It's that time of the month for our Bass Lab PLUS Legend.
For this month, it's Robin Hoyles!
I've got to know Robin quite a bit as we had a number of one to one sessions just about when lockdown started.
One of the standout things about Robin is his dedication to learning and playing the bass. Proof of this is his practice diary which is now over 300 pages long!
Robin loves the bass so much, he even is currently teaching his wife how to play!
Learn more about Robin's story and also watch him play below
James: Hey everybody! Welcome to this month’s BLP Legend Interview. I’m really excited to have Robin Hoyles with me.
I’ve known Robin now for quite a few years. We did some one to one coaching right at the beginning of lockdown and I followed Robin’s journey ever since. Without question he’s one of the most diligent students I have ever seen. He’s also getting the results to go with it. Robin! Where did your bass playing journey start?
Robin: A long time ago, in our church, I sang in the choir, around 52 years ago. That’s where I met my wife. We’ve been in that choir since 1970. I sang for years and years. Our very talented lead guitarist was also a cracking bass player. He couldn’t do both, so I put my hand up to stumble through a few bass numbers and let him play lead.
Terry Beal says
Hey Robin, First of all great Job on Sultans of Swing! Your story sounds very familiar to me as it is similar to my own. I took piano lessons in the third and fourth grades which gave me that taste of music that stayed with me the rest of my life. Unfortunately, I didn’t pursue any formal training beyond that. Several years later, I found that I had enough ear talent to pick out songs on the piano, but just for my own entertainment. Not typical piano stuff mind you, more like everything from Glen Campbell to Black Sabbath. Fast forward to about age 55, when some friends wanted to put a band together for a birthday party. They had everything covered except a bass player. So, I bought one, disappeared in my man cave with a set list and my stereo, and emerged with enough ability to not embarrass myself at the party. We had so much fun we decided to continue if we could. Well 4 bands later, here I am, 67 and still playing. I’ve learned how to play hundreds of songs, but I’ve never been sure that I ever really learned how to PLAY the bass. Since the last band break up the motivation has been lacking a bit, so I joined bass lab plus about a year ago and I’m back in the man cave. Keep up the inspiration!