One of the greatest experiences of my musical life was the opportunity to study string bass under Joel di Bartolo. I knew he was an awesome bass player, but I didn't realize how great until I just did a search to make sure I was spelling his name correctly. He was obviously not a boaster! M*A*S*H and Star Trek TNG are two DVD series that are often playing in our house. My Trekkie husband will be shocked to hear about this.
For those of you who do not recognize his name, please take a minute to read Joel's Obituary.
Just before Easter, I found out about his passing. It has taken me this long to accept it and grieve. I never got the opportunity to thank him for taking his time with me. I am not a world-class bassist. I am not even an outstanding bassist. I am a recreational bassist but I am a much better bassist because of Joel.
Before Joel came to NAU, I had taken private lessons under another instructor. That year of lessons was a nightmare. I hated it and I vowed I would not take any more private lessons. The next year, the orchestra director somehow convinced me to at least give Joel a try. This would be the first (and only) time I would really get to study under someone who actually played bass. At that point, I had been playing bass for 8 years. I spent my first lesson playing open-string whole notes. We went back to the very basics. I learned more in that one year than I had from all my other private lessons combined. I only was able to study under Joel for one year because I was graduating and moving.
He made a list of changes that my bass needed done so it would be the best bass for me. When he would be doing something special and not want to bring his bass, he would ask to use my bass.
Joel didn't try to mold me into his vision of "the perfect bassist". He helped me discover my particular style and how to overcome my shortcomings. He worked with me on bowing techniques and how to play so I wasn't causing more wrist pain. I remember him saying, "Playing bass should never be painful." Wow! Not buck up and deal with it, but, let's find a way so it doesn't hurt! He accepted that I played bass solely for fun and not because I wanted to make it a career. He also never treated me like I was wasting his time because I didn't want to be a professional. It was OK to play bass just because I wanted to. His attitude of taking each bassist as an individual gave me confidence I had never had as a bassist.
Would I have continued to play bass after NAU if it wasn't for the confidence Joel helped me build? Would I have played in groups where I was the only bassist if it hadn't been for Joel? Would I still even enjoy playing bass?
I mourn for all the bassists who will never get a chance to experience his wisdom, talent, and humor. I mourn for those bassists who will stop playing because they will not have instructors that help them find their styles and tell them it is OK to just play for fun. I mourn for our loss to experience a master make the bass fluently speak in so many musical languages.
Thank you, Joel, for helping me discover the tools so I could continue to enjoy playing bass. I mourn that I will never get to sit next to you again and receive those jewels of wisdom you would share. Thank you.
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