Recent content by Neil Pye

It was mentioned earlier, but should really be emphasised. Pernambuco is not a species. It is the same species as the wood referred to as "Brazilwood", but comes from the Pernambuco region. This distinction is what has driven the price differential and therefore the illegal logging and all the...

I use Leatherwood for most of my ensemble playing, but Jade for solo stuff. I've had my current cake of Jade for over a year now, kept in the container it was supplied in. I've noticed no deterioration in sound or performance, and the colour is exactly as new. Maybe yours has been contaminated...

The world has become a stroppy, impatient, unhelpful place. Be kind, answer the question. Give your opinion and leave it at that. My opinion is that if the bass is in good condition and sounds good, its a bargain. There, how much did that hurt me?

It is yes. Always been the perfect outline for a bass in my mind. The scroll and f-holes have been refined somewhat from the Tarr model. Jerome is an absolutely first-class luthier. No doubt I will bore you with further pics

That is only the ground coat, it will be a fair bit darker than that when it's done, and over the years will darken more. It is a thing of beauty, the photos don't do it justice

Thought you might like to see this! This bass is being built for me by the very brilliant Jerome Davies, and now it's at the beginning of the finish process |I thought you might like a look. I have to say it's the best built modern bass I've seen, and the scroll is the best I've seen on any bass.

The pulse should come from pauses in the bow stroke. It's not easy at first, but doesn't take long to get to grips with. You could, of course, opt to look at the slurs as phrasing markings rather than bowing instructions. Discuss with the conductor, and maybe principal cellist, but a bow per...

In a high class amateur orchestra, I don't get involved in fingerings unless I hear something odd going on - open strings in inappropriate places maybe, or strange glitches in slurred passages - or someone asks. But if you don't write in fingerings, why does it matter if someone else does? just...

How do you stop people stealing your violin? Put it in a viola case

I think if you have any ambition at all to play in the pro world, you should be sharing stands. If you can't do that in a comfortable, practised way, you will severely restrict the opportunities you get. It helps with ensemble, with blending and with fostering a section culture - all of which...

I'm principal in my local orchestra (High standard amateur in UK, we have been recorded for broadcast on BBC Radio 3), and a great believer in sharing a stand. It promotes teamwork and blending, and encourages a "section" mentality. I can solve issues in the section by how I arrange the desks...

mtto's advice is good - you'll see violinists using a sneaky left hand pizz to check intonation. As a general strategy, when you practice, whatever you're practicing, take your left hand off the neck at EVERY rest, and only place it immediately before you play the next note. You will soon get...

The last note on the fingerboard of my lovely blockless German is a B, so I guess you'd call that 2 octaves and a major 3rd, or 28 frets in EB speak! The bass I'm currently having built by the amazing Jerome Davies will have 2 octaves and a 5th. Not so very different, but makes life easier in...

Run. Don't look back. I the state it's in, it has zero value, because to get it to a playable state would far exceed the restored value, which in the UK would be max £1500. Probably has more value and more future as firewood Sorry to be blunt

Nothing ventured nothing gained! Just ordered a set of Tempera Solo. I'll let you all know how I get on