ARTIST FEATURE: From singing to classical bass – from band to symphony orchestras. Meet Nate Farrington, principal double bassist of the LA Opera! We couldn’t be happier that he agreed to answer a few questions for us in this week’s artist feature:

1) How do you practice your rhythm and sense of time?

I try to ask myself what role rhythm is playing in the moment and then determine the best way to attack it. Sometimes that’s with a metronome, other times it’s about investing harder in listening in the group.

2) What are your favorite rhythmic exercises?

Playing in a band away from classical music demands rhythm from me in a very different, very helpful way. It’s my favorite rhythmic exercise.

I try to ask myself what role rhythm is playing in the moment and then determine the best way to attack it.

3) What exotic rhythms do you like and what can we learn from it?

I think that folk rhythms demand a feel and a comfort level that you can’t just fake. It takes time to have a relationship with certain lilts and the right types of back rhythms. Sometimes they’re exotic, sometimes they’re simple, but it’s never easy to get them just right.

4) Can you name one thing that you like about the metronome on metronomeonline.com?

I love that Metronome Online is a place to go for more than a machine. seeing and hearing from fabulous players across lots of genres keeps me thinking about the role rhythm plays in all of our lives.

VIDEO: Check out this one man band rendition of Anna Kendrick’s Cup Song done by Nathan Farrington: