Contrabass Conversations

Contrabass Conversations

double bass podcast

1021: Sonia Ray on her creative double bass career

Sonia Ray is the titular professor of double bass at the Federal University of Goiás (Brazil). She holds an undergraduate degree in Conducting and Composition from the State University of São Paulo and master’s and Doctoral Degrees from the University of Iowa, both in Double Bass Performance under Dr. Gannett. Ray performs regularly performing both Brazilian and contemporary repertoire as a priority. Guest artist of ISB since 1993, Ray is a co-founding member of the Brazilian Society of Music Performance (ABRAPEM) and the Brazilian Society of Bassists (ABC).

We talk about Sonia’s background, her cool daily interview series from 2020, how she got into composition and bass, and much more.  Enjoy!

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Carnegie Mellon University Double Bass Studio – The School of Music at CMU highly values each and every individual who wants to be a part of an innovative fine arts community immersed in a top research university. 

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.

  • theme music by Eric Hochberg
  • 00:00 Introduction and Guest Presentation
  • 00:41 Podcast History and Personal Connections
  • 01:08 Memories from ISB Conventions
  • 02:40 Influence of Diana Gannett
  • 05:43 Adapting to Remote Music Making
  • 07:15 Daily Interview Project During Pandemic
  • 08:43 Reflections on Career Choices
  • 10:58 Sponsor Shoutout: Carnegie Mellon University
  • 11:53 The Upside of the Pandemic
  • 12:55 The Challenges of Online Community Building
  • 17:26 The Artistic Freedom in University Positions
  • 20:38 The Joy of Chamber Music
  • 22:41 The Art of Making Choices
  • 22:49 Exploring New Musical Horizons
  • 24:06 The Joy of Learning New Instruments
  • 24:58 The Challenges and Rewards of Musical Experimentation
  • 25:56 The Evolution of a Musician’s Journey
  • 26:31 The Power of Collaboration in Music
  • 29:22 The Impact of Technology on Music
  • 36:46 The Importance of Preserving Musical History
  • 39:19 The Future of Music and Education
  • 41:49 Reflecting on Personal Growth and Future Plans

1020: Gregg Goodhart on practicing and improvement

Gregg Goodhart has a passion for teaching others how to learn so they can surpass their perceived limitations. This passion led to an intense interest in cognitive and behavioral neuroscience and psychology as they relate to teaching. By putting these principles into practical use in the classroom over many years, he has come to an understanding of how to teach others to reach their potential.

We dig into Gregg’s background, how to actually improve, recommended books, and much more.  Enjoy, and be sure to check out Gregg’s website to get in touch and learn more about his important work.

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Thank you to our sponsors!

Carnegie Mellon University Double Bass Studio – The School of Music at CMU highly values each and every individual who wants to be a part of an innovative fine arts community immersed in a top research university. 

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.

  • theme music by Eric Hochberg
  • 00:00 Introduction and Background
  • 00:45 Reminiscing About Hometowns
  • 02:15 Discussing Urban Development and Nature
  • 03:41 Adapting to California Weather
  • 05:36 Podcast Recording Techniques
  • 07:59 The Importance of Teaching Music
  • 09:41 Sponsor Shoutout: Carnegie Mellon University
  • 10:53 Exploring the Concept of Deliberate Practice
  • 17:27 The Journey of Personal Musical Improvement
  • 23:46 Promotion of Double Bass Course
  • 24:03 The Influence of Heavy Metal on Bass Playing
  • 25:21 The Importance of Proper Learning Methods
  • 25:46 The Power of Repetition and Retrieval Practice
  • 26:12 The Importance of Spacing in Learning
  • 28:44 The Role of Contextual Interference in Learning
  • 29:09 The Impact of Dotted Rhythms in Music Practice
  • 34:15 The Misunderstanding of Talent in Learning
  • 39:51 The Role of Stage Fright in Performance
  • 48:22 The Importance of Deliberate Practice
  • 50:20 Closing Thoughts and Future Directions

1019: Cécile-Laure Kouassi on her EP Beaux Jours

Oslo Philharmonic bassist Cécile-Laure Kouassi recently released an EP titled Beaux Jours.  This album features two arrangements by Cécile-Laure as well as two original works for double bass and piano.

We talk about this project and much more in this engaging conversation.  Check out the new album on Spotify and visit her website for her arrangements and much more!

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Thank you to our sponsors!

Carnegie Mellon University Double Bass Studio – The School of Music at CMU highly values each and every individual who wants to be a part of an innovative fine arts community immersed in a top research university. 

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.

00:00 Introduction and Guest Presentation

00:58 Inspiration Behind the EP

03:02 Exploring the Unique Sound of the Double Bass

04:04 Unearthing Hidden Gems in Bass Compositions

07:30 The Art of Arranging Music

11:41 The Challenges and Rewards of Recording

17:48 The Accessibility of Music Production

18:40 Conclusion and Future Plans

1018: Drew Banzhaf on his audition path to the Malmo Symphony

Drew Banzhaf won the audition for Associate Principal Bass Malmö Symphony in 2023. He spent three years as a guest musician of the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra and has regularly appeared with renowned orchestras such as the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, and Minnesota Orchestra. Drew was also a New World Symphony Fellow for three seasons and is a graduate of Indiana University and Rice University.

We dig into Drew’s background, his decade spent taking 36 professional auditions, lessons learned along the journey, and much more. Enjoy!

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

Connect with us:

Thank you to our sponsors!

Carnegie Mellon University Double Bass Studio – The School of Music at CMU highly values each and every individual who wants to be a part of an innovative fine arts community immersed in a top research university. 

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.

1017: Gregg August on balancing jazz, classical, and composition

Gregg August is a New York double bassist who successfully balances careers in classical and jazz music, as well as composition. He is member of the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra (Associate), the American Composers Orchestra, Westchester Philharmonic and Orchestra of St. Luke’s. He is also an active composer and performer in avant-garde, jazz and Latin jazz worlds.

We talk about his background, how he balances these multiple disciplines, his 2020 project “Dialogues on Race,” his experience with the innovative “Bang on a Can” summer festival, and much more. Enjoy, and be sure to check out Gregg’s website to learn more about his exceptional work!

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

Connect with us:

Thank you to our sponsors!

Carnegie Mellon University Double Bass Studio – The School of Music at CMU highly values each and every individual who wants to be a part of an innovative fine arts community immersed in a top research university. 

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.