Bass Musician Magazine - SPECIAL August 2014 Female Bassist Issue | Page 135

I am amazed at the way the bass guitar has
progressed over the years with players reaching
such heights of proficiency. But in a group or
ensemble situation, I think it’s important to be
mindful of the fundamental role of bass guitar,
to lay it down and to groove. It’s not a lead
instrument, it’s not the beat, it’s the bass. My
view of its role in music has matured in that way,
where I’m a lot more aware of the groove, not
just the notes.

luences can be found in everything and
erywhere. When you catch that little spark of
spiration, go create and find happiness in that
eative process.

Not a lot of girl bass players – particularly
kick-ass bass players, like you! – how did
that happen?
Two X chromosomes and a lot of practice.

o you read music? Any studio/Live work
tside of TLB?
don’t read music with any efficiency. I find
ues jams and open mic nights unpleasant,
aybe that sums it up?

Any advice for aspiring bass players,
anything particularly for girls?
Travis Larson Band does a lot of clinics and I get
approached with this question quite often. My
first bit of advice, as basic as it may seem, is to
get yourself a good instrument. I spent years
struggling with more advanced techniques, only
to realize that my bass sucked.

K – Your right hand technique using the
umb – how did you come up with that?
at came from having to translate recorded
itar overdubs to live bass parts. So, while
aying the bass line with my thumb, I will use
y other fingers to play chordal or melodic lines
at were originally guitar parts. I don’t think
anything original that I “came up with”, but
erely happened out of necessity.

e been criticized for having generally poor
hnique and I tend to agree. Necessity tends
dictate my technique, so I’m not concerned
h the rules as long as it gets done, sounds
od and works for me.

ow has your view/opinion of the role of
e bass changed/progressed through the
ars?

Secondly, play live, anywhere and everywhere.
Performing in front of an audience with all the
different variables of sound, lighting, and other
distractions can add up to a lot of pressure. The
more you do it, the better prepared you are for any
situation. Rehearsing in the same comfortable
environment with no variables is great for getting
and staying in shape, but it’s not realistic.
My advice to girls is to be yourself, don’t get
hung up on people treating you differently. Our
society is conditioned to focus on the differences
in people, whether it’s gender, color, age… that’s
just the way it is, it’s usually not personal. And
just like anything in life, if you love doing it,
then do it.

bassmusicianmagazine.com | aug 2014 | #bassmusicianmag | the face of bass

icked up the bass around the age of 15 after
year or so of tinkering on an acoustic guitar,
aware there was such a thing as bass guitar.
ound my brother’s Moving Pictures cassette
d it was like the skies ripped open. Rush
s my universe for most of my early musical
velopment, along with Led Zeppelin. Travis
d I started playing together around that time
I was influenced by his tastes in fusion and
z.