Contrabass Conversations

How is it that Larry Grenadier, Christian McBride, and Esperanza Spalding all play basses from the same luthier?

What's the difference, really, between a round back and flat back bass?

We answer these questions and much more on this episode featuring Benedict Puglisi.

Benedict is a luthier from the Melbourne, Australia area with a reputation that is spreading across the globe.

I was in the audience for Christian McBride's concert at the 2017 International Society of Bassists Convention, which was played on one of Benedict's basses. This bass has a "sister" which is owned by Larry Grenadier. The only difference? One is a carved, round back and the other is a flat back.

Well, this was an experiment by Benedict to try to solve the age-old debate on tonal and response differences between those two kinds of backs.

We dig into that, his journey to where he is now, and much more.

• Part 1 - how Christian McBride and Larry Grenadier came to own Benedict's basses
• Part 2 - attempting to end the flat back / round back debate
• Part 3 - from local luthier to internationally known bass maker - Benedict's story

• Atelier Puglisi (Benedict's shop)
• Benedict's website

Check out more luthier conversations and gear-related episodes at contrabassconversations.com/luthiers

The Upton Bass String Instrument Company. Upton's Concord model is the first truly authentic New England double bass that they've made. Beautiful sloping shoulders (the same upper bouts as their Gary Karr Upton Double Bass), Busetto corners, Prescott ff-holes, flat maple back and sides (many grades available) with deep ribs (lined outside) and a deluxe spruce top combined with a finely detailed scroll, button and hand-cut tuners that pay homage to Prescott while keeping with their own highly-revered and uniquely New England tradition of instrument building.

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!

How do you get a student excited to play the bass?

What does it mean to go slow now so that you can go twice as fast later?

We answer these questions and much more on this episode featuring Caroline Emery.

Caroline is a Professor at the Royal College of Music and Yehudi Menuhin School. She's the author of Bass is Best!, which I've had in my library for decades. And she just came out with a new book called Bow Works.

• Part 1 - Bass is Best and Bow Works
• Part 2 - go slow now to go twice as fast later
• Part 3 - how to hook students from the beginning

• Bass Is Best! by Caroline Emery
• Bow Works by Caroline Emery
• Bass Club
• Will Duerden and Ketan Curtis performing for 30th Anniversary Bass Club Concert
• International Society of Bassists: A Historical Look
• Mind Mapping Tutorial

The Upton Bass String Instrument Company. Upton's Concord model is the first truly authentic New England double bass that they've made. Beautiful sloping shoulders (the same upper bouts as their Gary Karr Upton Double Bass), Busetto corners, Prescott ff-holes, flat maple back and sides (many grades available) with deep ribs (lined outside) and a deluxe spruce top combined with a finely detailed scroll, button and hand-cut tuners that pay homage to Prescott while keeping with their own highly-revered and uniquely New England tradition of instrument building.

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.

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!

I'm so thankful that Eric at Upton Bass connected me with Lucia Turino!

Lucia is the bassist for The Devil Makes Three and has the best crazy gig stories. She's been rained out, nearly blown over, had beer bottles hit her bass... and that's just for starters!

I'm a big fan of crazy gig stories, and I was stoked to hear about what it's like traveling the world and playing country/punk/folk music while trying to avoid getting whacked in the mouth by a microphone or trampled by a mosh pit!

• Part 1 - the pros and cons of big music festivals
• Part 2 - the origins of the band - life in Santa Cruz
• Part 3 - life on the road with a bass and crazy gig stories

Enjoy!

The Upton Bass String Instrument Company. Upton's Bostonian was conceived at the 2009 International Society of Double Bassists convention at State College, Pennsylvania, while world-renowned jazz bassist and Professor of Jazz Studies at the University of North Texas, Lynn Seaton and Upton Bass String Instrument Co. President and Founder, Gary Upton Birkhamshaw were playing and discussing the various instruments Upton Bass had created for the convention. They started with a blank sheet of paper, and together began jotting down Lynn's preferences and suggestion with each model. The result was a rough outline of what would become the UB Bostonian Concert Double Bass.

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! Check out what people are saying about the Bass Violin Shop on Facebook.

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

Being able to sit down with outstanding artists and thinkers like Larry Grenadier is one of the true pleasures of doing this podcast.

Larry is a longtime member of the Brad Mehldau Trio and Pat Metheny's group, and has recorded with Paul Motian, Charles Lloyd, Enrico Rava, Danilo Perez, Chris Potter, Joshua Redman, Kurt Rosenwinkel, and many others.

I had the chance to check out Larry's mesmerizing headlining concert at the 2017 International Society of Bassists Convention, and I'm so thankful that we were able to catch up for this podcast! Check out Larry on Facebook as well as his own trio Fly, and look for his solo bass album in the near future.

• Part 1 - Bay Area Years
• Part 2 - Technique
• Part 3 - Gear and Advice

Check out more jazz artists on the podcast at contrabassconversations.com/jazz.

The Upton Bass String Instrument Company. Upton's Bostonian was conceived at the 2009 International Society of Double Bassists convention at State College, Pennsylvania, while world-renowned jazz bassist and Professor of Jazz Studies at the University of North Texas, Lynn Seaton and Upton Bass String Instrument Co. President and Founder, Gary Upton Birkhamshaw were playing and discussing the various instruments Upton Bass had created for the convention. They started with a blank sheet of paper, and together began jotting down Lynn's preferences and suggestion with each model. The result was a rough outline of what would become the UB Bostonian Concert Double Bass.

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.

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! Check out what people are saying about the Bass Violin Shop on Facebook.

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

Saxophonist and educator Nick Mainella is the host of the 10 Minute Jazz Lesson Podcast. Each podcast focuses on a particular aspect of jazz and includes a downloadable PDF.

• The Genius of Phil Woods
• Rhythmic Variation in Vocabulary
• Four Note Pentatonic Patterns
• Harmonic Minor

It was great to chat with Nick about what he's doing in the podcast world--check it out!

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.

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! Check out what people are saying about the Bass Violin Shop on Facebook.

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

Dennis Tobenski is a composer of acoustic new music whose work has been described by Anthony Tommasini of The New York Times as "distinctive and engaging". He is also a vocalist and a strong advocate for new music and for the interests of living composers.

Dennis also hosts two music business-centered podcasts aimed at helping composers and performers to learn more about the practical aspects of their careers: the Music Publishing Podcast, a weekly, hour-long conversation with other professionals in the field of concert music, and The Composer's Guide to Doing Business, where he answers questions and discusses current issues the new music community.

• Music Publishing Podcast
• Dennis' website
• The Freelancer's Survival Guide (book recommendation from Dennis)
• Jason's appearance on MPP
• episodes of MPP to check out:
  • episode 1 - Alex Shapiro - thinking of your carer as a business
  • episode 7 - Dale Trumbore - taking a methodical approach to your career, being strategic in your career
  • episode 12 - Thomas Deneuville - social networking, email marketing - the why and the how
  • episode 35 - Scott Tegge - diversified income streams

The 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.

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! Check out what people are saying about the Bass Violin Shop on Facebook.

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

Earlier this summer, I read an article from Matthew Waters that caught my attention. Titled The Orchestral Dream is Dead, it outlined Matt's experiences going through school at UCLA and trying to develop a career in Los Angeles.

I posted this article on Facebook, and it got a lot of thoughtful comments from orchestral musicians, students, and others. I thought that it would be great to chat with Matt for the podcast and dig into these topics.

• The Orchestral Dream is Dead
• Break the System

• Matt's "Off the Podium" podcast appearance
• David Cutler - The Savvy Musician
  • Contrabass Conversations interview with David
• Making an Impact (Jason's course on career-building)
• The State of the Orchestra with John Grillo
• Road Warrior Without an Expense Account
• The Entrepreneurial Musician with Andrew Hitz
  • Jason's appearance on TEM
  • Andrew's appearance on Contrabass Conversations
  • David Cutler on TEM
• Crushing Classical with Tracy Friedlander
  • Jason's appearance on Crushing Classical
  • Tracy's appearance on Contrabass Conversations
• Make it by Emilio Guarino
  • Contrabass Conversations interview with Emilio
• Break Into the Scene by Seth Hanes
  • Contrabass Conversations interview with Seth

The 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.

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! Check out what people are saying about the Bass Violin Shop on Facebook.

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

This episode takes a look at the benefits and drawbacks to seated and standing approaches to playing the double bass.

• Part 1 - sitting
• Part 2 - standing
• Part 3 - transitioning from sitting to standing

We feature highlights from past podcast guests:

• Dr. Randy Kertz - specialist in musician's health
• Max Dimoff - Cleveland Orchestra principal bass and University of Michigan faculty
• Alex Hanna - Chicago Symphony principal bass and DePaul University faculty
• Bruce Bransby - Indiana University faculty
• Greg Sarchet - Lyric Opera of Chicago and Northeastern Illinois faculty
• Michael Hovnanian - Chicago Symphony
• David Grossman - New York Philharmonic and Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra
• Paul Ellison - Rice University faculty
• Ju-Fang Liu - Indianapolis Symphony and Butler University faculty
• Dennis Whittaker - Houston Grand Opera and University of Houston faculty
• Szymon Marciniak - soloist and chamber musician
• David Allen Moore - Los Angeles Philharmonic and University of Southern California faculty
• Ira Gold - National Symphony and Peabody Conservatory faculty

Check out more "best-of" episodes like this at contrabassconversations.com/highlights.

The Upton Bass String Instrument Company. Upton's Bohemian model is not about excess. With its simple lines, Gamba-style cornered and deep booming tone, its form is defined by purpose without ornament. Hand-built, with the same ergonomics and playability found in all of our models, the Bohemian double bass is being offered in four levels of build styles and price points, each carefully designed to meet unique requirements of its owner.

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! Check out what people are saying about the Bass Violin Shop on Facebook.

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

This episode is a deep-dive into developing bow strokes on the double bass.

• Part 1 - bow stroke overview
• Part 2 - developing spiccato
• Part 3 - bow stroke deep-dive

We feature highlights from past podcast guests on this topic:

• Matthew McDonald - Berlin Philharmonic
• Lloyd Goldstein - former member of the Florida Orchestra and a longtime Francois Rabbath student
• David Allen Moore - LA Phil and USC
• Ed Barker and Lawrence Wolfe of the Boston Symphony
• Michael Hovnanian - Chicago Symphony
• Ira Gold - National Symphony and Peabody Conservatory
• Lawrence Hurst - former Indiana University bass professor

• Strokin' by Hal Robinson (order it from Robertson & Sons)
• Ira Gold's Orchestral Bowing Workshop

Check out more "best-of" episodes like this at contrabassconversations.com/highlights.

The Upton Bass String Instrument Company. Upton's Bohemian model is not about excess. With its simple lines, Gamba-style cornered and deep booming tone, its form is defined by purpose without ornament. Hand-built, with the same ergonomics and playability found in all of our models, the Bohemian double bass is being offered in four levels of build styles and price points, each carefully designed to meet unique requirements of its owner

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.

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! Check out what people are saying about the Bass Violin Shop on Facebook.

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

I've followed along with the incredible career of Jonathan Glawe for many years.

Jonathan has established himself as one of the rising stars in the music education world. He is the current Director of Orchestras for Pioneer High School in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and he is in demand across the country as a clinician.

Glawe has played an important role in the their return to the GRAMMY Signature School list, in which the Pioneer Music Department was honored as one of the top 3 music programs in the nation in 2010 and 2015, and earned the honor of being the National GRAMMY Signature School in 2011.

Glawe was recognized as MSBOA District 12 Orchestra Director of the Year in 2011, 2013 and 2015. He was a finalist for the Michigan Orchestra Director of the Year in 2012.

Jonathan also attended and represented the US in a symposium of Music Education in Stockholm, Sweden with a quartet from the Pioneer ensemble.

Part 1 - Finding your place in the music education world

• transitioning to a new director in an established program
• spending time each day practicing violin, viola, and cello to hone chops
• the importance those early teachers - the beginning string teachers are the giants whose shoulders we stand on
• Jonathan's journey
• Strategies for landing a job

Part 2 - Managing your time

• putting in the long hours required (70-80 hour weeks)
• strategies for managing your time
• getting parents and students involved in a helpful fashion

Part 3 - The State of Music Education

• the Midwest Clinic Journey
• the global state of music education

• Pioneer Orchestra website
• Road to The Midwest Clinic-- A Blog From The Podium
• ASTA Michigan - Jonathan runs the blog for MASTA

The Upton Bass String Instrument Company. Upton's Brescian model is a custom 3/4 double bass handmade in their Mystic, Connecticut workshop. It is a modern instrument with roots in the 16th century inspired by our favorite historic double basses. While Upton Bass has referenced these classic instruments before, the Brescian directly mirrors those archetypal double basses in its design — large shoulders, violin corners, deep ribs, dramatic top arching and pronounced canted backs. These qualities combine to create a larger air mass with great resonance and rich harmonics, packaged with the the ergonomics, geometry and accessibility that modern players expect from Upton Bass.

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!