Brazil mourns top bass, 54

Brazil mourns top bass, 54

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norman lebrecht

January 25, 2021

There is widespread mourning for Antonio Arzolla, professor of double-bass at Uni-Rio for 30 years and a player in several orchestras.

 

Comments

  • Tom Moore says:

    A wonderful, warm man. He will be missed.

  • Rich C. says:

    I have questions for any bass players out there. At what age (or size) do you get interested in such a large instrument? Are all former cello players? How do you transport such a instrument? For a regular player from a major orchestra, do you keep the instrument at the concert hall in a secure location and have another at home to practice on?

    • PHF says:

      It’s pretty simple, actually. They live inside it.

      • Ben G. says:

        (Sorry, my answers didn’t seem to appear–)

        “I have questions for any bass players out there. At what age (or size) do you get interested in such a large instrument?”

        Answer:
        —In my case, I started at the age of 16, with the Electric Bass. I once read an article which mentioned the fact that Bass players choose their instrument (DB included) because it’s a chick magnet. Great success in that domain.
        _______________________________
        “Are all former cello players?”

        Answer:
        —Some have started with the Cello, but soon realized that they made a poor decision and quickly moved over to the bass. Wise choice.
        ___________________________________

        “How do you transport such a instrument?”

        Answer:
        —You’ve heard of Jesus Christ and his cross–it’s the same thing.

        ___________________________
        “For a regular player from a major orchestra, do you keep the instrument at the concert hall in a secure location and have another at home to practice on?”

        Answer:
        In Europe, Double Basses belong to the orchestra itself (Percussion and Harps as well), and they even give you a new set of strings each year! We usually have our own personal instrument at home, so we can change strings for free!

    • Ben G. says:

      “I have questions for any bass players out there. At what age (or size) do you get interested in such a large instrument?”

      “Are all former cello players?”

      “How do you transport such a instrument?”

      “For a regular player from a major orchestra, do you keep the instrument at the concert hall in a secure location and have another at home to practice on?”

      <In Europe, Basses belong to the orchestra itself (Percussion and Harps as well), and they even give you a new set of strings each year! We usually have our own personal instrument at home, so we can change strings for free! 😉

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