Contrabass Conversations
Contrabass Conversations features interviews and performances from top leaders in the world of the double bass. Podcast host Jason Heath dives deep into what makes these world-class artists tick. With 2 million downloads and counting, Contrabass Conversations is the most popular podcast for double bassists. Join the community and experience life on the low end of the spectrum!
- Update frequency
- every 7 days
- Average duration
- 45 minutes
- Episodes
- 1117
- Years Active
- 2007 - 2025
971: Dan Carson on his path to the Chicago Symphony bass section
Daniel Carson is the most recent addition to the Chicago Symphony bass section. Dan and I chatted in 2018 about his journey thus far, and today we dig into his audition process, lessons learned du…
970: Four winter bass events you should know about
Winter can be a slow time of year, with treacherous weather making double bass travel tough.
Fortunately, there are several vibrant double bass events that make this season a time of learning and com…
969: Chuck Israels on his new bass and upcoming projects
Chuck Israels recently picked up a new Jonathan Li bass from Eastman Strings, the company for whom I work. I got together with Chuck in Portland over the holidays to talk to him about what he likes …
968: Cole Davis - The New Simandl
Today’s episode digs into a new version of the Simandl Method by Cole Davis that is re-fingered with the jazz bassist in mind. Enjoy!
Subscribe to the podcast to get these interviews delivered to …
967: Thoughts on Simandl vs Rabbath as foundational double bass methods
Today’s episode is a musing on the value and/or frustration posed by the Simandl Method. Find Cole Davis's adaptation, The New Simandl. Enjoy!
Subscribe to the podcast to get these interviews deliver…
966: My current favorite solo double bass pieces
Today’s episode digs into some of my current double bass repertoire and was inspired by this recent blog post. Enjoy, and you can find the individual pieces I talked about in this episode below:
965: Hagai Bilitzky on New Sound of the Middle East
Hagai Bilitzky recently released a new album titled New Sound of the Middle East. Hagai specializes in the Middle Eastern double bass and is an active performer and teacher based in Jerusalem. We …
964: 10 most ANNOYING stand partner traits for double bassists
This episode covers the 10 most annoying stand partner habits. Enjoy, and you can check out the video version of this here.
Subscribe to the podcast to get these interviews delivered to you automa…
963: Nina Bernat on chamber music and career possibilities
Nina Bernat is the first prize winner at the 2019 International Society of Bassists Solo Competition and first and grand prize winner of the 2022 Minnesota Orchestra Young Artist Competition.
At t…
962: Happy Holidays and plans for 2023
In this episode, Jason shares plans for 2023 and more. Enjoy!
Subscribe to the podcast to get these interviews delivered to you automatically!
Connect with us:
961: Nick Scholefield on winning a position in the Atlanta Symphony
Nick Scholefield joined the double bass section of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra in 2022. Prior to joining the ASO, Scholefield was a member of the Alabama Symphony Orchestra since 2019. He studied …
960: Transcribing pieces for the double bass - pros and cons
This episode covers the benefits and challenges of transcribing music for the double bass. Enjoy!
Subscribe to the podcast to get these interviews delivered to you automatically!
Connect with u…
959: Lynn Hannings on bow making and sustainability
Lynn Hannings founded her bowmaking studio in 1970 and is regarded as one of the world’s finest double bass bow makers. In addition to her bowmaking, she is an advocate for the conservation of tropi…
958: Choosing double bass strings
This episode digs into the ever-complex topic of choosing bass strings. Enjoy, and you can check out videos on bass strings here.
Subscribe to the podcast to get these interviews delivered to you…
957: Rufus Reid on his life in jazz
It was such a pleasure to sit down with Rufus Reid and catch up on his recent activities! Rufus was in San Francisco doing a residency at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, and we got a chanc…
956: 15 practicing mistakes and how to fix them
This episode elaborates on a blog post devoted to common practicing mistakes and their solutions. Enjoy, and you can check out the video version on the topic here.
Subscribe to the podcast to get…
955: Christian Hales on auditioning and his path so far
Christian Hales joined the Charleston Symphony in 2022 as Principal Bass. I met him in person here in the San Francisco Bay Area before he departed for this exciting new chapter in his life. We tal…
954: Tell us your story!
We’d love to have you contribute to our new website Double Bass HQ! This podcast outlines some ideas for how you can get involved.
Subscribe to the podcast to get these interviews delivered to you…
953: Gloria Jones Allgood on her Atlanta Symphony Orchestra journey
Gloria Jones Allgood joined the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra at age 20 in 1984, just before completing her Bachelor's Degree in Double Bass Performance at The University of Michigan.
Born into a musi…
952: The story behind DBHQ
Jason Heath, Trevor Jones, and Merrill Richmond chat about the idea for Double Bass HQ, working with our developer Wonderly, and the journey from idea to launch.
Subscribe to the podcast to get the…