Advanced Bass Soloing made Easy with Gary Willis

Ever get in a rut soloing?
Ever wonder how to make your solo lines more...modern? Interesting? Dare I say, sexy? Even over something as basic as a minor chord?
(Ever wonder what makes Gary sound like...Gary?)
Today’s video is the cure for what ails you.
Here’s what we’ll cover:
- A “magic trick” using pentatonics to add dimension to your solos instantly
- Which pentatonics to use in a key to sound fresh, instead of repetitive
- How to incorporate the blues, and sound soulful and modern at the same time
- A simple fretting exercise that will keep this musical, so you never sound like you’re playing a pattern
- And much more
And, once again, that’s all taken from just a tiny bit of The Gary Willis Masterclass.
If you want to get the complete canon - everything I learned from Gary that transformed my playing, plus 3 live seminars with Gary, just follow this link:
Scott :)
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[@bryanperez4505]

Title should be: Soloing over Porn Music made Easy with Gary Willis :)

[@markaspinall1619]

next album huge wands and deep holes lol

[@darrenclark9776]

😂😂😂

[@throwingbacktheapple]

lol take a shot every time he hits the space bar.

[@rodrigodepierola]

"Soloing made easy" and then he shows blazing 32nds, yup, easy peasy lemon squeezy

[@iantruax17]

Rodrigo de Piérola more like difficult difficult lemon difficult 😂

[@shaespringer5824]

@MomoTheBellyDancer so true ..gotta try to start slow and then gradually increase the speed

[@noblehillministerprophet8689]

Dezy cheesy weezy

[@noblehillministerprophet8689]

New English = dictionary ,slimy chimy yummy tummy

[@johngill8851]

yeah pre chill dog

[@W.O.P.R]

Gary had a website back in the early 2000’s and responded to my story about my dog Chance and posted it on his website. That was my intimate connection with Gary. Love this man

[@AndyGoodstuff]

My dad has the album Illicit by Tribal Tech. I remember being a kid and hearing him listening to mad jazz fusion music on his hi-fi and had no idea what it was until I came back to it as a teenager when I started playing guitar. The Big Wave will always be the absolute definition of that genre in my head. Absolutely incredible musicianship. That was my first time hearing Gary Willis.

[@lt_johnmcclane]

AndyGoodstuff your dad sounds like a cool guy

[@pneumatic00]

You'd enjoy the next 3-4 albums by Tribal Tech just as much.

[@antonchizhov4419]

But the maddest composition from Illicit is definitely "Babylon". You can hear the biblical motive of formation of languages out of a singular one and the motion, dynamics are crazy. The first time I heard this album, was the moment I fell in love with Tribal Tech.

[@PeacefulThinker1010]

Thank you for the video. I am a keyboard player who attended M.I in the 90's. Mr. Willis is by far my favorite player. I had the pleasure to watch him play live (Tribal Tech) and it was an eye opening experience. After watching Tribal Tech's live concert, my guitar playing friend ripped the G3 poster on the wall in his apartment. Gary Willis, Scott Henderson, Kirk Covington, and Scott Kinsey are way ahead of their time. True visionaries! Please get together and play again!

[@SimonDelgadoSimusik]

I’ve been also a Gary Willis student, only for a brief period of time while I lived in Barcelona. Huge inspiration, and when he spoke to you, the words he chooses to make you understand are invaluable. In my 40s still my number 1 musical artist.

[@gallollibre2657]

First time I heard Gary Willis was with Tribal tech. one of my favorite bands. WOW!

[@seangeist9495]

First time I saw Gary Willis was at Bass Day, when it was still in NYC. I believe it was 1998. Of all the phenomenal bassists featured throughout the day (and hanging in the booths), I thought he was the most mind-blowing. He was the most unpredictable; that sound and technique are quite unique. If you're not ready for it, it'll kick your ass! In a very good way. Never forgot that, never will.

[@bobpickett2001]

Why would anyone want to make themselves look stupid by giving this a hands down. The 4 that did just exposed themselves as either duffs or, they know nothing about playing an instrument. Thanks Gary Willis and Scott. This is a real eye opener as it comes to soloing.

[@SendilSelvan]

Sometimes it is indescribable with words to convey just how indescribable a soul that dwells within certain musicians. With someone like Sri Sri Gary Willis it’s hard to tell whether his soul encapsulates music or vice versa. It is a blessing to be born in this day and age of Internet to listen and learn from the greatest greats of our time. Thank you is a feeble attempt to convey the deepest sense of admiration and adoration 🙏🏽😌❤️

[@hugocox4995]

Tone is fucking stunning and wealth of knowledge whattttt my lord I mean I’ve had some good jazz teachers but these little tricks and ‘simple ‘ ideas are so genius 🥶😃💪🏽💪🏽🔥

[@och70]

Gary Willis' right hand technique is one of the coolest things I've ever seen. Makes you think about your own playing in a totally different way.

[@sansocie]

Truth

[@IndigoBass]

Just now was the first time I’ve heard Gary Willis 👀

[@lt_johnmcclane]

Indigo Bass check out his solo album Bent and his work with Tribal Tech

[@ts4gv]

welcome to the ibanez crew :)

[@czarpaul01]

Listen to a nomad from Tribal Tech. You won’t be sorry

[@monkeybusiness673]

@@czarpaul01 Hooo boy. Thanks for that!

[@sonusancti]

Hi. When I first listened to Got Tuh B, I was hooked. Gary had that Jaco vibe with stellar ad libs. Only You Tube made this possible. My playlists are in the thousands now.

[@trichards109]

Gary Willis is insane! I can’t wait for the Masterclass!

[@MishMuzic]

First time that I saw Gary was with Phil Upchurch at the Hollywood Bowl in the 80’s. Maybe even earlier. I instantly heard his brilliance.

[@jeradjenkins2110]

I love how every music youtuber asks, “So when you do that, are you thinking of notes?”. And then the answer is always “No.”

[@DampRabbitVideo]

My first time was about '85 at NAMM. He was in a sound booth playing with guitarist Wayne Johnson and I remember he had two Tobias Basics in ash, one fretted one fretless.

[@jdubbs9655]

Scott, late to the bonfire on this. Firstly, thank you for sharing this golden moment with us! I really respect Gary and wish the youth restoration technology would cross paths with him and provide some well deserved longevity. He is worthy! Secondly, have you approached Gary on allowing you to capture a FULL library of I.R's from him for educational purposes? Somebody better be veraciously be on a quest to do this from ALL of our legendary players. If all we have is visual and audio archives without tapping into algorithms produced from these ICONS to our craft then we will be doomed to rediscover the advances they made in the past. We have a unique window here to embrace technology and pay respect to our bass heroes to ensure their legacy moves on after their time here has passed. We are builders. Every so often we get to enjoy the level of the creation.

[@thiagopinheiromusic]

I've had a chance to play with Gary and how amazing is that guy. Not only a great player but down to earth as a person, great gig it was, one to remember :)

[@justinhart8744]

This is the first I’ve ever heard of Gary Willis this video. I’m buying an Ibanez srf706 been playing 6 string bass many years time for fretless…

[@portcherish]

I heard about Gary from your video talking to Oteil Burbridge about putting the root on top. Scott, thank you so much for everything you do , wish I could say more but its beyond words

[@thepanchotomasellibassicch3202]

HE IS ONE OF THE LAST REMAINING REAL BASSISTS THANKS FOR POSTING

[@leonlau5470]

Brain:"Yeah, I got it" Hand:"Go away"

[@daniels4742]

He's such a monster, love his playing, love his tone, love the way he thinks.

[@taikicastro9061]

I’m saw him in Barcelona many year ago!!!!!thanks for this interview!!!!!!!!!😊

[@mikeletartaglia5931]

Best teacher ever...I think

[@WTHFX]

Getting to have a private lesson with Gary was one of the great honors of my life. Not because I learned so much, which I did, but because I got to meet such a generous and kind grandmaster of his art. Genius is an overused word but I can think of no other that better describes him.

[@craigparrish7139]

Man do I love Gary Willis' playing; been a huge fan since 'Spears.'

[@Pladderkasse]

Thanks for this, man is a monster. I would like to see a video on Jimmy Johnson (Holdsworth).

[@fredjacksonjr.4422]

I’m not sure if I’ve ever geared of Gary Willis, but seems like or feels like I’ve heard him my whole life.

[@AislanSousa]

Gary Wiilis sem duvidas é um dos melhores baixistas do planeta !! Parabéns pelo canal Scott´s.. Saudações aqui do Brasil

[@travisguide4516]

Wow it's a amazing change to shift like that I feel like picking up my bass right now

[@wolframeickerestinpeace2562]

I just heard Gary Willis for the first time. Thank you very much. :D

[@Mortagus]

I can't remember when it was exactly, but the first I heard about Gary Willis, it was on this channel ^^

[@flynnaugustbassist8523]

Love how this so different from how most people teach jazz soloing. Usually there’s an emphasis on having a complicated knowledge of a million scales and when to use them and, though knowing whole half diminished scales and altered scales and bebop stuff, having just the pentatonic moved around playing different modes of the chords is very refreshing and pretty sounding. Love Gary Willis first heard him in a recording in 1979 with Pat Methany, Lyle Mays and a drummer who I can’t name. I loved his fretless sound and how he swung and accompanied the soloists and how he played his own solos.

[@Partybob1]

“The Un-Merry-Go-Round” on Alan Holdsworth’s Metal Fatigue. I bought it when it was released in 1985. I love it.

[@fabrizio3711]

Me too! The fisrt time I heard gary Willis was on Metal Fatigue in 1985

[@Partybob1]

Same! That album is beastly.

[@mikerla60]

First time hearing Gary, awesome stuff.

[@ScrapPalletMan]

I think yesterday was the first time I've heard Gary from your Instagram I believe. I opening

[@adrianch2527]

Master class! Solid

[@remedy-1879]

First time I’ve ever heard of Gary Willis? Just now but he’s amazing. *Edited to add his last name.

[@henrikbay]

in 1987 he was my ear training-teacher at MI in Hollywood. I loved and admired him so much. He made us sing minor 2-5-1's to earn a donut. So cool. He just quit Shorters band at that time to focus om Tribal Tech. Scott Henderson taut at MI at that time, so we heard a lot of Tribal Tech. He never bothered to pronounce my name (which is impossible anyway to Americans. :) Hi Gary :)

[@infernicide666]

That Jazz song he keeps playing along to reminds me of a 24 hour drugstore where you can sail plastic sailboats and eat soft serve ice cream cones and drink different flavors of yoo hoo AND Nestle Quick.

[@johnreilly9748]

Scott I purchased a fretless and fretted directly from Gary 1999 and met him in 2000 also took a 2 hour lesson with him! He is a super good guy and of course killer bassist and educator! First became aware of him in the Tribal Tech era. Check him live with Wayne Shorter live for a little different insight into what he has done. Check his solo albums and Triphasic etc.. His voice on the bass is unique and distinguished! Thanks Scott for bringing him to the bass community and all your great work, really enjoy it!

[@mediumvibesonly7974]

Under rated comment:((

[@allen6924]

His Short got me looking for this video.

[@jorgevasquez4917]

8:25 after Gary Willis says “the blue note” you can hear a whisper say “Devil”

[@kodykindhart5644]

Need more of this

[@devinebass]

🤘🏻🤘🏻🤘🏻

[@madbuzz90]

First heard Willis back in the 90’s on a compilation CD which, amongst various other artists, had a Tribal Tech tune called ‘Canine’......still one of my all time favourite bass solos, un-fkn-real!

[@mikebassy]

Saw Gary live with Wayne Shorter at the festival hall in 1986 Keith Jarrett trio was on first with Gary Peacock ! I kept wondering why Keith was making noises during his own performance ha ha

[@ThePosrein]

This is my first. Totally great and very useful stuff!

[@zzzyzzzyzzzyxxx]

The first time I heard Gary Willis was at a workshop during a bass conference in Vancouver BC - either in 2000 or 2001. I bought a Willis bass within six months of that and still have it. I remember sitting there slack jawed at his right hand technique.

[@donaldbest7621]

You turned me on to Gary. He is my favorite now...over Jaco

[@shaolinzendragon4737]

That was Insane... Thanks Scott. 😉👍🏿

[@Purpleskyshorizon]

I heard about Gary Willis from YOU Scott many, many years ago when you're channel was only about few years old. Haha! And thank you!

[@korgen-rock]

Fantastic, thanks 👍 first time in 1994 , trondheim in norway with tribal tech

[@kneejo-tube]

I played on his bass once, when he was giving a masterclass. His tone really comes from his technique, not his instrument. He's got this high gain, soft touch going on that's hard to copy.

[@kneejo-tube]

I have to add something to this comment from a year ago. Since then I got the GWB205 and played it for half a year. The sound does indeed come from the bass as well. And this bass allows for this particular playing technique very well. It's humbling to have the sound of Gary under my fingers. The bass has a character that I have not heard in other fretless basses. I think I found my dream bass.

[@gateways06]

Wow! That's awesome.

[@bryonhankins7374]

I first saw him in the late 80's playing with Hubert Laws in NYC at the Blue Note. Mind blown!!

[@AdityaPurwanegaraBass]

My head got dizzy just trying to learn his lick in dminor. Yeah easy

[@czarpaul01]

Man heard Gary late 80s, saw him in concert multiple times. Best one was at the Bottom Line in NY. My table was right up against the stage, right in front of him. Heaven! Lol

[@sultanalfatih3907]

U are very good bassist..

[@asdi40011]

Gergo Borlai on drums...that s cool

[@madhatter7862]

Geez heard Tribal Tech about 10 years ago and couldn’t believe what I was hearing. The Alan Holdsworth of bass. Which is a huge compliment. I am doing fretboard accelerator and zoom lessons from a pro, and will probably never understand what is going on with his playing. I still watch his videos from the early 90’s and right hand muting technique. The master!

[@benjaminfeddersen7937]

So THIS is how you use ii v i in soloing.

[@anthonymcfarland8977]

I first heard The Willis around 2000. A buddy of my had taken lessons from him in Colorado and was introducing me to some of his Tribal Tech albums. He's so good.

[@jasontaylor8209]

Never heard of him - instantly a fan!

[@YaoEspirito]

Listen to Tribal Tech. You'll love it.

[@jasontaylor8209]

mano a mano so the first live video I found was “Self Defense” from 1990... woooow!! Thank you !

[@tommyrr9106]

Epic man

I'm a guitar player, but every thing that Gary Willis does facinates me, i heard a lot of his project, including Tribal Tech, Uncle Moes Space Ranch, Triphasic with Holdsworth and so on. But the first time that i heard him was listening The Big Wave of Tribal Tech, absolutely mind blowing...

[@mikemorrison281]

I first heard Gary and Covington playing in Houston with Condor at Cody’s in the early 80’s. They were both great then. Saw him with Wayne Shorter 2-3 years later and took he and Tommy Brechtlein to the old Allen Parkway Inn for dinner after the show. Gary is nice, funny, VERY smart, and a monster musician!!!!!!!

[@ProfileP246]

After this very well communicated lesson i'm still puzzled about how many dislikes the video has.

[@mackmilne8155]

First time I heard Gary was one of your videos a few years back. Now I am studying with him at Berklee in Valencia

[@lukea4572]

I’m onboard for the masterclass. If I end up half as good as Gary, then ....err... he’ll be twice as good as me 😀

[@azombiestool]

One of the most helpful vids yet for sure. So on the last one, he played Em over Dm? But starting with the 5th like he mentioned in the beginning of the lesson?

[@Mrflippyfloop]

Got into Gary in the late 90’s. I rinsed the ‘ No Sweat ‘ album. Bought a fretless 5 as soon as possible. Back on 4’s now mainly. Gary is a huge influence, my favourite fretless player without doubt. His tone is just phenomenal. I remember learning some of his approach in this video from one of his books, you know, before the internet.

[@pullmanator89]

Scott!!! Where can we get that backing track?

[@paularkell1996]

Face First with Tribal Tech ... awesome album.

[@cagedoctaves]

Using the three pentatonic minor scales for each key (e.g. Dm, Em and Am for the Key of A minor) is what I call Poor Man's Modes. The same thing can be done for the major keys too (e.g. C, F and G for the Key of C major). Also note that they are the relative majors and minors of one another i.e. C pentatonic major is equivalent to A pentatonic minor; ditto F=Dm and G=Em) the corresponding shapes are also the same in each case.

[@daverobbins6527]

End of 82' -- I played in a band with Gary - Billy Rogers - and Land Richards -- amazing -

[@devinebass]

That's awesome dude, what a player!

[@Decedo]

Gary is a monster. Actually met Gary at BIT in 89. Learned a lot from him. Most went over my head at the time, but some stuck :D

[@KarlKarsnark]

I'm a guitar guy, but I love watching all the bass gods and how they conceptualize the same, but different instrument.

[@ada8189]

I heard him first in the "best fearless bass ever" video. He plays from within 😣😭😭 oh my God 💕❤

[@danieledeangelis8406]

Grande Gary!

[@Heffsta02]

Gary Willis is a monster

[@thomasroachii3354]

My first experience hearing him was whichever Tribal Tech CD I heard - 20+ years ago.

[@zfenty]

When was the first time you heard Gary Wills? I think right now, very impressed.

[@garysanders3193]

It was back in 1992, when I saw him at a bass clinic in Colorado springs at Grainer Music. I had just started playing bass, and it was incredible! I can't thank my friend Ryan for taking me with him.

[@raynefaded]

People liked to trash disco because of some weird tribalistic "I'm a punk, I'm a metalhead, I'm into prog..." etc. etc. But at the end of the day this stuff was REALLY good, was VERY well-written, and grooved hard. And that's all that matters. How deep is your love? Amazingly beautiful song. People need to not attach themselves to labels and genres (and the identities/"tribes" that go along with them) and just truly enjoy music that sounds good and feels good.

[@Flying_turnip187]

Nice! That was a great lesson. More gary!!

[@JakeAikens]

Whenever I try this it just sounds like disjointed garbage. Not like Gary at all. Sigh, guess I’ll go learn some more AC/DC covers. Damnit. He is a monster, though.

[@bay4west]

This is the first time I've heard of him. 37 year old bass noob, right here. He's awesome!

[@franklineno8616]

Hey Scott,love all the videos you provide on KZbin, but no matter how many emails I've sent over 3yrs regarding information about your courses,you have never once replied,I have desire to speak to your secretary because she ain't the one talking and teaching, so on that front I can't sign up to your classes if the most basic thing called communication you can't manage, worst of all I have now found out im not alone,what does it take?Gary willis course looks great but here is a question I'd like you to answer, how do we as players know if we are eligible to take the course?everyone is at different levels,your secretary can't answer that, your the one we're watching.....

[@lt_johnmcclane]

Now combine it with his insane economy of motion and you’re getting somewhere

[@nathanielmabis5803]

Man, ive been doing stuff like this the last couple weeks, i just dont know the keys.

[@MOMOMOMOMOMOMOMOM]

Nice mood creating

[@don4denise]

First time I heard Gary Willis is when a workmate said to me if I like “ Brand X” you will like “ Tribal Tech “ . And I was Hooked 😀

[@LawrenceJenner]

The Big Wave - Tribal Tech... First encounter!!

[@earlycuyler2295]

The compressor in the opening is doing work!

[@FredGuits]

I don't think Gary (thinks) anymore it's all musical Kung Fu to him at this stage... He's done his Katas, earned his belts and is trodding the sender trod!

[@joshuawiredu574]

Wow same thing he taught me with the same backing track😅. I need to go to Barcelona ❤

[@ApakukiNayacakalou]

First heard of Gary TODAY!!!! LOL! Freakin legend!!