Bass ICON for a NEW Generation? The Charles Berthoud Interview (The SBL Podcast Ep. 140)

[@CharlesBerthoud]

Thanks so much for having me! This was a really fun interview 🙌🏻

[@jenserjenson4407]

thanks for your awesome and inspiring content!

[@MauricioLJ]

Congratulations Charles, you're such an amazing musician!

[@P1kaSans]

you rock charles!!🤘❤️

[@IanMartinAllison]

Charles thanks a million for your energy, enthusiasm and inspiring all of us in the bass community. You’re the best!

[@NyxTheScary]

You and Evan Brewer showed me that Bass Guitar can do just as much if not more cool stuff than guitarist

[@RokeroLoko69]

One thing that i love from Charles.....he's not just "spitting notes" to show off the technique, he is VERY musical. he puts every note in the right place. It's so fun to see and to hear.

[@MagicalWizard45]

Deliberate

[@danepaulstewart8464]

EXACTLY!! 👍👍

[@actualturtle2421]

Yessss he's the only "shred" guy who actually makes me feel something. It's all very singable or it's locked into such a strong groove that it feels like a burst of emotion rather than showing off.

[@Marta1Buck]

is it arrangement? or composition? I'm not sure what both means but I saw people comment a lot about those when it comes to him.

[@Jasonradiation999]

​@@Marta1Buckarrangements are in compositions!

[@lowenbad]

I’ve known about Charles since he was known as “The Pro” on Davie’s channel. I was just blown away, even then.

[@kerrytyk111]

Me too

[@LonesomeTwin]

You and *everybody* else. I was hoping for a couple of remarks on the Davie504 factor.

[@danielwitham1791]

Yep, same here. The fiver pro 👍

[@guascamsb8138]

Yeah I was hoping for a question about Davie's influence in Charles' popularity, especially on KZbin. Charles was definitely a very accomplished musician before that, but nobody can deny that moment had some impact.

[@ckmoore101]

I wonder how long it took Davie, to realize Charles was way, way (WAY) out of his league?

[@RC32Smiths01]

Charles is an absolute gentlemen in every sense of the word. Prolific, honest, articulate, funny. Truly an inspiration, both as a person and as a musician.

[@devinebass]

Absolutely!

[@Cloxxki]

He makes other musicians seem mid and rude. What an example he sets.

[@ginisshit]

Perhaps even too perfect as a human being...

[@juanwaffle1]

Not to mention, a much better looking version of Ed Sheeran.

[@jerbear7952]

I feel like we are watching the guy who is going to finally show us how good a bassist can actually get. He has so much time sti

[@markusszelbracikowski956]

The best reaction ever from Charles playing was from Davie504 when he was challenging himself to play impossible basslines. Suddenly this guy, the pro, came along and did his thing, Davie basically gasped in awe. It was so funny. He was able to play everything until Charles showed up lol

[@zimgaming1397]

Haha it feels like Charles is a last boss in the game

[@tonymason6686]

Stumbled on Charles after he showed up as "Professional" on one of Davey's videos years ago. Been awesome watching him grow by leaps and bounds!

[@khaiuschill310]

You and many others !!!

[@rationalmuscle]

So many bassists don't realize how freakin' great Charles really is. Good to see SBL highlighting it!

[@rationalmuscle]

And let's hear it for Ian being one of the best damn interviewers ever.

[@SamRoads]

Ian's S-tier. Intelligent, funny and focusing on whatever will teach the audience the most.

[@AlfimAlves]

He glazes Charles way too much, pretty sure Charles is sick of the compliments at this point 😊

[@AdamMaddock]

His encouraging enthusiasm is contagious!

[@eliascorrea8573]

@@AlfimAlves If anything you should blame charles for being awesome

[@JohnnieDelong]

Charles has to be one of the most intelligent bass players out there. He has a unique way of explaining music to the average layman. Such a great talent...

[@pantaloneshexagonales3760]

I played classical guitar for two years in an academy right until the pandemic hit, and forgot about it. Two years later i discovered Charles and got inspired to pick up the bass; I've fallen in love with it, with the music sphere, I've found my passion.Started a band with one of my friends and performed in our highschool graduation, now we have plenty of gigs booked up, and i think i owe it to Charles. He probably will never know of me, but it was thanks to him, that i feel like I've become me.

[@obscurity3027]

I’ve been watching Charles since his Fiver gig for Davie. This kid is legitimately the best bass player I’ve ever heard.

[@robm7006]

I stood front and center at a Victor Wooten concert about an arm’s distance from him at times and he made a wrong note. To your point about confidence….he had a funny look on his face and when he came around to that portion of the phrase, he purposely repeated the wrong note again and had some fun with it. I think half the crowd didn’t even know it was a wrong note. So smooth! Great interview and content! Charles is such an amazing player!!! Love his videos!👍

[@brianschoner3350]

There's an old quote (I heard it attributed to Clapton, but who knows where it originated): "If you hit a wrong note, do it again; then it's no longer a mistake, it's a riff."

[@erikmeyer5054]

I study classical music but there are also a lot of Jazz musicians at my university. One of them them lately told me: the only difference between a "right" note and a "wrong" note is the confidence you play it with

[@theprisonier]

I’m 50. And he is an icon for me too.

[@PatNetherlander]

56 here…

[@IJMONTEIRO]

52

[@gerdbb]

Anyone older than 68??? I can tell you, it never stops, finding new inspiration every day! Feel like I'm so blessed living in these times, having watched all this evolution over the years since the 60s.. For me, Charles is certainly one of those who creams the cake! Can't thank you enough Ian and SBL (lifetime member! ;-) for this interview, made my day!!

[@EvilSean62]

not that this is a competition ... 61 ... but the important thing ... i had to choose between re aquiring my rick and getting something to move me forward ( my wife is all ... forward ? ) ...i really miss my rick ... but i went for a nice ibanez BTB605MS CEM after getting some weird nasty shit in place of the headless i ordered ...!!! so the MS is multi scale ... took me a second ... but then watching this dude ... and the meat ... watching charles ...wow !!!!!!!! he has kept me awake

[@trebm]

Charles is one of the reasons I now practice my bass every day, amazing player!

[@devinebass]

🧡🧡🧡

[@sigristclan]

Same with me @ 55

[@TheAbsolyte]

in the beginning when Charles said you almost get worse before you get better is completely true, not just for music but anytime you're trying to overcome an obstacle or learn something new.

[@dscott9038]

Dude is a stud. His honesty, humility, and transparency in this interview inspires and encourages. Great job on the interview Ian, your vibe is infectious as well, keep it up!

[@killianbarrans8188]

Charles is such a fantastic bassist and yet an absolute professional and humble bloke. Brilliant !

[@danieltsss]

Charles is probably the best bassist in today's era, very very good on technique and also very musical

[@krs4976]

Charles is a absolute legend , i stumbled onto him 4-5 years ago and am so glad he is now recieving the recognition he deserves . Is he one of the best in the world? I believe so

[@Funguspower2]

I've said he practices alot before and got met with comments that made it seem like I'm insulting him. There is nothing wrong with practicing, that's how it gets done. I'm glad he's been saying it a bit more. 9:20

[@TroublesomeOwl]

I was so glad to hear Charles echoing my own views on "Talent". It is such a flippant word that throws away the tens of thousands of hours of hard work and dedications that people put into their craft. Talent will let you skip a few steps early on, but only blood sweat and tears will get you as good as Charles. Also .. is charles morphing into Conan Obrien?

[@ultramet]

Been playing bass for half a century. Charles is an impressive virtuoso for any generation. Learned tapping from him. A humble, immense talent. A great sense of humor too!

[@michalkbass]

Charles & Ian, my two favorite bassists together!

[@bassboy8910]

what a great interview! Both bass players are just talking in real time as normal people. Thank you both!

[@terrenceduncanson2716]

Now the stars have aligned! C.B. & SBL on the same screen. Thank BOTH of you!

[@paulleeming5733]

The more I meet Famous bassists, and Bass players at the top of their craft, the more I see a correlation between humility and who they are. They ooze the personalities of those who have been working at their crafts and know what it took to get there. They have no need to be arrogant or proud, they are just really lovely human beings. I find the team at SBL gives me a laugh late at night when I'm on my Ipad listening to their podcasts and KZbin Videos. The fact they have a whole bunch of humble Bass tutors and Bass aficionados says it all. Great interview with Charles. Thankyou all. As a heads up for some more interesting ideas, why not get the lowdown from a few Living Luthiers and how they got to be where they are. they have supplied bases for so many people we love in the bass fraternity. What does it take to become a world class luthier. For Example Check out Roger Sadowsky a living legend, F basses, Schecter, Status, Ken Smith ..... You know the deal. Keep the groove as Victor Wooten said to me once in Perth Western Australia.

[@MrVyrtuoso]

In my own analysis of double thumbing, I found that there are two extreme variations whose differences are best represented between Victor Wooten and Alain Caron. With VW, his mechanics uses the thumb like a plectrum so that the motion that results in plucking the string is one that alternately travels up and down through the string in a plane that is parallel to the strings, the fulcrum primarily being the elbow. What we often see from guitar players using a plectrum and alternate picking is very similar to what we see from VW. AC on the other hand moves at an oblique angle that looks more like a motion of the thumb moving in towards the fingerboard thru the string as the downstroke to rest on the fingerboard, then popping out from resting on the fingerboard and plucking thru the string, which alternating motions is accomplished more by pivoting the forearm and wrist as opposed to rocking the forearm up and down pivoting over the elbow fulcrum. I find the AC variation not only easier to do, but much better produces the slap/pop articulation sound I want out of a double thumbing than the VW. Even though I'm fluent with a plectrum from playing guitar, I felt that the alternating in/out AC variation was more natural for me than the alternating up/down VW one in double thumbing.

[@colin_a]

I think Charles Berthoud is going to turn out to be one of the greatest bass players ever.. He's very laid back about his own ability.., but he's on another level.. I don't think there is anything out there he couldn't take on... That boys a genius..., mark my words..😉

[@veravink]

I've been playing bass for 58 years, I've never seen a bass player with so much musicality. And feeling and technique. 🙏

[@judecarpenter2990]

Charles is amazing. Period. And a nice guy too. Very humble very smart. I'm a 41 yr old nine year bassist and former drummer. Charles has taught me more than anyone. Thanks Charles.

[@giulio2174]

I was born in '78. I listened to the big names without any idea of the actual techniques or how to obtain those sounds. I had the chance to have teachers but that did not help much in developing my skills and eventually grew up as a self-taught bassist with no clear direction for improvement. A couple of decades later, the incredible magic of KZbin happened with so many wonderful contents such as those from Charles (actually I had discovered Davie504 first :) ) and SBL. At about 40 yo, all of this gifted me with the inspiration to start studying again thinking "Hey! This stuff can be actually done!". As far as my available time allows now (family, job) it's abt 8 years I started again developing my musical skills again with decent result, probably insufficient sleep hours and, most of all, the continuous challenge in doing better and better. Thanks to you and to all of the creators out there sharing their passion and inspiring others with positive and constructive contents, you do make the world a better place!💙

[@alexismoma]

Quickest click of my life

[@webdave_de]

Two of my favorite Bassist in one video. Great session.

[@robinwells5343]

I absolutely love Charles he's the best. That said though. Aint no one getting into bass buying that signature bass. Isn't it like $1400?! First bass gotta be around the $150-400 range

[@theBoogerman666]

Charles is amazing. I don't understand how someone can achieve that level having only played for 8 years. Fully dedicated to everything bass is the only way I can think, and tons and tons of hours. Mind blowing.

[@RaminNazer]

I love Charles. Next level musician. Inspiring us all to practice and quit at the same time.

[@theubie]

Feeling like playing has to get worse to get better. That's me after 30 years of on and off self-teaching of guitar I've finally sat down and am working through beginner fundamentals. It's painful to unlearn bad habits and it makes me feel like I'm going backward, but there are already areas where I see myself getting better than I was at my peak before.

[@markmallinder7618]

Some human beings are awesome. Charles is one of those. ❤️

[@devinebass]

🧡🧡🧡

[@wilowwells]

Best bass player alive right now.

[@jasonharris2291]

The discussion around 40 minutes is excellent. Many students just want to be told they are great and get a dopamine hit for being told they "got it", akin to a video game "achievement badge". They will fail with that attitude. Period. Instead the student with potential takes grateful guidance on how to find a path forward.

[@Thesongstaysthesame]

3 class-acts sat down and talked about bass. Ian did such a great job steering this interview

[@devinebass]

Cheers, glad you enjoyed this one!

[@ndbaker74]

GenXer here and Charles is in my top 5 of favorite bass players ever. His channel is so fun to watch and try to learn from.

[@a.nobodys.nobody]

He's a great player. And a great youtuber. Never not blown away!

[@thedoctajon]

I don't know Jack about setting up lighting for a video but i love how the lighting in both areas make me feel like I'm relaxing in a pool at night 🚣

[@lorenzoangi9777]

Charles is one of the most amazing bass player I have ever listened to. So inspiring! Davie please join this challenge, I would love it. Long life to bass ❤

[@devinebass]

🧡🧡🧡

[@Dartania]

Very informative and engaging. The questions you ask really help people learn. And of course he’s just so skilled (as both of you are). Thank you very much for this!

[@devinebass]

Glad to hear you enjoyed the interview!!

[@rafbass]

The production quality on this is ridiculous. The guest has multicam, perfect audio. The host has perfect lighting. I really really REALLY wish my brazilian friends had 1/5 of the care that you guys have to make remote videos like that. It's not hard at all.

[@rafbass]

And I just noticed a camera operator. Ok guys. This is ridiculous lol.

[@rafbass]

And now a third guest, also with perfect lighting, camera, and audio. Ahahahahaha.

[@joshuapatrick682]

Love this kid's passion for the instrument! I don't know if I have heard a player on the bass guitar who has better articulation than him.

[@Anand_KL]

Charles is a brilliant bassist and super talented, despite him feeling otherwise. I love his videos for both the bass excellence and the wacky setups. So for all of this I loved this episode. To hear him speak about his talent. Thank you.

[@DavidRamos-nz4bh]

Charles is the greatest electric bassist the world has ever seen ( up to now), nobody close to him, amazing.

[@hoot7588]

YES! I have been waiting for and requesting this interview! Thanks SBL and Charles.

[@bartlomiejciolkowski4716]

Charles, you can count one more that you have just very strongly inspired, playing music for some time now, hats off to you, man for such good vibes, content, technique, ideas and overall creativity, you Sir are easily the icon of the new generation of bass

[@samuelmori3026]

Charles deserves to be here. Absolutely one of the best!

[@bochafish]

Charles is amazing

[@devinebass]

💯💯💯

[@bDoom88]

One of the best episodes on this channel. Thank you!

[@devinebass]

Cheers!

[@tonyrauls1941]

RIP Winston.

[@MikeGuerr]

Charles’ playing is so much fun to listen to and watch… he’s magical, like a unicorn!

[@BobbyKewley]

What a lovely guy Charles is! Frighteningly good, but so humble with it. Really enjoyed that 🙂

[@Ehoffman61]

I got lucky to catch onto Charles right as he put his first solo project out. I remeber getting a notification of him playing it live standing in front of just a blank white back drop (paper or sheet i cant remember). The feed got only a handful of comments. Now look at the guy. What an incredible journey its been, and I'm very lucky and blessed to have watched it. Just an amazing talented hard working musician pushing the bass to new boundaries.

[@Bassoid]

Since I found Charles my life felt more "in order" , like... Victor , Marcus, Stanley (and a huge never ending etc of many many great incredible performers in no particular order) all felt like they belonged to another generation. We were missing the spot Charles is occupying... speaking for the current status of the electric bass in music and of course as a solo instrument. Loved the instrument, you , and specially Charles. We need to have examples like Charles of how dedication, effort and talent can produce such awesome sounds and experiences !

[@andypammenter8528]

When CB says "I'm not that proficient" with any technique I suspect that he is playing at a level most mortals can only aspire to 😂

[@naattxxnaattxx7055]

10:06 seeing charles make a mistake is the most inspiring thing I ever seen

[@devinebass]

He is in fact human, there is hope for the rest of us! ;)

[@jamapx]

This is a good interview. Thanks guys.

[@devinebass]

Cheers, glad you enjoyed it!

[@parsonsenergy]

Great interview! What Charles demonstrates is, 'genius without discipline equals average'. No high achiever gets to the pinnacle without practice...

[@dexterj5615]

Glad to see this guy getting the recognition he deserves

[@anthonyb5279]

All 3 of you inspire me to play my bass and to make new ones to play (Luther)

[@AnnaGlaid]

Proud to live at the same time peroid with such an excellent bassist! Charles inspires me with his technique and musicality and makes me passoinate about playing bass myself ^^ thank you for the interview!

[@jamesadamgleason9471]

At 2:19 Such a beautiful tone...like seriously

[@mulletoutdooradventures6286]

I wish I didn't waste the better part of 25 years as heroin addict going in and out of prison. The last 8 years that I've been sober and playing again my playing has gone through the roof through both Charles and you guys. We played our 1st show about a month ago and the reception i got was amazing about style and the sound I use

[@RafaelLima-hg8kz]

Thanks for bringing the best bassplayer of the world tô this interview. Charles is the guy

[@kitsvn]

Charles inspired me to pick up the bass 4 years ago. I love this instrument and play every day. Thanks to SBL too for helping me learn.

[@dennishodge5826]

I don't care what anyone says, Charles is the best, most versatile, and creatively original bassist on planet Earth.

[@BassWhispererTV]

I’m glad to hear you guys say that learning double thump hurts at first. Everytime I tried to teach myself, I gave up because… screw that! I’m averse to physical pain! I always assumed I was doing something wrong.

[@michaelfischler]

Thanks everyone for sharing! Ive been persuing this technique but its just so counter intuitive to the slap and pluck system Ive adopted! Ill never give up!

[@brandnewyou5254]

I had forgotten about him for a while but I'm totally glad you popped up and I love this guy

[@JT-si6bl]

Great influencer, great teacher, great person, great icon. Bass!

[@andrewpinner3181]

Thanks one & all for a great interview, insights from Charles much appreciated !

[@devinebass]

Glad you enjoyed it!!

[@rokker101]

I think that both Charles and Davie are world class bass players and obviously have a friendly rivalry ... go for it guys!

[@livier3970]

I love how you can see that he's proud of himself in his eyes

[@andrewmartin1445]

My favourite episode to date. Ian, Scott and Charles make me keep picking up my bass. Great stuff!

[@justinkey4895]

Love his playing so much. Seeing him for the first time on Davie's channel inspired me to pick up my bass again after many years of not playing.

[@iFunktion]

First interview I've seen of Charles, been following him since he started on youtube, so inspirational

[@benjaminleimkuhler6812]

I think he is the greatest bass player on the planet. His compositions are mind blowing too.

[@MrLouisianaHayride]

I absolutely love Charles comment about the teacher at Berkley. Same thing is happening to me now via the teacher SBL paired me with for the Blueprint program. I only wish I'd run across someone like that 30 years ago! Better late than never though.

[@alexkidd4144]

How much does the blueprint cost? I know it’s admission only, but the cost seems to be elusive on the website.

[@tp63us]

This is one of the great advantages of the internet. Finding a teacher perfect for you, maybe half a world away.

[@zimgaming1397]

RIP Professor Bassist Grant Stinnet from Berklee University who taught Charles

[@grahamerobertson6507]

An excellently managed interview at all levels.

[@johnblau5190]

Like to Hear Charles play some Big String Bass !

[@angelzsymphony4387]

Charles is amazing and it feels so good to watch him play so amazingly 👏🏽 👍🏽

[@andymelendez9757]

So strange that before Victor popularized d thumbing, there was a guy in Lincoln Ne doing it. I never asked him how he did it. So glad we have the best of the best at our fingertips now. I met Victor later on and he was such a great guy and a realist about making yourself stand out. With Charles joining the ranks of accomplished musicians, we have more to shed or just more to enjoy! I’m no longer playing out but I pick up the instrument everyday. I’m also working a lot on singing ideas and then playing them. Make it musical everyone!

[@andypullega5479]

What a great interview, Thanks SBL!

[@devinebass]

Glad you dig it!

[@dvldog_]

I think Charles still can't believe this is all happening to him! Literally seems like just a regular guy who happens to be really, really, really good at playing bass... 😁

[@markedevries]

Love Charles’ stuff. He has a lot of good things for his Patreon subscribers too and his new Bass Camp instruction channel. Can’t believe Ian hadn’t heard of the Omnific. I’d love to see those guys interviewed too.

[@jeraldtowle2718]

Don't worry about what I'll think. I love your playing, composition, and entertainment. Thank you for your dedication and effort.

[@skylee5029]

Charles is my favorite Bass Player. I learned about Charles from Davie504, but it was seeing Charles play Slapology that was the final bit of inspiration for me to pick up a Bass. I can play 7 other instruments at varying skill levels, most at an intermediate level, but Bass is now my chosen instrument

[@graphicmaterial5947]

Music is a language, and Charles won't let it become a monologue. That's the secret to success.

[@PhilChavanne]

Wonderful interview! I love your questions and your listening! And Charles comes across as a really honest, humble, and gentle fellow. ❤

[@l.e.bassdesign]

When are you doing an interview with Nate Navarro? He is amazing as well.

[@Boethius4748]

I second that! Nate needs to be here as soon as possible!

[@larsetom1]

Agree!

[@christopherdiamond495]

Charles is a bad ass combo of awesome talent and the discipline to master his craft.

[@devinebass]

💯💯💯

[@AaronGardiner-h8z]

Loved seeing this interview! Have been following Charles for roughly 2 years, and learning under him through his Patreon content, and found Scott’s bass lessons shortly after. Two amazing channels doing gods work to help bassists of the world to progress, learn and spread the positive vibrations these amazing instruments provide to the rest of the world. Thank you Charles, and thank you Scott and Ian, both of your channels pave the road for us to follow

[@MarkArandjus]

The design of his signature is so cool that the uncolored wood back also becomes like sort of the binding around the body.

[@Ropedartman]

Thanks Charles! I've been transitioning from thumb down to thumb up on slap and it sounds horrible. I'm glad to know that others have gone through the same struggle when making that transition.

[@noahvanderwyst1232]

Ian is such a great interviewer. Also, Charles is top 2 in my favorite bassist list. Right below McCartney. I would put Charles higher for bass technique, but McCartney made music that I have treasured since childhood

[@fabioresende3442]

I started playing bass 22 years ago because I loved The Beatles and the bass lines, and I was never really interested in virtuosos bassists, just not my vibe or aesthetic in music. But i was hooked on Chales style from the first time he appeared on Davie! By the way, some few months ago Paul did a surprise gig at my city(Brasília) at a small venue, and I was one of the few 300 lucky ones to get a ticket, watched him for 1h40m standing at the front row barrier, less than 2 meters away from him, i could even touch his keyboards if i reach out my arm, i will never forget him singing Golden Slumbers right in front of me, never expected for something like this to happen to me, still feels like a dream, one of the best days of my life.