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What attracted you to
playing bass Laura? I kept hearing
the bass line in music..I was attracted to rhythmic instruments.
Where are you based?
Phoenix, Arizona USA.
At what age did you first take a
bass in your hands? When I was 17.
Did you play any other instrument
before you started playing bass?
Yes, drums and percussion
Can you remember the first piece you
ever learned on bass? No, but it was
something with a 1 – 4- 5 chord progression!
What was your very first band?
First bands were rock bands, first
professional band was in the early ‘80s
What other bands were you a member
of? I have been in numerous bands
throughout the 25 years I have been playing bass & percussion
Tell us about your current band?
I currently and primarily play bass
with blues and R&B band “Sistah Blue”. I also do other gigs here and there
with other musicians.
How did you come to join/start this
band? I first joined Sistah Blue in
1996, but had a hiatus from ’98 to 2005. I rejoined the band in June of
2005.
What is your ideal line-up for a
band? Drums, bass, guitar, lead
vocals, harmony vocals, keyboard or a horn or harmonica.
What’s your main bass?
I play a Zon Sonus 4 string bass guitar, made in the USA.
Have you a preference for active or
passive electronics? I like active
What type or brand of strings to you
like best? There are a variety of
excellent strings, I usually use Smith Rockmaster medium lights
How often would you change your
strings? Every few months or so,
depends on how much I gig!
What is your backline bass amp
setup? I own two rigs. For big gigs
I use my Ampeg SVT III bass amp head, and two Ampeg bass speaker cabinets;
the bottom has a 15” speaker, and the top cabinet has 4 ten inch speakers
and a horn. It is quite large and powerful. Unfortunately, it is also very
heavy & difficult to haul! For smaller gigs, I use my SWR Workingman’s
Twelve.
Fingers, pick or both?
I pluck (use my fingers) and my thumb for slapping.
What type of music do you play?
Many styles, mostly I play blues, rock, R&B and some Latin styles of
music.
Who do you listen to when you’re not
playing? I like all kinds of
music…from all over the world and different cultures. I especially like
drumming music and classical guitar.
What was your worst moment onstage?
When my bass strap decided to unhook in the middle of a song, I nearly
dropped my bass and I had to lean over on my knee to play the rest of the
song!
Have you ever made the cover of a
magazine or been featured in print?
Yes, many times
Do you play/own any other
instruments? Yes, lots of percussion
instruments, congas, djembes, djun djun, bongos, shakers bells, a
classical guitar and a cheap keyboard
What other instrument would you most
like to play? Percussion
Do you sing?
Yes, I sing a little back up
Do you write/compose?
No, but I do write poetry
Do you see the bass as a solo
instrument? No, I see/feel it as a
groove / rhythm instrument
Have you ever been to
Ireland? No, but would love to visit
someday!
Do you have a day-job or do you play
professionally? Day job and play
professionally part time
Give one piece of advice to someone
who has just bought their first bass?
Learn to read music, take lessons and music classes, listen to lots of
music and practice with CDs and tapes. Develop your sense of timing,
melody and harmony. Learn also a secondary instrument, such as guitar or
keys or percussion and learn to sing harmonies, if you can! This will help
you become a better bass player. Go out and hear live music as often as
you can and watch and listen to the bass player& drummer in the band.
Learn as many styles of music as you can, practice a lot and you will
always have gigs! Stay clean and away from excesses too! That will keep
YOU gigging and happy!
What’s your opinion on basses with
more than 4 strings? They are fine,
I like the lower B string sound
What do you feel is the bass-players
function in a band? To lock in with
the drummer and set a good solid foundation. The bass is part of the
rhythm section, yet is also a melodic instrument. A good bass player has
more of a “feel”, not so much just “technique” or wild solos. Solid
simplicity is key.
What are your ambitions, musically
and personally? Keep on gigging,
performing, having fun, and make a CD
Thanks Laura. See our Links page for
Sistah Blue website - Ed.
thanks to Laura for being part of BassGirls.Com
text and images are copyright
of Laura Adelia and
BassGirls.Com
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