Tough program

[Ken Smith]

We played this (http://www.northpennsymphony.org/images/concert4.swf) program Saturday and I must say it was quite difficult and not at all fun playing the 'Oaks by Stravinsky. The Pulcinella was nice to play and the Oboe solos were beautiful to listen too from where I was sitting. The Bass/Trombone solo piece 'Vivo' was a blast. Actually, I called Bill Blossom shortly before we started rehearsals last month and he sang the part to me over the phone. That helped a lot as far as the concept goes.

At rehearsals I played 4 different Basses which included my English Gilkes (http://www.kensmithbasses.com/DoubleBasses/GilkesBass/GilkesBass.htm) (41" string length), Bisiach (http://www.kensmithbasses.com/DoubleBasses/Bisiach/Bisiach.htm) labeled Bass (42"), Bollbach Lion 'Simba' (http://www.kensmithbasses.com/DoubleBasses/Bollbach/Bollbach.htm) (41 3/4") and my newly acquired cornerless Bass attributed to Storioni (http://www.kensmithbasses.com/DoubleBasses/Storioni/Storioni.htm) (set shorter at 44 1/8th").

At some rehearsals we didn't get to my Solo at all. When we finally did, it was maybe one time thru and then on to the next thing. On the breaks, the Trombonist and I worked on it alone a few times. When it came time to do the concert I picked the hardest Bass to play length-wise to do the Concert and Solo. It came out just fine and intonation was as good as it could be. Now that my Mystery Bass (http://www.kensmithbasses.com/DoubleBasses/MysteryBass/name_that_bass.htm) is nearing its restoration completion, I am having second thoughts about shortening the string length as this bass is also close to 44" as well.

Kurt (or anyone else), What's your thoughts on switching Basses at the last minute before a Concert?

[Nick Hart]

Hey Ken,

I give you a lot of credit for switching basses before a concert. I had to do it once this year. It can actually be kind of fun if you know your part very well and the string lengths and feel of the basses are similar.

My bass was in the shop getting a new setup by Nick Lloyd and I had to borrow one of my studio mates "Prescott-ish" bass. It is cut down a lot with the original top, scroll, tuners, and neck, but the back was new when it was cut down. The bass needs a lot of work but it was definitely interesting just walking on stage and playing the bass.

Oh and I definitely wouldn't have done it if I was playing that Stravinsky solo. It's a hard part on a bass somebody has been playing for 20 years.

[JustinKujawski]

Oh man, I never could have pulled that off. I hate playing basses that I'm not used to, in other words, basses that aren't mine. Maybe it's a mental thing but I spend so much time just trying to play notes in tune on another instruments that everything else goes to hell in a handbasket.

A lot of jazz musicians, who play on unfimilar basses on a regular basis say that its an aquired skill. One guy mentioned that in a lesson with Larry Grenadier he (Larry) played the A in thumb position out of tune once, found the note and proceeded to play everything else for the rest of the 90+ minute lesson perfectly in tune on my friend's bass.

For now, I'm just gonna try to play in tune on one instrument!