Al Laszlo's "BLOCK"

anonymous12251111 · #1 10-18-2008, 09:15 AM

What is this device? What is its function?

Thanks.

sibass89 · #2 10-18-2008, 04:35 PM

I think you mean the "brick." Basically what it is is a brick with a pole coming out of it that he attaches a rubber end to and wraps in felt. He then leans the bass against the pole on the brick and this keeps the instrument completely stable so that he has the left hand freedom of sitting but the ease of playing from standing. Mr. Laszlo used to use a very long endpin to get a cello like angle to the bass (as he stands more behind the instrument than to the side of it) but now uses a titanium bent-endpin which gives him the angle he wants with a lot less metal.

anonymous12251111 · #3 10-19-2008, 12:59 AM

photos? is this commercially available?

sibass89 · #4 10-19-2008, 07:48 AM

I can try to get a picture, but I don't use it. It is not commercially available but it is fairly simple to make. Maybe some other Laszlo students here have a picture...

anonymous12251111 · #5 12-05-2008, 12:04 AM

Any ideas?

kpo · #6 12-09-2008, 09:15 PM

From what I understand, "the brick" is a system Mr. Laszlo came up with to address the way he plays - does he actually recommend that others use it?

Dr Rod · #7 12-09-2008, 09:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kpo

does he actually recommend that others use it?

Well, he certainly won't discourage you.

When I was in Cincinnati about four students used it.

anonymous12251111 · #8 12-10-2008, 07:40 AM

I've never seen it but Hal Robinson told me it was basically a brick with a long pole shaft that goes into the endpin, seems like a flight risk!

sibass89 · #9 12-10-2008, 08:24 AM

The brick is a cinderblock with a pole coming out of it. The pole is wrapped in felt, and then the left bottom corner of your bass rests on the pole so that it is completely balanced. Mr. Laszlo also plays with a bent end pin, and between the pin and the brick his playing position is very similar to that of a cello, with him standing behind the bass. None of us use it anymore, but there used to a be a couple of students who use it, but we all play sitting now.

THE SAW · #10 12-10-2008, 05:38 PM

You guys are kidding, right?

Yeah right, I'M a troll.

The stuff you just wrote is not possible-I know about drilling holes and footrests, but cinder blocks?

But, I guess you folks are the pros and I'm just a old hack.