As some of you know, between the church move and various personal physical issues, my double-bass playing ground to a halt. Now that things are settling in post-move, I’m finally resuming practicing.
Not unexpectedly, much has been lost due to the inactivity. The good news is that I remain well beyond square one. Nevertheless, recovery will take some time. The best case scenario is to resume sometime around late May. I’ve got quite a bit of repertoire to get back up to performance level.
Another bit of good news it that Faure’s Elegy—a brutal piece to play on solo double-bass—hasn’t deteriorated as much as I had feared it would. That doesn’t mean it is in “good” shape, just nowhere near as bad as expected. I’ve also been making good progress on learning the transcription of Vaughan-Williams Fantasia on Greensleeves.
There is still a long ways to go, though I’m still planning on being able to do evangelistic type recitals as well. The Bruch Kol Nidrei is particularly suited for that type of presentation. Various hymns, traditional spirituals, and other works would be included as well. I had hoped to be ready to do this type of mini-concert back in January, but that was not to be.
Your prayers for a speedy musical recovery would be appreciated.
The New Solo Double-Bass Strings
Dr. James W. Walraven
5/4/2026
Thankful for Today's Help
Dr. James W. Walraven
4/10/2026
Progress on the Double-Bass!
Dr. James W. Walraven
11/3/2025
Changes, Changes, Changes: Some Bad, Some Good
Dr. James W. Walraven
11/1/2025
Returning to the Double-Bass, Part 1
Dr. James W. Walraven
9/19/2025
A Thought Provoking Film, Part 4
Dr. James W. Walraven
7/28/2025
A Thought Provoking Film, Part 3
Dr. James W. Walraven
7/25/2025
A Thought Provoking Film, part 2
Dr. James W. Walraven
7/24/2025
A Thought-Provoking Film, Part 1
Dr. James W. Walraven
7/21/2025
On the Passing of Gary Karr: Some Sobering Thoughts
Dr. James W. Walraven
7/17/2025
Some Unexpteced Forthcoming Concerts
Dr. James W. Walraven
9/19/2024
Music Texts
Dr. James W. Walraven
4/3/2024
Hopes for Resuming Recitals
Dr. James W. Walraven
3/28/2024
An Unexpected Find
Dr. James W. Walraven
2/20/2024
A Tough Lesson
Dr. James W. Walraven
2/10/2024
W. A. Mozart, Joseph Haydn, and Freemasonry
Dr. James W. Walraven
1/26/2024
Musings on Future Musical Endeavors
Dr. James W. Walraven
1/13/2024
Music Recital December 8: Comments
Dr. James W. Walraven
12/11/2023
Music Recital December 8
Dr. James W. Walraven
12/7/2023
Progress!
Dr. James W. Walraven
9/3/2023
Recital Flow: Comments Appreciated
Dr. James W. Walraven
7/19/2023
Adding Double-Bass Repertoire
Dr. James Walraven
3/24/2023
Thoughts on Faure's "Elegy"
Dr. James W. Walraven
3/19/2023
Third Impressions: New Double-Bass
Dr. James W. Walraven
3/10/2023
Second Impressions: New Double-Bass
Dr. James W. Walraven
3/9/2023
First Impressions: New Double-Bass
Dr. James Walraven
2/22/2023
A New Blog Series, Part 2
Dr. James Walraven
2/11/2023
A New Blog Series, Part 1
Dr. James Walraven
2/9/2023
