Reader Spotlight: Bruno Rodrigues

by Corey Brown Tuesday, September 3rd, 2013

Meet Bruno Rodrigues a bass player from Portugal who is really living the dream. Bruno says he plays the bass at least 10 hours per day. He’s well schooled – both formally and self-taught, and is about as well rounded as they come (though he primary calls himself a metal bassist).

Bruno is No Treble’s reader in the spotlight for the week of September 2, 2013.

Bio:

Born and raised on Madeira Island, Portugal, I always wanted to be a musician. When I was 6 or 7 years old, my parents bought me my first piano. But at the age of 12, my life was changed when I got my first Fender Precision bass.

I studied for three years at the conservatory, and I learned music theory and how to play double bass. I played several live concerts with an orchestra and learned some amazing pieces like Beethoven’s 5th Symphony, Strauss’ “Don Juan”, Mozart’s “Eine Kleine Nachtmusik”, Gustav Holst’s “The Planets” and more.

I left the music school after three years because I was losing time for practicing the eletric bass. After that, I bought a 6-string electric bass and I’ve started to learn some methods like John Myung’s Progressive Bass Concepts, Jaco Pastorius’ Modern Electric Bass and John Patitucci’s Bass Workshop.

Nowadays I play at least 10 hours per day and record bass covers I upload on youtube.

Location:

Santa Cruz, Madeira Island, Portugal

Years experience:

8 years

Gear:

Harley Benton 6 String Electric Bass
Fender Squier Precision Bass
Ernie Ball Roundwound Nickel Bass Strings
Behringer BOD400 Bass Overdrive
Boss DS-1
Fender Rumble Bass Amp

Why I play the bass:

I’ve always been a big fan of rock/metal. When I was young I remember the first time I saw Cliff Burton playing “For Whom the Bell Tolls”, and I said right away “I want to be like this guy!”

Months after that, I bought my first bass. I fell in love by the instrument at that time, and I still love this amazing piece of wood today.

My bass superpower/claim to fame

Fingers and fingers. I’m a Metal guy, so I need speed on my hands. I’ve never played with a pick, and I wouldn’t know how to do anyway. Since I bought my first bass, my goal was to overcome any technical difficulty.

My influences

John Myung, John Patitucci, Bill Dickens, Billy Sheehan, Cliff Burton, Steve Bailey, Robert Trujillo, Steve Harris, Richard Bona, Alex Webster, Jaco Pastorius, Geddy Lee, Leland Sklar and more…