A Lesson In Impermanence: An Interview with John Ferrara

John Ferrara

The bass guitar’s growth as an individual instrument has skyrocketed in the last decade. Technical prowess seems to be at an all-time high and, when put to good use, can showcase the breadth of possibilities for the instrument. One of my favorite players right now is John Ferrara, who has honed his two-handed tapping abilities to a profound level and – more importantly – used them to create spellbinding compositions.

The bassist, who performs in the sci-fi Middle Eastern fusion band Consider the Source, has just released his second solo record, A Lesson In Impermanence, which leans closer to a solo piano album than what one would think of as a solo bass effort. His technical abilities allow him to freely express independent ideas and even independent time signatures. All his hard work on technique is just to serve the music and flow of ideas.

Aside from his own new work, Ferrara and Consider the Source just released Hybrid Vol. 1: Such As A Mule on Ropeadope Records. The unique power trio utilizes their electric instruments alongside traditional and acoustic instruments including a banjo bass, double bass, and ukulele bass. They’re gearing up for a string of intimate, seated concerts this spring.

We caught up with Ferrara for his approach to composing on the bass, how to write in odd time signatures, using techniques to expand your sonic palette, the new Consider the Source, and more.

A Lesson In Impermanence is available now via Bandcamp.

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