Rodrigo Villa on SoundBetter

I am a brazilian electric and acoustic bass player. I have played with Milton Nascimento, Jobim´s family (for 15 years), Martnalia (for 7 years) and many others famous artists from Brazil. I play various styles including jazz, pop, samba, bossa nova, baião, samba jazz and others. I am ready to hear from you the sound you need for your recording.

Send me an email through 'Contact' button above and I'll get back to you asap.

Credits

4 Reviews - 1 Repeat Client

Endorse Rodrigo Villa

by Roni K.
Verified
Awesome player...! Highly recommend.
by Michelle Z.
Verified
Rodrigo is an incredible musician to work with. On top of being fantastic at both upright and electric, he was also a great collaborator, thoughtfully coming up with ideas off of what I brought to him and always happy to revise parts based on my feedback. His passion for music and friendliness showed the whole way and made the experience even more fun.

I'm very happy I've had the opportunity to work with him, and recommend that you do too!
by Lorenzo E.
Verified
Rodrigo has a great intuition for the bass. It was really great to work with him. He is very patient, kind, and works very quickly, and he cares about the music. Can't wait to work with him again!
by Kim Pereira
Rodrigo is an amazing bass player and we have been working together for many years. He can deliver any kind of music with maestry.

Interview with Rodrigo Villa

Q: Is there anyone on SoundBetter you know and would recommend to your clients?
A: I have a friend here called Kim Pereira, he´s a very good brazilian drummer, I recommend him.
Q: What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?
A: Just send me an audio file of your project, and tell me what you need, the way you want, the instrument, the format for recording, and anything else its necessary to do.
Q: Describe the most common type of work you do for your clients.
A: Recording bass, it can be a supportive or solo bass, electric or acoustic, and even bowed upright bass.
Q: Can you share one music production tip?
A: Learn as much as you can from a variety of subjects in music.
Q: What's your typical work process?
A: If a chart is provided, I listen to the song, writing in the chart my observations, paying attention especially to what my client wants for the song. If I don't have a chart, I write one, mapping the song. When I am really prepared I start recording. Then, I listen and see if my ideas work well. Usually, it give me more ideas on what work best, and when I record again, usually its a better take. When it´s pretty good, I can do small corrections here and there if necessary, using the resources of the DAW.
Q: Which artist would you like to work with and why?
A: Sting, I love the atmosphere of his music.
Q: What type of music do you usually work on?
A: I work a lot in Brazilian music (samba, bossa-nova...), jazz, pop, latin and others
Q: What's your strongest skill?
A: I think it´s being versatile.
Q: Tell us about your studio setup.
A: I use an AKG mike and a DPA microfone, M-audio interface, Logic Pro-X, a Czech upright bass, a Fender Jazz bass, a Music Man Sting Ray 5 Bass, a Yamaha BB-East 2, an Eminence Bass, and a Fretless (similar to a jazz bass model)
Q: What other musicians or music production professionals inspire you?
A: John Patitucci, Nathan East, Christian McBride, Ron Carter, Stanley Clarke, Ray Brown and many others.
Q: What was your career path? How long have you been doing this?
A: I play the electric since I was 12 years old and acoustic since I was 17. I studied with many great musicians from Brazil and at Unirio University too. I was fortunate to have 2 classes with Ron Carter and a class with Patitucci when I went to NY. This experiences were incredible to me.
Q: If you were on a desert island and could take just 5 pieces of gear, what would they be?
A: My basses, but I have to tell that I love to play piano and acoustic guitar too. I would take them all, but it´s not my best skill to play the last two ones. :)
Q: How would you describe your style?
A: I´ve worked with styles here varying from samba and pop grooves to bossa-nova and jazz, so I can adapt my style in many genres, but I was much into bossa-nova and jazz when I started as a musician.