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

[@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.

[@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

[@Ih8liarsandusers]

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!

[@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.

[@izzyreel6730]

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

[@BassBuzz]

Cool!

[@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!

[@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!!!

[@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.

[@BurnDoubt]

Aye. After all these years I still want to cruise the bastard boat with Mr Krinkle

[@glockdookie5231]

​@crayonwriter why praise this racist bigoted comment?

[@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

[@glockdookie5231]

Imagine farting on your own nuts

[@hgfskate]

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

[@andreazavareei6548]

That's pretty much how I've described Mr. Bungle too.

[@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

[@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.

[@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'

[@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.)

[@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!

[@DirtyFrankDahmer]

That sucks!

[@Harry-et7dc]

take precautions!

[@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.

[@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

[@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.

[@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.

[@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

[@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.

[@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. ❤️🎸🤘

[@aleenaadze]

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

[@BassBuzz]

You're very welcome!

[@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!

[@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.

[@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!

[@Churro_Flaminguez]

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.

[@darrenbradley4650]

Please make more primus videos!?!? Holy shit. I've been looking for years on here for a video like this. Thank you so much.

[@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

[@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.

[@tedmerrick935]

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

[@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!

[@fivestring65ify]

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

[@BassBuzz]

Thanks Jimmy!

[@ihatestupidpeople2424]

Les is the league.

[@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

[@aprilkurtz1589]

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

[@morsecodereviews1553]

Stumbled across this feller about 100 joints and roughly 10 years ago. I haven't smoked grass in years but golly do I still love me some Les.

[@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.

[@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. :)

[@sanjoaquinvalleytransparency1]

So legit. Love Primus

[@DirtyFrankDahmer]

How could you not?

[@BruceLeeKingoftheSewers]

Primus sucks!

[@DirtyFrankDahmer]

@@BruceLeeKingoftheSewers Wednesday night is gonna suck!

[@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.

[@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.

[@Frederick0220]

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

[@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!

[@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!

[@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!!

[@angellacanfora]

Love this! It helps demystify Les’ technique while paying tribute to his genius. As a bass player who was into freaks like Beefheart & Zappa, I fell in love with Les first time I saw the vid for “Jerry.” Have seen him live so many times over the years and it’s always a great experience. And it’s wonderful to see him aging well, too!

[@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

[@4g63t8]

What a complete breakdown of his sound. Amazing.

[@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

[@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!

[@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.

[@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.

[@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.

[@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?

[@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!

[@DerFleisch]

Les, and particularly "Jerry Was A Race Car Driver" was what got me to get my first 6-string bass (albeit fretted) back in '93. Thank you for inspiring me and so many others to suck on bass!!

[@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.

[@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.

[@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!

[@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!

[@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!

[@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.

[@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!

[@CaptainKirk01]

Dude, I loved this so much. Les became one of my favorite idols when seas of cheese came out. I was a metal bassist, but have fallen out of playing years ago. Les still holds a special place with me in his sound. I think 'eleven' caught me off guard when It finally dawned on me that eleven was the timing of the song. I had been experimenting with strange timings of my own at the time I discovered this. I thought I uncovered something special at the time. :) I still enjoy the fisherman chronicles, though. To come back to how you started this episode, you mentioned Flea, and I still enjoy Aeroplane that came out around that time. I get the feeling of flying from his playing. Les was the reason I started experimenting with distortion on Bass.

[@sebastiancaceres1053]

Theres a lot of work in thi video, the talent, editing, the music sheets, the sound and video quality. Is quality content that is not everywhere in yt. Keep up the good work!

[@BassBuzz]

Thanks Sebastian!

[@JKa244]

Les Claypool and the people he surrounds himself are really nice people too. Some friends of mine were heading to New Orleans house of blues and ended up with car trouble. We missed the show by just a few minutes.... And ended up hanging out after the show, they gave us the setlist drawings and we jammed out for a few hours. Class act

[@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

[@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

[@CGCEifel]

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

[@themicdfiles1865]

Great video! I got to meet Les, Ler, and Herb when they were on the Slayer farewell tour, which really sucked. I've fumbled around with the guitar for years, but just got my first bass a couple days ago. Earlier today I started screwing up John the Fisherman and last night was fooling around with Southbound Pachyderm...What a great instrument! I'm soaking up as much bass content as possible. New subscriber to your channel and I look forward to perusing your videos... Thanks again!

[@launchpadmcquack9305]

The transition between techniques that flow within the strum is the cool part for me as a player. Tap, pluck, hammer and strum with your picking hand is bananas.

[@akcharlie1960]

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

[@S.p.a.c.e.C.o.w.b.o.y]

The mmm bop & Tommy the cat mash up was strangely satisfying :)

[@jerekp]

SOURCE!!!

[@Kcali111]

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

[@garypugh1153]

I'm 72, been drumming off and on my life. It looks and sounds genius bass playing to me. I do have a primus live DVD ,😊

[@ErrollBrantley-oo7zh]

I was wearing my mom's Catholic school plaid skirt from the 60s when I met him and the guys from fishbone. I've managed to keep in touch with Angelo and Walter to the day

[@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

[@DirtyFrankDahmer]

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.

[@thepyroking1236]

very glad to see Les Claypool content from this channel

[@patrickmckibben1932]

Great video! This is an exceptional analysis of Les Claypool’s playing. One thing I’ve always liked about Les Claypool’s song writing is that he commonly plays something that a beginner might come up with. Take “My Name Is Mud” for instance. As a beginner before understanding the relationship notes have together you’ve definitely played something similarly percussive on the low string hammering on the 4th and 3rd frets. It seems pinheaded or imbecilic to use some structures, but Les turns it into a groove. And he gets away with it by not really challenging you with too much information. He’s not putting too much into building it like King Crimson might (one of Les’s heroes). What he’s doing is weird, yet extremely approachable. And it becomes complex sounding, but easy to digest. His lyrics are the same way too. He doesn’t come up with genius hooks. It just ends up being some nursery rhyme type of chant. It becomes really fun to sing: “Say baby, do ya wanna lay down with me?…” over and over. It’s all really catchy in its own right. The answer to every Primus song is always “Cuz it’s fun!” That’s what makes it great. And that’s genius all in itself.

[@fredriksvard2603]

SAY BEBEEE

[@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!

[@thewomble1509]

I haven't a thousandth part of Claypool,s musical ability or zeal for exploring new pastures but I'm heartened t know that we do have ONE thing in common; I have never been afraid to put down and step away from the bass when i've felt it becoming a chore rather than a joy or dead weight around my neck. It's genuinely encouraging to know we have that in common because it means i must be doing at least one thing right!

[@TheAktivision]

The fact he does vocals, too. Legend

[@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.

[@knight_vortex]

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

[@micemr76]

I went to high school with les, used to sell him smoke....kind of an odd duck even then. Huge fan, we never saw that special quality till later..frizzle fry had us all jaw dropped when it came out

[@Gyspoon]

YOU AND I HAVE THE SAME PRIMUS SHIRT AHHHH PRIMUS IS ONE OF MY FAVORITES

[@andrewpappas9311]

I remember first hearing Primus on Rock Band 3 when I tried playing Jerry Was A Race Car Driver and that absolutely blew me away, Les' playing was absolutely insane and that song made me realize that you can do some absolutely insane stuff on bass and he made me want to learn how to slap, plus he's without a doubt one of my absolute favourite bassists

[@UrbanTaxi99]

Les is and will always be my music hero, and I love that so many just dont get him and Primus.

[@slopemat]

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

[@zezerik]

I have always loved listening to Les' tone evolve over decades eventually landing on what we hear today. My favorite was when he was using the Mesa 400s, 15" cabs with the ADA-MB1 preamps combined with the 1970's mahogany 6 string fretted CT bass. That combo was hella flat, muddy and heavy. He's still my favorite bassist ever. Not solely because of his bass playing but because of the world he created of Primus; all the tragic characters, the ocean/fishing vibe and many other artistic talents he has. He's also just a cool dude. I've met him several times over the last 30 years as just a fan backstage and he was always really nice and funny.

[@La_sagne]

slapping and walking around my living room like les does is my favourite pastime

[@lancegould]

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

[@gsk5161]

Always remember Les is singing while playing these bass lines. WOW!!!

[@BassBuzz]

Totally, amazing feat of coordination.

[@markthompson8397]

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

[@bigpoppa5732]

My Pop was a Jazz Musician for 72 years.He loved Les's attack on the Bass and the way he brought the instrument back to the front

[@Dorff_Meister]

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