Talking bass with Francois Rabbath

[jasonheath]

Hey Talkbass folks,

I just put out a new segment of our interview with Francois Rabbath. In this interview, we talk about where Rabbath got his bass from and why he prefers the design and shape of this kind of instrument.

There is a lot of debate in the bass world about instrument shape, especially regarding the 'Rabbath style' of bass, and I think that bass players will be interested to hear from the man himself on this subject.

Click here to listen to the Contrabass Conversations Rabbath interview.

You may also be interested in checking out some of these other interviews from CBC:


Rabbath interview part 1
Ira Gold interview part 1
Greg Sarchet interview
Andy Anderson recital showcase

[PB+J]

cool! thanks a lot!

The electric bass intro kind of bugs me though....

[sanray]

what electric bass? I am pretty sure that it is just amplified upright

[jasonheath]

The new intro for the show is just two upright basses (Eric Hochberg and me) without any amps. The older intro (episodes 1-19) was electric bass, but that has been retired.

[Stan Haskins]

Originally Posted by jasonheath

The new intro for the show is just two upright basses (Eric Hochberg and me) without any amps. The older intro (episodes 1-19) was electric bass, but that has been retired.

Good move. The new intro is much better.

I'm curious, Jason (or anyone else who might know). How does Rabbath handle concerto playing without solo strings? He made a speech in this episode about how he doesn't approve of solo strings, as they are just to make the bas "easier" to play. Does he use higher tension strings and tune up a whole step?

Just wondering.

[Alex Scott]

He uses Corelli strings I think 370 mediums, and tunes them at orchestra pitch. They are a pretty thin string, but he keeps them tuned regular EADG.

[jasonheath]

I think that he's been using Corellis for a long time. I've always thought that those strings lacked body to the sound, but maybe they're perfect for what Rabbath does. I'm always trying to crank it out in orchestra concerts, so it's a pretty different situation.

[quenoil]

Originally Posted by jasonheath

I think that he's been using Corellis for a long time. I've always thought that those strings lacked body to the sound, but maybe they're perfect for what Rabbath does. I'm always trying to crank it out in orchestra concerts, so it's a pretty different situation.

I think he actually participated in the development of those strings, but I'm not sure.

At any rate, its all about knowing how to use the bow. Using those strings, in Francois' case, has nothing to do with being easier or harder to play. They respond to the bow in the way he wants them to. From a left hand perspective, he could play the music he plays on any kind of strings.

[jasonheath]

Well put. It is still amazing to see Rabbath play these days--the kind of endurance and facility he has at his age is remarkable.