Billy Sheehan
![Billy Sheehan](/assets/img/authors/billy-sheehan.jpg)
Billy Sheehan
William "Billy" Sheehanis an American bassist known for his work with Talas, Steve Vai, David Lee Roth, Mr. Big, Niacin, and The Winery Dogs. Sheehan has won the "Best Rock Bass Player" readers' poll from Guitar Player Magazine five times for his "lead bass" playing style. Sheehan's repertoire includes the use of chording, two-handed tapping, right-hand "three-finger picking" technique and controlled feedback...
NationalityAmerican
ProfessionGuitarist
Date of Birth19 March 1953
CityBuffalo, NY
CountryUnited States of America
And no again: My studio is not a first or any step toward becoming any type of businessman on my part.
I'm a fan of many different styles of classical and symphonic music.
I've been an amature inventor for a long time.
It was also important for me to have a burning desire to achieve something worthwhile on that instrument, and I devoted many many many hours with little or no compensation to perfecting whatever I could, because I loved it so much.
I listened to many different types of instruments and music, and have always tried to look at the bass as an instrument as opposed to only a bass.
It's not art, it's science.
Be honest with yourself and the way you act when you hear music. That way, when people watch, they'll see something from your heart and soul, and as a result will communicate your feeling and thought much better.
I try to do my absolute best for the people who come see me play.
I'm very honored and thankful if someone says something nice about my playing, but in general I'm very critical of what I do.
As far as current inspiration, I'm listenting to a lot of flamenco, because the techniques used for flamenco can be adapted to playing bass.
I didn't follow the standard rules of bass playing, and many musicians on many different instruments who became noteworthy for their unique or particular style did a very similar thing.
Music is always changing and the changes are unpredictable.
I believe the best persona to be onstage is the one that comes naturally.
I gave up a lot of things in exchange for my success.