Reader Spotlight: Adam Duym

by Corey Brown Wednesday, October 11th, 2017

Meet Adam Duym, a trumpeter-turned-bassist who now teaches music for a living, as well as actively gigs in a band and as a sub.

Adam is this week’s No Treble reader in the spotlight (you could be next!) Here’s his story…

Bio:

I was your quintessential “band nerd” in high school, playing trumpet in the wind ensemble, jazz band, marching band, pit orchestra, and symphony orchestra. I picked up the bass at age 15. It was a perfect fit, and I immediately started learning everything I could. After a brief foray as a chemistry major in college, I knew I needed to major in music, my true love. The only problem was that I didn’t want to play the trumpet anymore, and there wasn’t an electric bass program at my university. So, I was fortunate enough to major in Steel Pan (Steel Drums) and I learned an absolutely immense amount about the pan and its amazing history. Now I’m a K-5 music educator, choral conductor, husband and father, and bassist.

Location:

Yorkville/IL/USA

Day gig:

I teach K-5 music and conduct a 100-student choir.

Years experience:

22 years.

Bands & Gigs:

I play with a group called the Dan Dillett Experience, and I sub for other local Chicago area groups. I play every week at Rejoice Lutheran Church in Geneva, IL, and teach lessons and do studio work as well.

Gear:

Roscoe Century Signature 5
Roscoe Century Standard Plus 6
Roscoe Century Standard Plus 5 fretless
Roscoe SKB Standard Plus 5
Genz Benz Shuttle 9.0
Gigmaster Soundworks (Greenboy Design) 15/6/1

Why I play the bass:

I had great role models through high school, and it was the 90’s, so there was a lot of fun bass to listen to! I knew a lot of guitarists, so I figured I should play bass to compliment what already existed…it was the best semi-selfless choice I’ve ever made.

My bass superpower/claim to fame:

I think my only ‘claim to fame’ is inspiring others to explore and dive deep into music through teaching at a public school, teaching privately, playing at church, and performing out. I love seeing kids’ faces light up when they hear me play, and seeing people twice my age take the dancefloor while I’m playing is awesome, too!

My influences:

Victor Wooten, Jaco Pastorius, Michael League (of Snarky Puppy), Pino Palladino, and non-bass players like Liam Teague and Cliff Alexis (my steel pan teachers and mentors), and Jacob Collier.