I had the chance to chat recently with Denis Chang, who has produced a new four-part double bass course featuring Gary Karr! This course rocks. I’ve been using it for my own playing and with my students with great results. Here are links and details:
In The Style Of Gary Karr, Vol.1
Lessons
- Warm-up Exercise 1
- Warm-up Exercise 2
- Warm-up Exercise 3
- Warm-up Exercise 4
- Holding The Bass
- Purpose Of Vomit Exercise
- Fingerings For Vomit Exercise
- Vomit Exercise
- Holding The Bow
- Role Of Fingers In The Bowing Hand
- Feeling The Bow
Performances:
- Bach 1a – Prelude
- Bach 1b – Allemande
- Bach 1c – Courante
- Bach 1d – Sarabande
- Bach 1e – Minuet
- Bach 1f – Gigue
In The Style Of Gary Karr, Vol.2
Lessons
- Left Hand Knuckles
- Using All The Fingers
- Left Hand Finger Contact Point
- Left Arm Elbow
- Standing Naturally
- Bow Hair
- String Crossing Preparation
- Spiccato
- String Crossing Exercise
- Preparation For Spiccato
- Tada Exercise
- Rosin
- Findeisen String Crossing
- Scale Exercise
Performances:
- Bach 2a – Prelude
- Bach 2b – Allemande
- Bach 2c – Courante
- Bach 2d – Sarabande
- Bach 2e – Menuet
- Bach 2f – Gigue
In The Style Of Gary Karr, Vol.3
Lessons
- Stretching 1
- Stretching 2
- Stretching 3
- Vibrato Exercise
- Types Of Vibrato
- Vibrato Contact Point
- Learning A Piece
- Phrasing
- Thoughts On Technique
- Bow Distribution
- Shift On Upbow
- Balance And Bow Speed
Extra – Stretching Routine (Uninterrupted)
Performances:
- Bach 3a – Prelude
- Bach 3b – Allemande
- Bach 3c – Courante
- Bach 3d – Sarabande
- Bach 3e – Bourree
- Bach 3f – Gigue
In The Style Of Gary Karr, Vol.4
Lessons
- Tuning The Bass
- Intonation And Overtones
- Size Of The Bass
- Practicing
- Feeling And Vibrations
- Pushing The Bass Into The Bow
- Dividing The Pulse
- Long Pulse
- Bowing Choices
- Double Stops Intonation
- Playing On One String
- Bow Angle
- Etudes
- Relationship To Bach
- Callouses And Thumb
- Projection And Amplification
- Final Thoughts
Performances:
- Abendlied
- Amazing Grace
- Habanera
- Kol Nidrei
- Melodie
- Scherzo
- Sonnambula
- Valse Miniature
- When I Wake
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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.
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.
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