HOW TO PLAY 5 VERSIONS OF THE CUSS CUSS RIDDIM

An important part of learning the language of reggae is listening. The classic riddims have all the information you need. Here I demonstrate 5 versions of a classic riddim played by Flabba Holt, Robbie Shakespeare, Horace Andy and Donstrumental.
If you found the video useful, you may support the channel by buying me a coffee. ko-fi.com/dons....
Backing Tracks and PDFs are available here.
www.reggaebass...

[@donstrumental8905]

open.spotify.com/playlist/6WZLpC8aKm5QvWJ9oBHM5S?si=3f67f4df70e64705

[@arkystarch]

🎶🎶🎶

[@BadBadChad]

Great lesson. So informative. Love your straight forward teaching style.

[@matthewvazquez2785]

1-of-1, your channel has been my favorite finds over the last few years on youtube. Thank you for all the time and knowledge that you share

[@kateberry3871]

These are such satisfying basslines to play, and you explain them so clearly even a total beginner like me can get to grips with them. Many thanks to you, Don.

[@martinheath5947]

Thank you KZbin algo riddim! Excellent lesson 😊

[@danvieiranjos]

old times with tape but so good, I listened to many songs on my Walkman, good times.

[@JLeppert]

Mix Tapes were, in my humble opinion, the height of music. Every second was important because it was so finite. There were no duds or mediocre songs on a mixtape. Everything had to be perfect. Great breakdown of Cuss Cuss.

[@sethbrown8912]

Oh you hit the nail on the head. There can be no wasted tracks on a mixtape. 😅

[@gjhazelaar883]

Big up Donstrumental!! Nice work man, great to see proper education material on the back bone of the music we all love; the reggae bass. Great job showing the youths the roots from the times of cassettes, who remembers reeling the tape back in again with a pencil? For the ones looking for more riddems, I suggest Burning Spears enigmatic classic Wadada.. Bless up!

[@donstrumental8905]

Also the technique of putting the tape around a hot glass of water to get the creases out after being chewed in the cassette player. I also learnt to splice a cassette back together with tape. One day i will demonstrate how to make a delay with only a cassette and cassette player.

[@gjhazelaar883]

@@donstrumental8905 Cassete tape veterans, Haha! Keep up the good work brethren!

[@alu2get]

@@donstrumental8905brooooo….we’re counting it on you! The DELAYYYYYYY

[@micahlocilento5809]

Some favourite foundation riddims: throw me corn, lecturer, babatunde/created by the father, stealing, bobby Babylon, darker shade of black… to name a few

[@konstantinosntinas8139]

Thanks so much for your work brother ✌🙂 Such a blessing to be able to learn from you despite being so far. Apart from the genuine and deep knowledge that you share, you teach very methodically and you also immerse your viewers in reggae culture like no one else. The best ! Greetings from Greece.

[@hepburndavis]

Flabba Holt and The Late Style Scott, Roots Radics Rhythm section, dangerous.

[@fransvanoostrom591]

Love your deep dives into reggae-bass. Thanks!

[@rasamerlock4042]

Big ups Don!!!!

[@drawingdownthestars]

Drum Song riddim. I'm obsessed. So simple and so fun to play yet has so much depth. Great almost western feel. Quintessential Jackie Mittoo. Another great would be Tribal war. When the riddim rides the low end on repeat you feel it in your bones.

[@samsonwoods5448]

Just found yo channel RASTA MAN DON, Thanks!!!!!!!

[@sethbrown8912]

I dreamed of being a reggae bassist. This channel is so much fun for me. It is DEEP. I just love the reggae bass. When I first tried to play along with reggae, I realized how the simple sounding things are not simple they are just fitting in the right space and time. Your analysis is fantastic. Much praise to you.I especially appreciate the respect that you have for all those that came before you.

[@dizzyness2937]

some fav classic riddims: answer, rougher yet, afrikan beat, entertainment, taxi, conversation, prison oval, lecturer, hi fashion... goes on and on

[@guilhemalandry7869]

Great suggestions!

[@rastanz]

Great stuff Don. The golden era of vinyl, cassette and VHS tape, what fun memories. Love your Cuss Cuss take.

[@olilob575]

Thank you Don for the awesome lessons. An other good tune to play along to is Rubba Dunza on King Tubby's King of Dub.

[@donstrumental8905]

Thank You. Rubba Dunza is Horace Andy's Money Money Money

[@minopiccolomini4440]

Hi Don , thank you for these wonderful in depth videos and reggae bass lessons. I’m a 57 year old and have just started learning the bass your lessons have really given me hope to become a reggae bass player , I hope to see more of your lessons . Will you be doing anymore early Ska bass lessons which I love also . Keep the Riddim alive brother . Greetings from Australia 🙏

[@donstrumental8905]

Many have asked so i will have to answer to the call.

[@minopiccolomini4440]

@@donstrumental8905 thank you don . 🙏

[@lks_d_u_b_83]

Hello there. I'm watching all your videos and they are very helpful in learning how to play reggae bass lines. You are excellent at explaining us all this. I am subscribed. Greetings from Argentina. Lucas.

[@Markyboogie]

Greetings Don! thank you again, 1️⃣Love your channel ! Reggae Music Lesson!💥and Reggae History Lesson!💥

[@gocedimoski728]

Bunnywailerpetertoshpetertoshpetertosh😅

[@peeniewalli]

Riddim that i can think of is that Rainford Hugh's /Lee Perry's Black Ark era...."Two in One " and many other Dubtracks by f.e. king Tubby

[@greenglobal5385]

I love it. Great job. Thank you for sharing!

[@mikaso]

Thanks so much Don! Recommending YT channel "DJ Algoriddim", for tons of great riddim mixes, i.e. medleys of the most foundational versions of each riddim.

[@denislocs141]

YES KING the last bassline sound good like how it drop down🔥🔥

[@Simbosan]

Makes me think of Soul Scorcher, not sure if it's the exact cuss cuss riddim but I've got it stuck in my head now. Usually takes days to move on

[@donstrumental8905]

Same Riddim.

[@rainbowslushy223]

i like the flabba holt one . i'd use that as the main bassline then switch up to yours for a fat drum and bass switch up

[@tbaier101]

You touched on the Stalag riddim in a previous video - still my favorite. Love how you demonstrate that one-drop difference between Flabba and Robbie. I had never specifically thought about that but as soon as I heard you play both I thought "Of course!!" Thank you, as usual.

[@donstrumental8905]

Amazing What a difference dropping one 16th note can make.

[@tbaier101]

@@donstrumental8905 props to both men, both amazing in their own right, but Robbie wins here for me. Gives himself just enough space to shift the rhythm ever so slightly as he pleases. There's a reason why I never tire of his playing.

[@donstrumental8905]

Sammy Dread and Toyan are both on the same version of this riddim. Sammy Dread's Album is credited as Roots Radics, Toyan's is credited as Sly and Robbie. When you have been listening to the two bass players for years, you know its Robbie.

[@StratsRUs]

One song at a time.Great channel !

[@bandatratata]

such a nice vocalization with members of di Wailers

[@stephanvonwiller8164]

Love your lessons. I didn't like reggae that much, but now since I discovered your channel, I am digging it. Thanks a lot!

[@Duincyberkonijn]

Thanks again Don, sometimes it was a struggle to wind up these's cassettes . 😁😁

[@dubjedi3108]

Love your version but i personally would use it as flavour to compliment tthe original line so that it sounds sweeter when you do occasionally play it. Love that you got a 2 thumbs up from the Skipper😊

[@MusicEnthuZone]

Great advice listening to short playlists. I too grew up making tapes. I still remember my favourite ones. That bass sound is so smooth btw.

[@Angedelmor]

Hello just discovered your channel randomly, alway wanted to play reggae on bass, but never know where to start, thanks a lot for the lesson :)

[@skabuoy]

I started with a bass without really knowing how to play (I had learned a bass line during some 'workshop' type of moment). I started with playing my Reggae records, and the more intricate the bass lines were (remember, I couldn't play at all back then), the quicker I put aside the record. I finally found a record I could (partially) play along with pretty quick, and built from there.

[@donstrumental8905]

Exodus Bob Marley is a good stating place. Starts with Natural Mystic which is a nice simple bass line.

[@Angedelmor]

I'll will try that, thanks à lot !

[@TheGoblin800]

🙏🏿 Herman chin loy - jah jah dub , dont know the name of the riddim same bassline here, Joe gibbs - chapter three... Thx Don, and great take on the cus cus

[@donstrumental8905]

Cassava Piece Augustus Pablo kzbin.info/www/bejne/f6OtaYduYpufbdksi=DLmDp-kuYW0SA2mG

[@garcitodelascuerdas6417]

Check out the bass on 'False Prophets' by Marcus Gad and Tribe. Really excellent roots reggea band.

[@strakashagnasty]

I really enjoy your conversation and content. I watch then over n over.. coming back again and again months apart. Each time I hope a little more n more soaks in…

[@arkystarch]

Don, I enjoyed playing your version of the cuss-cuss riddim and the Robbie shakespear was most tricky but very helpful in improving and picking up my bassskil again! So cheers! Your a master and great teacher, bless up

[@AxeMan808]

I gotta give that one to Robbie. I'm biased 'cause he kept going low on it. I gotta give that to Robbie until I heard your descend. EDIT: Oh and man you can get so playful with the last note on the 2 and 4!

[@LeeRichardson808]

Thank you for the history lesson on the cuss cuss riddim. That last baseline was wicked!

[@Stewkeithmtb]

"My favourite chord progression, one chord" 🤣

[@thomarnold27]

Thank you Sir. Just picked up my first bass just over a week ago and found your channel. First reggae riddim i ever heard as a 13 yo boy had me hooked and changed how I listen to music forever. Looking forward to the journey recreating the infectious grooves with your help 🤙

[@rasamerlock4042]

So nice I have to comment twice . Artie Bella riddim is one of the must know, skylarking inna the mix too though; so many champion stone riddims though . Raspex maximum King Don.

[@benhedley1574]

Nice one. Apart from Cuss Cuss, my 10 song playlist would be something like this: Afrikan Beat Baltimore Drum Song Fever Full Up Heavenless (Kutchie) Hot Milk Night Nurse Real Rock Stalag

[@klisher]

Init strange how stuff we grew up with, you got to explain what it was and how it worked when at the time we thought it was amazin. 🤣

[@davidjc-KDW]

I can't remember in which recent video you mentioned voting for a ridden to cover, but I'lll go here. I vote for the Roots and Culture riddim, which I first heard through Mikey Dread's track.

[@ndill1597]

Abyssinians- Declaration of Rights Thanks Don for your contribution! This is great stuff

[@AxeMan808]

I still listen mostly to *albums*. And if not, I try to listen to a group of singles by a given artist, a la a Greatest Hits album.

[@royalemuzikproductionz]

The wailing souls act of affection is one of my favourite bline. I don’t know the Riddim name though 😅.

[@donstrumental8905]

I guess it would be called Act Of Affection Riddim. I don’t recall there being a Riddim with that bass line before Wailing Souls. Toyan has a track on that Riddim called “Pope Paul in the corner” on the How The West Was Won LP.

[@claesvanoldenphatt9972]

I go to the library and check out cds of roots reggae. I play them on my dj double cd player and listen to two cds over and over again almost daily to learn bass lines.

[@guilhemalandry7869]

Another phenomenal lesson Maestro. Once again I learn and grow. Thank you. We need more genuine and accurate content like this. Please keep it coming. As for my Riddim suggestions I’d say Cassava Piece, Movie Star and Baltimore. But there are so many more!

[@hepburndavis]

TDK CrO2 90 minute was the best for those who could afford it. Those of us others settled for The TDK Normal.

[@jeffmeikle4467]

Talk about how Missie Elliott and Jazmine Sullivan used King of Isreal bassline to make "I need you bad"

[@donstrumental8905]

Yes I will

[@jeremydarrow]

Another great video, Don! Do you have a Spotify playlist of essential listening?

[@donstrumental8905]

Just pinned a Playlist at top of comments👍🏾

[@jeremydarrow]

@@donstrumental8905 Thank you!

[@peeniewalli]

(for those under 30 y old ) Top explained why.cassette-tapes where so valueble !! I still have them.

[@himbra25]

Drop your favourite classic riddim, you say. Cuss Cuss riddim.

[@patiencezero1025]

one of my favorites is the dance hall track… “No, No, No” by Dawn Penn

[@Paraslider_]

So many memories with tape casette and classic stereo portables and walkman!! Same 8-10 songs all the day, yes Sir! 😂 Thank you for inspiration Don! 🎸🎼🕺💃

[@DW-oj6yu]

The way Robbie comes in one beat later than Flabba has such a huge impact on feel. Both are excellent, but what a difference one beat of space can make.

[@hepburndavis]

Get outa me home wid you cuss-cuss, I don’t like it-Lloyd Robbins

[@baoagikeitshokile9696]

Bless up. Thanks for the great reggae bass content. Keep up the good work. I love how you're putting out videos regularly.

[@BlackMarketYoga]

Are you finger nails hitting the strings at all on the plucking hand? I did watch the "Fat Reggae Tone?" episode again just now. I am playing a schecter baron bass with the bass lines stingray type pick up. Thanks for the awesome new episode.

[@donstrumental8905]

No nails. Sometimes they may over grow but if I can help it, my nails are so short that there is no chance of them hitting the strings.

[@espeluciao2874]

Wow! you're on a roll! another video. Great!

[@SamsonBenji]

Love your channel - forward ever, Bassie!

[@arkystarch]

tempo riddim, real rock are some of the riddims that I started with

[@YiannisPetevis]

Roots Radics Freelance vinyl

[@TerryVibes]

Nice song fam! 🔥🔥🔥

[@Animetixx]

Thank you brotha!

[@Shemra]

Father Jungle Rock

[@chukaachike4566]

You are simply wonderful Don, but which bass riddim is the background riddim for this video and which artists have used them?

[@donstrumental8905]

It’s one of my Riddims I produced for Morgan Heritage. The version playing in the background is the original instrumental before extra instruments were added. kzbin.info/www/bejne/r32XlWuPd9SIg6Msi=gqKA3EhKFOQpm0PJ

[@chukaachike4566]

Thanks a great deal Don. I don't joke with bassline in reggae. Can you break down the bassline in Junior Delgado's "armed robbery" You are doing an amazing work. Nuff respect

[@donstrumental8905]

@@chukaachike4566 Can you play it? You need help with it?

[@hepburndavis]

Horace Andy’s version sounds like a completely different song.

[@donstrumental8905]

There are actually 2 versions where Horace plays bass.

[@davidjc-KDW]

BTW: I saw you (I believe) on a Dub Vender video too.. You run the record label as well I believe. I'm a permanent beginner bass player, but love your channel all the same.

[@donstrumental8905]

Yes, you saw me dropping off the copies of 2 vinyl records that have just come back in stock. can you send me an email to [e-mail] I think we need to talk about your permanent beginner status 😀

[@unsafeaccount8516]

Fantastic stuff again, thanks a lot! Please make more riddim based videos, very nice to see and experience how these basslines evolved!

[@donstrumental8905]

I will for sure

[@moochincrawdad]

I don't wanna play bass I just wanna dance! 🤗

[@donstrumental8905]

🤣

[@fergalh11]

Wicked video Brudda!

[@bassiehd]

Very cool Don! To show the youth and upcoming bassists an example of how the riddims evolve over time, it's a great thing you do. When you mentioned the names of the Wailers (very clever btw), I thought of the "Hypocrites" riddim and how it's evolved to be quite different from. the original bassline. Also "Shank I Shek." I could name quite a few other riddims to which this applies. But generally the bassline stays recognizably the same over the different eras of rocksteady and reggae, even when the trends in drumming change, from one-drop to "flyers" a la Santa Davis to steppers to rockers etc. Anyhow, keep up the great work! I'll be checking back each time you release a new video!

[@Dubtronic1000]

Riddim Up, some of my favs include. Ali Baba, Shu Be Du, Marcus Garvey, S90 Skank & many more....

[@dubjedi3108]

"Favourite chord progression.......1 chord"😂😂😂😂😂

[@donstrumental8905]

Everytime🤣

[@trevorkanyowa261]

This is my Number 1 Reggae Bass Channel. Big up!!

[@donstrumental8905]

Thank You

[@RawfodoG0515]

Can you compile a list of the best reggae bass lines for us to listen to please 👍

[@donstrumental8905]

There is a Playlist pinned to the top of the comments.

[@AntoineVideoLibrary]

Thanks for the lesson. I didn’t know about the Cuss Cuss rhythm. Very interesting!

[@lorenzobrun2045]

Jeeez bruv ..the cassette...the good old times with my best friend the sony walkman.....Bet they even dont know it had two sides Btw I love your videos

[@danielhawley882]

I love the bass videos. Keep up the good work. Rock your bones Clinton Fearon riddim.

[@trevorblair5552]

Hi Don, Prophecy by Fabian and Wolf In Sheep’s Clothing use to shell down the dance in my sound system days! 😊🙏🏿

[@RAUCH_Davka]

Bobby Babylon riddim is my personal favorite ❤Love Jackie Mittoo - “One Step Beyond”

[@Zerpersande]

Ahhh, transferring music from LPs to cassettes. Kept the LPs in great condition for when the cassette player ‘got hungry’.

[@bredda_marcus]

Love this!

[@isdom272]

Rockfort rock riddim pls

[@isdom272]

Sattamassagana

[@jhowitt88]

Taxi. 🖤💛💚❤

[@s3hooligan]

Sling ting riddim , bookshelf riddim, rummors, stalog riddem🔥

[@almateenyazid]

Twinkle Brothers... Faith can Move Mountains!

[@hepburndavis]

One of the most iconic bassline is “Shank-I-Sheck.”

[@Diaaze]

I had a feeling there was a new video out. came here and BINGO!

[@jonasbogaerts3742]

Brilliant, as always. Quick side note. Its been some times now i'm thinking about writing to sbl saying : "guys, there's no proper reggae courses here, except those rare (but brilliant) Danny Mo seminars, you should check this guy, Donstrumental, he's amazing, i would love to see him here!" And here i am, listening to Danny's last seminar about family man, and what a good surprise to realise you where there, and that he said he'll check you up! Man i wish you get a seat there and have the opportunity to work with them 😀.

[@donstrumental8905]

Thank you Jonas. I don't think I play enough notes to qualify for SBL.🤣

[@jonasbogaerts3742]

🤣🤣

[@sethbrown8912]

​@@donstrumental8905They will be knocking on your door one day soon.

[@MichaelBruceTaos]

Aswad - Bammie Blow. One of my favorites.

[@ThomasHope73]

Wow, such a great lesson in every way! Nice one! 👍👍