Federico Barluzzi on SoundBetter

Professional, high quality, creative and punchy bass lines in just a few hours for your recording, this is what I offer!

I'm a professional Italian bass player who has been playing for 15 yrs. I play across many different styles like: pop, rock, reggae, funk, soul, RnB, motown, jazz, etc. Having this range, I've recorded on different projects with singer/songwriters and have performed with many artists on the live music circuit. Thanks to these performances, I have played in pubs, theatres, restaurants, luxury private events, resorts (local and overseas), amphitheaters, outdoor music festivals and concerts, giving me heaps of experience.

I'm an open minded musician, who listens to lots of music styles and artists, which helps my creative process when I write bass lines. If you send me your project, I'll be sure to turn up the heat and add some spicy bass grooves.

Gear that I use:

-' 69 Fender Jazz Bass,
- NYBW Cremona 5,
- NYBW RS5,
- '91 Fender Precision A/E fretless,
- Squier Vintage modified P-Bass, (Black nylon strings),
- Sire Marcus Miller V7 5 strings,
- Novation Bass Station II,
- Aguilar Tone Hammer DI,
- Focusrite Saffire Pro 40,
- Macbook Pro,
- Logic Pro X

Send me a note through the contact button above.

2 Reviews - 1 Repeat Client

Endorse Federico Barluzzi

by Benjamin J.
Verified
This was my second time working with Federico. Once again, he gave me a perfect bass line for my song. I had sent Federico my demo with a reference bass line that I wanted him to emulate. He and I talked about it, and Federico's ideas were so good that we ended up re-writing most of the bass part. Thanks to his talent as a writer too, the new bass line is MUCH better than my original bass line. Federico is a very great communicator and he delivers his work on time. I highly recommend him.
by Benjamin J.
Verified
It was a pleasure to work Federico. Not only is he a terrific bass player, he is also a true professional. He and I communicated well with each other, and it was obvious when I first heard his performance that Federico put a lot thought and care into his performance. He is very knowledgeable about music and delivered an excellent, high-quality bass part for my pop-jazz song. He also met my deadline with ease. I would definitely recommend Federico to anyone who needs a really good bassist.

Interview with Federico Barluzzi

Q: What are you working on at the moment?
A: At the moment I'm working with two original projects, one is an original 11 pieces funk band called "Re:Funk", and the other is an original jazz/fusion quintet called "Final Step" with four studio albums recorded and released, and appearances at many important jazz festivals in Europe, like "Estival Jazz", "Bad Homburg Jazz Festival".
Q: What's the biggest misconception about what you do?
A: The biggest misconception is that being a musician is not a real job and that it cannot be made a career. Instead, people think that it's just a hobby, and something that I do in my free time.
Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?
A: I ask as many questions as I need, in order to understand what the client is looking for and leave them 100% satisfied. Some questions that I ask are: - Do you have any references to share with me, regarding the bassline you are after? - How much freedom do I have on the bassline? - Do you have a particular sound in mind?
Q: What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?
A: Chase me! Lol, I'm just kidding! Don't be afraid to drop me a line. I'm an easy-going professional who can't wait to work on your next track.
Q: What was your career path? How long have you been doing this?
A: First, I started with the piano when I was 10. After three years, I fell in love with the bass and so I started playing it, and I have never stopped. Now, I'm 33 years old and I've been playing professionally for fifteen years. I'm a session player, performer and bass educator. I love music and I couldn't live without it. My dad is a drummer and my mentor as well, so I started playing in his R&B band. That experience gave me a great foundation in terms of rhythm, groove and vocabulary. After that experience, I started working in many other bands, locally and abroad, playing lots of different styles of music, and in front of every kind of crowd. And till this day I continue to work in different live projects. But, I’ve also had the opportunity to work in studio and record on a few albums, for original musical projects- from instrumental to singer-songwriter projects. Recording for different artists has been a great experience because it’s given me the opportunity to grow my creativity, and every time is different. That’s the reason why I joined this platform, to keep growing and because I really love being a part of the puzzle that each artist is trying to complete.
Q: Analog or digital and why?
A: Even if the digital world has reached high levels and is quite in demand, the analog sound is unbeatable. It's warmer and more personal and gives more of a dimension.
Q: What's your 'promise' to your clients?
A: I'll be professional, proficient, and engaged. I'll serve the song and deliver the best result.
Q: What questions do customers most commonly ask you? What's your answer?
A: The most common questions are: Are you interested in this project? Do you like the sound? Could you bring something interesting to the track? To answer these kinds of questions, I prefer to be honest and chose to work on projects that are in-line with my musical preferences, and that give me the possibility to express myself musically.
Q: What do you like most about your job?
A: First of all, I like doing what I love. Being a creative is the best part of being a musician. It keeps you inspired and I will never stop.
Q: Is there anyone on SoundBetter you know and would recommend to your clients?
A: I'm new to SoundBetter and look forward to making connections and working with different people from all over the world.
Q: What other musicians or music production professionals inspire you?
A: As a bass player I have a lot of bassists that have inspired and keep inspiring me. To name a few: James Jamerson, Paul Mc Cartney, Jaco Pastorius, Rocco Prestia, Gary Williis, Dario Deidda, Pino Palladino and many many others. One of the greatest producers that I love is Quincy Jones. He has done everything in the music business, in every genre and at the highest levels possible.
Q: How would you describe your style?
A: I'm Italian, with an American music background. I've grown up listening to Jazz, Soul, Funk, Gospel and more; all genres that aren't grounded in the culture of my country. So, my style is American oriented for the groove, rhythm and tightness, but with an Italian melodic lyricism.
Q: What type of music do you usually work on?
A: I'm an open minded musician with a lot of experience in different genres, so I'm able to play from Rock to Jazz. But my main genres are Funk, RnB, Soul,Jazz all the black music.
Q: What's your strongest skill?
A: I'm professional. When it's time to work, I work hard in order to obtain the best results that I can, to leave my clients satisfied.
Q: What do you bring to a song?
A: I bring what I am. My soul, my vibes, my taste and all the best that I can.
Q: What's your typical work process?
A: First of all, I would like to communicate with my clients, to make sure that I clearly understand their needs and what they're searching for from me. Then, I listen accurately to the song a few times, to try to imagine what I could play on it. After that, I start recording a few takes, to make sure that I have different options to offer to the client. Then, I send the track to my clients and wait for their opinions. I would like that my clients are a 100% satisfied, so I'm open to accept their suggestions and requests as much as possible, without imposing my ego.
Q: Tell us about your studio setup.
A: My home studio is simple and efficient. I use an IMac with Logic Pro X, Saffire Pro 40 as audio interface, Aguilar Tone Hammer or a Radial JDI as a DI. I also have the possibility to use two different cabinets (Epifani UL 4x10/ EBS 2x10) to catch the sound of the amp and mixed with the sound of the DI.
Q: Describe the most common type of work you do for your clients.
A: I provide the foundation of a song, the backbone, the thing that you can really feel but is hard to describe...I provide bass lines!
Q: If you were on a desert island and could take just 5 pieces of gear, what would they be?
A: 1) my bass 2) my bass 3) my bass 4) my bass 5) maybe some music to listen to?!?!!
Q: Tell us about a project you worked on you are especially proud of and why. What was your role?
A: I recently completed my first job on SoundBetter, with a great songwriter and piano player, where I worked on an amazing arrangement of a famous song by the Beatles. It was a really positive experience and I'm grateful to have been chosen, even if I didn't have any reviews on my profile.
Q: Which artist would you like to work with and why?
A: There are many artists from different genres that I would like to work with, but one in particular is Jacob Collier. He is such a talented and inspiring artist because he is so creative, and his conception of music is vast and mind-blowing. I imagine that working with him would help me grow as a musician, as he has no limits.
Q: Can you share one music production tip?
A: Stay true to yourself in the production process, because that's the difference between you and another musician. At the same time, listen to your client's needs and don't let your ego overshadow the process. Serving the song is the most important thing...but with your signature!