Avi Karmacharya: Bass Prodigy

A video of Avi playing

Avi Karmacharya, a 13-year-old Nepalese-American bass player, performed at Starland Ballroom last summer, where he played 16 songs. This was his first time playing that many songs in one show, as his previous performance only included two songs.

Performance at Starland Ballroom

Avi performed 16 songs at the Starland Ballroom. He described feeling nervous before the show but became excited once on stage. The most difficult song for him during the concert was “Welcome to the Jungle,” which he learned in one lesson. His aunts, uncles, and grandparents from Nepal attended the show. Before the performance, he practiced extensively and later rated the experience 10/10.

Bass Playing and Practice

Avi has been playing bass for almost three years. He considers “Runaway” to be the hardest song he knows. While he does not practice consistently, he still makes time to improve his skills.

Recognition and First Paycheck

Before going on stage, he was told he would be paid like a session musician. He received his first paycheck of $50 for performing at Starland Ballroom. His name was announced multiple times, and the audience recognized him. His parents were proud of his performance.

Future in Music

Avi was informed that bass players are rare and was told he has potential as a session musician. He was also offered a job opportunity in the future.