Join ISB

Join the ISB by one of the following methods:

1. Fill out the online form and join using your credit card.

2. Download, print, and mail in this page (PDF format). Send it with your check, money, or credit card information order in U.S. funds to the ISB office.

Watch for a welcoming letter and recent copy of Bass World in the mail soon!

The ISB's 2012 membership drive honorary co-chairs are Tom Martin and John Patitucci! They invite you and your colleagues and students to join or renew membership in the International Society of Bassists. We need your support and, like any musical ensemble, the more bassists the better!

"The years gallop past and lo' and behold, I'm a sort of senior bassist! What a wonderful time I've had, and there's more to come. Those of my generation enjoy a strong sense historical perspective. Not only am I pre-television, I'm pre- ISB! Oh, how I would have benefited from an ISB in my formative years. We were all islands. I had no idea if I was good or not, what the standard was, and what there was to do on the bass. I only found out I was doing well when I was accepted to Eastman and Curtis during my last year of high school. How things have changed thanks to my friend and contemporary Gary Karr, who founded this great forum that brought us all together. I've been around the whole way, watching it grow and flourish and contributing when I've had the chance. Now the modern ISB has such a wealth of resources for us all. It doesn't matter where you are along the bass trail, there is interest, excitement and friendship waiting for you. Competitions and masterclasses (there were none when I started out) are a great way to hear colleagues and discover the level of bass playing around the world. No other instrument has had the renaissance the bass has enjoyed recently, and it is all of us, with the help of our Society, who have made it happen. No signs of slowing down. Whether a student, professional, orchestral musician, jazz player, bass maker, teacher, composer or publisher, you have a contribution to make and a lot to gain. The ISB is its membership, come join us!"

"It has been over 20 years since I played at my first ISB convention and like all bassists, I truly appreciate the brother and sisterhood of Bass! Because we look through all music from the ground up, we share a perspective of giving to the music and serving the whole so the music can soar. I have enjoyed the experience at conventions of sharing, learning, being inspired, humbled and driven back to the woodshed, by ALL kinds of Bass playing. I enjoy the magazine and like to learn about different ways to approach playing, hearing about new pieces, books and recordings. I have also enjoyed many articles about my Bass heroes. God bless you all and I hope to see you soon at the next Bass Hang!"

Membership is the life blood of any organization. If you're a current member of the ISB, thank you! We are grateful to you for your continuing support — and we need your help! We challenge you to sign up a fellow bassist during our February membership drive. Members receive Bass World magazine and monthly e-newsletters, access to the George Vance Online Resource Library (over 40 years of past issues of magazines, newsletters and convention programs) and are among the first to hear of double bass events and competitions. Ask a friend, colleague or student to go to join online or download a membership application and mail it in.