Contrabass Conversations

Contrabass Conversations

double bass podcast

471: Choosing Strings – What’s Right for You?

Today’s episode is a deep-dive into double bass strings.  We take a look at D’Addario’s Kaplan, Zyex, and Helicore strings and learn more about how these strings play, feel, and sound.

You’ll hear perspectives on strings from the following D’Addario Orchestral Artists:

We’re also joined by D’Addario Orchestral Strings Product Manager Lyris Hung and Orchestral Strings Social Media Specialist Sabrina Brengel.

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Contrabass Conversations is sponsored by:

D’Addario Strings

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.

Contrabass Conversations production team:

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469: Pascale Delache-Feldman on French traditions

Pascale Delache-Feldman has been a frequently requested podcast guest, and it was such a pleasure to get a chance to connect with her!

Pascale enjoys a multifaceted career as a soloist, chamber and orchestral musician, and teacher.  She is the founder of the Boston Bass Bash and is co-founder of the co-founder of Duo Cello e Basso (formerly the Axiom Duo) with cellist Emmanuel Feldman.  She also teaches at Bard College, New England Conservatory, Tufts University, and Brown University.

We dig into all kinds of topics like:

  • growing up in France
  • attending the Paris Conservatory
  • studying with Roger Scott at the Curtis Institute
  • programming and commissioning music for Duo Cello e Basso
  • differences between French and American double bass playing

Here’s a list of material that Pascale uses with her undergraduate students:

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

Contrabass Conversations is sponsored by:

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.

D’Addario Strings

This episode is brought to you by D’Addario Strings! Check out their Helicore strings, which are are designed, engineered, and crafted at the D’Addario string factory in New York and come in orchestral, hybrid, pizzicato, and solo string sets.

A440 Violin Shop

An institution in the Roscoe Village neighborhood for over 20 years, A440‘s commitment to fairness and value means that we have many satisfied customers from the local, national, and international string playing communities. Our clients include major symphony orchestras, professional orchestra and chamber music players, aspiring students, amateur adult players, all kinds of fiddlers, jazz and commercial musicians, university music departments, and public schools.

Contrabass Conversations production team:

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465: Henry Chen on China, Taiwan, and Chicago

I met Henry in Chicago. While in Chicago, Henry spent his time studying with Rob Kassinger and playing principal bass with the Civic Orchestra of Chicago. Fast-forward ten years, and Henry is now teaching at  Soochow University School of Music in Jiangsu, China.  We talk about Henry’s journey from Chicago to China and the steps in between, what it’s like teaching and performing in China, opportunities for bass players looking for an orchestra job, Henry’s teaching style, and much more!

Henry Chen and I go way back.  In fact, I remember meeting Henry at DePaul University over a decade ago!

At that point,  he had not had much orchestral experience, but he was a fabulous solo player who won the concerto competition with the Bottesini Concerto.

Chicago was Henry’s choice because of the orchestral training he knew he’d receive there.  He spent his time studying with Chicago Symphony bassist Rob Kassinger and playing principal bass with the Civic Orchestra of Chicago.

Fast-forward ten years, and Henry is now teaching at  Soochow University School of Music in Jiangsu, China.  We talk about Henry’s journey from Chicago to China and the steps in between, what it’s like teaching and performing in China, opportunities for bass players looking for an orchestra job, Henry’s teaching style, and much more!

Links to check out:

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

Contrabass Conversations is sponsored by:

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.

D’Addario Strings

This episode is brought to you by D’Addario Strings! Check out their Kaplan strings, which are are designed, engineered, and crafted at the D’Addario string factory in New York and are great for all kind os styles of music.

Contrabass Conversations production team:

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

464: Volkan Orhon

Volkan Orhon was one of my early podcast guests, appearing along with fellow Bad Boyz of Double Bass members Anthony Stoops, David Murray, and Paul Sharpe. 

I chatted with the Bad Boyz ten years ago (!), and I realized that I’d never actually sat down with Volkan one-on-one for the podcast.

We fix that today!

Volkan had established himself in a professional orchestra in his native country of Turkey.  He had graduated from the Ankara State Conservatory with bass professor Tahir Sumer, and he was already a member of the Ankara Presidential Symphony Orchestra.

Volkan could have stayed in that position long-term.  He took a leap, however, and moved to the United States to study with Gary Karr at The Hartt School of Music.  Working with Gary and also with Diana Gannett, Volkan earned his Master’s Degree and and Artist Diploma.

After Hartt, found himself in a “road warrior” freelance position, teaching adjunct at a few schools and driving all over the place playing gigs.  I know that life well!

Volkan eventually got a tenure-track job at the University of Iowa and is in his sixteenth year of teaching at that institution.  We talk about what it’s like teaching at Iowa, plus:

  • What has been most surprising about being in a full-time academic position.
  • How working with Gary Karr shaped his concept of tone.
  • The challenges of relocating to the United States.
  • What he practices on a daily basis.
  • Advice for students (and their parents!) thinking about embarking on a music career.

…and much more!

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

Contrabass Conversations is sponsored by:

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.

D’Addario Strings

This episode is brought to you by D’Addario Strings! Check out their Helicore strings, which are are designed, engineered, and crafted at the D’Addario string factory in New York and come in orchestral, hybrid, pizzicato, and solo string sets.

Contrabass Conversations production team:

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

462: Posture with Barry Green

Barry Green’s creative output is filled with surprises and unexpected new directions.  The last tie he was on the podcast, we were chatting with Barry and Jeff Bradetich about Anna’s Promise.

An article from Barry just came out in the American String Teachers Association’s journal.  Titled “Chair Factor,” this article is an examination of body energy in playing, and how posture can indicate good or bad body energy.

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