Every BASSIST needs to HEAR this - VICTOR WOOTEN

[@Pastorius-rk3qf]

RIP Alan Holdsworth :(

[@mejnoun7161]

Allan Lives!

[@Alex-vi2wl]

Who?

[@OsvaldoBayerista]

@@Alex-vi2wl lol

[@mejnoun7161]

@@Alex-vi2wl Heidi Hot

[@helgaperez]

One of my favorites! RIP allan holdsworth :(

[@Slinkysees]

Damnit, this ain't no music lesson, this is LIFE LESSON.

[@DOCTORBAZZ]

Very true

[@michaelciancetta6397]

@@DOCTORBAZZ But he's not following it though :)))

[@mrbass1310]

you need to get out there more dude haha

[@epictetus9221]

music is life

[@christianartmann1395]

@@michaelciancetta6397 somehow, his recent experimental stuff does not reach me

[@bradley5973]

Steve Gadd said it best "fills bring the thrills but grooves pay the bills"

[@brucegelman5582]

Exactly which means the average music lover cant understand anything or even want anything beyond 4/4 or 2/4.A real musical person always wants more

[@LeakyJAZZ]

Solo for flash, groove for cash

[@BREAKocean]

@@LeakyJAZZ I like this one

[@LeakyJAZZ]

@@BREAKocean “Lipbone” Redding, my step dad, and professional musician, told me that one

[@jasonbent97]

@@LeakyJAZZ THE “lipbone” who was notorious for the “I think I got a twenty down in this pocket” joke he’d play on everyone when it was time to pay tabs? That’s a name I wasn’t expecting to read.

[@triplecold]

I met Victor 20 years ago. After asking him about some of his techniques, he told me, “Don’t try to figure what I do. Try to figure out what you do.”

[@TheYeetusLord]

I read this in his voice haha

[@luism169]

Such wise word

[@EARTHBOUND806]

Lol hes like the Denzel Washington of bass guitar

[@DarkoP9.13]

Like da13thsun says: Dont look outside yourself. You do you , ill do me. 13Wisedome

[@crazydrummer181]

EARTHBOUND806 I was thinking right away that he sounds like him.

[@paulkwauk3285]

1:31 "You're born with feeling, you'll die with feeling. Feeling doesn't have to be learned. Feeling is another universal language like love, hate, jealousy--nobody has to learn that. That's not cultural dependent. We feel everywhere all the time. So when you can reach someone with feeling, you can play less techniques. Right? And you end up playing more music." - Victor Wooten

[@brayse-kun]

👍

[@iblesbosuok]

Deep philosophy

[@EvidenceBasedMedsin]

Great statement

[@usersrule]

Awesome words òf advice.

[@morganghetti]

Yeah he said that in the video.

[@Duh6666666]

The bass player and one of the composers for Snarky Puppy, is sitting besides Victor, looking awed. What an inspiration Wooten is, therapy through music.

[@ChimRichalds750]

Yep when I first clicked on this I was like, “Is that Michael League standing behind him??” Lol. Love it. You can’t be a young bass player in the jazz space and not have been impacted by Victor Wooten.

[@jbtor1]

Michael League

[@YogsenForfoth]

He’s a genius musician and bandleader in his own right. I had the privilege of meeting him when a band I played in, in the Dallas jam band scene in 2007 and 2008, played on a night that had several local bands play. He’s such a nice guy as well as being a brilliant musician.

[@TheJoaniejoancansew]

That looks like Michael League

[@tedwilliams185]

At least called the dude his name

[@ryanspencerlauderdale687]

Coming from one of the most technically expressive bassists we’ve ever seen, to hear him bring it back to the basic fundamentals of a good bass line, is amazing.

[@johnm3187]

Amazing? Not really, in fact it is obvious. Of course he knows the fundamentals, he is a very experienced bassist as you stated.

[@aussiesurfer805]

@@matthewlawton9241 soooo true dude… as a former elite basket-baller, now coach of elite 15 to 18 year olds, a bass player, surfer, scientist and business owner ,, nothing could more true … all facts in fact !! 😃 …. the quicker ya learn this in ya life, the better off ya life will be …

[@dxcSOUL]

@@johnm3187 literalists like yourself are so annoying to talk to and are the worst conversationalists.

[@stevie_k03]

A lesson not only for bassists but for all musicians!!!!, Can't get enough of his simplicity.

[@DOCTORBAZZ]

💯 true

[@Jkiedis]

Not only for all musicians but for almost everything / everybody in life ...

[@ccampau]

So true. ACDC made a career of this.

[@b__mcl]

Jimi Hendrix " Blues is easy to play, but hard to feel "

[@etiennemiemczyk7081]

And Jazz is even harder to play and harder to feel. (Sometimes)

[@blop-a-blop9419]

@@etiennemiemczyk7081 I don't like jazz when it gets too complicated, because it doesn't make me feel anything. I don't feel like it makes sense. I'm ok with complexity, but I can appreciate simplicity.

[@ghostshipone]

@@blop-a-blop9419 jazz piano can be quite relaxing

[@johnm3187]

Actually it is pretty easy to feel, thats why it is so popular and most beginner guitarists take it up. Hendrix probably said that just to try to be cool or insightful.

[@biancababy3678]

Anybody can feel the blues. Lots of people can play the blues. But only some people play with “feel”.

[@landocalrizzi6921]

Amazing how simplicity has become something we dont appreciate anymore, to the point it needs to be explained to us.

[@Swashbuckler9x]

Amazing point man, try that. Pheeew

[@sereroserera367]

Lol isn’t the whole point of this video to show that simplicity is the very thing we truly appreciate?

[@james12erby43]

Right lol

[@Kinobambino]

Jeez Thats deep

[@rafizone]

Victor Wooten: - play simple, catch people feelings, BB King famous playing 5 notes Also Victor Wooten: - plays uber stuff, chords, double thumb slap, tapping, became famous because he is a virtuoso of bass I'm joking (don't take it too seriously) i love him, amazing human being, teacher and musician

[@avalerionbass]

He puts feeling into every one of those flashy licks. A complex web built on a stable foundation.

[@contrabbasso76]

You aren’t wrong. Neither is Victor. Comical irony!

[@monke-mk5]

@P Botrel you didn't get famous for playing simple riff, but you keep people listening. Thats what he said

[@murraypulsarto]

Fawning simpletons come in every guise... normally liberal apologists for mediocrity.

[@DavidEpstein]

Your Mama don't know who Victor Wooten is.

[@andyorr1597]

1990 Telluride Town Square. Shawn Colvin had just finished a songwriting clinic. Everyone left the square except me. I was just sitting, nice buzz, strumming a few chords. There’s a bass clinic coming up in a few minutes. This guy walks over, plugs in a small bass amp and starts warming up. I can’t help but notice that he’s good. Another minute or two goes by. Now, I can’t help but notice that this guy is really something special. He’s playing super intricate, lightning fast perfect timing. I finally say, “Whoa man, you’re a great player!” He says, “Thanks, man. I’m Vic”.

[@alexiswow2434]

Cool story but isnt that what he just said not to do 🤔😂

[@nashmartin8768]

Shawn Colvin🤔😄

[@Sir_P]

@@alexiswow2434 it was warm up though

[@musiclove4887]

@@alexiswow2434 i think very sadly u missed the whole point 😂😂

[@modgrip805]

@@alexiswow2434 it’s a warm up my dude.

[@TQM]

This is why playing in a band or ensemble is fulfilling in a different way than playing solo. Technically, it's simple and boring, but the amount of value you add to a song just by existing as a unique voice in the group is immeasurable.

[@akasgsvirgil9503]

Probably the best explanation of what "feeling" is that I've ever heard.

[@wyzzyx1080]

Correction: Every MUSICIAN needs to hear this.

[@johnm3187]

Not avant-garde musicians who don't care about it.

[@notyetskeletal4809]

That group laughter is a swarm of joy.

[@olivierjacquet]

I love that

[@notyetskeletal4809]

@@say-cred ....and thank you for commenting. I just watched this twice again.

[@OmniphonProductions]

Amazing advice! As a _drummer,_ it really resonates because...all too often...drummers get bored and start thinking, "I should be doing more." Then we start _decorating_ the beat and/or throwing in unnecessary fills. One of the things that made Charlie Watts (a highly accomplished and technically masterful Jazz drummer) one of the greatest Rock & Roll drummers of all time is that he could just play a simple beat for several minutes without drawing focus. "My job is to provide a simple, stable platform, so Mick and Keith can shine." Whatever our instrument(s), when we play with others, we are part of something bigger than ourselves...and _individual_ expression at the wrong moment can inhibit the _collective_ emotional creation.

[@mudshark351]

I enjoy listening to Victor Wooten talk as much I enjoy listening to him play. He's a true American treasure.

[@corryskylord3177]

I know what he’s talking about, when he says feeling. It’s an incredible feeling, when you feel the music, it’s like getting chills but it’s a strange feeling. It’s addicting in a way, and you can only get this feeling from music you truly love

[@owenthomas9863]

I cant do covers of songs i dont love

[@Slytherin88]

It's refreshing to hear someone so talented basically say, 'Don't play as I do, play how you feel'. Makes a big difference when you know technique isn't everything. No one can teach heart, not even a legend like this

[@rockspyder3970]

I stand in awe, totally blown away by this man’s wisdom. Respect!!

[@Guankabun]

This man is the definition of cool, knowledge, soul, and a real musician. I love this man.

[@jfb112697]

fucking same man he's so cool

[@Ronaldosdds]

"When you can reach someone with feeling, you can play less techniques." - Thanks for reminding us, Victor.

[@thomasmeyers5165]

Mannn ur missing the best part of that line. To me it ends "when you can reach someone with feeling, you can stop playing techniques - and start playing music"

[@oe542]

Reminds me of the saying “the perfect is the enemy of the good” There’s a million musicians who know everything there is to know about music. They have perfect ears, perfect form, great work ethic, know how to compose, know how to engineer, know how to change styles...... why aren’t they all famous? Because while they know everything there is to know about how to make music, they don’t know how to make you feel it. Simple as that. The most famous musicians aren’t always the best.

[@JackTheRabbitMusic]

Wow, I never knew that quote about how ‘people will forget what you say/do, but will always remember how you made THEM FEEL’, was attributable to Maya Angelou. I first heard Al Jarreau say it in an interview on the Tavis Smiley show, now I hear Victor Wooten talk about the same thing. Ever since I heard Al Jarreau say it, I have been living it myself. Peace. 🐰💙🎸🎶🤝✌️

[@beefy19841192]

Met Victor once many years ago. One of the most genuine people you could ever meet. Great dude.

[@benjaminmacdonald9558]

i would extend this to every musician needs to hear this, applies to everything, so important

[@jbpizza4281]

The title of this video should be "EVERY Musician needs to FEEL this"

[@Stiglr]

Coming from a bass MONSTER like him, that's quite an endorsement for the bass playing its intended support role (ok, ok, with several notable, and highly talented exceptions to that rule!)

[@thefool2007]

He is such a genius. How else can you explain this insight into music? Freedom in artistry is what he is about. Saw him live a few times (I feel so lucky) and he is spot on about feelings. He can play music so well that you can move from joy to melancholy to tears. Thank God for VLW. He was and still is an innovator and a game changer who touched so many musicians lives-including mine.

[@gabibonza]

Agree 100% 😎👍🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@pdxfun4888]

He is wise and here is a guy that can play anything yet, he preaches simplicity. Amazing

[@KM-px8cs]

Gifted intellectually and musically.

[@thescriptwriter824]

Preaching the gospel of creativity. It all starts with a feeling, then the music, the painting, the book can emerge.

[@mattryan6886]

Damn Victor really just broke that down to me. Play and make the audience “feel” your playing and you got them.

[@danadane2501]

Victor is just as incredible as a teacher as he is a BASSIST. ICON!

[@mcclendonreport]

He is speaking a truth that most musicians (especially Gospel cats) simply do not understand. Simplicity.

[@chaz_noize]

Victor is such a phenomenal musician and human being. Thanks for sharing this gem of a video with the world. 🙌🏾

[@caseysurgent6091]

As a bassist that has been playing 20+ years. I keep coming back to this video because Victor is a great teacher and can communicate his teachings to non-musicians as well which is extraordinarily rare in people

[@Wheelly1]

I was there, sitting just in front of him. Ground Up 2018 fest. Michael was listening him and began crying at some point. It was that strong. I remember from what he had said "when you call you mother you say two syllables and she recognizes you. How many notes do you need to play in order to people recognize your music?" Btw Wooten was just killing on double bass that time.

[@theexclusiveedition]

Every bass player needs to hear the man play “amazing grace “ life changing 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@markduffy7685]

Always click on this when it pops up in recommended just because that bass sound is so good! And that groove man!!

[@marian9445]

I love how Victor teaches, and always have. He's the first bassist that I happened to hear teaching his techniques so I bought his DVDs and loved them all.

[@maxproud]

This knowledge is so simple! Yet so true! And so important!

[@deebo1186]

I’m surprised honestly, I was looking for something but i didn’t know what it was, I felt stressed and lost but when I clicked on this video everything he said just calmed me down the vibe he gives, his wisdom the truth, Once again Mr. Wooten has inspired and gave a life lesson to another fellow musician.

[@YOULOOTWESHOOT101]

👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿

[@johnm3187]

Why dont you just go and marry him then?

[@yauker]

Stop fishing for likes and live your life dude. . . Stop needing a problem that someone in your immediate vicinity needs to be the saviour of. man up.

[@johnm3187]

@@yauker that just makes no sense, get your 3rd grade education out of my comment section, son.

[@ryanbell6537]

Absolutely needed to hear this. Thank you!! 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼

[@rhinomechanics8423]

VICTOR WOOTEN.. love this guys Passion ~

[@jacgrobbelaar2425]

Should be the very first words of the very first bass lesson to new players!!!!

[@jannmikoingelrabagogamingc6012]

For anyone wondering, if I could remember correctly, the guy fanboying at the left name is Michael League. He is a really great bassist and founder of the mega band "Snarky Puppy".

[@OpinionatedMonk]

He sounds like Denzel Washington. Now I can't get this outta my head.

[@akirayomashi1979]

Bit of Magic Johnson as well

[@Alien_nation]

My man

[@super2984]

Alien nation * my nigga *

[@chadm4976]

Damn, Alan Holdsworth hit me hard. Long live music!

[@nathanielblackwoodrealpage]

Words of wisdom from one of the GOATS 💯💯

[@whatsupwithsteve]

That was a wonderful lesson that should benefit any young musician as he develops!

[@TheStoneyJackson]

First thing you should learn from Victor is: enjoy it! You’ll never find this man playing without smiling ear to ear!

[@Cavemanfbs1]

Bass players need to learn this, its about what you are adding to the groove or the feeling tour bassline adds, not always about how many techniques you can do or how complex you can make it...

[@laryon]

Every video I see with Victor in it has been very cool. He always looks like he is having a blast just playing. Always smiling and with advice on how to play better and touch people with your music. Good job Victor.

[@ImpmanPDX]

I love that Michael League is just sitting there blown away the whole time!

[@upsidecarpentry9596]

hes just the freaking coolest!

[@EnlightenedRogue24]

Every musician needs to read Victor Wooten’s book The Music Lesson . . . a musically life changing read. ☝️🥴🎵🎶🎵

[@fcleffox]

One of my all time favorite reads for both music and life lessons!

[@frankmount226]

Wow! Now it makes more sense why I love him so much. Amazing. What a good dude

[@rioborzelli7291]

WOW, Well spoken , Feeling is always felt and remembered . . . so true

[@reidgyselinck1994]

For those of you that are trying to find the name of the song from the first bassline. It is “Freddie’s Dead” by Curtis Mayfield

[@たこやき-p6g]

Thanks a lot. Thank you so much.

[@goodobaggins]

Victor is great I never get tired of listening to him talk or play

[@hgarnet1682]

My man really talking story while he is owning it at bass Respect man, respect

[@michaelisaacson9735]

Years ago, at a Béla Fleck and the Flecktones concert (saw them twice!) the rest of the band stopped as Victor went into an extended solo...we were mesmerized. I had never heard a raucous, standing ovation for a bass solo before, but, damn..he deserved it!

[@MantraHerbInchSin]

Man I found Victor Wooten when I was like 15, so almost 15 years ago, but it was the funky stuff. Can't hold no groove, Victor's Jam ( holy shit the best) But this is so much more important than just doing double thump funk

[@erwinvigilia6303]

As many have already commented, this applies to more than just bassists. A lot of what Ringo Starr did for the Beatle's comes to mind for example, and Mr. Wooten used BB King as another. Took me a few moments to recognize Michael League as the guy tweaking on his rig and sat down next to Mr. Wooten, hands to face :) Mr. League is an awesome bassist and writer/creator (see Snarky Puppy) yet fully immersed into what Mr. Wooten is sharing with the crowd.

[@Guppusmaximus]

Meh, no one was listening to The Beatles for Ringo...

[@mathewgill3058]

How dare you compare Ringo Starr to Victor Wooten! One of them was a revolutionary bassist the other was an absolutely sh*t drummer

[@axelsureda6054]

@@Guppusmaximus not if you are listening yellow submarine

[@mammon_is_god]

He got everyone feeling the groove of his ideas

[@benkrapf]

FFS Michael Legend's face the entire time. So awesome seeing talented folks humbled and fanboying in the presence of greatness.

[@travispearson2784]

R.I.P. Allan Holdsworth though.

[@publishingdu4911]

Holdsworth and Gambale are my favourite guitarists. r.i.p. Allan :(

[@piktormusic2538]

Holdsworth’s work did make emotional connections with me and with many others. He was both extraordinary and very human.

[@callospaziale]

What?!? I wasn’t aware of his death I’m shocked.

[@134SASAKI]

I understand what Victor meant to say, but musicians aren't just looking for popularity. If it's business, he's right, but music is also art. I love Allan's music so much, R.I.P.

[@bowserh2012345]

He died in 2017... nothing new.

[@muffntheB]

"figure out why, then play like that" lol, very true, but also kinda like steven hawking saying, just figure out the maths and solve for x

[@Alex-qr6jh]

🤣

[@livy1962]

I think he meant, "solve for your own x".

[@borj_1967]

What an amazing man.

[@earledaniels4539]

I love this Dude. He's a musical genius and philosopher.

[@jowesh732]

Simplicity of the chords brings great music that's why few people are interested in today's shredders because they've lost simplicity

[@jamesa.1345]

So cool seeing him Pbass with flats

[@edennard1]

I thought i’d never see that.. I’m estatic ..Now I really would S... a brick if Victor did a complete album playing a Precision .

[@kurttremoulu2534]

For every musiciens and artist in general dudeeeee

[@itsenergybob8917]

I saw this master five times. Twice with Bela, twice with his brothers and a session like this. Awesome to watch.

[@TheBassofmike]

He’s brilliant. Wow!

[@Abulls33]

am i the only one who loves his smile?

[@pilsnrimgaard2507]

No truer words have ever been spoken. Speed seems to be the new thing. A lot of music lacks feeling these days because its always about speed and endurance and not about groove and FEEL.

[@-carlos-danger1891]

I've been listening to Victors stuff for a long time. This is the first time I've heard him talk about music like this. Smart guy. Deep shit.

[@thespiritualmadman5832]

this isnt a bass lesson...its a LIFE lesson. everything he said can be directly applied to how one projects and expresses oneself in life....he is a true master.

[@davolthe1261]

This guy is a legend, and am guitarist lol

[@jacquesvandermeer6668]

Melody first, feeling...yes.

[@greatwhite61967]

A very basic fact that Victor is so spot on & why a basic but melodic & bass line that has more thought added to it , will always prick up listeners... Sure Victor can do all the fancy playing which he should a very little bit but (for me anyway ) I like the calm before the storm & this can include furious different beat be played but just adding in some flavour into your bass lines will get your bass line noticed more... Victor is more than the bassist many people think he is but everything he tries to get across is about no matter what your bass line is make the listeners pick up on it & they'll listen & thats with just simple parts added in to spice your bass playing up enough to pop more... In light of this still ongoing coronavirus & it's variants stay safe and healthy wherever you are in this world... .....

[@ohmardiaz3582]

Spitting Knowledge

[@yassinsuleiman655]

Maybe it's his vibe or something but he seems like a happier Denzel Washington.

[@aldorodriguez7310]

Thanks for sharing ! Simplicity + Repetition + Feeling= 🎉❤😊

[@Theronimus]

Power of "play it simple".. 👍👍

[@FunkyB32]

To be fair, most people wouldn’t know who bb king was if he didn’t sing.

[@bbaffoe]

But they're feel/enjoy/find his music more palatable than Allan's music. I believe that's the point. Not that BB King is more famous, though he is, but that to find success as a musician, study the essence of what makes BB King's music reach more people than Allan's and try to replicate that. BB King's music (event without words) can reach and be enjoyed by instrumentalist as well as lay listeners. It breathes and allows listeners to take all in. Allan's music normally can only be palatable to instruments who love his style of jazz. I say this as someone who love's Allan's music and studies it. I just have to be real about it.

[@chemlung5368]

Music and human behavior lesson. Genius

[@anthonyman8008]

Thanks brother! I play simple and I always thought of it as a weakness and let hold me back. I cant tell you how perfect this timing is!

[@lowfijones3346]

Just improved my ability 10x just listening, wow! #bass #bassguitar

[@jdowney308]

“Freddy’s Dead”. Love it. I’m 64 years old, and it brings back awesome memories. As does WAR’s BB Dickerson. Life was simpler back then.

[@jermainelong1843]

Less technique, more music. Suits me sir!😁

[@viking_playndisplay1979]

You just explained why we all love bass but also hate being a bassist. We aren’t flashy. We don’t get the credit. But be sure you’d miss us if we were gone

[@johnm3187]

Well they dont get the credit because its generally pretty easy compared to what the lead is playing.

[@patrickcibulka2915]

Really John? Try playing some Entwistle.

[@johnm3187]

@@patrickcibulka2915 **generally**

[@pCeLobster]

Then be flashy if you want. I mean you yourself are saying you hate being a bassist so change how you play. This notion that you have to be boring in order to serve the song is hogwash. There are loads of cool, flashy bass parts that serve their song better than a boring part would have. Jamerson was flashy, he played lots of notes all over the changes. Wooten is a thousand times flashier still, to the point where he really shouldn't make comments like that about Alan Holdsworth lol. I mean what did Victor Wooten ever make anyone "feel" besides stupefaction at his technique? So don't let him convince you to keep plodding through dull bass parts if you'd rather go Entwistle on everyone's ass.

[@lauriehwrdlh]

Someone needs to send this to Davie504 🤣

[@boochbass]

Quantum Robin haha for sure man!!!

[@humanbass]

Or any of those new prog fusion djent guitarists that make the most uninteresting complex music ever. Tosin Abasi is an example, Paul Gilbert is an exception.

[@ikrammaududi6205]

@@humanbass who cares... tosin abasi's music is not for the mass anyway, I don't really like his music too, but that's another story Actually, prog-rock, fusion, djents have never been mainstream, they're for musicians and some non-musicians who like experimentation and want to explore their stuff

[@humanbass]

@@ikrammaududi6205 Victor Wooten isnt for the masses either.

[@ikrammaududi6205]

@@humanbass but he is somewhat different, he is very versatile I think more people like him more than tosin abasi, including me of course

[@michaelvaladez6570]

I've heard of Allan Holdsworh..there was nobody like him may he rest in peace 🙏!!!!

[@macymorse80]

I like the blues and have listened to it for a good while but man! I went to a street show one time in downtown Fort Worth?! It was all I could do to not set there and cry because I felt so much and I couldn’t handle all the emotion that the blues players were making me feel, even though it was a song I’ve heard countless times before. Hearing it live moved me like I never knew

[@jediobi6268]

Always funny to see Vic like this wonderful, the concerts of him are complete the opposite of what he is preaching to many notes etc.

[@tuomassaarinen]

Every musician needs to hear this