Mikyung Sung | Double Bassist Profile

[@garycoates4987]

her notes are so warm and resonant her technique is so fluid just perfect

[@dannyliu8866]

well put!

[@hk415]

it’s been hard to find solo bass player performances let alone ones performing alongside an orchestra ... feeling super inspired by this ✨

[@keidot2.058]

this is so true :/

[@XaviBasser]

She makes it look easy. Incredible player.

[@mikeralff8238]

I can feel every note she's playing... great music and musicianship.

[@nicgundy]

Makes me proud she's part of the bass family!! Passion is the best secret weapon in performance

[@Capuzzi09]

Wow. Just - wow! This is by far the best version I have ever heard of this composition, and I have really heard a lot. I am a professional double bass player myself, for more than 30 years. I'm not bad at all, but I am far from being as talented as Mikyung Seong obviously is. However, this made me keep a close eye on great talents for many years and what we see here is outstanding on so many levels. Her intonation is indescribably good! Outstanding finger and bow technique, which seems so playful, as if she had never done anything else in her life but play the double bass - I am speechless. But as if that weren't already enough, this - in my eyes - incomparable bass player is able to play this technically and conditionally very demanding composition not only with astonishing ease, but also with incredibly soulful feeling and unbelievably rich sound. Never before have I been allowed to listen to this concert with so much emotional depth - never before. Thank you for this outstanding experience. I'm very looking forward what we will hear from this great bassist in the future. Simply great! Mikyung Seong, please consider me your biggest fan from today on. :)

[@ModusVivendiMedia]

Get in line! 😁 And welcome to her fan club. Don’t miss her website, especially the featured videos page. There is also a SoundCloud with some good tracks, especially Bolero, Moses Fantasy, and Carmen Fantasy. The level of casual virtuosity and natural expression is astounding. (Also, look out for some upcoming releases... an album and streaming singles may be on their way soon...)

[@discogoth]

Right!!! I’m most impressed by how naturally she moves with the bass. A lot of us that are on the petite side often have to make adjustments in technique to play without injury. But her technique is absolutely flawless and looks so easy & comfortable.

[@romanjaviergiordano]

I'm amazed... this is really REALLY difficult to play, but she makes it look so easy and elegant and expressive.

[@plippleplop]

Wow....my eyes are filled with water from the great joy of music she expresses on this amazing instrument. I play the electric bass guitar, but not even one millionth of the talent she possesses! Incredible!

[@mrbluemoose4296]

One of my favorite recordings of this piece!

[@alexandrebrasil2845]

My favorite player. Her bow arm is amazing and her interpretation is inspiring

[@GAK1atatt]

Tremendous talent. She did a triple flip and stuck the landing! I understand she will be performing this in the next Olympics on ice skates. Beautiful playing, with a lot of soul. Good luck to her.

[@patrickclark223]

Wonderful performance! Great phrasing, shifting, and mastery of intonation.

[@danielscheinhaus5210]

Mikyung Soung or Sung -- There doesn't seem to be agreement on the spelling of her name when transliterated from the Korean alphabet to the English -- is, I believe, to be the best double bassist I've heard, and I heard a good number of superb double bassists. She's the only one who moves me emotionally. It's not just her perfect intonation, fingering and bowing. She's so expressive! Ka' am sa ham nyi da, Mikyung!

[@matthewv789]

Even she had some confusion, initially using Soung for several years (as did her brother), but for the last two years or so, she, her brother, and father have all settled on “Sung.” I have no idea why the change.

[@grandmestredespoulpes2435]

One year after : the litteral spelling of her name in modern romanized version is "Seong Mi-Kyeong" where "oe" is an open "o" like when you pronounce the word "offer" for example, but before 2000 the romanized system was different and Seong was romanized as Sŏng , or "Soung" to replace the caron (the accent on the o) like in japanese romanization. So why Soung to Sung and not Seong ? I have no idea hahaha ! But for what I know most of the time there is a mix between personal preferences and the fact that "Sung" is more naturally correct on the reading compared to "Soung" and "Seong" often read "Sae-ong" by non korean speakers Aaaaand for what I see in her name 성미경 you have the letters ㅓ(eo) and ㅕ(yeo) so it's a way to keep to same letter between "u" and "yu".

[@brattingprincess]

@@matthewv789 It depends on her passport. In 2010 under the new romanization rules it should be Seong. However personal names are whatever people want to spell them as.

[@Alice-gr1kb]

@@grandmestredespoulpes2435 it could be because Anglophones will read it like /sʌŋ/ easier than they would read like that

[@edmondpark853]

SOUNG and SUNG are two different last name in Korea, Soung is 송 . Sung is 성. Sung is correct one. 성미경.

[@ChristophGAP]

This sounds so beautiful. Strings that reach the soul. Very well done!

[@arrau08]

Wow, overall a really touching performance, and her cadenza is sooo colorful.

[@d7gi]

she makes it look effortless. I can’t even play a d on g string without squeaking ;-;

[@andreacoronarte]

lol same

[@pretty.groovy]

Relatable lol

[@GregoryFaught]

That's sad

[@salvat3735]

Plus, this concerto is written for 3 string bass, and playing it in 4 or 5 string basses can be harder in some passages

[@Milan____]

my open strings don't sound as clean as she does in like 32th notes in 6th position 😀

[@daisytheunicornTV]

She is the best bassist Ive ever seen and heard in classical double bass. It looks and sounds smooth and effortless. Bravo. Im a fan. from Chris.

[@alanhope8971]

Astoundingly beautiful. I could listen to this a thousand times.

[@christinagilkes3499]

How are her hands not falling off now? She maintains so much endurance and strength throughout her solo pieces.

[@maddie3651]

Her hands just glide across the fingerboard beautifully

[@origenak5495]

05:29 = mama mia !!!!!!!!!

[@druiditbeauPT]

Have been playing contrabass for more than a decade, and this performance was amazing! I'm still trying to get better and I'm now practicing 6/7 days a week, atleast 3 hours a day, doing the best I can to get to the point where my life is just doublebass.

[@Katie-pz7hq]

Her instrument sounds so strong, sweet and supple.

[@theodorewhite164]

Outstanding on every level!

[@davidhart7054]

Wonderful virtuosity. Beautiful deep, rich sound.

[@karoly5795]

Kivalosag!!!!!!

[@jip8793]

Beautiful sound and phrasing.

[@jurajuraj70]

Love her. I feel so embarrassed that I play the same concerto or better to say that I am trying to play it. I want to play it same as she.

[@dic_chocolate1282]

Jiri Jura Holec Holec you can play better she sounds really good but if u want to then u can possibly play it better

[@gremlin282]

You probaly play it much better now. Practice makes perfect, but there is never perfection. There are always ways to improve even if they are in the smallest most minute ways. I like Turtles

[@nemo227]

I have always had special admiration for delicate looking female bass players who played SO MUCH BETTER than I have ever played. They seem to have super powers in their hands.

[@nonosquare1066]

hello again nemo

[@nemo227]

@@nonosquare1066 You made me smile. Again. I try to be on good behavior because we never know who we'll encounter or where it will be . . . far from home.

[@nonosquare1066]

@@nemo227 ok.

[@ffionwalker6753]

Why girls

[@nemo227]

@@ffionwalker6753 Read and analyze my comment.

[@Ale-rc8oo]

Grazie! Forse il miglior concerto di Bottesini che abbia mai ascoltato...

[@andreaomedei2647]

Alessandro Barattini hai proprio ragione Lei è incredibile

[@grzegorzjandulski2699]

she ist just amazing..

[@sandungabass6666]

Technique and intonation out of this world, I love her playing. She is a big inspiration for every Bass player and other musicians also

[@JoanKSX]

Her playing tone projected from her bass reminds me to an old red double bass (probably the heaviest double bass in our orchestra at that particular time) that once ago I like very much to play on during our high school Chinese orchestral works. Warm, slight harmonic-like transparent like tone texture yet feel half-feathery soft and not streaky at all and a little bit more than moderate deep tone. I wonder type of wood do make differences in creating the tone of the double bass?

[@ermannododaro]

Che meraviglioso stile! What a wonderful way of playing! Una grande artista. A great artist.

[@rustemgabdullin44]

Очень музыкально, прекрасный звук, интонация.Bravo, Mikyung Soung!

[@julievertongomes9242]

Incredible player!

[@borachoi6085]

Double bass players look like they’re fairies dancing with tiny small miniature violins.. tho the music touches very deeply inside me

[@xanthefai]

I wish I was..

[@olliecrabtree]

When I listen to the bass it makes me feel very unexplainably emotional. It is a beautiful instrument. I was just starting to think I was getting good and then you see a profesional like this. It blows my mind. 😍

[@koshersalaami]

Violins are a different shape. They come from different families of instruments. Bass comes from the viols. That’s why the sloping shoulders and underhand bowing ( German)

[@borachoi6085]

@brog The player looks like violin-sized fairy in my universe

[@kaikessler3661]

I'm playing for 44 years But I am not able to play like you Love you ❤️

[@doublebasshq]

Thanks, Kai!

[@coolcool2521]

*Very well! Fantastic! This is just great!*

[@danielscheinhaus5210]

Wonderful playing!

[@najatrable]

미소를 머금으면서 눈물을 흘리게 하는 연주입니다. 한국인이기에 고맙습니다.

[@edmundlehmann5481]

Wonderful

[@jimjennings7623]

It's a very nice piece! I've never heard it or the composer before. Gorgeous! I really appreciate this! Thanks for posting it. What a beautiful performance!

[@matthewv789]

Bottesini was not only the greatest bass virtuoso of his day (mid-19th century), he also composed many operas. But people came to the operas to hear him play bass (often fantasies on themes from other Italian operas) during intermissions!

[@discogoth]

Bottessini is my favorite composer for bass because he was one of the first to actually see the bass for the expressive, vibrant, rich instrument that it is. So he wrote pieces like this one, which is just overflowing with power and beauty. Highly recommend digging into him a little more!

[@matthewv789]

@@discogoth Yes, Bottesini composed and conducted operas, so his writing is very lyrical, typically meant to be played in a bel canto singing style.

[@fanfulla1000]

che suono e che espressione......non ho parole....solo una sublime......

[@ZWONCE]

I dont have words, this is simple amazing!!!!!

[@mreijo]

Sounds great!

[@KellyWayar]

¡¡¡¡Que belleza!!!! Felicidades hermosa interpretación.

[@KaraCamilleDelonas]

Thank you for inspiring me

[@martarenardowitsch3634]

Wow!!! Wow!!!!! So wowwwwwwww! Bravissimo

[@moi_-re9up]

Absolutely. Amazing.

[@zoi9980]

아름답다 마음이 함께 녹아요..

[@JazzIvan07]

Wooow, what a nice articulations!

[@FaraFellow]

First German bow user I've ever seen stand. I didn't think it was possible. Strange technique but she pulls it off flawlessly.

[@justahuman4616]

Wait really? I don't think I've seen a french bow user stand before

[@p0cketnoodles]

Beautiful

[@bradnelson8079]

Awesome!

[@ALEXANDER49668]

Признателен и восхищён!

[@eavs772]

She is goals

[@Nonspecies]

FULL..... of Emotions

[@nichurman6028]

This tiny woman is amazeballs.

[@raulramirez1493]

Muy bien. Excelente 😍👏👏👏

[@edmundlehmann5481]

Wonderful !

[@michaeldavis1259]

Absolutely Brilliant!!!!

[@dic_chocolate1282]

She should play koussevitzky prayer and baroque music so she can reveal her true talent I wanna see if her vibrato and bowing technique is good for koussevitzky can’t wait till she plays it

[@matthewv789]

I have heard her practice the Koussevitzky concerto (2nd and 3rd movements), and it’s about as good as anyone. There is video of Chanson Triste and Valse Miniature (the latter a little fast for my taste, though I’m not sure she usually plays it that fast) on her website. Also Bruch Kol Nidre from the same livestream. Of Bach there are only a couple of videos (parts of the first cello suite and a sonata for gamba), though their audio and video quality is not great. But the performances are excellent. The sonata is on her KZbin channel. (The suite is on mine.)

[@danielscheinhaus5210]

Perfect intonation and plenty of soul.

[@ΑΝΑΣΤΑΣΙΟΣΓΙΑΝΝΟΥΤΣΟΣ]

Very good

[@prototypeinheritance515]

the best intonation

[@alexlopnie4093]

me encanta lo claras que se oyen las notas

[@edwardtruax5254]

Mind blown! Brilliant!

[@luislu1701]

Superb master! with a perfect combination of technique and expression

[@dimhelmet]

Amazing!

[@louispetrucciani4352]

Un son remarquable à l'archet , une très grande musicienne !

[@deniferia3016]

HERMOSO

[@sebastianpizarro8404]

is amazing.

[@mykolfornasero3631]

Bille method?? Lovely playing.

[@rosenelflores7560]

Amazing

[@jeanlouiscarlotti1670]

she s amazing .......music music .........

[@keidot2.058]

this is beautiful

[@kelsyschoenhaar8717]

The best bassist of the 21st century? The control... the musicality... ((sigh)). You are amazing Mikyung Soung.

[@Liebes2732]

I remember Gary Karr is the best bassist in the 21 century

[@alfieharries]

She's amazing but not quite edgar meyer imo

[@matthewv789]

I would say technically she is right up there, but her brother is the best I have ever heard in terms of sheer dexterity, perfect intonation, and effortless comfort leaping anywhere on the fingerboard. Musically though, I consider her to be the best classical solo double bassist in history (though we never heard Bottesini himself play, so who knows what he was like; I’m still guessing his eyes would have bugged out to hear her play), and an extraordinary talent regardless of instrument, though of course that’s just my opinion; interpretation is certainly subject to taste. (Then again, I’ve heard a lot of her playing that most other people haven’t, so I’m not judging based on just this. Musically, in terms of phrasing and range of tone color and how natural and singing it is, and in her ability to communicate emotion, she’s just way beyond any other bassist I have ever heard.)

[@JulianHaugland]

Absolutely!

[@ModusVivendiMedia]

@@alfieharries I actually think she is better for things like Bottesini, especially in terms of expression. Though Edgar is still fantastic and extremely versatile in ways Mikyung is not.

[@matthewv789]

She was always amazing. Here she is at age 13 (with her brother, then 16, and mom on piano): kzbin.info/www/bejne/n17UiYB4qr2Wgdk&ab_channel=MinjeSung Edit: she was 13 not 14.

[@georgeslambert8065]

De toute beauté .... Un ange passe !!!

[@nestormakhno5902]

Mikyung Sung *

[@droksbeel]

i am a cellist, but i think in many cases the double just does the cello does not.

[@CelloCircle]

xxEvolvGamingxx I am also a cellist. I must disagree with you; I think every instrument “does” in their own way

[@bustabass9025]

Go big, or go home 😆

[@droksbeel]

Wtf was my spelling holy shit.

[@alexandrequach7865]

好極了，謝謝妳。

[@bbf180]

Классно играет! Молодчинка. Браво. )

[@nevenask]

Wow Wow Wow! 👏👏👏 Bravo, girl! You rock!

[@nuguri5437]

와 너무 잘해요!!^^

[@juanbautistavillalobos9644]

P E R F E C T

[@francem.124]

Nice❤️

[@Black-yard-78]

Very impressive !!

[@mrdProf42]

Good heavens

[@rodigao93]

great job!!!

[@lucyfoster4082]

Spectacular artistry. What is the bass she plays on? I’d like one with narrow shoulders like it. Is it a Grunert?

[@matthewv789]

Quenoil.

[@MVargabass]

Bravo!

[@thomas_the_cat]

doesn’t the instrument cause any long term postural issues? it looks very stressful to the back 🤔

[@r3mybeets552]

Although it doesn't show whether she is using one or not... www.christianlaborie.com/english/innovation.html

[@matthewv789]

I 8 Fishsauce No, she uses a regular endpin (though it’s not extended too much), though I know other players like Szymon Marciniak who do.

[@ЭльвираБолоненко-з6с]

Браво💐💐💐

[@staruchi2844]

3:37

[@tanzimnasir7474]

How common in shoulder/arm injury among double bass players? Nothing looks natural or comfortable about this. Major ergonomic upgrades to this instrument required.

[@eleodynneli9068]

The strings seem to be tuned in F, B, E, A, how come ?

[@alanieday]

Solo tuning

[@eleodynneli9068]

Dalanie Harris oh ok, is that often used ? Because I've never heard of it

[@eleodynneli9068]

Jason Heath but it might be very destabilizing for the player if he's used to the traditional tuning right ? How does he do as all his marks are changed ?

[@EliotLee123]

Pieces written for solo tuning are typically played with the exact same fingerings in both orchestral (E A D G) and solo tuning. So, the first movement of Bottesini is usually written in A minor and, when played with solo tuning, sounds like B Minor. Solo tuning helps the bassist better project over the orchestra, as our instrument is naturally low.

[@eleodynneli9068]

Eliot Lee Oh that's why I saw a score of this piece and the contrabass sounded one tone higher. And I didn't know either for that story of projection. Thanks for your explanations !

[@benzenehydrocarbon]

The doublebass looks a bit uh, thin at the top but it’s sounding beautiful!

[@matthewv789]

It’s a Quenoil. Or at least a French Mirecourt style.

[@vyacheslav8907]

Очень хорошо играет , а главное легко)

[@jmmac3]

how old is she in this?

[@jmmac3]

Mikyung Sung amazing:)

[@matthewv789]

Probably around 23-24?