Francis Rocco Prestia - Fingerstyle Funk (Bass Lesson)

Tower of Power bassist Francis Rocco Prestia demonstrating some fingerstyle funk.

[@pastense]

R.I.P. Rocco. Not enough flowers were given to you, brother...

[@jeal994]

he died cause?

[@pastense]

Je Al he’s been struggling with, I believe, kidney problems. This happened last night. I’m from the Bay Area and the musician scene here is very close. So very sad to lose a local legend like him. 😥

[@Tomatohater64]

@@pastense Liver and kidney problems from what I heard.

[@redtrekgirl8883]

I disagree… 🎤🚬🐈‍⬛

[@TheParanoidandroid2]

"play this till you get comfortable with it" alright man, see you in five years

[@thejoetandy]

How'd you go?

[@krzysiekczajkowski6376]

Someone says this guy is shredding right now

[@francescosaverio3811]

this dude now is playing like a pro

[@Leelicious1312]

I've been waiting for you to post a video of yourself playing this song for 5 years now

[@conorsmith8551]

10 years later.... No sighting haha

[@lakehousetech]

The 'Chuck Norris' of funk bassists.

[@onis]

RIP my man. You were a monster of bass.

[@craigj.8539]

Amen! In this age of thumping/slapping and speed, the beauty of Rocco's playing has been overlooked by a younger generation. His playing on the very first TOP album ("East Bay Grease") was all the inspiration I needed to buy my first bass and fall in love with the instrument. That was 52 years ago and I'm still in love with playing (that same) P-Bass. ❤ Thanks, Rocco! R.I.P. Bassmaster.

[@01rrrdddrrrddd]

Same for me I keep coming back to it every day. I've never heard of this guy but that bass riff is addictive.

[@garyssimo]

Every Tower Of Power song was addictive! Rocco was on the first one... East Bay Grease. loved that band!!

[@armanhanda]

Years pass but this still amazes me just the same. Grew up on this! RIP Rocco

[@brandonelm4891]

I don't even play bass anymore since I'm a straight addict to anything that interests me but I just forced my daughter to watch this. 32 now, used to listen to this every morning at 15-17 years old. Fucking gives me goosebumps. Was never even a fan of tower of power really but this dude is to bass what openheimer was to nuclear energy

[@allgems]

There are lots of players who can solo better than him,but when it comes to laying down the groove and staying in the pocket,he's one of the best on the planet!!!

[@Tomatohater64]

I think I've listened to this at least a dozen times over the past year or two. Good music performed by great musicians is always a treat.

[@MikeOnBassGuitar]

I think the most valuable thing to do as a musician if you're not prepared to learn notation is transcribe by ear and sight. It's a little slow but you really get the feel and it's satisfying. It also trains your ears.

[@garyssimo]

totally agree! was taking lessons from a Satriani student in berkeley and I went A wall on my ear training lesson and..... quit the silly paperwork. I play along to what I hear since 1964 Ya cant get fun!y reading stuff...gotta FEEL IT U HIP?

[@cooksondude]

Let's take another look at it. 0:12

[@Pudsy440]

master of finger funk... this is good stuff

[@Pen2AndyP]

Man, I love this groove, it's extremely simple but so effective!

[@CoolColJ]

Walking down the street like a boss!

[@garyssimo]

Wow love this style! He was an influence on Jaco Pastorias. My granpa Rocco had a diary farm in Oakland and played 6 string. Lost his wife and raised 4 kids solo. Mom loved Pop Rocco. Who would ever chose playn bass with a pick after seeing this?

[@pickle965]

Earlier in the video Rocco explains his technique of slightly muting the strings with the middle/ring finger of his fretting hand. Watch his finger placement especially when he plays the low E and A strings.

[@lbushkovski]

This is the reason a bass player needs killer time. Rocco is ALWAYS right in the center of the groove!!! One of my favorite players.

[@Rikkerry25]

"Hi mam, did you order the pizza...a meatlovers...extra sauage?!" *cue the bass line*

[@guhcdn]

As much as this video isn't...a lesson per say, if you watch him, and learn to play this song, you are well on your way to becoming a better bassist. I've only been playing for 8 months but mastering this song has helped me play faster, more fluidly and gave me a better understanding of the bass

[@noebarragan9380]

What a sad day, RIP legend

[@guhcdn]

Oh Shyt!, Tower of Power is coming to my town in a week, time to get my Fender Jazz signed by this King of Bass.

[@funnypilot73]

For those wondering what type of bass that is, it's a Fernandes Gravity 4. Great instrument, I used to own 2 of them.

[@bordangosic4834]

Can you tell me the specs ?

[@AJDOLDCHANNELARCHIVE]

Actually it's a Fernandes APB 4, the Gravity did not exist back then.

[@AJDOLDCHANNELARCHIVE]

@@bordangosic4834 The specs for the Fernandes APB (the bass in this video) are; Made in Japan, ash body, maple neck, 24 fret rosewood fingerboard, Gotoh tuners, adjustable nut, Gotoh bridge, active preamp.

[@webbster5296]

Prestia is skilled, to say the least. His videos are helpful, because I learn many things by ear.

[@bighugerabbit]

I've had it for years. I've seen Rocco many times live, he is amazing. He has just come back from some serious health problems. Is it me or is he just a little baked?

[@kaszpiboy]

There is a point there; for instance Gary Moore's technicality is seemingly not as difficult as Malmsteen's high-speed shredding, yet picking with such feel as Gary is very hard. Geezer Butler today is seemingly not the nimblest of all bassists yet his way of playing influenced probably millions of rock and metal bass players (including me). Yet we must admit, that technicality and new techniques help a player explore and achieve new sides to the person's own creativity.

[@milestoneman500]

Jaco definitely borrowed s a little of Rocco`s style.

[@MahRiiN0oo]

That's a pretty cool style how he uses his thumb on the lower string when playing the higher strings. And this is a wicked riff too.

[@Kill_in_it_a_is]

Where did my pants go?

[@andrewmaxfield5873]

hahahahahaha

[@FunkySpunky91]

ive practiced this song for about 3 days on and off and nailed it perfectly. not too hard. sounds amazing hehe :)

[@BassBaseBerlin]

Yeah... what about 1:08 ... sounds a bit off for me? PS: He's great - that's ... in germany we say "complaining on a high-level" ... do you know what i mean?

[@superdickinahole]

god man he plays so good. and when he plays so fast it is hard to learn but when you learn it it is well worth it AND IT MAKES YOU HAPPY!!!!!!!!

[@MatthewBattaglioli]

How is this in anyway a lesson?

[@barnabass]

Most musicians learn by listening and watching.

[@ceilingtracer]

you buy the accompanying book.

[@RushRocks77]

monster groove and i love that tone. and his voice is somehow awe inspiring.

[@BreakupBass]

This is what that guy from Vulfpeck Joe Dart rips off.

[@ObiWanKenobi]

Well he says that Rocco was a big inspiration for his picking technique

[@napischu]

That's so damn true haha xD Rocco's my favorite bass player of all times. Loved Tower Of Power since I was about 5 years old. And he's a really nice guy aswell.

[@SDRockman]

"low high, then high low" I find this so god damn funny with the way he moves his head and his voice acting all suave."Until you get comfortable with it" LMAO!

[@WWare16]

This line is a great challenge and as good a lesson as you'll ever get from anyone- I'm having a ball trying to learn it but it is HARD WORK!!!

[@dhimes3]

Glad to see your back healthy Rocco...for anyone that hasn't seen Rocco with TOP..you are missing a musical experience...I'm missing Chester Thompson though..(back in the day!!)

[@ghosttroop]

Oh man! That is such a wicked riff. It's really cool watching the fingers of the right-hand. It's kind of hypnotic.

[@holydude13]

oh my god he has that funky soul..your my hero dude.

[@captuelli]

Everybody say Tower or Power! he's their bassist. A beast! and a really nice guy. I talked to him after a concert. one of my big role models!

[@march1959]

Like to see more of his demonstrations. He s the funk king !

[@spatemdim]

Excellent way to present material.

[@TBass234]

Francis has a very nice defined tone. Thats something to work for.

[@grindamadurin]

oh shit, crazy skills.. the awesomeness is melting my brain.

[@FunkySpunky91]

this is such a fun song to play!

[@succubusch]

Impeccable! you are exelent. very good player

[@nikklazz]

Haha...hell yeah. I was sitting here nodding my head and then I read what you had written. So funky and groovy.

[@tbcass]

James Jamerson was another player that had limited technical ability but musically was so unique among his peers that many consider him, along with Jaco, the greatest electric bassist ever. He created a style that still influences players today. I can easily copy anything Jamerson did but creatively I couldn't shine his shoes.Technique is no substitute for creativity

[@jinithith2]

I cant stop playing this

[@tbcass]

I like complex bass lines as long as it's in the groove. That Bass line is in the groove for sure.

[@blaisejones]

OMG BOW DOWN TO THE GOD!!!! i've never actually SEEN bass movements like this i always just listen. MAN I GOT TO LEARN HIS SONG WUTEVER HE IS PLAYING

[@mynameisjm]

bass is such an under rated instrument bass is awesome!

[@MrMattlyon]

That....is how you play the bass. Awesome!

[@c0xb0x]

Best chord progression ever

[@GeorgeRizov]

Rocco really rocks! What an awesome bass sound and great technique, too!

[@Scott90314]

very smooth sound.

[@fuzzcentralage]

this gets me pumped up bro

[@NickVanDaley]

Dude ur the most awesome bassist Ive ever heard ROCK ON

[@pablotruquero]

simple and beautiful

[@Pastorius333]

A more funky player is hard to come by. Funk heaven!

[@jsilence418]

a great chance to see a true BASS GOD, up close!! thanks pickle 965

[@myfairvanity]

@YROCKLINGER if your just starting to play by ear, that's exactly what you gotta do. pause, rewind, pause, rewind. it might take a couple hours to get a part done, but you can feel good about doing it. and it doesn't take too long before your ears really open up. (that's when it gets fun) keep it going man.

[@tullowhill]

very nice..I like the way the screens are split to see both hands in action

[@Djabule]

This guy is one of my fave bassists!

[@Evgene666]

great video! i love tower of power

[@deadbeatproz]

That's a funky practice line I ever heard.

[@superdickinahole]

bloody amazing keep on playing

[@cheesypasta]

couldn't get more funky than that

[@blunt1]

Awesome stuff from the master. And this is about half speed for him.

[@reynolds101]

Hey thats exactly what I do!! I have a P Bass but I dont have a large enough bass amp, so I only use a small 30 watt guitar amp at home. For my bands shows I use a larger bass amp and sounds great with those settings!

[@jonny3gwd25]

word, man. transcribing baselines is no doubt the best way to improve/understand the instrument

[@joshcab8023]

watching this in 2020

[@williamsykes7803]

Josh Cab it’ll still sound this good in 1,000 years too 👌

[@bassman26]

what an excellent bass line.. so much flavor and a pocket i'd love to be in.. i agree, he deserves much respect and was/is a very influential bass player.. his bass lines feel more alive than bootsy's.. gotta love that 16th note feel.

[@Emanon887]

great! please more videos!

[@TheZburljProduction]

miracle.nice bass sound..

[@Zerathul7]

that sounds great!!! makes me wanna dance.

[@Caledonian2006]

Excellent. With two views your presentation stayed very cool! A nice and enjoyable technique!

[@henniebogan1]

this is what you call 1;37 of pure finger funk but years of inspiration for me

[@pdu2]

Thats some serious Groovin' diggin' the bass tones man! diggin it!

[@tanlantv]

this is awesome. Rocco is the man.

[@funlovencriminals]

Totally in love

[@unsere]

What a Funky!! Amazing.

[@SterlingCorrodusCounterCulture]

Man that is totally wicked

[@MeenGMeenie]

Rocco is the coolest man on earth!

[@UltimateBassGroover]

this is the best bass vid on the net ; =D seriously, this guy play this two chords like bach, but in funk, entertainment and on bass guitar very chatchy thing !! 👍👍👍👍

[@aakkoin]

totally sweet layback playing

[@hv1461]

Much love Brother

[@tbcass]

I agree. The only thing difficult is the octive and the octive + fifth skipping which just takes practice. Also the syncopation, ghost notes and overall feel is important.

[@Breadstick1234]

This is awesome.

[@tbcass]

That is true. To be able to play what you feel the technicality must come first. Prestia's technicality is very subtle and not as easy to emulate as it sounds. I have heard many try but few get it quite right. He does most of his left hand fingering with only 2 fingers while muting with the other two which gives that distinctive percussive thump. Playing the notes is one thing. Getting the right feel is another.

[@chiluzzdia]

so funky you can taste it!

[@sturoc0]

There's alot more going here than just the right hd technique. Pickups and any further preamp-ing is also adding to the tone as well.

[@mussinbusod]

nice so smooth

[@joepic85]

Just what I wanted to see.. you read my mind. Thanks!!

[@Eirikursson]

i freaking love that instrument

[@lilsheep68]

this is so awesome..!

[@Razoul]

Man I really need to get the rest of this video.

[@Priyesh0804]

wow... well done... i think your right... i ran the melody thru and i think it works

[@LePeterK123]

BEST LESSON EVER!!! How did you come up with"A pick is the only way to play bass and fast and shit." INGENIUS!!!

[@picure]

The power behind the tower.