Contrabass Conversations

Contrabass Conversations

double bass podcast

Eclectic Bass 7: Ben Jensen

Ben Jensen double bass.png

We’re featuring the Courante, Gavottes, and Gigue from the Sixth Cello Suite by J.S. Bach on Eclectic Bass this week, played impeccably by the wonderful bassist Ben Jensen, currently a student of Bruce Bransby at Indiana University. These were recorded live in a master class at Indiana University and are an outstanding example of bass playing. Enjoy!

We’ve featured Indiana University double bass professor Lawrence Hurst on Contrabass Conversations previously–if you haven’t checked out this interview before, I’d encourage you to check it out. Indiana University has an established reputation as one of the premier institutions for top-notch double bassists to perfect their craft, and if Ben’s example is any indication of the talents of the younger generation of bassists, we’re in good hands indeed!

CBC 115: Jeremy McCoy interview

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We’re featuring the complete recording of our interview with Metropolitan Opera Orchestra Assistant Principal Bass Jeremy McCoy on this week’s Contrabass Conversations episode. Jeremy attended the Curtis Institute and was a member of the National Arts Centre Orchestra of Canada prior to his appointment with the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra. Jeremy and I discuss a wide variety of topics, including his early experiences on the instrument, life in the Met, thoughts on teaching, recording a solo album, and much more. We also feature excerpts from Jeremy’s solo album Dialogues with Double Bass.

link to Jeremy’s website

link to Jeremy’s Manhattan School of Music page

link to Jeremy’s album Dialogues with Double Bass

CBC 114: Mark Morton interview

Mark Morton.pngWe’re featuring an interview with double bassist Mark Morton, who is currently professor of bass at Texas Tech University in Lubbock, TX and has also served as Principal Bass of the Columbus Symphony. Mark was the first prize winner at the International Society of Bassists Solo Competition, and he was the assistant double bass instructor for Gary Karr at the Hartt School of Music. He is well-known for writing and publishing the “Dr. Morton” series of books on the art of bass playing, and he is the founder of the American School of Double Bass.
We talk about double bass technique in great detail during this interview, particularly about Mark’s approach to left hand fingering systems and his Simandl-Plus® system of fingering. I’d recommend downloading Mark’s Simandl-Plus® packet and following along with our discussion to get a more complete idea of how he implements these concepts.

We’re also featuring a track from Haberdashery titled “Malbec” – learn more about this ensemble online at haberdasherymusic.com.

Links: American School of Double Bass, Trios for Deep Voices, Texas Tech School of Music

CBC 113: Lawrence Wolfe interview 2

Lawrence Wolfe double bass.png We’re featuring the second part of our interview with Boston Symphony Assistant Principal Bass Lawrence Wolfe this week on Contrabass Conversations. I had a chance to check out a wonderful master class that Mr. Wolfe did at Northwestern in the fall of 2008, and I did a summary/synopsis of some of the concepts and ideas covered in this class as well. I’m really looking forward to chatting with Larry–he’s one of my favorite bassists, and listening endlessly to his solo record really shaped how I approach the double bass when I was in college.

Larry is one of the most influential bass players in the United States, having taught countless players during his years at New England Conservatory and other Boston academic institutions who are now in major orchestras or pursuing other successful musical endeavors.

We’re also featuring the Gliere Scherzo and Koussevitzky Valse Miniature from Larry’s solo album, both of which you’re really going to enjoy. Larry will be doing a presentation at this summer’s International Society of Bassists convention, which I am definitely looking forward to checking out. Be sure to check out Larry’s website (which he is in the process of revamping – listen to the interview to learn more about this), and stay tuned for tour final segment of this interview very soon!