SOUNDPOST

LETTER of the MONTH Bassist

Mark Elton’s smashed instrument

HIGHLY STRUNG

I was interested to read the news story on the double bass apparently smashed by careless Qantas baggage handlers (see page 13). Looking at the photos, though, I notice that the bass is strung. Now, I am not saying that taking the set down would have made a difference in this instance, but I would point out that the double bass has a string tension of approximately 250 pounds (115kg). Even a simple collapse of the bridge while in transit could potentially crack a plate or impale it against the soundpost. So I would suggest that players detune the instrument to slacken the strings, then wrap up the bridge in padding, and put rubber bands round the tuners to apply inward pressure. This is much easier than dealing with up to four unravelled strings. This is my own standard practice for shipping instruments.

Finally, the protection afforded by a ‘true’ travel case cannot be ignored. A simple wood structure case with fabric is never appropriate for mass transit.

T. MATTHEW JOHNSON

Rochester, MN, US

PAYING THE PRICE

Rachael Ridge’s article on the ‘dark side of being an adult beginner’ (bitly.ws/3ba7b) all makes perfect sense. I began late and was in a hurry. Adult beginners have to be, if they are serious. What is critical here is finding a good teacher that matches. You can have two lessons with a great tutor and learn more than you can in twenty with a lesser one. This isn’t just economics either. There are many ‘teachers’ who have no idea what they are doing and can actually set you back or instil terrible habits in you. The common denominator among the latter is that they simply can’t remember what it was like to begin to learn the violin, and attack the priorities and essentials, nor can they tailor the necessary principles to the characteristics of you as a person.

To give an example of the extraordinary things teachers can leave out: it took six years for any teacher I had to tell me when playing with others to start on the string. I had to wait until an orchestra leader told me: ‘You know, in this orchestra we always start on the string!’ So take your time and get a heap of recommendations, and don’t be frightened to spend money when it’s worth it.

DAVID RENTON

Majorca, Spain

A Music in Mind session with Camerata musicians

MUSIC IN MIND PHOTO COURTESY MANCHESTER CAMERATA. BASS PHOTO MARK ELTON

A COMMUNITY EFFORT I was overjoyed to read that the Association of British Orchestras has recognised the work of Manchester Camerata’s pioneering ‘Music in Mind’ team at their annual awards ceremony on 24 January. For the past twelve years, musicians from the Camerata have been going into care homes alongside music therapists, encouraging residents with dementia to get involved and participate in the music making activities. I for one have seen how music-based therapy can stimulate patients’ memory, creativity and enjoyment of life; and at one session, one of the carers told me how therapeutic it was for them as well, as seeing patients respond in an alert, engaged way after so long could lift their own spirits more than anything else. I really hope that this award prompts more ensembles across the country to follow suit, and at least experiment with the possibilities of engaging with their local community in this way.

NAME AND ADDRESS SUPPLIED

UK

YOU BE YOU

I was happy to read the thoughts of Carolin Widmann (right) on classical students expanding their horizons (Life Lessons, January 2024). She encourages young players to find what ‘makes them special’. It reminds me of my first encounter with improvisation, during a music camp very early into my cello education. I must have been seven or eight. We went around the group, and each player had to play a few notes that would sound good on top of a drone the teacher was playing on the piano. You could feel that we were terrified, including myself! But when the time came, it seemed to flow out of me naturally, and without realising it, I had gone completely over my ‘limit’ and started playing a full melody! I never went into improvisation in a serious or professional way – nor did I with classical cello – but the self-confidence I gained from seeing myself do something I didn’t expect, and which made me special, at least among the terrified ten or so other pupils, has stayed with me since.

JOLENE A. AGUTTES

Ann Arbor, MI, US

WIDMANN PHOTO LENNARD RUEHLE. PLATE PHOTOS OREST PUTSENTELA

ONLINE COMMENT

In an unusual turn of events, an audience member threw a bra at violinist Ray Chen following his performance of the Tchaikovsky Concerto in Munich. The Strad audience didn’t hold back from sharing their surprised reactions and witty remarks bitly.ws/3aRo7

DON A. BAILEY Damn… Gotta start practising my violin again.

GARY GAY It was bound to happen sooner or later! SUZANA SUKOVIC This bra flew on the wings of assumptions: that it is either cute, funny, welcome or hits the right note with Chen.

VINCE RAMELOT I could understand if he has performed the BRAhms Concerto.

JONATHAN N. SHERWELL Note to self – learn to play violin.