Drum Lessons in Indianapolis, IN

Instruments: Bass Guitar Electric Guitar

When did you decide to become a professional musician? Was it a gradual decision or was there a defining moment for you?
I decided in the 6th grade after hearing Immigrant Song by Led Zeppelin. When I heard that guitar and that rhythm I was never the same. Soon after I heard Jimi Hendrix and I knew that I was going to be a guitarist. Once I heard even more guitarists like Eric Clapton and BB King, I was even more excited. My first influence on The bass definitely had to be Marcus Miller. One day I was playing too many notes on a show rehearsal. A teacher of mine who happened to be the drummer said you need listen to this. This is a bass player. You need to get in the pocket son!

Does music run in your family? Tell us a little about your musical family members.
Yes. My grandfather was a musician. His brother played with Little Richard, Otis Redding, and Chuck Berry. I learned that my mother was a pianist when she was younger. Everyone on my mothers side of our family either could sing, dance, or was a musician. I knew as a child that music was my calling. My grandfather would play outside on the porch and the whole neighborhood would come to our yard and all of a sudden we would have shindig going. My aunt sings in the choir at her church and has been in the choir for over 30 years

What is your favorite style/genre of music to play and why?
On the bass guitar it’s Funk. Funk stands for Fun Kids and it used to be A bad word. Reggae is number two on my list because of the important role it plays. The blues is third. Rock and punk is fourth. I absolutely love jazz and walking bass lines. Old soul music is awesome too. But my favorite would have to be funk because I believe everything can be made to be funky. Rock music like Motörhead and The Ramones are great styles with different bass tones that can be easily differentiated once the music is being learned by someone. That is one of the cool things about the bass guitar

If you weren't a musician what do you think you'd be doing instead?
I probably would be a fishing guide or a professional hunter. I loved football as a kid but I didn’t get big enough fast enough. I also enjoy landscaping and yard work. I would probably be a guitar builder with my own custom instruments that I would sell to all the rockstars and musicians. I’m pretty good at cleaning so I might have a cleaning service/home improvement business. I like farming so I can see myself on a tractor plowing a big field. I also like cooking and eating so I can se myself as a chef

If you play more than one instrument, how did you decide to start playing the second? (Or 3rd, 4th, 5th, etc)!
I actually play the guitar pretty well but I am self taught. I understand chords and soloing. Guitar was actually my first instrument of choice. But the bass seemed to be more needed. I love the blues and funk guitar. My favorite style is blues rock mixed with improv. Jazz and bebop is mixed in also. I can play guitar with just about any body in my opinion but I’m still learning certain techniques that require slot of time and money to master. The electric guitar and acoustic guitar are also my favorites. I’m also an upright bassist as well as a drummer and producer.

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