Contrabass Conversations

Dennis Bergevin and I have a lot in common.

He's a bass player. Me too.

He taught public school orchestra. So did I.

His career has taken an unexpected turn.

I totally identify with that.

For Dennis, it was the interactions with the students that he found most valuable. Not that the music wasn't important, but helping young people to find their path in life was what really mattered to him.

I agree 100%.

By the way, Dennis is a rockin' bass player. Check out this video of him playing Bach.

So Dennis has transitioned out of that orchestra director role and is now training to work in guidance at the college level. It's amazing the opportunities that exist at the university level outside of being a professor, and how critical the people in roles like what Dennis is doing are to shaping the direction of student's lives.

I also like this photo of Dennis and Edgar Meyer!

Learn more about my coverage of music teaching at contrabassconversations.com/teaching.

Be sure to subscribe to Contrabass Conversations to get these episodes delivered automatically to your mobile device!

Other episodes where we talk about teaching orchestra:

• Peter Tambroni
• Gabe Katz

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!

I first learned about Cornelia (Corky) Watkins through my friend Jeremy Little. Jeremy and I used to teach together in Illinois. He is a proponent of a style of music teaching called Comprehensive Musicianship through Performance (CMP).

Teaching music through this model is interesting. CMP teaches the complete musician. The intent is to provide music students with deeper understanding and more meaningful experiences with the music they play.

I went to a workshop on CMP. It was cool. I learned a lot. Here's a YouTube video with my friend Jeremy that gives a brief CMP overview.

But most of what we talked about revolved around teaching in a classroom. Could this be applied to a private lesson setting? How would that work?

That's when Jeremy told me to get in touch with Corky.

Corky is a pro at this. She served as the national chairperson of American String Teacher Association's Committee on Studio Instruction, and also served for six years as the Private Teacher Representative on the board of TexASTA.

So I emailed her. We set up a time to talk. I read her book Rosindust. It was great!

Here's the thing that I was interested in...

Most of the young people that I teach don't want a career in music. That's a good thing! I want people to have amazing experiences with music while they're young and continue to have it be a meaningful part of their life when they're older.

The point isn't to create a bunch of performance majors. The point is to bring the gift of music into these young people's lives.

Are we doing these young people a disservice by focusing only on technique and the music on the stand? How do we teach beyond that without turning the private lesson into a music appreciation class?

That's what Corky and I dig into!

Learn more about my coverage of music teaching at contrabassconversations.com/teaching.

Links to check out:

• Corky's Rice University page
• Comprehensive Musicianship through Performance (main page)
• Rosindust: Teaching, Learning and Life from a Cellist's Perspective by Cornelia Watkins
• From the Stage to the Studio: How Fine Musicians Become Great Teachers - co-authored by Cornelia
• Shaping Sound Musicians by Patricia O' Toole - the foundational resource for CMP

Be sure to subscribe to Contrabass Conversations to get these episodes delivered automatically to your mobile device!

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!

Johnny Hamil has dedicated his life to teaching bass. Starting out as a music education student, Johnny met George Vance at an International Society of Bassists Convention, and his life has never been the same since.

After years of prodding from George, Johnny started the Kansas City Bass Workshop. This event has grown into one of the most vibrant double bass events in the country.

But Johnny's not worried that others are going to take students away from him by starting their own events.

In fact, he's convinced that every city should have their own bass event. And after listening to this conversation, I'll bet you'll agree!

Johnny's book Jamming On The Bass is an improvisational accompaniment to Vance's Progressive Repertoire series. Check it out! It'll add some great variety to your teaching.

Here's a video describing Johnny's teaching philosophy. This will give you some background on why Johnny was inspired to write his book.

Learn more about the materials Johnny uses and what hundreds of other leaders in the double bass field use at contrabassconversations.com/teaching.

More links to check out:

• Feature on Johnny and the KC Bass Camp from KCUR
• Johnny Hamil Bass Studio (FB page)
• Rabbath - Bass Ball (vinyl!)

Be sure to subscribe to Contrabass Conversations to get these episodes delivered automatically to your mobile device!

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!

I love episodes like this.

Garrett Hope of The Portfolio Composer and I wanted to feature each other on our podcasts.

But we couldn't figure out the best way to do it.

So we chucked the script, flipped on the mic, and riffed for an hour on the subjects that interest us the most.

We're both bass players. We're both podcasters. We're both building our careers around this crazy podcast model.

Already, we have a lot in common.

But that's only the beginning.

We're both constantly thinking about what it really means to build a career in music.

• How does that even work these days?
• How do income streams for musicians work?
• Where are things headed?
• What can today's musician do?

We dig into all this and much more!

By the way, if you don't subscribe to Garrett's podcast, stop reading this right now and go subscribe. And get on his email list while you're at it. Garrett has figured a lot of things out on the career front, and he has tremendous value to offer all of us.

I love listening to Garrett's podcast. It's one of the shows that I immediately click on when I see a new episode. You'll love it too.

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!

Szymon Marciniak played a killer recital in Prague for BASS2016. Here's a great photo from that standing-room-only event.

The centerpiece of this recital was Frank Proto's compelling new Sonata No. 3. Frank wrote this piece expressly for Szymon, and it is--to say the least--epic in scope.

Along with pianist Evan Mitchell, Szymon recorded a CD and DVD called New Music for Double Bass for Liben Music.

This new release includes Proto's Sonata No. 3 along with the 2009 Sonata by Richard Dubugnon, Lu Shang's Fantasy Higgs Boson, and Chiel Meijering's The Ultimate Workout (Part 1).

We talk about:

• this feature-packed new release (check it out!)
• Szymon's decision to leave his principal bass position with The Hague Philharmonic Orchestra and embark on a freelance career
• strings, endpins, balance, sound, and much more!

Check out this YouTube video with the complete first movement of the Proto Sonata No. 3. This will give you a feel for the incredibly musicianship and high production quality on this CD/DVD release.

Links to Check Out:

• Szymon's YouTube channel
• Szymon plays Proto Sonata No. 3 mvt 1 (complete movement from DVD)
• Omega - Hungarian rock band we talk about
• New Music for Double Bass (CD/DVD)

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!

David Heyes needs no introduction.

Since founding Recital Music over 20 years ago, David has brought the music of composers like Tony Osborne, Teppo Hauta-aho, and Simón García to countless bass players.

David has also commissioned over 500 double bass compositions. Talk about an impact on the bass world!

In recent years, David has become a prolific composer.

In only three years, his compositions have been performed in eight different countries. He is constantly thinking of new ideas for pieces. In fact, he's even writing a piece for me!

It was such a pleasure to meet David in person in Prague for BASS2016. Here's a favorite photo of us meeting in the airport--talk about a warm welcome to the Czech Republic!

David is also a prolific writer. In addition to writing for publications like The Strad, David has created A History of the Double Bass in 100 Pieces and BASS NOTES. He is constantly finding new ways to synthesize double bass knowledge and provide value to the community.

By the way, his recital in Prague was awesome. Here's a bit of it on YouTube. Check it out, and enjoy this interview with Davide Heyes!

Links to check out:

• BASS Notes
• A History of the Bass in 100 Pieces
• Recital Music
• Wells Cathedral School
• David's Prague recital (YouTube)
• A Tribute to Teppo (GoFundMe)

Listener Feedback Link:

• Crafting a Music Career

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!

Jonathan Haskell may very well be the world's most interesting man.

He's a bassist. In a great orchestra: L'Orchestre De La Suisse Romande in Switzerland.

Also, he's the president of the musician's union. An accomplished conductor. Fluent in multiple languages.

He is also the author of three murder mysteries centered around the orchestra.

Here's a link to the first five chapters of On the beat, a murder mystery involving an orchestra, a sadistic, villainous, and diabolical conductor, an undercover cop in the percussion section, and a Pirastro Flexocor E string as a murder weapon!

Set in Chicago and downstate Illinois, this book vividly brings back memories of my "old life" Road Warrioring it around Chicagoland.

Interested in reading more? Send Jonathan an email and let him know!

Subscribe to the podcast to get these interviews delivered to your mobile device!

Resources we covered in this interview:

On the beat by Jonathan Haskell (PDF - 5 chapter preview)

L'Orchestre De La Suisse Romande (website)

L'Orchestre De La Suisse Romande (YouTube)

Jonathan Haskell on Discogs

The Compleat Conductor by Gunther Schuller

Twin Cities Bass Camp (from listener feedback)

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!

Allan Santos and I met 15 years ago at the Britt Festival in Oregon. I vividly recall drinking beer with him at the bar while Dave Anderson shot pool in the corner.

After studying with players like Shinji Eshima and John Hood, Allan had landed an orchestra gig in the Toledo Symphony.

The goal had been reached.

But Allan felt like things were at an 8 in his life. Not a 10.

What would a 10 look like?

Fast forward to the present, and Allan is on a totally different path. Allan left the Toledo Symphony several years ago. He became the #7 ranked yoga competitor in the nation (yes, we talk about this!).

He has now moved into Life Coaching. After reading my manifesto about my new direction in life, he reached out to me and we started talking.

He was tremendously helpful in helping me gain clarity about the next steps in my life. I'd never had conversations like this. He gave me strategies to obtain clarity and focus on what's actually important in any given moment.

The is a deep conversation for sure. I've never really put anything like this out on the podcast. My conversation with Trevor Jones might be the closest thing. But I know you'll enjoy it!

Resources we covered in this interview:

Allan Santos (Facebook)

Allan's email: [email protected]

Documentary on Marshal Hawkins (Allan's first bass teacher)

Allan's yoga competition video

Martha Beck Institute (where Allan studied as a Life Coach)

Unemployment Never Sounded So Sweet (the post I wrote that put us back in touch)

Two book recommendations from Allan:

• The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron
• The Big Leap by Hendricks Gay

leave a review for Contrabass Conversations in iTunes!

Subscribe to the podcast to get these interviews delivered to your mobile device!

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!

it would be sacrilege to use capital letters when writing about auditionhacker founder rob knopper.

rob plays percussion in the metropolitan opera orchestra. which is quite cool.

but rob also started auditionhacker, a site devoted to mastering the systems and processes required to win an audition.

we talk about:

• rob's own auditioning experiences
• his super-cool practice journal system
• how to advance at an orchestra audition 101 (rob's free mini-course)
• the audiitonhacker formula (8 module course)

this was a great conversation! you'll walk away loaded with new strategies for your next audition!

Subscribe to the podcast and get these interviews delivered to your mobile device!

From listener feedback:

10 Preparation Strategies I've Learned from Audition Winners (My AuditionCafe.org post)

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!

Seth Hanes is a horn player, digital marketing consultant, and the author of the new book, Break into the Scene: A Musician's Guide to Making Connections, Creating Opportunities, and Launching a Career, which is available now on Amazon. If you want to check out some free email templates that will help you pick up gigs and some other bonuses, visit breakintothescene.com.

We talk:

• how to get more gigs
• working with contractors
• how to market and self-promote
• working for free as a tactic

Break into the Scene hit #1 in Amazon's music business category within days of its launch. Check it out--it's a great read and full of actionable advice!

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!