Developing Vocal Techniques in Contemporary Solo Double Bass Repertoire: A pedagogical approach to developing vocal techniques and coordination in Western classical-contemporary solo double bass repertoire
(2016)
author(s): Cody Takacs
published in: KC Research Portal
Name: Cody Takacs
Main Subject: Classical Double Bass
Research Supervisor: Maggie Urquhart
Title of Research:
Developing Vocal Techniques in Contemporary Solo Double Bass Repertoire: A pedagogical approach to developing vocal techniques and coordination in Western classical-contemporary solo double bass repertoire
Research Question:
How can double bassists efficiently learn contemporary solo double bass repertoire requiring the simultaneous use of their voice and playing their instrument?
Summary of Results:
Due to an exponentially growing number of compositions and a complete lack of pedagogical material regarding simultaneously using the voice and playing the double bass, I have written a method book titled The Double Bass-Voice: A How-To Guide. For this book I have collected, adapted, and organized information from double bass pedagogical resources, vocal pedagogical resources, musical scores, and reflections on past experiences with this repertoire. The book is
intended to develop the technique and coordination necessary to effectively prepare solo double bass-voice repertoire. The book is divided into four main sections: “Using the Voice as a Practice Aid,” “Vocal Tools and Techniques,” “Etudes and Exercises,” and “Notation Examples” as well as a database of the solo double bass-voice repertoire. By incorporating the voice as a tool into individual practice, understanding an efficient practice process and fundamental vocal technique, having access to simple etudes to develop double bass-voice technique and coordination in musical contexts, and knowing what to expect in notation, double bassists will be better prepared in learning works for double bass-voice more efficiently. These results will be presented via PowerPoint presentation with musical examples from the method book and select double bass-voice works.
Biography:
Cody Takacs is a classically trained American double bassist currently residing in The Hague. An avid performer of new music, he has performed with Ensemble Klang, De Nieuwe European Ensemble, Het Metropole Orkest, and the Lucerne Festival Academy Orchestra and has appeared in the Gaudeamus Muziekweek, Venice Biennale, and Bang on a Can Summer Music Festival. He has given contemporary solo performances at the Rotterdam Contemporary Art Fair, Carnegie Hall, several universities and conservatories across the U.S. and Europe, and a lecture/performance on Iannis Xenakis at the International Society of Bassists convention.
Den emotionellt hållbara filmprocessen
(last edited: 2023)
author(s): Emilie Löfgren
This exposition is in progress and its share status is: visible to all.
Hur skapar och utvecklar jag metoder för en filmprocess som värnar mitt eget och mina medarbetares mentala och känslomässiga välbefinnande när vi gör film om svåra frågor? Hur tar jag hand om mina medverkande? Hur ser min film ut som är sprungen ur en sådan arbetsprocess? Hur har arbetet med terapeuten Cilla Holm, tidigare filmproducent, bidragit till en hållbar filmprocess? Filmbranschen präglas av högt tempo och utmattningssyndrom är inte ovanligt. För fyra år sedan blev jag utmattad och efter att ha sörjt mitt gamla jag och min nya stresskänslighet kom jag fram till att jag inte tänker acceptera att jag inte ska kunna arbeta med det jag älskar, film och skrivande. Jag tänkte att det måste finnas andra sätt att arbeta med film och fortfarande få må bra.
En exposition om skapandet av min dokumentärfilm Om sorg (2022) och metoden som jag kallar för den emotionellt hållbara filmprocessen.
English abstract:
How do I create healthy working methods that benefit my own and my team members mental and emotional wellbeing while making film about difficult subjects? What does a documentary sprung out of these methods look like? How has the collaboration with Cilla Holm, film therapist and former film producer, contributed to make the process emotionally sustainable? The film industry is fast paced and burnout is not uncommon. Four years ago it happened to me and I had a total identity crisis. After grieving my old self, my ability to multi-task and my newfound stress intolerance, I came to the conclusion that I will not accept that I have to leave the film industry. I wanted to keep working, I just had to find another way to do it.
An exposition about the creation of my documentary About Grief (2022) and the method that I call The emotionally sustainable film process.