Contrabass Conversations

Chris Hanulik hit the ground running career-wise, landing a position in the Los Angeles Philharmonic after graduating from Juilliard.

"Leaving New York to had out to Southern California... what was that transition like?" I asked.

"I did not have too much trouble adjusting!" Chris said jovially.

Chris and I dig into all kinds of topics like:

• studying at Juilliard with Homer Mensch
• the year he spent as principal bassist of the Cleveland Orchestra
• his favorite studies for the bass
• how he sees his role as principal bassist of LA Phil
• audition preparation advice

It was a blast to get to sit down with Chris in person for this interview. I totally love talking in person and do so whenever possible, so it was super-cool to get together with Chris a few weeks back in LA!

Links to Check Out:

• Chris on Hulu (L.A. Philharmonic segment from Los Angeles Times)
• Chris' LA Phil page
• Chris' UCLA page

Subscribe to the podcast to get these interviews delivered to your inbox!

Learn how you can support the show at contrabassconversations.com/support

Thanks to our sponsors!

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.

Enter the D'Addario strings giveaway for Contrabass Conversations listeners at contrabassconversations.com/strings!

Hosting for Contrabass Conversations is provided by Bass Capos. Bass Capos are an excellent choice for any bass player using or looking to implement a double bass extension. Easy to install and adjust, cheaper and more reliable than hand-built latches, also lighter and quicker in operation.

This show covers the latest and greatest in the world of the double bass! Learn more at http://contrabassconversations.com/news.

George Mraz Rally for Recovery

• George Mraz, a world class bassist with decades of exceptional musical work as both a soloist and alongside others such as Stan Getz, Chet Baker, Oscar Peterson, Bill Evans, Dizzy Gillespie, Joe Henderson and many many more ( www.georgemraz.com).
• Surviving pancreatic surgery, George now has five months of recovery ahead.
• With the unexpected complications, bills and very costly medications we are setting a new goal to double the amount of contributors and reach a record 730 donors.
• https://www.gofundme.com/2ndyn24

DePaul University Scholarships for Undergrads

• The DePaul University School of Music is now offering high school juniors an opportunity to audition for conditional acceptance and as much as a 50% scholarship if pursuing a degree as a bass or viola performance major.
• https://music.depaul.edu/admission/auditions/Pages/high-school-junior-auditions.aspx
• http://contrabassconversations.com/robkassinger
• http://contrabassconversations.com/alexhanna

more details from DePaul:

• The opportunity to audition for the DePaul School of Music as a high school junior is only open to those students who wish to major in bass or viola performance.
• Any School of Music admission offer and/or scholarship award is contingent upon being accepted into DePaul University. High school juniors who audition in February of 2017 must then apply to the university through the Common Application in the fall of their senior year. Only after being accepted to DePaul will scholarship offers become valid.
• A high school junior who auditions in February 2017 and is offered a performance scholarship and is then accepted to DePaul University in the fall/winter of 2017, may choose to audition a second time in February 2018 to be considered for an increase in their scholarship award.
• A high school junior who auditions in February 2017 and is not accepted to the School of Music, is welcome to audition again in February of their senior year without any adverse consequence.
• Please email the admissions office with any further questions about this opportunity.

D'Addario Strings

• http://contrabassconversations.com/daddario1
• http://contrabassconversations.com/strings

10th Anniversary for Contrabass Conversations!

• Call 415-952-5643 and leave a message for my anniversary episode!

SoCal Bass Days 2017

• January 3-4
• free and open to the public
• featuring special guests David Murray and Claus Freudenstein
• http://contrabassconversations.com/davidmurray
• http://contrabassconversations.com/clausfreudenstein
• http://bassforward.info/socal-bass-days-2017
• contact Matt Hare for more information: [email protected]
• http://matthare.com

Galicia Graves International Double Bass Festival & Competition

• http://www.galiciagraves.com
• 17, 18 & 19 February 2017
• video from Thierry Barbe
• http://contrabassconversations.com/thierrybarbe
• I will be doing a feature on this event with Gabriele Ragghianti
• two of the faculty members are David Heyes and Michael Klinghoffer, and I've featured both of them on the podcast previously
• http://contrabassconversations.com/davidheyes
• http://contrabassconversations.com/michaelklinghoffer

Finland Awakes!

• March 12, 2017
• FINLAND AWAKES! celebrates the centenary of Finland as an independent country. The concert will feature a wealth of Finnish music by alongside music composed for Teppo-Fest 2016 to celebrate the 75th birthday of the amazing and unique Teppo Hauta-aho.
• The concert is sponsored by Recital Music http://recitalmusic.net
• music composed by David Heyes (who recently dedicated a composition to me!), Bernard Salles, Teppo Hauta-aho, Simon Garcia, and many others
• https://www.facebook.com/events/1045165702279535

Hosting Provided by Bass Capos

• hosting for Contrabass Conversations is provided by Bass Capos, Bass Capos are an excellent choice for any bass player using or looking to implement a double bass extension. Easy to install and adjust, cheaper and more reliable than hand-built latches, also lighter and quicker in operation. Learn more at http://basscapos.com

MIDI Practice File Archive from elbsoundStudio

• dozens of pieces from Bach, Bottesini, Dittersdorf, Eccles, Vanhal, and others
• https://elbsound.studio/double-bass-midi-files.php
• more links like this at http://doublebassblog.org/links

Make a Tax-Deductible Donation to the Bradetich Foundation

• 2017 will celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Bradetich Master Classes in June and holding the long awaited 2nd International Double Bass Solo Competition on Sept. 1st-5th.
• By donating to the Bradetich Foundation, you are supporting the double bass, music, arts and education.
• http://bradetichfoundation.org/index.php?page=supportForm&form=intFriends
• http://contrabassconversations.com/jeffbradetich

Help Support Contrabass Conversations!

• http://contrabassconversations.com/support

FEEDBACK

Terrance Fitzgerald, who lives in China and listens to the podcast through the app during practice breaks. He's interested in hearing interviews with Al Laszlo, Hal Robinson, and Tim Pitts, and I am setting up a time with Tim right now. Hal and I have also talked about doing an interview, so expect that soon as well!

Terrance also suggested interviewing people that have won multiple auditions - how did they balance an orchestra job and other responsibilities with audition preparation?

Several people have also written in, including Kim Parillo, so ask about where to get a copy of David Allen Moore's book Fractal Fingerings. This isn't currently formally published, but you can contact David for more information, and be sure to check out my "round 2" with David at http://contrabassconversations.com/davidallenmoore

Marcio Bolzan also wrote in and said that he loves listening to the podcasts and also that he saw my coverage of Alex Ritter's double bass festival, which I covered last week on the Weekly Update.

If you'd like to check that episode, or any of the Weekly Update episodes, you can visit http://contrabassconversations.com/news.

Daniel Kimbro also wrote in. Daniel is active in the neo-folk/newgrass/roots music world and listens to the podcast in the car driving between Knoxville and Nashville for recording sessions, flights, and rehearsals.

Daniel also expressed interest in hearing more coverage in this world. Craig Butterfield, one of my recent guests and the bass professor at the University of South Carolina, is a great example of someone active in this world. http://contrabassconversations.com/craigbutterfield.

This is a great idea, and I'm starting by actually talking with Daniel for the podcast. I love exploring different musical sub genres—I recently interviewed David White, who is active in the theatre scene in New York, and I also spoke with Pablo Aslan about tango bass, and I'd love to dig more into all of these sub genres going forward with the show.

http://contrabassconversations.com/davidwhite http://contrabassconversations.com/pabloaslan

Thanks also to Joe McFadden, Mike Gaisbacher, Lori Kaufman, Stephane Bihan, Kevin Feeney, Ted Botsford and all the other people who wrote in this week, and if you'd like to write in you can send me a message at [email protected].

LAST WEEK'S GUESTS

• http://contrabassconversations.com/benallison
• http://contrabassconversations.com/billmerchant

Bill Merchant just had the mildest winter in his 40 year career.

For decades, double bassists would come in to get their winter posts set during November. Now this is happening in January.

"Global warming is real, people," says Bill.

That was one of probably 50 topics that we covered in our conversation!

Other topics we covered:

• why most people set sound posts too tightly
• the difference between aluminum and wood bridge adjusters
• the effect that an endpin can have on the sound of a bass
• designing a folding-neck electric upright
• Bill's preferred measurements for all sorts of set-up work
• contributing to Chuck Traeger's seminal text on double bass repair and set-up

If you like going deep on the gear side of things, you will love this conversation with Bill!

Links to Check Out:

• Bill's website
• Setup And Repair of the Double Bass for Optimum Sound: A Manual for Players, Makers, And Repairers by Chuck Traeger (Bill contributed to this book)
• Coda to The Setup & Repair of the Double Bass for Optimum Sound by Chuck Traeger

Subscribe to the podcast to get these interviews delivered to your inbox!

Learn how you can support the show at contrabassconversations.com/support

Thanks to our sponsors!

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.

Enter the D'Addario strings giveaway for Contrabass Conversations listeners at contrabassconversations.com/strings!

Hosting for Contrabass Conversations is provided by Bass Capos. Bass Capos are an excellent choice for any bass player using or looking to implement a double bass extension. Easy to install and adjust, cheaper and more reliable than hand-built latches, also lighter and quicker in operation.

Ben Allison is the ultimate DIY jazz artist, blending jazz, rock, folk, and 20th century classical music into sonically compelling tapestries.

His 11 albums have garnered considerable critical acclaim, and he has toured the world extensively with his groups The Ben Allison Band, Think Free, The Easy Way Trio, Peace Pipe, and Medicine Wheel.

For his latest album with Think Free, Ben decided to try a new approach to funding it: crowdsourcing.

His campaign ends December 28th, and he is closing in on his funding goal.

We dig into all kinds of topics like:

• the many ways in which making a living as an independent artist has changed
• The actual business model of streaming music companies
• tapping into the base of "super-fans"
• recording at Maggie's Farm in Pennsylvania
• how mixing has become an addiction to Ben
• the potential alienation of technology
• his role as President of the Board of the New York chapter of the Recording Academy

It was a great conversation--Ben's a great guy and an interesting artist, and I can't wait to see how the album turns out!

Links to Check Out:

• Ben's website
• Ben's YouTube monetization experiment
• Takedown Notices and Malware
• Kevin Kelly 1000 True Fans
• Zen and the Art of Mixing by Eric Sarafin (Mixerman)
• The Stars Look Very Different Today (Ben's previous album)

Subscribe to the podcast to get these interviews delivered to your inbox!

Learn how you can support the show at contrabassconversations.com/support

Thanks to our sponsors!

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.

Enter the D'Addario strings giveaway for Contrabass Conversations listeners at contrabassconversations.com/strings!

Hosting for Contrabass Conversations is provided by Bass Capos. Bass Capos are an excellent choice for any bass player using or looking to implement a double bass extension. Easy to install and adjust, cheaper and more reliable than hand-built latches, also lighter and quicker in operation.

Here's the latest in the world of the double bass! Visit contrabassconversations.com/news for all episodes, and submit your news at [email protected].

Ben Allison Crowdsourcing New Album

• Ben on Contrabass Conversations this week http://contrabassconversations.com/benallison
• Ben's website: http://benallison.com
• pre-order new album at http://www.pledgemusic.com/projects/benallison
• pledge ends December 28th, so pledge now!

Adam Booker Gear Reviews

• University of Minnesota Duluth has started to review gear on YouTube, and the reaction has been tremendous
• he got hundreds of views on his review for his first review
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JYxqgRMtTAM
• http://adambookeronbass.com

Lauren Pierce New Thumb Position Course

• course is on Geoff Chalmers' newly revamped discoverdoublebass.com site
• New course: http://www.doublebasscourses.com/p/double-bass-thumb-position
• Lauren has been a guest on Entrepreneur Week
• I had Lauren and Geoff on the podcast almost a year ago

Alex Ritter hosts Double Bass Festival at the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul

• he's doing great things for the double bass in Brazil
• check out these photos and hear a bit of his performance of Sconcerto by Trovajoli
• link to Trovajoli:
• • TROVAJOLI – I TEMPO DI BLUES – ALEXANDRE RITTER 2016 (YouTube)
  • TROVAJOLI – II ALLEGRETTO – ALEXANDRE RITTER 2016 (YouTube)
  • TROVAJOLI – III PAVANE – ALEXANDRE RITTER 2016 (YouTube)
  • TROVAJOLI – IV SCHERZO – ALEXANDRE RITTER 2016 (YouTube)
• http://contrabassconversations.com/alexritter

P. Kellach Waddle's 5th String Quartet (including bass) "A Vonnegut Quintet" nominated as a semifinalist for the American Prize in Chamber Music

• https://www.facebook.com/pkwaddle
• http://contrabassconversations.com/pkellachwaddle

University of Michigan School of Music Bass Faculty Position

• Faculty position for teacher of double bass
• link for more information
• http://contrabassconversations.com/dianagannett
• http://contrabassconversations.com/maxdimoff

Congratulations to the Forth Worth Symphony Bassists

• the strike is over!
• congrats to:
  • William Clay, Principal
  • Paul Unger, Assistant Principal
  • Jeffrey Hall
  • Julie Vinsant
• Thanks to Mitch Moehring for the idea

Feedback

• Derek Jones
• Jerry Ramos
• Michael Gam
• Valentina Ciardelli
• Bob Nieske
• Win Hinkle

Recent Podcast Guests

• Dave Swift - http://contrabassconversations.com/daveswift
• Scott Devine - http://contrabassconversations.com/scottdevine

Upcoming

• all-music show
• another "radio hour"
• Ben Allison
• Bill Merchant
• Caleb Quillen

Get the App!

Subscribe to the podcast to get these interviews delivered to your inbox!

Learn how you can support the show at contrabassconversations.com/support

Thanks to our sponsors!

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.

Enter the D'Addario strings giveaway for Contrabass Conversations listeners at contrabassconversations.com/strings!

Enter the D'Addario strings giveaway for Contrabass Conversations listeners at contrabassconversations.com/strings!

Hosting for Contrabass Conversations is provided by Bass Capos. Bass Capos are an excellent choice for any bass player using or looking to implement a double bass extension. Easy to install and adjust, cheaper and more reliable than hand-built latches, also lighter and quicker in operation.

"What else do you do?" said the neurologist to Scott Devine.

"Because you'll never play bass again."

How would you feel after hearing that news? What would you do?

Scott was making his living as a gigging bassist when he began having problems with his hands. These problems grew progressively worse, prompting Scott to seek medical advice.

The diagnosis was focal dystonia, a neurological condition that affects a muscle or group of muscles in a specific part of the body, causing involuntary muscular contractions and abnormal postures. Doctors told Scott that playing bass would not be an option for him anymore.

Fast-forward many years, and Scott is now making his living teaching electric bass (and yes, playing it!) to thousands of people world-wide.

How in the world did Scott overcome this?

We dig into this and much more in today's episode!

Links to check out:

• scottsbasslessons.com (Scott's website)
• Scott's Bass Academy (membership site)
• The Scott's Bass Lessons Podcast
• Scott's Bass Lessons on YouTube
• Scott on Facebook
• Scott's Free Toolkit

I also love this video of Scott interviewing Dave Swift, who was a recent podcast guest of mine!

Subscribe to the podcast to get these interviews delivered to your inbox!

Learn how you can support the show at contrabassconversations.com/support

Thanks to our sponsors!

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.

Enter the D'Addario strings giveaway for Contrabass Conversations listeners at contrabassconversations.com/strings!

Enter the D'Addario strings giveaway for Contrabass Conversations listeners at contrabassconversations.com/strings!

Hosting for Contrabass Conversations is provided by Bass Capos. Bass Capos are an excellent choice for any bass player using or looking to implement a double bass extension. Easy to install and adjust, cheaper and more reliable than hand-built latches, also lighter and quicker in operation.

Welcome to the weekly update from Contrabass Conversations! Visit contrabassconversations.com/news for all previous episodes and more information.

News of the Week Giving Tuesday from the International Society of Bassists

• For your gift of $100 or more today, we'll send you a very special thank you in return, a copy of Gary Karr's latest CD, Bass Brothers, Gary's tribute to his sister and harpist, Remembering Arla, or Melodic Pastiche.
• Make your donation, then email [email protected] to let them know which CD to send.
• tag any donations with #GivingTuesday
• Gary Karr's YouTube channel

DaXun Zhang launches dragonetti.org

• free online music library of solo and orchestra music
• video library
• information about the 3/4 and 7/8 Dragonetti bass models DaXun has begun producing
• Dragonetti bass in action (video)
• DaXun on Contrabass Conversations

Thanks to D'Addario Strings for sponsoring!

• 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.

• D'Addario string giveaway for Contrabass Conversations listeners! Learn more at contrabassconversations.com/strings

The Bradetich Foundation International Double Bass Solo Competition

• September 1-5, 2017
• Denton, Texas, USA
• www.bradetichfoundation.org
• competition specifics
• Jeff Bradetich on Contrabass Conversations

Do you have news you'd like to share?

• email me at [email protected]
• send me a message on social media
  • contrabassconversations.com/facebook
  • contrabassconversations.com/twitter
  • contrabassconversations.com plus any other network (snapchat, pinterest, instagram, youtube)

Louisiana Bass Fest

• February 11, 2017
• Louisiana State University
• facebook.com/LouisianaBassFest
• featured guests:
  • Lawrence Wolfe (Assistant Principal Bass at Boston Symphony Orchestra)
  • Derek Weller (Faculty at Interlochen Arts Academy)
• Contrabass Conversations interviews with:
  • Yung-Chiao Wei
  • Lawrence Wolfe

Second Annual San Diego Bass Fest

• Step 1: Mark your calendars! June 21-25, 2017
• Step 2: Information: www.SanDiegoBassFest.com
• Step 3: Registration: https://goo.gl/forms/
• Featured clinicians include:
  • PJ Cinque
  • Mark Dresser
  • Justin Grinnell
  • Jory Herman
  • Jeremy Kurtz-Harris
  • Andrés Martín
  • Sayuri Yamamoto
• Contrabass Conversations interviews with:
  • Jory Herman
  • Jeremy Kurtz-Harris
  • Andrés Martín

Hosting provided by Bass Capos!

Bass Capos are an excellent choice for any bass player using or looking to implement a double bass extension. Easy to install and adjust, cheaper and more reliable than hand-built latches, also lighter and quicker in operation. Learn more at basscapos.com.

Support Contrabass Conversations

Learn about all the various ways you can support Contrabass Conversations (both financial and non-financial) at contrabassconversations.com/support.

Listener Feedback:

• Kudos for Winning the audition from Bob Hanson, Doug Bistrow, and Adam Booker
• learn more at winningtheaudition.net
• send your feedback to [email protected]

As the bassist for Jools Holland's band for over two decades, Dave Swift is likely the U.K.'s best-known bassist. He has performed with an astonishing array of artists, including:

• Paul Simon
• Eric Clapton
• Paul McCartney
• Chaka Kahn
• Smokey Robinson

The list goes on and on!

He and I got a chance to sit down over Skype earlier this fall and dig into all sorts of fascinating topics like:

• how Dave transcribes the songs he performs with Jools
• why people call Dave an "industrial" bassist
• learning a tune in front of Amy Winehouse
• being impressive versus truly moving someone musically
• life on the road and in the studio
• crazy gig stories like playing with Smokey Robinson and Eric Clapton without a rehearsal!

Dave is a great guy and is such a fun person to chat with! He recently redesigned his website, so be sure to dig into everything that he's up to there.

Links to check out:

• Dave's website
• Dave's appearance on the Lean Musician Podcast
• Later… with Jools Holland (YouTube channel)
• Dave's bass guitar collection (YouTube)
• Scott Devine interviewing Dave Swift (YouTube)
• list of all the artists with which Dave has played (it's a huge list!)

Subscribe to the podcast to get these interviews delivered to your inbox!

Learn how you can support the show at contrabassconversations.com/support

Thanks to our sponsors!

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.

Enter the D'Addario strings giveaway for Contrabass Conversations listeners at contrabassconversations.com/strings!

Hosting for Contrabass Conversations is provided by Bass Capos. Bass Capos are an excellent choice for any bass player using or looking to implement a double bass extension. Easy to install and adjust, cheaper and more reliable than hand-built latches, also lighter and quicker in operation.

Radio Hour is a new idea that I'm testing out.

In each episode, I take one topic and explore multiple perspectives from past guests.

Winning the Audition was my first experiment with this type of format format. I'd love your feedback and ideas you might have for future topics!

Today's topic: Fitness and Healthy Living We hear from the following nine individuals:

1. Alex Hanna (Chicago Symphony and DePaul University)
2. Lloyd Goldstein (Certified Music Practicioner at Moffitt Cancer Center)
3. David Allen Moore (LA Phil and USC Thornton School of Music)
4. Ira Gold (National Symphony and Peabody Conservatory)
5. Paul Ellison (Rice University)
6. Ian Hallas (Lyric Opera of Chicago)
7. Scott Pingel (San Francisco Symphony and Conservatory)
8. Guy Tuneh (soloist and chamber musician)
9. Jory Herman (San Diego Symphony)

We cover the following sub-topics:

• yoga
• running
• meditation
• crossfit
• musical athletes
• diet
• weight loss
• the importance of a strong back
• periodicity in exercise and how it might apply to practicing
• martial arts
• being "athletes of the small muscles"
• balancing yourself as a person

Thanks to our sponsor!

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.

Enter the D'Addario strings giveaway for Contrabass Conversations listeners at contrabassconversations.com/strings!

News Hour is my new experiment—let me know what you think!

Send me news and feedback at [email protected]

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.

Enter the D'Addario strings giveaway for Contrabass Conversations listeners at contrabassconversations.com/strings!

News:

• "Round Two" with David Allen Moore - contrabassconversations.com/davidallenmoore
• new video from Barry Green
• Chautauqua Audition Season - Application Deadline is February 1, 2017
• new podcast from Susan de Weger

Feedback:

• Lars Swanson - I referred him to Danny Ziemann
• Nate Lerohl - I referred him to orchestraexcerpts.com/doublebass
• Manuel Rodrigues - wants to know how much hair should be on a bass bow
• Double Bass Fingering and Timeline Chart - $15
• Sienna George

Recommendations:

• Phil Snedecor - Brass Junkies guest (inspiring episode for young musicians)
• Tim Ferriss Radio Hour

Subscribe to the podcast to get these interviews delivered to your inbox!

Learn how you can support the show at contrabassconversations.com/support