Category Archives: Uncategorized

Happy New Year! What are your goals for this  year? What are your plans to achieve them? Some of my targets – and I like to call them targets rather than goals as a target is something you can hit … Continue reading →

A tuner. This is used to help the student tune their instrument. They are about $20 – $30 dollars and I recommend the brand ‘Korg’. A metronome. This is used to help the students keep a steady beat. My favorite … Continue reading →

Here’s an email I got from the Baltimore Symphony in regards to their summer academy program. To Whom It May Concern: Please allow me to introduce myself as the Academy Coordinator for the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra.  One aspect of my … Continue reading →

How do you deal with a student that never practices?

Here are some thoughts on determining bowings. Feel free to comment and discuss. 1. The first beat of a measure should be a down bow. (Unless there’s a syncopation.) 2. ‘Ands’ (&) are usually up bow. 3. Rests can be … Continue reading →

Check out the Chicago Bass Ensemble and their blog!

Deep Tones for Peace is an international organization of bass players and composers dedicated to peace in the Middle East. Deep Tones for Peace produces bass festivals and concerts worldwide and online as a humanitarian and nonpartisan appeal for peace. … Continue reading →

The all-monthly publication of a jazz standard for arco played solo double bass in the arco jazz bass project is in November the Waltz “Someday My Prince Will Come” from Frank Churchill. Originally written for the Disney film “Snow White … Continue reading →

Poor teaching Poor preparation Lack of preparation Playing music that is too difficult Being ‘surprised’ – ie performance venue is different than practice venue Tension External stressors and pressure- parents, teachers, “You have to play well”…

Protocol: A Guide To The Collegiate Audition Process by Larry Clark, Daniel Schmidt and Joel DiBartolo is a new text to help students prepare for college auditions. It provides advice for choosing a school as well as scales, excerpts and … Continue reading →

So now I’ve installed and played on an extended E string as well as the other three Zyex strings. The long E is clear, resonant, and loud. It responds quickly and easily to the bow and has a great pizzicato … Continue reading →

I just received a prototype of D’Addario’s Zyex extended E string. I’ll be trying it out today and let you all know what I think.

Today I put on a G, D and A string of D’Addario’s new Zyex string. As I was unpacking them I was a little worried as the string felt a little stiff when it was wrapped in the usual circular … Continue reading →

I received a set in the mail yesterday and will be putting them on today. I currently use Obligatos for my A,D,G and a Spirocore for my low C. I was sent a regular E string so the Spirocore will … Continue reading →

I love technology (and my iPhone) but sometimes there’s no substitute for pen and paper. I use and recommend Moleskine brand journals – they are high quality and aesthetically wonderful. But what about your pen? Enter the Quiver from QuiverGlobal.com. … Continue reading →

I love Moleskine brand notebooks and now I’ve found the perfect pen holder for them from Quiver. Review coming soon!

Last Friday I received a cortisone shot in my right arm for tennis elbow / tendonitis. WOW! What a difference. It really worked!

Coming soon – a review of D’Addario’s new Zyex double bass strings!!