Contrabass Conversations

Contrabass Conversations

double bass podcast

687: Eleanor Martindale on RCR Bass Camp

We’re chatting with Eleanor Martindale about the third annual RCR Double Bass Camp, which will be coming up August 17-22 in the south of France.

We talk about how the camp is organized, Lorraine Campet, Bernard Salles, Alberto Bocini, Giuseppe Ettorre, and all the other teachers that will be there, and much more.

Enjoy, and you can learn more about the RCR Double Bass Camp on their website and Facebook page!

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I’d also like to thank the sponsors who have supported us over the months and years. If you’d like to help the bass community recover as quickly as possible, consider visiting their site and making a purchase: 

Contrabass Conversations production team:

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686: Dennis Whittaker on Incredibly Useful Exercises

Houston Grand Opera principal bassist and University of Houston bass faculty Dennis Whittaker recently launched a YouTube Channel called Incredibly Useful Exercises.

Dennis has 45 of his favorite exercises that he is putting on YouTube and also into a series of 16 volumes plus an appendix.  He rates each exercise on a scale of 1-5 for the following attributes:

  • Control
  • Mindfulness
  • Expression
  • Power
  • Velocity
  • Coordination
  • Endurance

We dig into his inspiration for the project, efficiency and mindfulness in practicing, and much more.  Enjoy!

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

I’d also like to thank the sponsors who have supported us over the months and years. If you’d like to help the bass community recover as quickly as possible, consider visiting their site and making a purchase: 

Contrabass Conversations production team:

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

685: Barry Lieberman on retirement and bass legends

After 30 years at the University of Washington, Barry Lieberman is retiring.  I’ve had Barry on the podcast several times in the past, and we had an engaging chat about the hefty list of bass players that he has brought to the university for his Barry Lieberman and Friends series.

We also chatted about a wide variety of videos and artists, including:

This episode was recorded on March 10, 2020, and I congratulate Barry on his accomplishment!

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

I’d also like to thank the sponsors who have supported us over the months and years. If you’d like to help the bass community recover as quickly as possible, consider visiting their site and making a purchase: 

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

684: Kieran Hanlon on Bass Fest and Eccles

I had a great time having Kieran Hanlon back on the podcast. In this episode, recorded on February 20, we talk about the Fredonia Bass Fest, which had recently wrapped up and which had past podcast guests Danny Ziemann and Lauren Pierce as guest artists.

We also dig into Kieran’s new trio edition (bass, guitar, cello) of the Eccles Sonata, the interesting self-care topic that came up at the Bass Fest, and more.  Enjoy!

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

I’d also like to thank the sponsors who have supported us over the months and years. If you’d like to help the bass community recover as quickly as possible, consider visiting their site and making a purchase: 

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

683: Valentina Ciardelli on arranging

It was great to have Valentina Ciardelli back on the podcast to talk about all the new developments in her career.  In this episode, recorded on February 20, we dig into her new arrangements, including Zappa, Stravinsky, and her new arrangement of ‘Nei Cieli Bigi’ from La Bohème for cello and bass.  We also talk about Music Academy International and other topics.

Valentina is currently offering Skype lessons for bassists worldwide, so be sure to reach out to her if you’d like to study with this inspiring artist!  Also, she is now selling the following two arrangements online:

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

I’d also like to thank the sponsors who have supported us over the months and years. If you’d like to help the bass community recover as quickly as possible, consider visiting their site and making a purchase: 

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