From Six Strings to Five – Vihaan’s Bass Journey

Vihaan Varior began his musical journey at Trill Route as a guitarist, building a solid foundation over three years. His transition to the bass guitar happened during a band camp hosted at Trill Route, where a surplus of guitarists led to him being asked to try the bass instead. Though he had never played the instrument before, he took it on with curiosity. That moment proved to be a turning point- quickly connected with the bass and made a full switch soon after. For the past year, he has been studying bass at Trill Route, now playing a 5-string Cort bass guitar, which has become central to his musical identity.

Vihaan’s teacher, notes that his interest, willingness to learn, and discipline are what truly make him stand out. He maintains a regular practice routine and intentionally selects songs that are difficult for him, with the belief that with focused effort, he’ll be able to master them. He approaches each challenge with quiet confidence, setting goals that go well beyond his current level and then working steadily to meet them. This combination of ambition and consistency continues to drive his growth as a musician.

He is currently preparing for Grade 5 of the RSL (Rockschool) syllabus, having received strong encouragement and positive feedback from his mentors, who expect him to score nothing less than a distinction. Vihaan also actively participates in his school’s music culture, especially events like Battle of the Bands, where he enjoys being involved in collaborative performance settings. Beyond playing, he is building an interest in music production, particularly in the electronic music space, which adds another layer to his development as an artist.

Vihaan draws inspiration from a wide and eclectic range of artists and bands, including System of a Down, JPEGMAFIA, Lupe Fiasco and Weather Report, which reflects his engagement with jazz fusion, metal, and progressive rock. These influences shape his approach to playing and composing, encouraging him to experiment with time signatures, rhythms, and layered musical textures. His bond with the bass guitar goes beyond proficiency, he connects with it deeply and expresses himself through it with clarity and intent. As Glen puts it, “I know Vihaan loves the instrument because of the way he plays it.” That relationship between player and instrument is central to his identity. Looking ahead, Vihaan continues to build not just his skills but his voice as a musician- someone driven by curiosity and creativity.