Cool Instruments for Hep Cats
Our new podcast, ‘Cool Instruments for Hep Cats’ launched in March, 2023. It is available as an audio podcast, currently only on Spotify. It is also available in video format on YouTube.
In “Cool Instruments for Hep Cats”, we delve into the fascinating realm of unusual and intriguing musical instruments, the people who make them, the people who play them and the music they create. See my earlier article, ‘Our New Podcast and YouTube Channel, Cool Instruments for Hep Cats’.
If you wish to discuss anything covered in this article, see Don Rickert on Linktree: https://linktr.ee/donrickert. This link gets you to ALL of my detailed contact information, my websites and social media.
New Episode
Episode 4 of ‘Cool Instruments for Hep Cats’ is now available.
YouTube: @Cool_Instruments_for_Hep_Cats
Spotify: The audio version of the ‘Cool Instruments for Hep Cats’ podcast on Spotify:
Episode 4 focuses on the Violoncello da Spalla from the perspective of a player who is also a violin and viola teacher (Suzuki Method)
The episode continues the Violoncello da Spalla theme of Episode 3 with luthier and musician Daniela Gaidano. Episode 4 features William Hurd. Will is a violist with the Air Force Strings, The United States Air Force Band. He is also a Suzuki teacher (violin and viola) in Washington, DC. Will has a unique perspective on the violoncello da spalla, as he uses it extensively in his teaching of violin and viola students.
Episode 4 of Cool Instruments for Cool Cats has valuable detailed information for those who have recently taken up or are considering taking up the Violoncello da Spalla.
This episode delves into a professional violist’s journey of taking up the violoncello da spalla and the wonderful ways in which it has augmented his teaching violin and viola students in the Suzuki Method context.
While ‘Cool Instruments for Hep Cats’ was not originally conceived as tutorial or instructional per se, this episode with Will Hurd has caused me to rethink that. Episode 4 is packed with high-value instructional content related to actually playing the instrument. Some of the technique-related and technical topics covered are:
- The shoulder strap and how to optimally hold the violoncello da spalla when playing it
- Novel use of a viola shoulder rest, repurposed as a “chest rest”, which keeps the instrument from actually touching the player’s chest for better sonority and playing comfort
- Dealing with wolf tones and how to use a Krentz Wolf Eliminator (Remember that cheap instruments DO NOT have wolf tones, only good ones.)
- Comparison of the violoncello da spalla to a modern full-size 4-string cello
- Key differences between Baroque bows and modern bows
- Bows for the violoncello da spalla
- Tips on holding the bow for playing violoncello da spalla
- Additional playing tips (e.g., angle of the bow vis-à-vis the instrument)
- Strings for the violoncello da spalla
- Wittner geared pegs vs. traditional tuning pegs
- Side by side comparison of large viola and violoncello da spalla
- Cases for the violoncello da spalla
- Use of the violoncello da spalla in teaching violin and viola
In this episode, Will explains how being able to play basso continuo and other baritone range accompaniment to aspiring violin students enhances their learning. He treat’s treats us to short demos of the following pieces on the violoncello da spalla that he uses in the process.
- Pachelbel’s Canon
- Bach’s 6th Suite
- Handel’s Sonata
- Bach’s Double Concerto
- Telemann’s Viola Concerto
- Racini’s Duet for Cello and Bass
- Slow Movement from Tchaikovsky Violin Concerto
The video version of ‘Cool Instruments for Hep Cats’ Episode 4 is divided into 5 parts, about 15 each.
In this time of information overload (aka the “attention economy”), 15 minutes is about the limit for how much time a viewer can be expected to sit still and watch a video. I guess that Andy Warhol was right. Non-boomers and non-super hep Xers will have to google what Warhol said about 15 minutes of fame. Actually, even 15 minutes of attention is asking a lot, especially given the competition for attention on the Internet, such as these memes that are musical in nature:
- Shuffle dancing (the Melbourne Shuffle) by the likes of IsiShuffles, accompanied by tunes such as Friendships by Pascal Letoublon
- Belly dancing short videos by Turkish BIG (very) guy, Yasin Cengiz, to the sound of the viral Bulgarian rap song, Dom Dom Yes Yes (aka Skibidi Bop Yes Yes Yes) by Biser King
- The TikTok Bumblebee Dance to the song ‘Sweet Little Bumblebee’ (usually sped up considerably) by Norwegian bubblegum pop artist Bambee (Desirée Sparre-Enger)
- The Chopping Dance, a hands-and-arms-only dance craze, to the music of The Magic Bomb by the mysterious and elusive group, Hoàng Read
Don’t get me started on all of the non-musical memes, such as:
- VERY dangerous “Jackass” type stunts; you know, parkour of any kind, jumping into actual quick sand, diving off of hotel balconies into swimming pools and such
- Little people (i.e., dwarves) singing, comical skits, kicking themselves in the forehead, wrestling and so forth
- Hoopsie Daisy
- Interviews with charming and delightfully erudite Thai “Lady Boys” (transgender women)
Oh, I have only scratched the surface! Look forward to another article just about the plethora of Internet memes that fascinate me.
Anyway, help ‘Cool Instruments for Hep Cats” to become a meme (yeah right!). Watch the podcast on YouTube (preferred) or the audio version on Spotify and subscribe and/or like.
YouTube: @Cool_Instruments_for_Hep_Cats
Spotify: The audio version of the ‘Cool Instruments for Hep Cats’ podcast on Spotify
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