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 students with great results.  Here are links and details:

In The Style Of Gary Karr, Vol.1

Lessons

• Warm-up Exercise 1
• Warm-up Exercise 2
• Warm-up Exercise 3
• Warm-up Exercise 4
• Holding The Bass
• Purpose Of Vomit Exercise
• Fingerings For Vomit Exercise
• Vomit Exercise
• Holding The Bow
• Role Of Fingers In The Bowing Hand
• Feeling The Bow

Performances:

• Bach 1a - Prelude
• Bach 1b - Allemande
• Bach 1c - Courante
• Bach 1d - Sarabande
• Bach 1e - Minuet
• Bach 1f - Gigue

In The Style Of Gary Karr, Vol.2

Lessons

• Left Hand Knuckles
• Using All The Fingers
• Left Hand Finger Contact Point
• Left Arm Elbow
• Standing Naturally
• Bow Hair
• String Crossing Preparation
• Spiccato
• String Crossing Exercise
• Preparation For Spiccato
• Tada Exercise
• Rosin
• Findeisen String Crossing
• Scale Exercise

 

Performances:

• Bach 2a - Prelude
• Bach 2b - Allemande
• Bach 2c - Courante
• Bach 2d - Sarabande
• Bach 2e - Menuet
• Bach 2f - Gigue

 

In The Style Of Gary Karr, Vol.3

Lessons

• Stretching 1
• Stretching 2
• Stretching 3
• Vibrato Exercise
• Types Of Vibrato
• Vibrato Contact Point
• Learning A Piece
• Phrasing
• Thoughts On Technique
• Bow Distribution
• Shift On Upbow
• Balance And Bow Speed

 

Extra - Stretching Routine (Uninterrupted)

 

Performances:

• Bach 3a - Prelude
• Bach 3b - Allemande
• Bach 3c - Courante
• Bach 3d - Sarabande
• Bach 3e - Bourree
• Bach 3f - Gigue

 

In The Style Of Gary Karr, Vol.4

Lessons

• Tuning The Bass
• Intonation And Overtones
• Size Of The Bass
• Practicing
• Feeling And Vibrations
• Pushing The Bass Into The Bow
• Dividing The Pulse
• Long Pulse
• Bowing Choices
• Double Stops Intonation
• Playing On One String
• Bow Angle
• Etudes
• Relationship To Bach
• Callouses And Thumb
• Projection And Amplification
• Final Thoughts

 

Performances:

• Abendlied
• Amazing Grace
• Habanera
• Kol Nidrei
• Melodie
• Scherzo
• Sonnambula
• Valse Miniature
• When I Wake

 

 

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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.

 

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.

 

Steve Swan String Bass

Steve Swan String Bass features the West Coast’s largest selection of double basses between Los Angeles and Canada.  Located in Burlingame, just south of San Francisco, their large retail showroom holds about 70 basses on display. Their new basses all feature professional setups and come with a cover at no additional cost. Used and consignment instruments receive any needed repairs and upgrades before getting a display position on the sales floor.

 

Kolstein Music

The Samuel Kolstein Violin Shop was founded by Samuel Kolstein in 1943 as a Violin and Bow making establishment in Brooklyn, New York. Now on Long Island, over 60 years later, Kolstein’s has built a proud reputation for quality, craftsmanship and expertise in both the manufacture and repair of a whole range of stringed instruments, and has expanded to a staff of twelve experts in restoration, marketing and production.

The Bass Violin Shop

The Bass Violin Shop offers the Southeast’s largest inventory of laminate, hybrid and carved double basses. Whether you are in search of the best entry-level laminate, or a fine pedigree instrument, there is always a unique selection ready for you to try. Trade-ins and consignments welcome!

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.

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