Contrabass Conversations

Today, we’re featuring Ralph Alcala, who has recently moved into building basses full-time.  Ralph is a super-talented luthier.  Check out past podcast guest Aaron Olguin playing Ralph’s fourth doubl…

Aaron Olguin is truly one of the rising stars in the double bass world.  As the winner of the 2017 International Society of Bassists Solo Competition, Aaron will be playing the opening recital for th…

Today’s episode features the following past podcast guests on the topic of recital preparation:

• Sam Suggs - James Madison University
• Diego Zecharies - Galicia Symphony Orchestra principal solo bass
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Today’s episode features the following past podcast guests on life in the bass section and how to play well in it:

• Susan Wulff - San Diego Symphony
• Todd Coolman - Indiana University
• Michael Hovnan…

Today’s episode features the following past podcast guests on the role of musicality and technique:

• Mark Dresser - University of San Diego
• David Murray - Butler University
• Michael Klinghoffer - Co…

Today’s episode features the following past podcast guests on the role of the principal bassist in an orchestra:

• Alex Hanna - Chicago Symphony Orchestra
• Ju-Fang Liu - Indianapolis Symphony
• Chris …

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 stu…

I also had the opportunity to spend some time with Cleveland Orchestra bassist and Cleveland Institute of Music Strings Chair Scott Dixon during this recent trip.  Scott has been on my “to interview…

A funny thing happened to me in Cleveland this November during the Violin Society of America Convention.  I had been chatting with bass luthier legend Arnold Schnitzer about the presentation that he…

Micah Howard has just released a cool new app called iDouble Bass.  This app is free (!) and has an in-app purchase ($.99) of Micah’s excellent scale and technique books.  It’s filled with fantastic …

Today’s episode features the following past podcast guests on the topic of persistence:

• Karl Fenner - Atlanta Symphony
• Kristin Korb - jazz artist
• James Oesi - soloist, chamber musician, and organize…

Today’s episode features the following past podcast guests on the topic of expat adventures:

• John Goldsby - WDR Big Band
• Marc Ramirez - Metropolitana Academy
• Jennifer Downing Olsson - Swedish Rad…

Today’s episode features the following past podcast guests on the topic of traveling with a bass:

• Ron Carter - jazz legend
• Diego Zecharies - Galicia Symphony Orchestra principal solo bass
• Nick Lloy…

Today’s episode features the following past podcast guests on the topic of bass humor:

• Joel Reist - Nashville Symphony principal bass
• Leigh Mesh - MET Opera Orchestra associate principal bass
• Lucia …

I had the chance to spend time in person with Yung-Ho Fu during a recent tour to San Francisco with the National Symphony Orchestra of Taiwan, where he serves as principal bass. 

Our mutual friend Ci…

Valentina Ciardelli is one of my favorite young double bass artists.  She’s on a mission to showcase the double bass in a chamber music setting and elevate its prominence outside of the bass world.

S…

I had a great time chatting with bassist, composer, and educator Sean Conly during my recent trip to New York City. Sean studied with Rufus Reid and Todd Coolman at William Paterson University and …

I’ve been hoping to chat with Mike Forfia for the podcast ever since I heard that he won the 2015 International Society of Bassists Jazz Competition and would be one of the headliners for the 2017 Co…

You’ve almost certainly encountered Michael Thurber’s work in the past.  Michael co-founded the incredibly popular YouTube channel CDZA, producing videos like Story of the Bass.  Michael went on to p…

When I put out a call for interview requests for my New York City trip, Marco Panascia was one of the most-requested bassists.  In fact, Marco has been requested as a guest many times over the years…