“Shania Twain got me into alternate tunings. I use them a lot on gigs now, and they’ve seeped into my solo stuff”: What session bass supremo Derek Frank learned from playing with pop’s A-listers – and how he brings it to his own music

Derek Frank poses with Fender and Ernie Ball Music Man bass guitars.

Much has changed since Derek Frank offered up an unforgettable quote: “You don’t get gigs by staying in your bedroom practicing all day and posting Instagram and YouTube videos.” While he laughs about being “proven wrong,” the new reality hasn’t changed his ways.

Frank still believes in tried-and-true methods, like recording live in the studio with a band, gigging as often as possible, establishing industry contacts and putting in exhaustive effort.