7 Reasons Les Claypool is Strangely Awesome (+Lesson Tips)

👉 My full beginner bass course: yeah.bassbuzz.com/claypool
Les Claypool - human, or slap bass machine? Or Willie Wonka in disguise? Here’s my take, plus bass lesson tips to match his style.
Sheet music + bass tab for all the Primus riffs I played - www.noteflight.com/scores/vie...
Let’s get right into it - if you’re anything like me, your brain probably exploded when you first heard Les Claypool slapping up a storm on a Primus tune. “How does a human make a bass guitar sound like that?” you may have asked yourself. “How does Josh know what my internal monologue is?” Fair question.
The thing is, Les’s technique actually can be comprehended by mortal minds - I’ll break it down for you, so you can start learning some Primus riffs ASAP.
Then we’ll dig into all things strum. Les plays a lot of bass chords, and combines them with his slap technique to create a lot of his signature bass lines. Again - I’ll break it down, you can copy it and learn Primus riffs. Are you sensing a pattern?
But how the hell does he pick all these weird notes? I’ll dig into a little bit of music theory (hey wait stop running away) to explain why Primus sounds like Primus and not… that weird Hanson mashup that I subject you to in this section of the video.
Time to take a tour of Colonel Claypool’s tapping technique. I’ll show you some of Les’s favorite moves, plus how to approach tapping with his particular style.
Also - Les is the king of weird bass tone. Let’s talk about it. I’ll demonstrate how different he sounds compared to other basses from the same era, and how crucial his tone is to getting the Primus sound.
Finally, we end as all semi-biographical tribute videos must end… with some juicy quotes from Les about the creative process, and a painfully obvious pun based on a Primus song title.
Don’t miss the next video - subscribe here: yeah.bassbuzz.com/subscribe
#LesClaypool #BassLesson #PrimusSucks

[@BassBuzz]

Alright, give it to me straight - I missed your favorite Primus riff, didn’t I? Punish me in the comments, I’ll be running away on the hamburger train. 🍔🚋 Timestamps for this lesson: 0:36 - Slap Bass Sorceror 3:41 - Slap ‘n’ Strum 7:03 - Weird A$$ Notes 10:18 - Tapping Fiend 12:35 - Creativity First 14:40 - Signature Tone 17:16 - Defying Tradition

[@thiccbasscovers]

Love you man, you're a huge inspiration!

[@onezerosevensix]

@@thiccbasscovers the amount of people, young or old, that BazzBuzz has inspired is mesmerising

[@kckillakrack9714]

In 42 been playing bass since I was 8. He's extremely fast thats my big thing on les.

[@davidrichard2098]

Lee Van Cleef

[@merlinaudubon6202]

Not a riff, a reason... Distortion! "My Name is Mud" is a good example...and, of course, Laquerhead.

[@cactustoadwine3755]

Les Claypool literally saved my life once. True story. Me and my old lady ate some random "doses" at a music festival; they tasted bad and we immediately spit them out. This was 2006 and Research chemicals were everywhere. I deduced that it had to be something like DOA, DoB or DOC. Either way, we ended up tripping for at least 72 hours. It was miserable, thought I'd completely lost my mind and I was gonna be insane for ever. We had been lying in our canopy for days with the most horrible, nightmarish hallucinations....unable to even speak to my girfriend. It was like a Hunter S. Thompson novel. And then, on the final day of the festival, a group of my buddies along with Mr. Claypool came and literally dragged the two of us out of our canopy and ("Weekend at Bernies style"). We had VIP tickets and were supposed to be working backstage on lighting. We had a posse of of Les's people prettty much carry us to the backstage area where we could watch the show in peace. It was magical. I've never been told by my favoreite rockstar to " Get up, you're gonna miss the show" { I didn't have a big role in the production of the shpow ( they could have gotten along just fine without me {) He just really wanted me to see the show and get out of my psychedelic horror film. I love that man.!

[@jeffl977]

That is a helluva cool story.

[@aleisterbroley900]

Awesome guy. Did you perchance learn a lesson about tampering with your brain chemistry, especially via unknown chemicals from strangers?

[@CCDaDon15]

@@aleisterbroley900 I once smoked the forbidden strange joint at a Roots concert and immediately learned my lesson.

[@loribernardisunwell9663]

@@aleisterbroley900 I learned everything deserves a second chance 😉

[@EmpyrionBlackthorn]

That's fucking beautiful

[@robscallon]

This was fantastic. I spent so much of my time in middle school trying to figure all this stuff out haha

[@CyberBorg]

Nice to see you here Rob as I delve into bass after playing guitar in my room for however many years its been :)

[@unfunnydave5485]

Nah, it sucked

[@roykato86]

Lol now people like me are trying to figure out your flamenco strumming, Rob😂

[@BassBuzz]

Thanks Rob! Love your videos. WTF at that squiggly whammy bar, I need to hear one of those on bass.

[@ZachNa]

@@BassBuzz Les actually used a whammy on his bass, it always sounded like he was trying to break it.. Though I'm sure you knew that.

[@darrenstansbury4433]

The idea of Primus performing "Tommy the Cat" in the style of Hanson's "Mmmbop" is hilarious.

[@stefanorsan7518]

Almost feel like sending the idea to "there I ruined it for you" Mashup channel

[@JamesDavisakaRemguy]

Agreed, that was *drop-dead* funny and the reason I stopped to leave a comment! O...M...G!!!

[@last808]

You're not wrong about his humility! They came to town around '94 and my friends' local band opened for them. After their set, the members of Primus helped them load their gear off stage and into their van! I had never seen a band that big pitching in like that before or after!

[@slayersupershow]

Talk about humbling. They actually is super real of them.. One more reason I have come to love Primus & Les

[@Mark-db1ok]

Not to mention how they embraced (or started?) the "Primus sucks!" chant. Les never took himself too seriously while still being a mad genius.

[@insederec]

Somewhat small gesture but I can imagine how nice it must have felt to not have as much to lift after a good show especially if you're not as used to it like primus, touring the world and all.

[@ramdas363]

I saw Les in the grocery store and he paid for my Milky Ways.

[@irishchuck2145]

I think we can agree, Les Claypool isn't just a Bass player, he's a mad scientist/ genius with a four and six string laboratory at his fingertips. Thanks for the vid mate, now I'm off to hurt my fingers.......a lot

[@diom00]

He looks like one, for sure

[@ogmudbone2334]

Never seen him play a five string bass

[@ironnads7975]

Never has Les been seen playing a 5 string bass

[@adamjenkins190]

Les is as innovative as they come. Not to mention you have to be phenomenal at what you do to provide the innovation he has.

[@wackyruss]

Les is a Bass Wizard spinning complex lyrical tales over rhythmic bass slappery!

[@izzyreel6730]

Les is a friend to our family. He always shows grace and humility. A really good guy.

[@BassBuzz]

Cool!

[@andrewmurray9898]

Les created a whole universe of characters with his lyrics. Each with there own backstories, struggles and achievements.

[@crayonwriter]

So well said, my man.

[@justaneedlessboi6710]

What's crazy to me is that on top of all those crazy basslines, Les is also singing, like that's some serious coordination

[@BassBuzz]

Totally, no idea how he does it.

[@hughneutron5303]

he can even play a little drums. and lets not forget the WHAMOLA

[@invin7215]

Dayyyyum these videos are well made. No filler, no time wasting, good editing, good demonstrations, clear and easy tabs. My singular thumbs up is not enough.

[@BassBuzz]

Thanks Invin! :)

[@GreyMatterStew]

Yeah, sucks you can't click that thing more than once, so I'll add one.

[@d3one3]

They are also very funny!

[@johncollins5552]

I am just hear for Dee Bass Faces, Dey ees funky!

[@a_wretch_like_me9665]

Les Claypool. The man who made me want to pick up the bass.

[@RychleTube]

I think he’s underrated.

[@Trig242]

Me too! Him and Paul Barker

[@a_wretch_like_me9665]

i saw Primus last year and not only did they play a killer setlist of their own, but they also covered the entire "A Farewell to Kings" album as an homage to Rush. AMAZING. The whole band is underrated IMO. btw, opening band was awesome too, THE SWORD

[@thomashigginsmusic]

@@woody5831 what makes you say he’s overrated? Genuinely curious

[@thomashigginsmusic]

@@woody5831 just cause you can play it doesn’t mean he’s overrated. it’s more his phrasing and technique that make him a unique player than anything else

[@hgfskate]

"We're at an evil carnival and we're gonna die" - the most fantastic description of Les' style I've ever heard

[@michaeleastes1705]

As a 70 year old novice bass player, I know that I can never touch these riffs, but it’s sure entertaining to watch you guys who can.

[@Livsie]

Why? If you believe, it's possible! Try just doing T-F first (2:14), then T-F-P, it's already great fun and not that difficult really.

[@WeWillAlwaysHaveVALIS]

Don't give up dude! I've found that the best track for myself to practice that goes over most of the required techniques and isn't either too difficult too fast is "American Life". Hope that it helps you out dude and all the best for the future.

[@daveshep]

I’m also 70. I’m spending about 45 minutes a day practicing my slapping. I believe it can be done! (I’m not a bass novice, but I’ve never expended any effort learning to slap. My bad.)

[@Sweetmanthanks]

My favorite thing about Primus is that it is it's own genre of music and Les deserves credit for being a pioneer.

[@andybunn5780]

Kinda? It's like if Bootsie Collins and Frank Zappa had a baby that played folk metal. Les even openly admitted that he rips off Zappa constantly.

[@JoshBabin]

Primus is actually the only band with it's own ID3 genre tag: 'Primus'

[@schwermetall666]

The quote "So you can create feeling in music without following the rules - its just gonna be really weird feelings" actually made me laugh because it's so spot-on. Great writing in this episode!

[@SaberToothGary]

"It's called music theory, not music fact... there are no rules." - E. Van Halen

[@Bubu567]

@@SaberToothGary FFS. That's like saying It's called 'school', that's why they serve fish at lunch sometimes. It's just ignorant at worst, a terrible dad joke at best. 'Theory' has more than one meaning.

[@omgvague]

@@Bubu567 “Learn the rules like a pro, so you can break them like an artist” - Pablo Picasso

[@Bubu567]

@@omgvague I wasn't saying that his intentions were wrong, I was just upset that he didn't know he was implying the wrong definition of theory. 2+2=4 is mathematical theory. That doesn't mean it's up for debate. It's a rigorous model that describes how a thing is. Not a guess.

[@omgvague]

@@Bubu567 I understand what you're both saying. I think Picasso's quote is more in line with the point he was trying to get across.

[@ekojar3047]

When I first herd Jerry was a race car driver. I didn't even know it was a bass that I was hearing, I thought it was just a loop of somebody slapping guitar strings that just happened to sound cool. Once I learned it was bass. It flipped my bass world upside-down. And I was hooked on Primus .

[@corlissimo]

So, you were… “Fish on” then.

[@MrEliakimRAS]

I usually do not write comments, but your video impressed me. At first I thought it was just a clickbaity video, but you really dissected Les' tone: I learned a lot. Bravo!

[@BassBuzz]

Thanks Eliakim!

[@FrancoisCantine]

Big Primus fan here! Les is also a great guy, 15 years ago a friend of mine send him an email and asked him to use his music in a movie made as a college assignement. Les answered with a big thumb up and say that she can used wherever song she wants, no problems. Also, my favorite sont is The Return of Sathington Willoughby!

[@WhyDoIKeepFuckinUp]

That sucks!

[@holidayonion]

Les' vocals over Mmmbop is the most cursed thing i've heard in a while. Also, fantastic video! I've never really been interested in learning slap bass until now. This vid is easy to follow and does a very good job of breaking down the technique so a relative bass noob like myself can understand it and follow along. Might be putting down the pick for a few days.

[@adamgufbeam1560]

I literally lol'd at the Les/Hanson mash-up. Frikkin' Brilliant!

[@bryanlarsen2330]

That was hilarious

[@stefandinus7701]

Pick? For bass? Sacrilege!

[@holidayonion]

@@stefandinus7701 I like the stronger attack I get with a pick, plus the vast majority of my bass heroes play with a pick.

[@stefandinus7701]

@@holidayonion I can't hold a pick, nor use a pick, to save my life. There are a few I'd like to play that use it, but I'm incapable lol

[@p7dickens23]

Les is straight up funky. I have seen Primus twice in concert and Les did not disappoint.

[@blendofdays]

When I was a teen, I had friends that were a PRIMUS cover band & they legit knew how to play. Being able to sit in their basement & watch them was incredible. Two of the three were brothers & they were from a musical family who played mostly bluegrass.

[@ReverendRaff]

I love it when a musician breaks all the damn rules and creates something truly unique. I played some KoRn tribute shows a little while back and had to un-learn so much about what was the "right" way to set up & play the bass, as well as the way the amp "should" sound. Sometimes you gotta colour outside the lines to make great art.

[@craigoliver3709]

That's the problem with most bands now,this is how drums,this is how guitar sound etc and the use the same set ups

[@Gorbyrev]

Very very impressive. I salute you for taking the time and trouble to get your waggly fingers around Sir Claypools riffs of wonder and mystery. Most pleasing.

[@BassBuzz]

Thanks Mark!

[@zolfodor4835]

Primus were/are way ahead of the time, unbelievable musicians, absolutely love,Les,Larry & Tim. ❤️🎸🤘

[@cynthiawertin8323]

At 59 yrs old I am a fan of Primus and Les Claypool, the Brown album hooked me. I collected stacks of magazine articles. I've never had the pleasure to see them play but I would watch MTV to see their videos. My favorites, it's incredibly hot in here today, reminding me of my groupie days. And over the falls, an obvious fret of getting married. PRIMUS rules.

[@ampthebassplayer]

I've had a lot of people ask me for a Les Claypool video, but this is far and away better than anything I could have ever come up with. I especially appreciate the advice to just listen to an album all the way through. Listening to music is such an overlooked part of getting good at your instrument.

[@beerzerker8359]

Les is one of those bass players who encompasses the rhythm guitar aspects into his playing to fill in the void that is often left by Larry's guitar parts so well.

[@cozymonk]

One my favorite things about a Les Claypool show is how he tells these wild anecdotes between almost every song. Some are more exciting than others and some are down-right mundane, but they're all weird.

[@MegaRudeBoy69]

I remember the first time i brought Frizzle Fry. I popped the tape in my Walkman and proceeded down the street, the first few notes sent shivers down my spine and by the time i got home my skull was blown wide open, i was in tears. Les had totally changed the way i saw and heard a bass, the possibilities became endless.

[@aprilkurtz1589]

Fisticuffs is filthy. Jerry Was a Racecar Driver is dirty. I love Les. Loved his work with Buckethead, too.

[@sanjoaquinvalleytransparency1]

So legit. Love Primus

[@WhyDoIKeepFuckinUp]

How could you not?

[@BruceLeeKingoftheSewers]

Primus sucks!

[@WhyDoIKeepFuckinUp]

@@BruceLeeKingoftheSewers Wednesday night is gonna suck!

[@Raymondo4444]

Please do one of these for thundercat! Your videos have been a huge help for me in getting back into bass. Appreciate the high quality content you put out.

[@lancegould]

I just thought I would mention also, Ler is/was the perfect counterpart with his own type of insanity balancing out the music.

[@fivestring65ify]

Les is in a league of his own. He's amazing. Great video.

[@BassBuzz]

Thanks Jimmy!

[@ihatestupidpeople2424]

Les is the league.

[@wesleybrehm9386]

You're easily one of the best bass teachers I've ever had. I learned more from your beginner to badass course in about a month than I did in 10 years of lessons with more classical teachers.

[@BassBuzz]

Thanks Wesley!

[@jaybee6701]

I once read that another way he gets the mid range nasal sound on the bass is by the way he strings it, he uses nickel rounds, but instead of your standard 4 string 40 60 80 100, he uses 2) 60s and 2) 80s. This also makes both the chords and dissonance sing more noticeably, especially using strums and harmonics.

[@tedmerrick935]

As non musician but a primus fan this was a really good breakdown of his style.

[@neoballast]

I liked this video for countless reasons but I'll count some main ones in no particular order: 1) primus yay 2) fun references and sound bites 3) nicely played 4) nicely explained 5) You always look so young - the videos of you being at school remind me that you once looked even younger 6) taking breaks does help creativity, so does playing Tony hawk sometimes 7) I like the dissonance, it's fun just to play where fingers wander on a fret board and see what sounds are produced 8) such a well put together thought out video, great job!

[@supremoadze]

I CANNOT say thank you enough for those tabs brother, freaking love you for gifting them to us

[@BassBuzz]

You're very welcome!

[@danielvillalobos4265]

I'm a longtime guitar player and music producer who started out on bass many, many years ago. I don't really watch this channel to learn anything. I watch this channel purely for the enjoyment of really well-made, professional bass playing YT content. Please keep up the good work Josh & everyone at BB.

[@borisos9832]

What a king! Making Les Claypool seem approachable, in such a casual way, what a video!

[@RychleTube]

You are a monster, Josh! The ultimate display of your skill. Thank you for an amazing video

[@shinaniganz4453]

The amount of effort that went into each video is awesomely insane. Making tabs, research, and putting original music in the background as you play omg😭 Good job man

[@4g63t8]

What a complete breakdown of his sound. Amazing.

[@Shayne_Mushin]

You have a new fan. Amazing playing, good explanations, tab included (this is vital and often missed), and hilarious to boot. Nice work

[@akcharlie1960]

Outstanding breakdown of a pretty awesome bass pioneer. Thank you sir.

[@louispatterson9859]

Yo that's a clean vid. Snappy and quick, edits are crispy, and Primus is poppin. A well-made video and great subject matter. I still struggle with fret slaps and hope to get better at it soon!

[@markthompson8397]

Such a great bassist! Flawless technique. I love your content.. your approach to teaching is fun and keeps it interesting.

[@kentabenno]

Never was much into Primus, I was aware of the genius of Les Claypool, but having the riffs broken down by you just opened my eyes!! Gonna check out some of those great riffs tomorrow!

[@FriscoKittens]

What a well made music instruction video. I'm a guitarist, not a bassist, yet I watched this whole video because it's just so well done. Good stuff!

[@andyt1974]

Long time Primus fan here. I'm not a musician, so for me this video provides really great insight into how Les creates all those weird noises and ear candy on his bass. It helps me to appreciate his genius. Primus is original and there is nobody that sounds just like them. The combination of talented players, quirky music, funny lyrics, and Les's bad ass bass sound makes them one of my favorite bands ever.

[@teefiz5265]

Man.... this video was great! I very rarely sit down and watch anything over 5 minutes. But this popped up and I wound up glued to the screen. The humor is actually good and not forced, the playing and explanations are spot on. I'm a big Primus fan and have played stringed instruments off and on the last 20 years.

[@Frederick0220]

This guy’s understanding of the bass is off the charts! Incredibly well done

[@idbuythatfora4223]

This was a really well done video. Im not learning bass but always loved primus and just the pacing of the video and insights are all really well executed.

[@Kcali111]

Les is in fact AWESOME and watching him play bass is hypnotic... 🎶💞🌟

[@rogeralcantara]

This is one of the most in depth and super fun deep dive into Les' wizardry. Thank you.

[@kristynholding4628]

Thank you, Les! And thank you for a beautifully informative video.

[@patrickgrant898]

Welcome back to KZbin Josh!! Great to have you and BassBuzz back! If you’re up for suggestions, I would love to see these kind of videos on Funk bassists like Larry Graham, Louis Johnson and Verdine White as well, especially since funk and disco is what inspired me to pick up the bass. But even then, you’ve encouraged me to widen my tastes to rock bassists like Flea, Steve Harris and now Les Claypool, so for that I have to thank you. Keep Rockin’!!!

[@BassBuzz]

Great suggestions Patrick! Love all those dudes, big inspirations for me too.

[@ZiggyHernandez]

I started playing bass in ‘91 after hearing ‘Tommy The Cat’ for the first time. I’ve been learning Les’ style ever since and I can categorically say he is not of this world

[@ryanderoche3330]

I don't play bass but I really appreciated this video! Gave me a whole new appreciation for Les's abilities and the music that he makes. I'll be going back and listening to the full Primus catalog!

[@xtlmeth]

Great video! The attention to detail and quality is incredible.

[@philipmcadam5339]

Thank you, Josh. Informative, educational and enjoyable, the magic triad.

[@jamesmarkham7489]

Les has said he uses extremely light guage strings which might be why his sound is a bit thinner or midrangey. I tried doing this and it was very hard to adjust to.

[@QaysSyed]

I believe he said the trick to his sound was stringing his bass AAGG with it still tuned to EADG, making chords sound better. Since then I believe he’s moved on to 40-100 gauges

[@andrepereira744]

@@QaysSyed I know about the AA, but first time hearing GG! That's cool.

[@QaysSyed]

@@andrepereira744 I’ve tried it myself and it makes Primus songs so much easier to play. The problem is that it’s terribly unbalanced and not good for literally any other band

[@andrepereira744]

@@QaysSyed Yea, I sure can imagine that! Thanks bro

[@darbl.musica]

Excellent! A very complete and didactical class. I laughed with the Hanson - Primus mashup. I'm a fan of Primus since high school. Thanks!

[@tinnerste2507]

Liked how u did that. Just listened to you talking for quater an hour, pick up my bass and play tipical claypool stuff. Well done, gonna watch some more.

[@Shodan99]

I have been a Claypool fan since I was 12! Even though I always wanted to play bass and emulate his sound, it has always been so intimidating. Thank you for this breakdown, it has re-inspired this now 42 yr old to pick up a bass and just start to learn.

[@BassBuzz]

Nice, welcome to the bass family Derek!

[@goexre]

Finally! Les is really a great bass player. And he affected so much my "style", I guess, strumming and wierd intervals, that's my love. Thanks for video.

[@BassBuzz]

You're welcome!

[@TyphonKrazilec]

Primus is one of my major influences. From them I got freedom in playing what I feel is right, not just what is awaited from me. Thanks for that video.

[@dunxy]

Thanks for the lesson and tabs, cant wait to try them out!

[@albondigaconpatas6996]

So I can't express how glad I am to have found you at the same time I started playing bass just over a year ago. Out of all the content, your lessons have provided the most real application of technique and how to honestly enjoy this instrument. I've always wanted to learn to play bass and you've helped me accomplish the start of this journey. The hardest part was learning to push through the hard times where you feel you can't do it, then I watch your videos and there I am again, doing my best to stretch 4 frets with my little hands. Thank you for being you and allowing us to see you through your lessons.

[@tyrfree5733]

Practice 5 mins a day. Don't skip. You WILL get better. Scales.

[@kevinmyles6369]

Because of Primus and Les in particularly i got to love and understand the importance and role of the bass in a band in my early teens during zillion guitar based 90's rock era (grunge, alt rock, nu metal, britpop) cool video btw! Much kuddo's!

[@barlasovski6723]

Definitely subbed man, awesome work and very clear explanation❤❤

[@breezykramer2721]

Amazing video(s).. you're really a true inspiration to the bass world. Def reminded me why I started playing the bass, thanks to Les. Keep up the awesome teachings.

[@wackyruss]

I was in 10th Grade School Orchestra playing String Bass in 1993 when I saw the video for Mr. Krinkle late at night on MTV. My mind was blown. Never had I heard an upright bass played with heavy distortion and a bow! That fateful night started a musical journey of bass wizardry for me! Les Claypool inspired me to teach myself slap bass guitar which was the same tuning as the upright bass I played in orchestra. Claypool opened up a weird, warped, and bizarre world of strange yet funky music outside the classical realm I had no idea existed! Since then I’ve played in several bands over the years from Texas to Kazakhstan and from China to California! I’ve also been to more PRIMUS & Claypool side project concerts than I can count on two hands!

[@buzzcomber]

In Australia we had a late night video show called Rage. Mr. Krinkle was the first video I had ever seen or heard from Primus, but the weirdness got me hooked.

[@VandalJace]

The bullboard misses you!!

[@thomashigginsmusic]

Seems like more people are getting into Primus recently been seeing a lot of content covering them

[@victorprokop2240]

youtube reccomended sucks

[@monkishogun5394]

We all picked up bass during covid. Primus was inevitable

[@primalp83]

It's a good thing if more people listen to them, I'll seem less weird to my mates lol primus sucks 🤘

[@redlight3932]

The internet bro

[@WhyDoIKeepFuckinUp]

I’m just soooo glad they’re still touring and making music. A lot of Primus fan’s kids are now fans and old enough to attend shows.

[@christophermitchell2780]

This was excellent. I find your material educational, motivating, and entertaining. Keep on rocking!

[@jessegarrett7215]

I watched this video a few months ago because I like Primus then I got sucked into a bass well, bought an acoustic bass and started playing. Thanks for the great videos

[@knight_vortex]

I have watched this video at least 7-8 times it’s so amazing I never get bored

[@darrenbasso5981]

I loved antipop too. I moved to Portland from SF in 1999. I found antipop in Walgreens and was floored. I loved the sound of this album. Your video is fantastic by the way.

[@jeffl977]

dude, outstanding video. I've been playing guitar about 3 decades, took a +5-year break (who knows why - but sure feelin it) and decided to roll back in with bass. Big fan of Geddy, Flea, McCartney and so many others but recently strangely obsessed with Claypool. Appreciate the insight!

[@IRgEEK]

I play a bit of everything but just now trying to up my bass game so I thank u kindly for this perfectly timed post!

[@jamesmelissawhite4807]

Great vid bro claypool is who got me into bass in the early 90's. ( just a heads up tommy the cat wasn't originally played on 6 string that song was on suck on this which was way before the six string phase and then they later released on the seas of cheese album)

[@BassBuzz]

Good catch on the Suck on This version James! I just think of the Seas of Cheese recording as "the" reference point.

[@jeredalmeida1880]

When I saw them in 97, he played Tommy The Cat with a mid 60's 4 string Fender Jazz. Plus played an alternate solo in the middle of the song.

[@herbertwildey2349]

@@jeredalmeida1880 Yep, I have seen videos of him in the late 90s using a fender jazz on stage. I didn't realize he used a jazz bass at all, I just thought he thought it looked better in the Wynonna video but I had it in my head that he didn't really play it. Anyways, great video!

[@herbertwildey2349]

@@BassBuzz True, you can hear the difference from both versions....but does he actually need to use the 6 string, the whole song is still played on E A D G right?

[@slopemat]

That mmbop Tommy the cat Mashup almost made me spit out my food

[@sambennett5203]

One of your best vids. So well researched and played. Thank you!

[@peggyh8937]

Excellent explanation and demonstration! Thank you!

[@TheAktivision]

The fact he does vocals, too. Legend

[@LincolnGTX]

For me, Les Claypool is just on another level, the ease while is playing and relaxed approach is something else... Also, Primus is one of those love it or hate it bands. Awesome video.

[@Dorff_Meister]

Love Claypool. Especially love seeing him live solo, but always happy to see Primus, too.

[@MrBeer311]

Thank you for your patronage to some unique living legends. I love Tim Alexander from Primus 👍

[@CGCEifel]

The Frizzle Fry album did a lot for me back in the day. Still love it. Primus is just unique.

[@Deadsea_1993]

Les got me into bass alongside some other bass players, but he was the main one. The absolute crazy thing is that Les was self taught

[@janetdougan3101]

Best tutorial I have ever seen. Most appreciated sir.

[@wishicouldshowmyname5815]

Glad to hear from a Les follower. In the 90's, I went to three finger playing and mostly never went back. Have my own sound but never forget my influences. You kick my ass, and very good video. I learned a lot. Thank you for the video.

[@BassBuzz]

You're welcome!

[@christianreyes6347]

Yo you’re the best Josh you literally gave me the foundation for all my amateur musicianship I feel like if I didn’t stumble upon bass buzz I would’ve never kept going. You’re a wonderful instructor and I think you understand the power of knowledge !! Thank you hope you see this haha.

[@BassBuzz]

Thanks Christian! And yes I see every comment. :)

[@kimmykimkan]

This helped me break out of my own box of musical creativity. This coming as a guitar player. So good. Had the opportunity to see claypool once in Winnipeg front row right in front of the man himself. He shook my girlfriend (at the time) brother's hand. Greatest part is that my girlfriends father got the tickets just for me and him. My girlfriends dad was an huge primus fan, and gifted it to both of us. He went out for drinks with qotsa. F***ING legend. And saw pink floyd in 94. Miss him dearly. Again as primarily a guitar player. Subscribed!

[@javiertorres6995]

My younger brother Pach was a bass player and a Primus/Claypool fan that was killed 30 years ago in Richmond, VA. I cried watching your awesome video imagining how he would have loved to have seen it. Thank you!

[@trapkat8213]

Top class video. Not just informative and entertaining but also very well produced.

[@sethseymour2917]

I stack all these videos in my "tutorials" playlist. I just started playing. I can't play at all but his videos are truly inspiring.

[@dannybos7024]

Can we get a lesson on Jason Newsted and how to use a pick? :)

[@NoMoreMrNice]

Just make sure Lars isn’t around. He’ll turn your bass volume all the way down.

[@dannybos7024]

@@NoMoreMrNice That’d be shitpost of the century. Just a video of how to play like Jason but with zero bass tones.

[@haolekoa737]

Matt Freeman would be even better.

[@aleisterbroley900]

@@dannybos7024 or just randomly throughout the video, have the bass sound cut out and replace it with the sound of off-time typewriter noises

[@foginthemist]

This was a fantastic breakdown thank you sir