The Double Bassist

By a double bassist, for the double bassist!

[doublebassist]

Some shots from one of the most fun concerts I’ve ever played this last weekend at Royce Hall (UCLA) with AYS. The other bassist is Tim “Smittywerberjagermen” Jensen. He’s number one. 

Strauss - Don Juan Bruch - Violin Concerto No. 1 Shostakovich - Symphony No. 12 "1917"

[doublebassist]

Hey guys! Long time no see, but my band Carly and The Universe just released a single from our new album A Greater Thing! Hope everyone’s been well!

[doublebassist]

Doin' the pizzas on a Satie arrangement with the Los Angeles Doctors Symphony Orchestra.

[doublebassist]

Hi. Would it be possible if you played some of the orchestral bass repertoire for some references? Thanks.

Sure thing! I’m in the process of moving to a new place on the 1st, but once I’m situated I’ll hammer out a few excerpts for anyone that wants to hear me turn walrus noises into music! Any requests? :)

[doublebassist]

A very important PSA from Lauren Pierce. It makes me super angry and sad when I hear these stories. Music is supposed to be a source of great joy and love. So if you see anyone making anyone uncomfortable, crossing the line, or just being out right inappropriate with someone, don’t be silent! You may just save someone from a potentially scarring situation!

[doublebassist]

Happy 181st birthday Wienawski! Edgar Meyer performing the Wienawski Caprice

(This video has resurrected my blog from the dead. Seriously, I’ve had a recording of this for ages and now Edgar post a video of the piece. I squeed so hard this morning.)

[doublebassist]

Hello I Need to buy a double bas. Do you have an idea of a double bass? Any model? Specific techniques? Price range-7000£ Thanks

I honestly don’t know about specific models. I don’t pay attention to those. I just try to find the best instrument I can in whatever price range I have. I’ve answered a few questions about buying a bass already, so feel free to check those out. I’m guess you’re in the UK, lots of great shops there. Highly recommend Contrabass Shoppe and Thomas Martin. Hope you find what you’re looking for!

[doublebassist]

Hey I have a pretty huge and nasty callus (its pretty cool actually) but it is on the thumb of my bow hand. I play French bow and I've been told my callus shouldn't be that big. Any tips? I'm thinking it might be technique...a rubber grip helped tons

I actually don’t exactly know. I’ve never played with a rubber grip. But for some people it apparently really helps. As for the thumb, I don’t know what to say, not being able to see the hand in motion while playing. Are you gripping the bow forcefully at all, or loosely letting is just sit in your hand?

[soyouwanttoplaytheflute]

PLEASE SHARE!

Hello, my double bass was stolen on 9th february 2016 between Frankfurt/Paris/Lyon. It was made by Bernardel/ Plumerel in 1841. Thanks for sharing and help me to find it.

it is written on a exterior rib : “ Paris , l'an 1841, Bernardel luthier rue croix des petits champs n°23, fait pour Achille Gouffé de l'académie royale de musique”

There is a signature on the back inside of the instrument near endpin “PLUMEREL à PARIS” There is some EUDOXA strings and plain gut strings. Mooradian deluxe cover color grey White Flight case (looks like a cello BAM case)

Thanks a lot

Gautier Blondel 0609697638

[doublebassist]

Spread the word!

[doublebassist]

Pilgrim by Renaud Garcia-Fons 

Just beautiful. The best example of having complete control of the instrument. 

[doublebassist]

I can now lock ALL the low notes! Thanks to Lisa and Gabo at LA Bass Works! :)

[doublebassist]

Victor Herbert - Concerto No. 2 in E minor for Cello (Double bass): 2nd Movement

Lauren Pierce, double bass Patryce King, piano Original transcription by Lauren Pierce

Audio by Al Marabella Video by Lauren Pierce Recorded at Blackerby Violin Shop in Austin, TX

[doublebassist]

Fun little arrangement of Czárdás by Sébastien Dubé. For those curious  Sébastien’s bass is a 5 string with a b-extenstion tuned E(B)-A-D-G-C

[doublebassist]

Victor Herbert - Concerto no. 2 in E minor for Cello, Movement 1

Lauren Pierce, double bass Patryce King, piano Original transcription by Lauren Pierce

Another great post on Lauren’s YouTube page! 

[doublebassist]

If I have a glissando in a double bass part, should I play it like a slide or a series of grace notes (too shy to ask my orchestra director sorry)

If it’s marked gliss. then it’s a slide. But it is a series of notes, unless it’s impossible to play, then it’s a series of notes. If it’s impossible to play, then its for effect which means it should sounds like a jumble of notes in a given tonality with a specific beginning and end. Wagner does this a lot with strings. 

[doublebassist]

A gem of a performance that Edgar just posted on his Youtube. 

Edgar Meyer plays Rapsodie from Suite Hebraique by Bloch with pianist Amy Dorfman. 

[doublebassist]

I'm also looking to buy a bass and maybe you can help. My range is around 20k. I'm thinking maybe a Tom Martin or something of that sort.

Where a bass is from is irrelevant as long as it sounds good to you and projects. But for that price you’ll be looking at a lot of old German, Czech, and French basses. Tom Martins are good, there are many great luthiers to choose from. But I’m personally not a huge fan of brand new basses. I’ve seen some that sound great, but it takes years for an instrument to break in most of the time and for your range you can find a great instrument that will feel like a nice pair of broken in shoes. 

*this is copy pasted from a question I just answered right now from the other bassist that just asked about buying too*

Just make sure that the string length is comfortable, and that the bass has a good deep sound that projects. Be sure to inspect the instrument for any repairs/restorations it may need. It’s usually best to find an instrument that is as close to setup/repaired as possible. Sometimes you may love the sound when you buy it. But if it needs lots of work, the sound and feel of the instrument may change drastically in rare cases. Just be aware of that, because I’ve seen people drop $120k on a bass only to have it worked on and not end up liking the result. And when you do find a bass that you seriously want to purchase always take it for a test drive. Play it in large halls. Have a good player go with you so you can hear how it sounds from afar as they play. Some basses sound great when you’re playing them, but don’t carry good sound when you walk even 5 meters from it.