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11-03-2012, 08:21 AM
| | | | Paying It Forward
I've been lucky playing bass for 45 yrs now and in the past 15 years or so I've had the means to acquire a lot of instruments including 3 nice DBs.
For a while now I've been trying to figure out how to give back to the DB community in some way.
I can't play DB anymore (except with a bow) due to RS issues. So, I'm ready to part with a couple of DBs. They are all good quality 70+ yrs old.
Not being rich I do need to sell one but the other....
I guess what I'm looking for is help structuring some process whereby a worthy, promising young player could end up owning one of these basses.
It always tugs at me when I see a thread from an enthusiastic youngster dreaming of a bass worth commiting to but not having the means or, settling on an inferior instrument which could crush one's ambition.
Ideas? |
11-03-2012, 08:50 AM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Triangle Area, NC | | Quote:
Originally Posted by pnchad  I've been lucky playing bass for 45 yrs now and in the past 15 years or so I've had the means to acquire a lot of instruments including 3 nice DBs.
For a while now I've been trying to figure out how to give back to the DB community in some way.
I can't play DB anymore (except with a bow) due to RS issues. So, I'm ready to part with a couple of DBs. They are all good quality 70+ yrs old.
Not being rich I do need to sell one but the other....
I guess what I'm looking for is help structuring some process whereby a worthy, promising young player could end up owning one of these basses.
It always tugs at me when I see a thread from an enthusiastic youngster dreaming of a bass worth commiting to but not having the means or, settling on an inferior instrument which could crush one's ambition.
Ideas? | Essay contest?
(Your idea is beautiful. I think it's somewhat unsavory to read about people "flipping" basses when they score one priced under market value. It's nice to read about someone wanting to do the opposite!) |
11-03-2012, 08:53 AM
| | Registered User
Endorsing Artist: Fender Basses, Ampeg, Curt Mangan Strings | | Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: South Shore, Massachusetts | | Quote:
Originally Posted by pnchad I've been lucky playing bass for 45 yrs now and in the past 15 years or so I've had the means to acquire a lot of instruments including 3 nice DBs.
For a while now I've been trying to figure out how to give back to the DB community in some way.
I can't play DB anymore (except with a bow) due to RS issues. So, I'm ready to part with a couple of DBs. They are all good quality 70+ yrs old.
Not being rich I do need to sell one but the other....
I guess what I'm looking for is help structuring some process whereby a worthy, promising young player could end up owning one of these basses.
It always tugs at me when I see a thread from an enthusiastic youngster dreaming of a bass worth commiting to but not having the means or, settling on an inferior instrument which could crush one's ambition.
Ideas? | Maybe you could contact a local school that has a music program and donate it. That way many students could enjoy playing it. You might even be able to take a tax deduction for the donation.
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11-03-2012, 09:00 AM
|  | Registered User
Owner/The Bass Spa, String Repairman/L & M Vancouver | | Join Date: May 2006 Location: Crescent Beach, BC | | Bravo - What a nice idea! 
Maybe you should contact the music department of your favourite local university and discuss it with them. Up here the Canada Council takes care of finding players for master instruments that are 'On Loan from the Collection of ...'. |
11-03-2012, 09:17 AM
| | | | all good ideas - i'd love to know that some individual really excelled on it but the idea of sharing and providing opportunities to multiples is interesting too |
11-03-2012, 09:29 AM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Triangle Area, NC | | | (But I think you should keep one for bowing! Your enjoyment of the instrument doesn't have to end because the pizz. is gone!) |
11-03-2012, 09:39 AM
|  | Registered User | | Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Columbus, Ohio | | | Might also want to check in with the local Youth Symphony organization if such exists in you area. The Columbus Youth Symphony here also has instruments "on loan" for certain situations.
Or perhaps: request audition tapes which you review (not professional, iphone fine) to include a written and/or verbal explanaition of the students goals for their music, what motivates them, and what they are doing to give back (my son for example is required to play at area assisted living centers 4x per year as payback for my support, many reasons I am doing this). Follow up your short list one on one via phone or in person with the student and parent(s). You may want to condider "loaning" the instrument based upon specific, realistic, attainable "stretch" goals to keep them motivated, keeping in touch with them in a "mentoring" sort of way.
I appluad your ideals and hope you will be able to pass them along with the instrument. |
11-03-2012, 09:42 AM
| | Registered User
Retailer: Shen, Sun, older European | | Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Burlingame, California | | | Find a college that is underfunded in the music program. They will be very grateful.
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Steve Swan
Steve Swan Doublebasses
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11-03-2012, 09:48 AM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Honky Kong, ShangriLamma | | Don't you mean "Playing It forward" ? 
Cool mang! Seek and yee shall find. Since you've put it out to the universe, I'm sure some very deserving person, or multiple persons, will benefit from your magnanimity.
Sorry to hear about your RIS issues, but pleased to hear how you're dealing with it.
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DB in hand, headed for the horizon...
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11-03-2012, 10:00 AM
| | | | I will keep one DB for arco as I have three - not sure which though
One bass is obviously better suited for orchestral & the other 2 are better jazz basses |
11-05-2012, 06:01 AM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Asheville, NC | | | Raises hand... |
11-05-2012, 06:19 AM
| | Registered User
Endorsing Artist: Genz-Benz Amplifiers | | Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Nashville, TN | | | Contacting a local college or youth symphony is a great idea, you could also contact the ISB and ask if they have any suggestions. |
11-05-2012, 06:29 PM
| | | | Raises hand...
well this is what gave me the inspiration, youngsters on TB dreaming about DB and having to either wait or settle for something inferior
if there were a fair way to 'audition' worthy TBers I'd be up for that |
11-05-2012, 06:46 PM
| | | | Tread lightly when considering donating to school music programs. I hate to say it, because kids should have access to DECENT instruments whenever possible, but with the state of school budgets today the money to maintain the instruments isn't there.
This is a wonderful gesture you are making, and if you choose wisely will be a great legacy and a contribution to the arts. I'd just hate to see the thing fall into disrepair for political reasons.
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11-05-2012, 06:52 PM
|  | Registered User | | Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Detroit | | | That's a wonderful thing you're doing. Even though my bass is just a Cremona, I'm still staggered by how lucky I am to have access to one, and how amazing it feels to have the opportunity to play. It's a rewarding instrument to play, but unfortunately it's one of the hardest and most expensive to get into. Once again, what you're doing is amazing. Good karma your way.
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