11-year-old prodigy offers grownup insights for learning bass
Exclusive video interview with FBPO’s Jon Liebman
July 10, 2023
Ellen Alaverdyan may be young, but she’s a bass sensation on social media. The 11-year-old has racked up hundreds of thousands of views on YouTube, Facebook and Instagram, playing spot-on covers of songs by groups like Metallica, Parliament Funkadelic, and the Beatles. Her work has garnered lots of praise in the bass media and even allowed her to collaborate with the likes of Steve Vai and Victor Wooten.
Watch our interview with Ellen!
See Jon’s blog, with key takeaways from this interview here.
Not a comment on her, but a comment on those bassplayers who play “that crazy stuff”. Are you aware of the Talas lps, Billy Sheehan’s early work? I’ve spoken to him online a couple times, and we never agree. I met Billy in Buffalo early ’71. I’ve always maintained he didn’t play WITH the band in those days, but ABOVE the band. Sure he knows every inch of the bass. and knows how to play it all, but he’s a showman, not a member of the band. He did best with a band on DLR’s Eat ‘Em and Smile. He IS top showman on a bass. But he rarely plays WITH a band. I’m of the Jack Bruce and Geddy Lee type of bass player, a lot of fill, but still WITH the band, and still WITH the drummer.
Good points, Bradley. There’s nothing wrong with being a showman. It’s just that there’s a distinction between doing that and functioning in the true, traditional role of a bass player. What’s important is knowing what to do and when to do it. Jack and Geddy are great, and so is Billy. It’s all matter of the context and the musical situation. Thanks for weighing in!
I love Ellen! She is such a talented Bass player and soooo young.
It would have been great to see her in the interview! I watched on my I phone is that why she was not seen in the video?
Thanks, Laurie. It may be a setting on your phone. In the meantime, turn your phone sideways and you ought to be able to see the whole screen.
Incorrect. He played with Mr Big for many years. He plays in a band called Winery Dog that tours. I saw them in Nashville where he live. Very approachable fellow.
She has spider fingers medically known as Arachnodactyly . Sergei Rachmaninoff and Robert Johnson had fingers like that. She is in good musical company. From what I can see she will grow to be very tall and slender. Amazing musician.
Hadn’t noticed that, Joseph. It doesn’t seem to be hampering her ability! Thanks for the comment.
The interview was inspiring and riveting at the same time. Great job, Jon! I’ve watched dozens of her videos wondering why all I could do at that age was just strum a few chords! Yet my Dad gave me the passion for music which led to me becoming a bass player.
Thanks, Bob. You never know where your inspiration will come from. Sometimes it surprises us!
Remember when I sent you one of her first videos for your opinion as to if she was really playing. I was really taken by her talent and her personality. She motivated me to channel my younger self.
I was a fan of her father, Hovak first. That’s how I came across her so early. He’s a great musician. He’s putting out some edgy and progressive material. The kind of music I normally wouldn’t like, but I do.
Yes, Ellen definitely comes by it honestly. Thanks, Mike!
True words of wisdom from Ellen: “Just enjoy it”
You bet! Thanks, Griffle.