Double Bass Houston Symphony Basses

[Mary Ann]

Last night I took my daughter, the 14 year old bass player, and my 81 year old mom to see the Houston Symphony. They do their New Year’s Eve concert in the northern ‘burbs of Houston just a couple of miles from our house so we didn’t even have to drive downtown. I made sure to get tickets on the bass side of the hall and we ended up on the front row about 8 feet away from the basses. 5 beautiful basses and amazing bass players right in front of us.

One bass looked very old so, at intermission, my daughter asked the bassist how old it was. 230 years old. Amazing. The second chair bass looked brand new, shiny and ½ size. I wonder why he chose that. Maybe because you don’t need or want full volume in an orchestra? Dunno but we did notice that they all had mutes hanging on the strings at the tailpiece.

My daughter thought it was cool that 3 of the 5 basses had Bel Canto strings which is what we had put on her bass last week. Those orange windings are very distinctive and easy to spot. Dunno what the other two were using.

My daughter really enjoyed watching the bassists and the entertaining conductor. It was a very fun night and I will try to get tickets next year. I enjoyed it too and I feel like I’ve gotten a much greater appreciation for orchestral music now that I live with a bass player.

My daughter came home from the concert and went straight to her bass to start playing so it was great to see her get some inspiration and motivation from the performance.
Happy New Year!

Mary Ann

bass mom

 

[bassist14]

hi mary ann

great story.
but you don´t have to wait one year to do it again

 

[Mary Ann]

True. I just checked the website and I assumed that the regular Houston Symphony tickets downtown at Jones Hall would be prohibitively expensive but the front row all the way on the ends is only $25 per seat. Very interesting. We might be looking at the bass players' backs there but it's worth a try. Good seats are $125 so too much to spend on a regular basis.

We can't beat the close to home small venue for New Year's Eve though.

We have tickets to Lady Gaga on April 8 so that will be a slightly different experience.

Mary Ann

 

[bassist14]

We have tickets to Lady Gaga on April 8 so that will be a slightly different experience.

Mary Ann

very important to see "the other side" too..

 

[Alex Scott]

I used to get student rush tickets for like $5-10 at jones hall, they had a special program for students. They might still do it, wouldn't hurt to ask if she is old enough to drive down there or for when she is.

 

[SteveC]

I take my high school kids on a trip to hear the Minnesota Orchestra every year. It's always very motivational to hear a really good orchestra - even for the "section" or less serious players.