“Pluck it like you mean it” - Playing the Bass

I wasn’t feeling very well this week (which will explain why I sound like a dying troll in this week’s videos), but my dear friend Becky VanSleeuwen bravely agreed to teach me the string bass.  There was a time when I thought my fingers were rather nimble and dexterous—I’m a woodwind, it’s our specialty—then get my hands on an acoustic bass and I find it impossible to play two notes in a row.  All the more admiration I have for Becky!

Listen as Becky and I play the intro to “Dr. Cool Has Arrived” in this week’s video; which is in two parts simply because we had an unexpected cameo appearance by a certain favorite somebody…. And in the interview below, you can learn Becky’s proven method for purchasing a new car.  Also, check out Becky's Blog: "365 Better Todays; Daily Advice for a Better Day, Every Day."

Interview

Tashina: When did you first start playing the bass?

Becky: I started playing the bass when I was 13 years old.  My orchestra teacher didn’t have any bass players that year.  I had been playing the violin for a couple years.  But he didn’t have any bass players, so he said, “Anybody who wants to learn how to play the bass can learn how.”  So me and my two best friends, the three of us all switched over, and just taught ourselves how to play from there.

Tashina: Do you prefer electric or acoustic?

Becky: I can play both, but I really prefer the acoustic bass.  I’m just better trained for it.  I have more muscle memory for my hands and my fingers.  And my hands don’t get as tired, I think because I’m more used to playing it.  But the electric bass is a lot of fun too.  I have no complaints about that.

Tashina: When did you start working on the electric?

Becky: When I was in 9^th grade, I was playing for the district symphony, and they needed an electric bass for one of their songs.  And so my orchestra teacher had one, and he would just let me play around with it.  I just kinda taught myself that too.  It’s pretty similar, so it wasn’t hard to learn.

Tashina: Do you own your own electric bass, acoustic bass, amp, or bar stool?

Becky: I have it all!  I’ve got an upright bass, it’s an Anton Richter—that’s my acoustic.  I’ve got an electric bass, it’s a Johnson brand—his name is Dustin.  And I’ve got a stool that I like to play on, and a little practice amp.  I’ve got it all.

Tashina: That’s a lot of stuff… how do you handle transportation of all your equipment?

Becky: When I was shopping for a car a couple years ago, I had to make sure that I could find one that would fit an upright bass.  So I knew it either had to be a hatchback or an SUV.  So we took the empty bass case around to all the dealerships, my parent and I.  And we would try it in the car before I even said if I liked the car or not.  If the case fit, then I was allowed to test drive the car.  It’s funny, because I actually drive a compact car, it’s a little two-door hatchback, but I can fit everything in it all at the same time.

Tashina: I’ve always thought that if I didn’t play the clarinet, I’d want to play the string bass, because your instrument is incorporated in so many different music groups: orchestras, wind ensembles, jazz bands, etc.  What kinds of ensembles have you participated in?  Which is your favorite?

Becky: Mostly I’ve been in orchestras and symphonies, that’s my favorite to play with. But I’ve also done jazz bands.  I’ve played electric bass for a guitar ensemble in my high school.  And I’ve done a lot of community orchestras and local groups, and then several groups at Snow College, and some here on SUU’s campus.  Everything but a marching band!

Tashina: You are involved in a lot of music stuff, but you’re actually a Communication major.  Why do you like to participate in music?

Becky: I love music.  I love the performance factor—having something to build up to.  There’s a beginning, middle, and an end to it.  I love the emotional outlet that it is for me, and the way that it allows me to be a contributing member of society. But I realized early on that I didn’t want it to be a career path. I enjoy it as a hobby, and I enjoy it as something to do on the side. But there was a time in high school where I was playing for the guitar ensemble and the orchestra, I was taking a Music Theory class and a Music & Culture class, I was playing for the school musical and for the district orchestra, and I realized that with all those things going on every day, that that wasn’t the future that I wanted for myself.  But communications, I never get tired of studying it, and I love it, probably even more than music. 

Tashina: Understandable. And you’re very talented in both; we’re blessed to have you in the Music Department and in the Communication Department.  You’re really an asset.

Becky: Thank you.