Reader Spotlight: Stefan Sandman
Meet Stefan Sandman, a musician who started on guitar before switching to bass to be like his dad. Stefan is this week’s No Treble reader in the spotlight (you can be next). Here’s his story…
Bio:
I’m a musician who enjoys wearing the hats of performer, teacher, and session player. The bass has been my main instrument for about ten years. I love music so much that I decided to attend Berklee College of Music and spent four years studying bass from some of the world’s best. Now I enjoy passing on the knowledge and playing in various groups!
Location:
Frederick, Maryland, U.S.A.
Day gig:
I privately teach bass and guitar at Music & Arts stores here in Maryland. And, as of recently, I’ve begun giving private lessons and leading various bands at Let There Be Rock School – Frederick.
Years experience:
I acquired my first bass when I was about thirteen years old.
Bands & Gigs:
Currently, I play bass for Time Columns and Luminosity. Both of which have albums in the final stages before release!
Gear:
- Pedulla Rapture RBJ2-5
- Warwick Thumb NT 5
- Jackson David Ellefson CBX V
- Darkglass Electronics Microtubes B7K Ultra
- Orange AD200B
- Orange 4×10
Why I play the bass:
I’ve been a fan of music in general from a very early age. Growing up in different homes, in two different countries, and sometimes with extended family, I was fortunate to be around and experience music spanning many styles and eras. I spent part of my childhood in Chile with my grandparents, in turn, I was exposed to older romantic Latin music as well as Spanish lyric very early. Then, in my teens, I fell for rock music and the history and image behind it. Right around that time, my dad’s guitars and basses started looking more and more like something I’d want to spend my time playing. It wasn’t long after he purchased me my first guitar, that I decided I wanted to play bass like my dad.
My bass superpower/claim to fame:
It seems like in any band I’ve participated in, someone always admires the fact that I know a lot of music history. Maybe it’s surprising to those who think I solely listen to heavy metal? I’ll admit when I get into an artist… I go all the way. Learning about what happens behind the music is just as fun as the music itself. There’s a lot of great lessons in non-music books out there!
My influences:
Rock n’ Roll is all about attitude; the greatest players can put a lot of personality into simple playing. By the same token, as a rock musician, one has the duty to be over-the-top every now and then. I’m attracted to playing that shows its influence. For example: Robert DeLeo…you just KNOW he studied/listened to James Jamerson! It makes you appreciate those lines so much more; we’ve heard them before in classic music.
For their tone and presence on any track: Robert DeLeo, Traa Daniels, and Justin Chancellor. And, for their precession: Jason Newsted, David Ellefson, and Billy Sheehan.
More on the web:
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