apologies

[D McCartney]

I would like apologize for my post the other day. It was ill conceived, badly worded, and totally misunderstood.
It was never my intention to call anyone names, and I regret ever using that language.
If anyone at all was offended by my words, I ask your forgiveness. I really will try to see that it doesn't happen again.
Dwight McCartney

[specplyrz]

Originally Posted by poptime

I would like apologize for my post the other day. It was ill conceived, badly worded, and totally misunderstood.
It was never my intention to call anyone names, and I regret ever using that language.
If anyone at all was offended by my words, I ask your forgiveness. I really will try to see that it doesn't happen again.
Dwight McCartney

That was a heated string. I also will add my appologies to all as I can get "heated" in my discusions.

James Peak


Thank you for the post.

[Aaron Saunders]

Originally Posted by poptime

I would like apologize for my post the other day. It was ill conceived, badly worded, and totally misunderstood.
It was never my intention to call anyone names, and I regret ever using that language.
If anyone at all was offended by my words, I ask your forgiveness. I really will try to see that it doesn't happen again.
Dwight McCartney

While the term was poorly chosen, I wouldn't say that you are at all to blame with the recent tension in the double bass community. Let's just all hope Ray and Warmbottom come back soon so we can have the double bass community as we remember it.

[specplyrz]

Originally Posted by KSB - Ken Smith

I still don't know the actual intended definition of a 'blowhard'.

Was that meant as an insult or a compliment? The DB world takes more than a lifetime to learn to play and study the old makers. I almost BEG my elders and anyone else to teach me ANYTHING they can.

A few Days ago a fine Bassist from the NYC Ballet Orchestra came here in search for his dream Bass and tried my Dodd and Gilkes. The Dodd went home with him for trial and maybe was used last night at the Ballet. I played the Basses for him to listen as well as he played them but hearing from 10-20 feet away is just as good as playing but more important what the others are hearing.

At the end of the day I asked him about teaching and he said he doesn't teach but may in the future. So I asked, "If I showed up now for a lesson after hearing me play, what would you have me work on"? Now don't forget I studied with 2 members of the NY Philarmonic in the 1970s and played professionally for 20 years. Also, I put the Bass down for 15 years and never trained to play in an Orchestra regardless of all the legimate bow work I did as well as Concerto and Sonata studies. I did that just to play better overall. Anyway, he commented that I was a good player and some of my technique is better than some of Orchestra players he has worked with but to play in an Orchestra today, 'you have to WIN the audition', that's the bottom line! He pointed out my Wrist was too loose (if there is such a thing as I worked for the last 2 years to relaxe it for Spicatto) and I should pull the sound more from the shoulder along with pulling the string from the sides of the bow rather than pressing down on the string with the Bow. The second was my left hand to be more deliberate and play less open strings in some orchestra passages whenever possible.

Now I have work for the next year or two from someone maybe 20 years younger than me. My other last two lessons were casual questions about Spicatto from a 50 year Veteran of the DB trying out Basses earlier this year and another from a retierd Orchestra played now a dealer/restorer.

I never critisize how BLUNT their explanations may be. I just want to learn!

Point well taken.

[Bruce Lindfield]

Great post from Ken - this is the kind of thing that keeps me coming here!