Welcome!

When I got started playing period instruments, I had SO MANY questions! What kind of bass should I choose for what repertoire? How do I decide which gut strings to buy? How do you tie frets? Is it ever OK to play overhand bow?

Back then I had to find answers the old fashioned way (i.e. I went to the library and I made phone calls). The internet makes things a little easier!

In this blog, I’ll share the ideas and solutions about historical bass playing that I’ve discovered over the years, and with which I continue to experiment.

There are simply no definitive answers to many issues related to historical performance. And perhaps early basses are more elusive than other instruments. Violin, flute and keyboard received a good deal more attention in 18th-century treatises. 

I’ve found it’s an essential discipline to keep asking questions, especially when we think we’ve found the absolute truth. And it’s so important to have an open mind. I truly hope that sharing the process and experience that has helped me build a successful career doing what I love will help others who want to explore historical double bass playing.

What questions and topics would you like to see covered here? Please let me know in the comments! And be sure to subscribe so you’ll be notified of new posts.