François Rabbath on 'Rabbath Technique' – Interview/Performance

Interview #1 with François Rabbath

In this video, I meet one of the double bass world's most celebrated artists, the great François Rabbath. Since starting Discover Double Bass back in 2013, we have had numerous requests for us to feature videos on Rabbath Technique, as well as to interview the maestro himself. So, it gives me enormous pleasure to share this video and welcome him to Discover Double Bass.

In the interview, we discuss many topics including François' musical journey, his unique approach to the double bass and how he developed his famous techniques such as the pivot and crab. It was so inspiring to hear François Rabbath share his teachings, which have changed the way the double bass is played. Notable students of Rabbath Technique include bassists of all genres including David Allen Moore, Nina DeCesare, Etienne Lafrance, John Clayton Jr, Dr Kate Jones, Jason Heath, Paul Ellison, Renaud Garcia-Fons, Jory Herman, Cielito de Jesus, Barry Green, Rufus Reid, Frank Proto, Hal Robinson, Johnny Hamil, George Vance and many more.

Maestro Rabbath is celebrating his 91st birthday this year and his bass playing is still as fresh and virtuosic as ever. He is truly a treasure of the bass world and it was a privilege to spend time with him and learn more about his music and teaching. On behalf of everyone in the bass world, thank you for everything you have done for us and we wish you a happy and healthy 91st birthday!

To round off the video, we are joined in the studio by Sylvain Rabbath on piano for a performance of Night and Day by Cole Porter. Big thanks to Sylvain for joining us and sharing such a special performance.

Scroll down to view the interview chapters, François Rabbath’s bio, links from the discussion, and behind-the-scenes photos.

PART TWO: 🇫🇷 Here's a direct link to part two of our interview which covers right hand technique and mastering the bow.

CHAPTERS:

00:00 Introduction
01:24 What do you practice on your bass?
04:47 Learning the bass and inventing the pivot
10:08 Origins of Rabbath technique.
16:02 The angled endpin
19:20 Easier technique
22:49 Rabbath technique - the positions explained
25:13 Publishing the method
31:07 Performance of Night and Day by Cole Porter, with Sylvain Rabbath

François Rabbath Bio:

Soloist, educator, and composer François Rabbath was born in 1931 in Aleppo, Syria, and was introduced to the double bass by his brother at the age of 13. Famously self-taught with an old copy of Édouard Nanny’s Contrabass Method, François moved to Paris in 1955 in the hope of meeting Nanny who had died nearly ten years prior to his arrival. He continued to study, and in 1963 released his first album, The Sound of a Bass on Philips records. As an accompanist, François Rabbath has worked with many legendary artists including Jacque Brel, Charles Aznavour, Gilbert Becaud, Michel Legrand, and others.

François Rabbath's refusal to accept any traditional limitations led him to develop his own approach to the double bass which was put down on paper in the first volume of his A New Technique for the Double Bass, published in 1977. Since then, there have been five volumes of this method, with a sixth due for release soon.

The importance of François Rabbath to the development of double bass playing cannot be overstated. His virtuosic playing and willingness to explore new ways of playing and realising his music have transformed our understanding of what is possible. His legions of loyal students are now continuing to share his message throughout the bass world and his legacy as one of the great artists of our time is assured.