"Sax Trios have long been an engaging and explorative vehicle for bassists. Think the freedom of Wilbur Ware on "A Night at the Village Vanguard", Oscar Pettiford on "Freedom Suite", or Ray Brown on "Way Out West"...yeah, we love Sonny Rollins! In this episode Bob and Reuben share and rap about some of their favorite Sax Trios 'situations'. Larry G…

With a knee meniscus tear, the choice to treat your knee pain may seem straightforward. But should you jump into surgery for a knee meniscus tear? What does the research say? Can you heal a knee meniscus tear without surgery? We’ll dive into these questions and cover a story about knee pain out of Portugal. HELPFUL LINKS YT video: https://youtu.be/…

"Versatility. That word gets used a lot when talking about being 'marketable' as a musician. While it is a positive attribute when balanced being too versatile can potentially hinder us as well. Bob and Reuben discuss their thoughts on finding that balance in this episode..." Interested in more music advice? Check out the Open Studio courses and on…

Doctors will often tell you that knee pain is inevitable as you age. They’ll tell you that there’s nothing you can do to relieve knee pain besides rest and wait until your knees hurt so much that you need a knee replacement. These stories will give you hope for your knee pain. HELPFUL LINKS YT VIDEO: https://youtu.be/b5sY3NSW7Jo Asymptomatic Knee M…

"Linda May Han Oh is one of the premier bassists and composers in the world. In this episode the Upright Citizens discuss everything from advice for students, hearing and singing what you play, emotional aspects of her compositions, and so much more..." Interested in more music advice? Check out the Open Studio courses and online practice community…

"Why is the 'Trial & Error' process so important for creative musicians? We need to be fearless and embrace our mistakes to grow, so that's where we'll start in this episode of Upright Citizens." Interested in more music advice? Check out the Open Studio courses and online practice community that is Open Studio Pro...where you'll find regular live …

Playing in the NFL may seem like a dream come true, but it comes with its own set of challenges. In this video, former NFL player shares his experience with hip pain and the toll it takes on players' bodies. Get an inside look into what it's really like to play in the NFL. After more than a dozen orthopedic surgeries and he still had hip pain.. You…

"Bassist Scott Colley has been in high demand for decades, and for good reason! Come hang with the Upright Citizens as we listen to and discuss his bass brilliance..." Upright Citizens 'Scott Colley' Playlist Interested in more music advice? Check out the Open Studio courses and online practice community that is Open Studio Pro...where you'll find …

"2024 is here and the Upright Citizens are putting their energies towards growth! What is on your list of ways to grow this year?" Interested in more music advice? Check out the Open Studio courses and online practice community that is Open Studio Pro...where you'll find regular live guided practice sessions and masterclasses by Open Studio Artists…

If you're tired of feeling frustrated and confused about how to improve your body, this video is for you! We'll break down a super simple concept that will help you eliminate all the guesswork and start making progress. Say goodbye to frustration and hello to a stronger, pain-free body. Video available here: https://youtu.be/O7Pn26m49D4 SUPPORT THE…

"Well here we are at the end of another great year of Upright Citizens. In this episode Reuben and Bob take a look back of some of the bright moments of 2023 and say "peace" until next year. Happy Holidays and a Joyous New Year from Bob and Reuben✌️" Interested in more music advice? Check out the Open Studio courses and online practice community th…

"It's here, it's here! It's Christmas time again, and the Upright Citizens are back with more of their favorite Christmas recordings and memories. Let's get in the spirit with sounds from some of our favorite bassists including John Clayton, Charlie Haden, Milt Hinton, Gary Peacock, Larry Grenadier!" Upright Citizens Xmas Party 2023 Playlist Intere…

"Maestro John Clayton has been a looming and positive presence on the scene for decades. Inspiring audiences and musicians all over the world with his playing, writing, and gracious personality is his forte...and in this interview we get to hear about what inspires him! You might be surprised to hear that YOU are an inspiration to him..." Here's th…

What are the real limits of old age? Are you doomed to muscle loss, sarcopenia, and osteoporosis as you get older? What can you do to stay young for as long as possible? HELPFUL LINKS Too Old to Jump? https://youtu.be/wxBNKqN4i74 Fight Muscle loss with Aging:https://www.mayoclinic.org/medical-professionals/physical-medicine-rehabilitation/news/slow…

Reuben Rogers & Bob DeBoo

"Vulnerability. Easier said than done, right? What does it take to tear down those walls we build around our egos in search of being more creative in our improvisation? In this episode, Bob and Reuben discuss the power of vulnerability and how to use it to do just that and much much more." Interested in more music advice? Check out the Open Studio …

What can astronauts teach us about your joint pain? This popular way to heal cartilage to fix hip or knee pain from “osteoarthritis” needs a serious look. Doctors recommend it all the time, and if it does work, will it actually relieve your hip and knee pain? What about in your spine? Let's look at what happens when you rest and what happens to ast…

"Maestro Rufus Reid has been on the frontlines of the bass world for decades. He is a most prolific performer, composer, arranger, and educator...and now he can add being a guest on the Upright Citizens Podcast to his incredible resume! Join Reuben and Bob as they get deep with Rufus Reid." Interested in more music advice? Check out the Open Studio…

"We're back this time for part 2 of our focus on the art of the duo. Jimmy Blanton, Gary Peacock, Charlie Haden, and Red Mitchell get some much-deserved love this time!" Interested in more music advice? Check out the Open Studio courses and online practice community that is Open Studio Pro...where you'll find regular live guided practice sessions a…

"Playing in a duo is one of the most intimate musical experiences, and we've picked out some of our favorite duo situations involving some of our favorite bassists. Christian McBride, Ron Carter, NHOP, and Dave Holland open up the first part of our conversation on duos..." Interested in more music advice? Check out the Open Studio courses and onlin…

If you don't recognize and root out this fallacy, your body will be doomed. Learn how to stop the damage from this very human weakness. HELPFUL LINKS YT Video: https://youtu.be/yYrBE4hG66U Cut This Before You Cut Your Body: https://www.uprighthealth.com/blog/screens-cause-chronic-pain Screen Time Limits and Phone Addiction (audio): https://www.upri…

"Having a love of learning and a growth mindset is a great way to live, and as musicians we are always aiming to grow and learn more about our craft. Let's talk about some creative ways to grow as a person and musician..." Interested in more music advice? Check out the Open Studio courses and online practice community that is Open Studio Pro...wher…

"In modern society, where we are bombarded with information constantly, it can be challenging to slow down and absorb glorious details that surround us in depth. This relates directly to our music life as well, so we better pay attention! In this episode Reuben and Bob discuss their thoughts on why details matter, and what you can do to build your …

Is Feldenkrais a scam? Is the Feldenkrais Method of somatic education powerful or just a money grab for the naive? In this video, I'll share my experiences and thoughts on Feldenkrais and whether it's something worth trying. This episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/CXtUru2dXUs HELPFUL LINKS How to Stretch for Flexibility: https://www.youtube.com/w…

Don't be blind to this simple truth about your body. If you remain clouded with ignorance, you'll be hurting, frustrated, and helpless. Once you understand this key idea, you'll be able to help relieve yourself of back pain, hip pain, knee pain, and shoulder pain. "Nothing ever goes away until it has taught us what we need to know." Pema Chödrön On…

"Bassist and Composer Matt Penman has long been a favorite of the Upright Citizens. In this episode we rap about his sound, writing, playing, wine-making prowess, and so much more..." Interested in more music advice? Check out the Open Studio courses and online practice community that is Open Studio Pro...where you'll find regular live guided pract…

Physician John Sarno wrote a book called "Healing Back Pain" that introduced the idea of tension myositis. Does this theory of chronic pain make sense? What about when doctors tell you that your pain is all in your head? Do you need to heal your emotions before you can heal your back pain, hip pain, shoulder pain, knee pain, etc.? HELPFUL LINKS Hip…

"Massimo Biolcati: bassist extraordinaire and creator of the widely-popular app, iRealPro, joins the Upright Citizens to talk bass, life, tech, AI, and much more..." Interested in more music advice? Check out the Open Studio courses and online practice community that is Open Studio Pro...where you'll find regular live guided practice sessions and m…

What to do about tension headaches? Is swimming good exercise? Can't feel one side of your glutes (gluteal amnesia)? Barefoot shoes for small feet? A big day of questions! Splay (affiliate link): https://splayshoes.com/?ref=3ismzdrjvjxr Vivobarefoot(affiliate link): https://bit.ly/uprightvivo Kids barefoot shoes video: https://www.youtube.com/watch…

"Bob Hurst has been inspiring the music world for decades, and it's time for the Upright Citizens to do our part to shine some light on him for this 'Bassist Spotlight' episode. Come listen to a few of Bob and Reuben's favorite tracks featuring Mr. Hurst, and hear them share their thoughts..." Interested in more music advice? Check out the Open Stu…

Can get more flexible with pills? Does taking painkillers help you get more mobile? Are painkillers a good way to prevent joint pain during athletic activities? Find out the pros and cons of taking painkillers and how this strategy can backfire for chronic pain. HELPFUL LINKS Video: https://youtu.be/vOq2AzMJckM How to stretch properly: https://www.…

You will choke when you hear what this doctor said about neck pain. HELPFUL LINKS Relieve Neck and Shoulder Tension: https://youtu.be/HxxNIK0hTtw Weak Neck Muscle Test: https://youtu.be/6VWbAnJ7J6c 🔖Strengthen Your Mind: https://www.uprighthealth.com/help 👉Fix Your Hunchback with the Hunchback Fix Program: https://www.uprighthealth.com/hunchback SU…

"Master Luthier David Gage has been THE guy in the NYC scene for decades. He's worked with all of our bass heroes and has been an innovator in bass technology like his ubiquitous "Realist Pickup" and the famous flight cases. In this interview the Upright Citizens pick his brain about all things bass and talk about what's in store for the future..."…

This is something we all do, but you have to stop if you want to feel good and pain-free! YouTube Video of This Episode: https://youtu.be/4YSoK25dv2c Helpful links Top 2 Stretches For Cyclists - 2 Stretches And One Hip Strength Drill For Bikers: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GRpcRaJ_wtU Study on Dysplasia, FAI, and Hip Arthritis: https://journals…

"Bob and Reuben discuss the pros and cons of playing one main instrument, versus playing many different basses. There are some perhaps unexpected benefits to both and the Upright Citizens share the down-low on both 'situations'..." Interested in more music advice? Check out the Open Studio courses and online practice community that is Open Studio P…

Bassist Avishai Cohen is truly beyond category. Known for playing the upright and electric bass at an extremely high levels, but equally celebrated for his writing and arranging. The epitome of a 'Bassist as Leader,' he has 22 solo albums out and runs his own record label - Radaz Recordz. Join the Upright Citizens as they scratch the surface of the…

Bassists will often find themselves busy as soon as they are on a scene, the demand is always there...but that doesn't always put us in a highly creative or engaging situation. In this episode the Citizens discuss balancing being a creative artist, as well as being a "working bassist" that has bills to pay. Have feedback or a suggestion? Email the …

This episode is all about advice buying your first Upright Bass, or perhaps even your 2nd or 3rd! There's a lot of details that go into finding and buying an upright bass, but don't worry - Reuben and Bob are here to share their stories and thoughts on the process. Have feedback or a suggestion? Email the Upright Citizens: uprightcitizenspodcast@gm…

Can tall men be flexible? Learn what this tall guy learned about being stiff and inflexible. He'll explain exactly how he got more flexible over time. HELPFUL LINKS Watch Interview on YouTube: https://youtu.be/dx7dx2vL8u4 👉Mitch's Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@artofopening 🎥How to Touch Your Toes: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLfKNSz5B…

Are orthopedic surgeons evil? Are surgeons bad people? Let's talk about the truth about orthopedic surgeons. UPDATE: A few days after the recording of this episode my father suffered a fatal stroke. HELPFUL LINKS 🎥 Why hip fractures in the elderly are often a death sentence: https://theconversation.com/why-hip-fractures-in-the-elderly-are-often-a-d…

Bassist and composer Steve Swallow is a true original. After gaining prominence on the upright in more traditional situations he had an 'epiphany' that led him to develop his unique voice on the electric bass. Sit back, get comfortable, and let's listen and learn a bit about the great Steve Swallow! Our Steve Swallow Playlist Interested in more mus…

Let's talk about the truth about your joint pain and how you're going to beat it. HELPFUL LINKS 🎥Resilience by Eric Greitens (amazon affiliate link): https://amzn.to/4186WOp || Non affiliate link: https://a.co/d/eMysBff 🎥Asian Squat Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLfKNSz5BBcBFj4s3JY-ykZZS5bZ4tP0MG 🎯Asian Squat Course: https://www.u…

This episode is being released on April 4, 2023 (4/4 day!) so the Upright Citizens are taking it as an opportunity to once again talk about 'Walking'...a very common practice for jazz bassists. This time, however, we'll take a look back to the pioneers of the artform and investigate where "modern-day" walking bass comes from... Early Walking Bass P…

What is a placebo surgery? What happens when you compare orthopedic surgeries to placebos? Learn about vertebroplasty, knee arthroscopy, shoulder impingement, and hip impingement in today's podcast. Hippocrasy by Buchbinder and Harris (Amazon affiliate link): https://amzn.to/3M70ZNq Non amazon-affiliate link: https://www.amazon.com/Hippocrasy-docto…

In this episode the Upright Citizens show love to one of our favorite bassists and early jazz adopters of the electric bass, the one-and-only Mr. Bob Cranshaw! (Bob Cranshaw Playlist) Interested in more music advice? Check out the Open Studio courses and online practice community that is Open Studio Pro...where you'll find regular live guided pract…

Reuben and Bob get into it with their own personal 'pet peeves' this week. See if you have some in common, or if perhaps you've been a culprit! (Opinions do not reflect OpenStudioJazz.com and are solely the thoughts of the Upright Citizens! LOL) Interested in more music advice? Check out the Open Studio courses and online practice community that is…

Okay, we're finally doing this! We're talking about odd-time signatures this week, and if you know Reuben's discography then you know he can speak to this as well as anybody! Interested in more music advice? Check out the Open Studio courses and online practice community that is Open Studio Pro...where you'll find regular live guided practice sessi…

The Upright Citizens are back and here to share their favorite 'aphorisms' - once they figure out what that word actually means! Bob and Reuben share their favorite short sayings that help them on their search for wisdom in music and life. Interested in more music advice? Check out the Open Studio courses and online practice community that is Open …

Peak frustration. It doesn't seem like anything I do is working. Is it time to just give up and quit? Learn strategies to handle frustration and the desire to give up. Learn how to prevent frustration, cultivate patience, and stay motivated with corrective exercise to fix joint pain. HELPFUL LINKS 🎥This is Mind Control: https://youtu.be/_CQRH2_lR80…

Today we're talking about the perverse way conversations about joint pain get slanted to favor surgery and medical intervention. This subtle slanting of perspective leads you to think muscles are somehow irrelevant to common aches and pains. Previous video on knee pain: https://youtu.be/-eRbFUFRzyY Read up on arthritis and the orthopedic industry h…