300: Dan Styffe on solo projects, life in Norway, and the importance of sound - a podcast by Jason Heath

Dan Styffe is a man in constant motion.  It's astonishing the number of musical projects that he has going on:

• a new solo album coming this spring (his eighth album in 11 years!)
• appearances at events like BASS2016, RCM International Festival, and ISB 2017
• serving as Co-Principal Bass of the Oslo Philharmonic Orchestra
• teaching at The Norwegian Academy of Music and Barratt Due's Institute of Music

New music for the bass is a major area of interest for Dan.  He works regularly with composers like Rolf Martinsson, Teppo Hauta-Aho, Bernard Salles, and Simón García.

We dig into all kinds of topics today:

• growing up deep in the woods of Sweden
• how starting to play on his beautiful Gasparo da Saló bass changed his technique
• life in the Oslo Philharmonic
• what Dan finds exciting about the modern double bass scene
• tips for finding practice time in a busy schedule
• why Dan places the greatest importance on sound

It was such a pleasure to spend time with Dan at BASS2016 in Prague, and I can't wait to see him again in person!

Links to check out:

• Dan's website
• Octophonia (Dan's most resent release)
• documentary of Dan premiering Rolf Martinsson's Bass Concerto (YouTube)

Thanks to our sponsors!

This episode is brought to you by D’Addario Strings! Check out their Helicore strings, which are are designed, engineered, and crafted at the D’Addario string factory in New York and come in orchestral, hybrid, pizzicato, and solo string sets.

Hosting for Contrabass Conversations is provided by Bass Capos.  Bass Capos are an excellent choice for any bass player using or looking to implement a double bass extension. Easy to install and adjust, cheaper and more reliable than hand-built latches, also lighter and quicker in operation.

 

Further episodes of Contrabass Conversations

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