Demian
Steckbrief
Name: Demian
Age: 29 Jahre
Teaches you in: Electric Bass, Electric Guitar, Acoustic Guitar, Ukulele
Education: Popakademie Baden-Württemberg, Hochschule der Künste Bern (Jazzschule Bern)
Plays Ukulele since: 18 Jahren
Ukulele Teacher since: 6 Jahren
Languages: German, English, Spanish, French
Styles: Funk, Rock, Soul, Cumbia, Salsa, Afrobeat, Singer-Songwriter, Pop, Jazz, Blues, Disco, traditional music
Influences: Victor Wooten, Diego Arnedo (Divididos), Pedro Aznar, Pepe Bao (O Funkillo), John Deacon (Queen), Donald „Duck“ Dunn (Blues Brothers, Stax), Avishai Cohen, Fernando Lamadrid, Scott Devine, Screaming Headless Torsos, Herbie Hancock, Rolling Stones....
Interview
How did you get to your instruments?
At the age of 13, I became aware for the first time that there was another instrument besides drums and guitar that sounded like rock and blues. That was the electric bass. This sound experience made it clear to me that I wanted to play exactly these low notes. When I moved to Switzerland at the age of 16, I added the guitar, especially because it was available at every campfire. Through teaching, I then added the ukulele.
What fascinates you about the ukulele?
It's super practical and can be taken anywhere.
What has helped you the most in practising?
The patience to divide complex sequences into manageable "portions", which are perfected individually and then "screwed together" again. Plus a lot of breaks so as not to go crazy. Fun is the most important resource of any creative process.
What do you pay particular attention to when teaching?
My teaching has 3 pillars. Firstly, ear training: This is the training of the abstract ability to perceive and classify music. Secondly, improvisation, i.e. the ability to express musical ideas immediately. And thirdly, fun, because without that, music makes no sense.
What has been your greatest experience as a musician so far?
There is one that always remains. It is the timeless space you enter when you are connected with musicians and play together. You hit the note at the same time as the drummer without looking at each other. This magic is the reason why I play music.
On which equipment do you prefer to play?
It depends on my mood, but it also depends on the situation. At acoustic concerts, when I play more solos and have space, I prefer a jazz bass or something similar. With drummers and loud guitars, I prefer Precision basses. For street music or when I travel a lot, I like basses with short scales. Then I don't permanently hit the headstock against train doors. I play amps from MarkBass, Gallien Kruger and Roland.
What else is important in your life besides music?
I like to be around people, talk a lot, laugh a lot. Family and friends are the most important, without them I am poor. In return, I sometimes like to travel alone on foot and with a tent to get back in touch with myself.
At the age of 13, I became aware for the first time that there was another instrument besides drums and guitar that sounded like rock and blues. That was the electric bass. This sound experience made it clear to me that I wanted to play exactly these low notes. When I moved to Switzerland at the age of 16, I added the guitar, especially because it was available at every campfire. Through teaching, I then added the ukulele.
What fascinates you about the ukulele?
It's super practical and can be taken anywhere.
What has helped you the most in practising?
The patience to divide complex sequences into manageable "portions", which are perfected individually and then "screwed together" again. Plus a lot of breaks so as not to go crazy. Fun is the most important resource of any creative process.
What do you pay particular attention to when teaching?
My teaching has 3 pillars. Firstly, ear training: This is the training of the abstract ability to perceive and classify music. Secondly, improvisation, i.e. the ability to express musical ideas immediately. And thirdly, fun, because without that, music makes no sense.
What has been your greatest experience as a musician so far?
There is one that always remains. It is the timeless space you enter when you are connected with musicians and play together. You hit the note at the same time as the drummer without looking at each other. This magic is the reason why I play music.
On which equipment do you prefer to play?
It depends on my mood, but it also depends on the situation. At acoustic concerts, when I play more solos and have space, I prefer a jazz bass or something similar. With drummers and loud guitars, I prefer Precision basses. For street music or when I travel a lot, I like basses with short scales. Then I don't permanently hit the headstock against train doors. I play amps from MarkBass, Gallien Kruger and Roland.
What else is important in your life besides music?
I like to be around people, talk a lot, laugh a lot. Family and friends are the most important, without them I am poor. In return, I sometimes like to travel alone on foot and with a tent to get back in touch with myself.
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