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❖ knowing exactly how to shape any continuo line at sight
❖ interpreting solo Bach with absolute confidence
❖ Mozart and Beethoven excerpts that sound elegant & effortless
Even if you’ve never tried a Baroque bow or played on gut strings, this is within your reach. If you have modern bass chops and you love a great continuo line, you can learn and master the art of historically-inspired performance. And you don’t have to be a period instrument specialist to do it.
Want to know how I can help?
Nothing makes you happier than playing continuo. It is truly the best.
BUT you have a sneaking suspicion your bass lines might lumber a bit. And it’s demoralizing to be asked to lighten up all the time. You try to play less—but it’s not really working, and you’re not sure what else to try.
You’ve been learning on the job, and it’s going great. Your motto is “fake it till you make it.”
BUT it bothers you that your colleagues know so much more than you do about Baroque repertoire and style. You’d love to know that stuff too. But it’s not like you’re heading back to school full-time at this point in your career.
You’re looking for that “early music” sound, so you play your solo Bach in the upper half of the bow.
BUT that feels really limiting! It would be amazing to find a sound for Baroque music that feels natural and easy.
These are not exactly the most fun thoughts! And believe me, I have had them all.
But you may not realize that the hard-earned skill and expertise you already have is your ticket to success as a bassist who plays with historical style on period OR modern instruments.
That means you can stop putting limits on what you’re able to do, and walk into the career you’ve been dreaming of.
“Working with Heather has really opened my eyes to new ways of looking at music and phrasing—and not just for Baroque works, but everything from Mozart to Mendelssohn and beyond.”
“Working with Heather has been truly transformative for my playing, both as a performer of historic basses and as an informed and mindful contemporary orchestral player. Her ability to relate her academic research to technical and musical concepts not only taught me how to approach historically informed playing, but how to teach myself further as well.”
“Heather has opened my eyes and ears to new ways of playing music, she has strengthened my passion for music and given even more joy to playing the bass. Using Baroque and Classical techniques, each note is given meaning; each phrase carries you on a journey; what may have seemed static and dull in a piece before is now full of emotion. Heather makes music come to life in a way that I never imagined.”
As a historical double bass coach, I help you develop your own interpretations of Baroque and Classical music via harmony, form, and notational conventions. I also focus on finding your unique career path and identifying what steps you need to take to get there as quickly as possible.
I’m a historical double bass specialist, and I’ve been teaching for over 20 years—everything from Suzuki bass to University ensembles and summer festivals.
I’m determined to help you bring out the Baroque in your bass playing. Why? Because performing and teaching this way has helped me create a life I adore, both at work and at play. And I want the same thing for you. It’s not magic—it just takes some thoughtful attention to your process.
If you're ready to start playing early music thoughtfully and intentionally, let's get started.
