NEWSTICKER
I will keep this page as information source for some events that are going on in my professional life. This page is divided up into the following categories:
- STUDYING
- NEWS
- TOOLS
STUDYING
Young, talented, and motivated musicians who wish to study double bass under my guidance are warmly invited to apply to one of two outstanding institutions: the Hochschule für Musik Freiburg (DE) or the Hochschule Luzern – Musik (CH). For the bachelor’s entrance exam, a solid foundation on the double bass is expected; at the same time, the selection committee places particular emphasis on artistic potential as a decisive criterion. Musicality, curiosity, and the ability to develop further are considered just as important as current technical level, and proficiency in secondary musical subjects is also taken into account. For the master’s program, a high level of technical and musical proficiency is required, with the aim of preparing students for entry into the professional music world within an intensive two-year course of study.
German language requirements
Applicants should be aware that both institutions require German language skills at a minimum level of B1 for the master’s program and B2 for the bachelor’s program. In addition, each institution has its own specific admission requirements: check external links entrance examinations in Freiburg and entrance examinations in Luzern.
Practical information
For students with a limited budget, Lucerne can be an especially appealing option, even though living costs in Switzerland are generally higher than in Germany. In recent years, I have observed that students in Lucerne often find it easier to manage their living expenses. Since 2020, the cost of living in Germany has risen significantly, and in Freiburg - where rental prices are above the national average - overall expenses are now similar to those in Switzerland. Part-time student jobs in Germany are also generally lower paid than in Switzerland. Beyond this, Switzerland offers numerous cultural foundations supporting young musicians, as well as well-compensated opportunities within the vibrant music scene of Central Switzerland, making Lucerne an attractive environment for both study and professional growth.
Tuition Fees
University places in Switzerland and Germany are largely subsidized, so students and their families pay only minimal personal costs.
- EU citizens in Freiburg pay just administrative fees - estimated at €200 per semester in 2026 - while tuition for non-EU citizens is slightly higher, ca 1500€ per semester.
- In Lucerne, the standard tuition fee for 2026 is 800 CHF per semester for Swiss students and 1,300 CHF per semester for international students
Prospective students are encouraged to get in touch well in advance - ideally one to two years before applying - rather than shortly before the deadline. Attending summer masterclasses is otherwise a great way to meet your future teacher and make an informed decision that can strongly influence your musical career.
The estimated number of available study places for the next entrance exams at my conservatories is as follows. Please note that application deadlines are usually at least 8–10 weeks before the examination dates:
- Musikhochschule Freiburg: 4–5 places for study starting October 2026 | Entrance exam: Monday, 8 June 2026 | Application deadline: 1 April 2026
- HSLU-M Musikhochschule Lucerne: 1–2 places for study starting September 2027 | Application deadline: 28 February 2027 (the deadline for applications for September 2026 has passed: 28 February 2026)
NEWS
For all news: follow Božo Paradžik’s projects more closely than ever on Instagram! While this website is regularly updated, the Instagram account offers a unique, behind-the-scenes view: track projects from their very beginnings through development, rehearsals, concert tours, and more. You’ll also get glimpses into everyday life, hobbies, and personal interests.
Visit Božo Paradžik’s Instagram profile today, and be sure to subscribe so you never miss an update!
2025-2026 | what is Božo Paradžik busy with?
The project “Double Bass Goes Brahms” is ongoing. It began around 2001 with Brahms’ Sonata Op. 100 in A major and has gradually expanded over the years. The first major milestone was the recording of three Brahms sonatas, released on Super Audio CD in 2016. Since then, many more works have been added, creating a substantial repertoire of pieces by Johannes Brahms adapted for double bass, spanning various levels of difficulty. This project significantly enriches the concert literature for double bass, offering young, talented players new opportunities to develop both technically and musically through the music of one of the greatest composers in history. To date, over eight hours of Brahms’ works have been successfully adapted for double bass performance. The Brahms project continues in full swing: in 2026, two more Brahms sonatas will follow. Božo Paradžik is currently studying and preparing his sixth and seventh Brahms sonatas in collaboration with pianist Maria Sofianska.
Did you watch already recent Brahms releases on Božo Paradžik's YouTube channel? Check here:
And besides Brahms, major release of November 2025 brought to young bassists easy access to the music of one more of the greatest composers in history: W. A. Mozart! Specially for low tuned double bass ("orchestra tuning") suitable instrumentation of the sonata in E minor, KV 304 is now out. New releases of PDF music and full recording on YouTube are available:
TOOLS
People ask me quite often questions regarding my instruments or other tools. Here are some of the most answered FAQs:
BOW
Since 1993 all the bows I have used were built by the same maker: Master Milan Oubrecht. The sonic characteristics of these fine bows are graded according to register height (e.g. from the darkest sounding bow that is ideal in the lowest register to the bow that sounds ideal in the highest register: crisp, crystal clear and very defined). My choice of the bow is made according to the repertoire or the acoustics of the respective concert hall.
INSTRUMENT
Until 2000 I have used a historic double bass, built around 1780-1790 probably by a maker from the Klotz family. Since 2000 I have been playing mostly on an instrument built exclusively for me by the master Derek High, which, unlike the historical double basses, was built with tonal characteristics specifically for solo playing.
ROSIN
As I dislike all sticky rosins, I am using at this moment Liebenzeller Metal Rosin, which performs quite differently if compared to the sticky type of double bass rosin produced by the well-known brands. This rosin is available in six hardness grades. The hardest available is "I" (1) and it is too hard for double bass. The grade "VI" (6) is the softest variant (comparable to Kolstein AW, slightly harder than Pop's). Liebenzeller Metal Rosin does not produce much dust, so it is less dangerous for the varnish of the instruments. Type "Lapis V" (hardness is comparable to Kolstein H, but it isn't sticky and it doesn't melt) is my favourite type for solo playing. It sounds very crisp and clear, with good definition of the overtones. It lasts on the bow hair and works as it should for quite a long time. Lapis IV would be imaginable to work in the extremely high temperatures. Please mind that I am using low-tension gut (or natural silk) core strings, which are behaving very different than the high-tension steel core strings. I am here just sharing the information about my tools, which are matter of my personal taste and may not match the needs of another players.
STRINGS
Since 2010 until today I was using exclusively hand made low-tension gut core strings by Gerold Genssler. Occasionally I have played also on his strings with synthetic core. The string maker stopped using the gut core in 2019 and switched completely to silk core, which works very similarly. These strings have much less tension and put less strain on the instrument (25-30% less, compared to the popular steel core strings). These strings have also an extremely long life span and keep their tonal characteristics over the whole time: the first set of gut strings is still on my 5-string and has been working perfectly for almost nine years now (since 2011).
The last type of strings I used before was the Thomastik Dominant solo tuning (synthetic core). These strings produced a little less tension than the steel strings (felt 5-7%), but due to a design flaw they tend to break without warning. Dozens of strings of this type have broken, regardless of how long I have been using them (back then, usually I rarely used the strings for more than 6 months). Since the Thomastik company has increased the sales prices of these strings, I have not recommended them to my students anymore as the construction flaw hasn't been resolved.
SCORDATURA
Until 2004 I used the common tunings like most of bass players: in fourths tuned either without transposition ("orchestra tuning") or transposing in D ("solo tuning"). Since 2005 I have been using excessively scordaturas either transp. in F (c,G,D,A with high C string) or occasionally also transp. in G (d,A,E,B with high D string). The high tunings convert the typical bass sound into the natural baritone, with very much improved brightness and clarity, which is much better useable for solo perfomances.
SCORES
Since there were practically no works for high tuning in the original literature, I have successfully adapted, performed and published a number of the works of the mostly world-class composers as sheet music, usually in unchanged form and key. Nearly all my scores were at some point written down with the help of suitable notation software and they are getting available one by one in my online shop
PRIVATE LESSONS
Generally, I don't teach privately. I am very busy teaching my students at the music university. In addition, I belive that regular teaching week by week over longer time is the only way for students to really reap the benefits. Players who can't study with me but would like to get lessons from me have the opportunity to enroll and participate in one of my masterclasses.
last update: 19 March 2026 (Online shop: updated FAQ caption)