Exhibitors Spotlight
Thwaites | Instrument Dealers & Restorers
Fine Stringed Instruments & Bows
We are delighted to have the team from Thwaites (Fine Stringed Instruments & Bows) exhibiting with us for Cardiff Double Bass Day. Thwaites are an instantly recognizable name in the double bass dealing and restoration world and their double bass room at their site in Watford, just outside of London, is the stuff of double bass players dreams! In very few other places in the UK can you try such a vast variety of instruments both in age, origins, quality and price all in one place. Well worth a trip if you’re in the market for an instrument!
Thwaites is a long established family business specialising in the sale and repair of orchestral stringed instruments. Their aim is to encourage, nurture and inspire musicians by offering a complete and value for money service to all players from the youngest students to top professionals.
Their onsite workshop carries out a full range of repairs from minor adjustments to full restorations. Their team of expert luthiers also ensure that all of their own instruments are set up and maintained to the highest standard. They built their initial reputation as a specialist double bass shop, but have since expanded into fine violins, violas, cellos and bows too.
Their collection of instruments include both contemporary and antique instruments including French, German, English and Italian ready for you to try. They also stock the major brands of strings and a selection of cases and other accessories.
Thwaites will be exhibiting a number of their double bass instruments for sale as part of the day, and also available for you to chat with if you’re interested in seeing their fabled bass room for yourselves. You can find out more about Thwaites, their work and the instruments they have for sale on their website:
Four Bass Music
We are delighted to have Four Bass Music exhibiting with us for Cardiff Double Bass Day. Ashley Frampton‘s various publications of double bass quartet arrangements are endless fun for youth orchestra sectionals and group lessons, across a wide range of abilities and technical proficiencies. We’re delighted to be playing some of those arrangements as part of our activities across the day, including in our Informal Concert.
We highly recommend you look at purchasing some of Ashley’s quartet books with Four Bass Music and we hope you’ll take the opportunity to do so with the great man himself here with us on the day!
You can find out more about Four Bass Music‘s catalogue on Ashley’s website:
Lucy Campion
We are delighted to have Lucy Campion join us for Cardiff Double Bass Day‘s inaugural event, including her workshop: An Introduction to Alexander Technique during our demonstrations and short talks session.
Lucy began her journey with Alexander Technique during her studies at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama. The technique explores the way in which our minds, thoughts and ideas influence and direct the way in which we move. By applying principles of thinking and movement, we can learn how to make constructive and positive changes to the way that we operate on a daily basis – finding more ease, comfort, and flexibility both mentally and physically. From the ITM Alexander Technique website:
“The technique becomes a process of on-going changes in your manner of thinking that supports and aids many mental and physical issues. Learning to think with more reason and reasoning creates more energy-efficient ways of moving, and that helps with everything in life: from everyday tasks to specialised activities, such as playing instruments, as well as giving you more skill and stamina.”
From Lucy:
“Before having lessons in the Alexander Technique, I suffered with constant pain in my back, shoulder, and neck. My mental and emotional health was, at times, debilitating. Thanks to the study and practice of the Alexander Technique, I have felt healthier, stronger, and more connected with myself than I ever thought possible. I enjoy greater flexibility and freedom in my movements, a noticeable improvement in my mental clarity, and an ever-increasing confidence in myself and my abilities.”
Lucy is a certified and insured teacher of the ITM Alexander Technique, a member of the ITM Alexander Technique Teacher’s Association and also registered with the Complementary & Natural Healthcare Council.
You can find out more about Lucy’s work in this field on her website:
Cardiff Double Bass Day 