Bass Musician Magazine - SPECIAL August 2014 Female Bassist Issue | Page 80

In an industry dominated by male musicians, do you find
that this hinders or helps your opportunities?
In the beginning it did both. The negatives were not being allowed to
attend auditions (because we, “Need a real bass player,” or because,
“Women can’t swing”) or being belittled before even plugging in.
I have also gotten gigs because a female bassist was specifically
sought out (female band) and being a woman amongst guys makes
me stick out, which can be a plus in terms of being remembered. I
have also gotten to play and teach with some amazing women over
the years.
What is your opinion of the image of female bassists in
today’s music industry?
It is still so much about image, it is sad. Recently a friend remarked
that all these female bassists at the NAMM show are so beautiful and
sexy. I venture to say there are many, many more spectacular players
nobody ever hears of because they don’t fit some preconceived
beauty standard. This is a disgrace and not something male players
have to put up with to a comparable degree.
What, if anything, would you do to change the industry
for female bassists?
Make it more about the music!
Do you find that you constantly have to prove yourself...
as a musician, or a musician that happens to be a female?
In the beginning, yes, it did make me practice more and that is not
a bad thing. However, music is not a competition and finding one’s
own voice, one’s own sound requires a certain level of comfort with
who you are and who you become as a musician. In those respects
I have found it more like a hindrance sometimes.
Do you feel, as a female bassist, that you receive the
professional respect afforded male bassists?
Now I do, in most situations.
What is your advice on how to be taken professionally in
the music industry?
Be the best musician you can be, but also be the best professional
you can be (show up prepared, on time, serve the song and be
pleasant to be around). Make it fun for yourself and inhabit the
music.