be put together from two live performances
certainly no exception. Not everybody has the
in Nashville. This is something I have wanted
discipline to stay in a practice routine for the
to do for years but have not had the time or
long term, but I think it’s really important to
resources for until now.
pursue, even if your practice time is extremely
limited.
What is your advice for aspiring bassists?
bassmusicianmagazine.com | 02.16
You want to set yourself up for success
I think now more than ever, because we have
and make your practice time and goals as
access to so much information instantly through
comprehensive as you possibly can. Don’t
YouTube and the Internet in general, I think it is
ignore things like reading, music theory, and
hard for a student to have a focused path of
listening to types of music that maybe aren’t
development. It’s easy to get tossed about in
your favorites. Because we have such easy and
the waves of chatter and information in a world
instant access to all of this information now
with such a short attention span. Also, there is
online, it’s really important to dig into all the
a lot of conflicting information out there that
different competencies so that we can be well-
can sometimes misdirect a developing player.
rounded players. Those who are really serious
Being exposed to different perspectives and
about that will find that’s also the pathway to
views is very important, but you need to make
finding your own identity as a musician and an
sure the information is sound. I think one of
artist. It’s hard to shape an identity when you
the most important things that an aspiring
only have a taste of certain elements of the bass
player can do is to establish routine in their
guitar or music, in general. I think the more that
life. Routine in general is a healthy habit for
players pick up from different competencies
productivity. However, I find that creative types
and disciplines, the quicker they progress, and
(like us musicians) sometimes have a harder
ultimately the quicker they establish their own
time staying in a practice routine and are more
sound and voice.
of the “work when inspired” type of people. I’m