Contrabass Conversations

Contrabass Conversations

double bass podcast

261: rob knopper is the auditionhacker

Rob Knopper

it would be sacrilege to use capital letters when writing about auditionhacker founder rob knopper.

rob plays percussion in the metropolitan opera orchestra. which is quite cool.

but rob also started auditionhacker, a site devoted to mastering the systems and processes required to win an audition.

we talk about:

this was a great conversation!  you’ll walk away loaded with new strategies for your next audition!

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From listener feedback:

10 Preparation Strategies I’ve Learned from Audition Winners (My AuditionCafe.org post)

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!

260: Break into the Scene with Seth Hanes

Seth Hanes

Seth Hanes is a horn player, digital marketing consultant, and the author of the new book, Break into the Scene: A Musician’s Guide to Making Connections, Creating Opportunities, and Launching a Career, which is available now on Amazon. If you want to check out some free email templates that will help you pick up gigs and some other bonuses, visit breakintothescene.com.

We talk:

  • how to get more gigs
  • working with contractors
  • how to market and self-promote
  • working for free as a tactic

Break into the Scene hit #1 in Amazon’s music business category within days of its launch.  Check it out–it’s a great read and full of actionable advice!

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!

258: RCM International Double Bass Festival

The first Royal College of Music International Double Bass Festival will be taking place on October 16, 2016.  Gabriele Ragghianti, Dan Styffe, and Alberto Bocini discuss this exciting new event on today’s episode.

This event is free and requires no tickets, so be sure to check it out if you can!

About the 2016 RCM International Double Bass Festival

Free, no tickets required

RCM International Double Bass Festival: Double Bass Masterclass with Dan Styffe

2:00pm | 14 October 2016
Amaryllis Fleming Concert Hall

Co-Principal Bassist at The Oslo Philharmonic Dan Styffe shares his experience with talented string players at the Royal College of Music.

RCM International Double Bass Festival

11:00am | 16 October 2016
Royal College of Music

Our double bass festival sees renowned bassists from around the world flock to the Royal College of Music for a unique day of masterclasses, seminars, coaching sessions and performances.

About 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!

257: Sandor Ostlund on musical influences, practicing, and career possibilities

Sandor Ostlund

Our teachers shape us more than we realize. Having the right teacher is critical for achieving our goals.

Sandor Ostlund has had a staggering set of quality teachers throughout his life journey.

First, he studied with Hans Sturm. Then he worked with Richard Davis. From there, he found his way to Paris to study with François Rabbath. In Paris, he met Paul Ellison, with whom Sandor would study with for his DMA. In fact, Sandor was the first student to every receive his DMA with Paul at Rice University.

Talk about a great set of musical role models!

Sandor has gone on to have a major impact in the world of the double bass. He teaches bass at Baylor University, works as a clinician across the United States, and has released a fantastic solo album of new works for the double bass.

We dig into all kinds of topics:

  • how Sandor continues to find inspiration
  • lessons Sandor learned from Paul, François, Richard, and Hans
  • what to do if you only have an hour to practice
  • finding your path in the music world

…and much more!

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Links:

Sandor’s website

Leap of Faith (album)

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!