into this and much more in today’s episode!

Links to check out:

I also love this video of Scott interviewing Dave Swift, who was a recent podcast guest of mine!

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

Learn how you can support the show at contrabassconversations.com/support

 

Thanks to our sponsors!

This episode is brought to you by D’Addario Strings! Check out their Zyex strings, which are synthetic core strings that produce an extremely warm, rich sound. Get the sound and feel of gut strings with more evenness, projection and stability than real gut.

Enter the D’Addario strings giveaway for Contrabass Conversations listeners at contrabassconversations.com/strings!

Hosting for Contrabass Conversations is provided by Bass Capos.  Bass Capos are an excellent choice for any bass player using or looking to implement a double bass extension. Easy to install and adjust, cheaper and more reliable than hand-built latches, also lighter and quicker in operation.

279: Round Two with David Allen Moore

david-allen-moore-web

When I got the podcast going again in 2015, I knew that I wanted to do “round two” interviews with past guests. Los Angeles Philharmonic bassist and USC Thornton School of Music professor David Allen Moore was at the top of my list.

I had David on the show back in 2009, which has been one of the most popular interviews from the first-generation podcast episodes (nearly 14,000 downloads at the moment).

A lot has changed for David since we last spoke:

  • He took a sabbatical and, after analyzing Edgar Meyer’s technique, developed the concept of fractal fingerings.
  • He wrote a book on Fractal Fingerings.
  • He became an ultra-marathon runner.

Several of my former students have studied with David over the years.  When I asked them who had the biggest impact on them as a musician and as a person, David was the first person they mentioned.

I headed down to Los Angeles and we met up at his USC studio. Here’s a shot of us along with bassists Fernando de la Fuente and Dan Carson (another former student of mine!).

Fernando de la Fuente, David Allen Moore, Dan Carson, and Jason!

Fernando de la Fuente, David Allen Moore, Dan Carson, and Jason!

We dig into all kinds of topics, including:

  • building an internal map
  • how bass pedagogy is still catching up to reality
  • analyzing Edgar Meyer’s bass playing
  • the concept of framing
  • Rabbath’s approach and the German bow
  • how practicing is a creative process
  • how running changed David’s approach to various aspects of life
  • fractal fingering
  • peak performance
  • raising your floor as well as your ceiling
  • reveling in your successes

…and much more!

Links to check out:

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

Learn how you can support the show at contrabassconversations.com/support

Thanks to our sponsor!

This episode is brought to you by D’Addario Strings! Check out their Zyex strings, which are synthetic core strings that produce an extremely warm, rich sound. Get the sound and feel of gut strings with more evenness, projection and stability than real gut.

Enter the D’Addario strings giveaway for Contrabass Conversations listeners at contrabassconversations.com/strings!

278: Rob Anzellotti on bass capos and extensions

Rob Anzellotti Bass Capos

Rob Anzellotti and I had been planning on doing an interview.  When we realized that we would both be in Prague for BASS2016, we made plans to meet up and chat about capos, extensions, and other sorts of bass geekery.

Rob and I are joined by Chris Mathers for a freewheeling talk about bass, living in New York, life as an expat, getting into fabrication and how that led to making bass capos.

Did you ever want to know how many pounds of pressure strings exert on a bass?  Are you interested in the nitty-gritty of installing extensions without drilling into the scroll?  How about the angle at which a good capo should close?  If so, this is the episode for you!

It was a blast hanging out with Rob and Chris.  After we got done talking, we wandered down the street for some epically good Czech food and beer.  There’s nothing like geeking out on all things bass and following it up with good food and conversation.

Links to check out:

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

Learn how you can support the show at contrabassconversations.com/support

Thanks to our sponsor!

This episode is brought to you by D’Addario Strings! Check out their Zyex strings, which are synthetic core strings that produce an extremely warm, rich sound. Get the sound and feel of gut strings with more evenness, projection and stability than real gut.

Enter the D’Addario strings giveaway for Contrabass Conversations listeners at contrabassconversations.com/strings!

277: Florian Pertzborn on Europoean orchestral experiences

Florian Pertzborn double bass

Florian Pertzborn launched the European Orchestra Experience Award for the BASSEUROPE Orchestral Competition this year in Prague.

The recipients were:

  • 1st prize: Luzia Vieira
  • 2nd prize: Zuzana Blahova
  • 3rd prize: Andrea Cocco

Florian and I got a chance to sit down in the beautiful courtyard of the HAMU in Prague to discuss this competition.  We talk about why Florian launched this and what benefits he sees it bringing to young double bassists.

We also cover:

  • life as a musician in Porto, Portugal
  • a typical season for Casa da Música (Florian’s orchestra)
  • the international makeup of this orchestra.

It was great to chat with Florian!  He’s a great guy and is working hard to provide opportunities for young bassists across Europe.

Links to check out:

Florian and Jason in Prague for BASS2016!

Florian and Jason in Prague for BASS2016!

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

Learn how you can support the show at contrabassconversations.com/support

Thanks to our sponsor!

This episode is brought to you by D’Addario Strings! Check out their Zyex strings, which are synthetic core strings that produce an extremely warm, rich sound. Get the sound and feel of gut strings with more evenness, projection and stability than real gut.

Enter the D’Addario strings giveaway for Contrabass Conversations listeners at contrabassconversations.com/strings!