Michael Manring at Bass Player LIVE! 2013

Solo artist Michael Manring (Windham Hill) demonstrates his technical & harmonic virtuosity with his Zon Hyperbass in his Bass Player LIVE! clinic.

[@foulsmellingpig]

"A man who has attained mastery of an art reveals it in his every action."

[@stkittsdave1]

Hedges/Manring were a duo of immense power.

[@bassimprovjams3772]

Yas!!!! Michael Hedges was absolutely amazing!!!

[@pacohome1]

Would have payed stupid money to have been at that intimate venue to hear and see him live, what a gentleman and artist

[@brucedietz3115]

got to see him live in an extremely small venue at the Reading Jazz Fest many years ago. Seeing him play Watson and Crick was insane ( two basses at the same time! ) )

[@tulpa1940]

Years I've been coming back to these old Manring videos. Genius and inspiration beyond any other.

[@rmp5s]

Wow...what a seemingly cool, down to earth, soft-spoken, humble guy.

[@art212]

Im speechless, this guy is on a whole other level, musically and spiritually

[@G8GT364CI]

This is the first time I've ever watched him or heard him and I have to say that this is incredible and it's beyond my ability to describe in words the impact his playing and attitude had on me as I watched. I'm a long time bass player and can never usually watch solo bassists for more than a few minutes even if they're unbelievable, this performance had me transfixed and I couldn't have stopped watching even if I had wanted to.

[@jasonwilliamshuck]

long-time MM fan...his collaborations with Michael Hedges are legendary and ethereal

[@bubsbarney3340]

Just listening to/watching Michael Manring at Bass Player LIVE! 2013. I d'ont know if I want to burn all my basses, start practising 30 hours a day or just curl up in the corner and cry. I love how with 1 bass he can create a sound so big and full that an orchestra would have difficulty to replicate and then play one note that is so beautiful that it could be the last note of the universe.

[@BOnEhEAdD]

I do realize this was probably mostly a rhetorical question, but i still figured i could throw in some insights i remember on this topic: - The core of styles like Michael's is in approaching the instrument from a different direction than you are taught and extrapolation on anything that happens on the bass and seems unintentional or even undesirable. - Apart from the obvious zillion tuning combinations and appropriately light-gauge strings, the Hyperbass is tuned in 5ths by default (think it's a cello tuning but i'm not sure), allowing it to encompass more range, especially in the high-frequency registers. - The Hyperbass is also quadraphonic, which is a big part of the sound in the polyphonic sections.

[@G8GT364CI]

@@BOnEhEAdD You forgot to add that it would probably only work for Manring anyway. 🤣 But, yeah, he's a monster.

[@devandestudios128]

I for one, have never heard bass guitar played like this man plays it and it is fucking phenomenal. I was on another sight and heard this Bass for which I couldn't identify. Upon clarification, I came here and I am very glad that I did. I have often thought that Bass is lacking in most bands and that there is so much more that can be done with it. Michael Manring proves that there is. This genius. This brilliant. This is refreshing. Bravo. I don't even play Bass and or Guitar or any instrument for that matter, with the exception of banging a rhythm on drums. Not that well either, But I can appreciate what I hear with this. It is soul lifting and earth grounding. Makes you feel alive in a way that only music can.

[@claudi0barragan]

the man, the myth, the messiah, the truly living legend, No one has ever taken the bass as further as michael.

[@ericgendell8874]

A master and an original, rendering all criticism irrelevant as the critics who offer nothing but bile when Michael offers genius. Nothing can be said to diminish Michael's' devotion skill and accomplishment. He is indeed a paragon of bass virtue.

[@kevinwhite6176]

Michael Manring is probably my favorite bass player. He understands how to use a bass as a rhythmic instrument and a melodic instrument just perfectly.

[@ericgendell8874]

I was transfixed and transported. Michael is as interesting and personable as he is one of the greatest masters of his instrument who has ever lived. He takes the bass to whole new and previously unimagined heights and depths. If Bach were alive today, Michael would be his bassist.

[@RandyLott]

Michael seems like a great guy. I have a lot of respect for him.

[@Arturo-sm1tb]

I have spent a little time with him. He's an incredibly humble and warm human being.

[@simo7393]

@@Arturo-sm1tb i totally agree, a very enlightened person, incredibly humble and nice and open towards others, he is aware

[@Alex_Khouri]

This man is truly amazing. One of the most emotionally expressive bass players I've ever seen/heard, and a truly amazing personality driving it all too. He's extraordinarily humble, while also being very wise. It's been a true pleasure to get a glimpse of the inner truth that he's chosen to reveal here.

[@pivotybob]

He speaks so much calmer and more timidly than I had imagined he would

[@azizbass]

We are so blessed to have a great talent like this in our life time Thank god for Micheal Manring.

[@uweforschner9480]

About two years ago when I first time listened to Michael Manring, I had the feeling of watching a man just noodeling around on a bass with a lots of Hipshot D-tuners. I took some time and watched/listened to more of his stuff. Today I am a big fan and am still blown away by his way of playing the bass guitar. He "uses" the bass, he is not simple "playing" it.

[@alanpreston8925]

This is what Genius sounds like. I believe there was a mind-meld between Michael Hedges and Michael Manring before Hedges left us way too soon. Can you imagine what it would be like to have both of them still here today? Hedges lives on though in so many other musicians today!

[@jasoncarpp7742]

The first time I heard of Michael Manring was part of a Windham Hill CD sampler of cool music. I believe the song was called *"Welcoming"*. Sweet music!

[@nbt3663]

Jason Carpp yes. What a very incredible song it is, too.

[@Toxeensynth]

The humblest bassist on EARTH, his creativity makes me cry tears of joy....Incredible experiences! Thank you a lot

[@eliotmccann2589]

Unbelievable. I'm stunned by this particular performance.

[@AmatriceBand]

he is the musician for musicians. his level of understanding bass is like bill evans at piano and coltrane on sax

[@Pahhu]

He really is the definition of "music for musicians". I feel like it would be very hard for someone to get into this unless they appreciate on a technical level as well as musical.

[@regortex3364]

Unquestionably the best use of a Boss GT-3 in history. What an amazing musician, and human being.

[@sfarrell2459]

So I’m re-re-re-listening to this and as always, just blown away… not just your playing, but your passion and love for the bass. Thanks for sharing this

[@MichFingerstyle]

Michael is an amazing musician! Thanks for sharing this!!

[@BS-te3mn]

The only musician to ever get applause after tuning lol!

[@1BassJohn]

Those sound-scapes are really beautiful.. they take you somewhere else.

[@GreetTheSacredCow]

Great playing, and I must say the Zon bass is a masterpiece. I had never seen or heard one before!

[@TheOffensiveShit]

I like your name. Primus Sucks!

[@ningcui3276]

Can't agree more! It looks so beautiful!

[@wadecampbell6852]

It was a pleasure meeting you when you played here in Tacoma. What a great player, and great guy. Bless you man!

[@SuperSoznanie]

Unbelievable! The most beautiful and Musical playing!

[@AbCDef-zs6uj]

this man is literally a genius

[@Tooltrocity]

I hope to be a 50th of the bassist this guy is by the time I die.

[@infocovencomputers9114]

really michael its AMAZING. the bass player around the world. thank you for inspire me!!!

[@drewyoungs]

This is so good, I just leave it on in loop mode.. Love you Michael..

[@sherriwarren9761]

I met him in Corvallis. He is very humble, and down to earth. Watching him was inspirational. I'm just starting, and he played things I didn't know the bass was capable of. Very approachable, and helpful.

[@MichaelHicksblackrosebooks]

Way to go GG!!!

[@DMagurkus]

Dude's a seeker. What a pleasure to hear him speak. Makes a bass player want to play to find all the things I missed the first time.

[@catawallupinbass]

Thanks for posting this for bass players everywhere to enjoy.

[@salahalawi1170]

I have learned alot during this one hour video God bless you man :)

[@mahalayananda]

thank you for sharing. This was a wonderful experience both musically and to see this humble ever so talented person. not many famous musicians have even a shred of humbleness left. such a joy to meet a real person

[@EnriquePerezVivas]

thank you so much for posting this!

[@davidhadley370]

This brother is deep... Wonderful.

[@EINRiDI-official]

Just amazing. I love the art of Manring.

[@toddliggett4093]

I remember hearing this guy on a Windham Hill album back in the late 80's. I was blown away by his skill and composition back then. These days I'm just slack-jawed and bewildered. This man is a friggin' bass genius! If you didn't watch the video you wouldn't know he was playing a bass.

[@helmzmen]

A true master and a true lover of all things music and bass. The world doesn't deserve the pure comitment and passion this man produces.

[@andymelendez9757]

The well of inspiration lies within us all. The courage to try is left to just a few.

[@DeanoPiano]

I'm a keys player but I love checking this guy out from time to time, takes me to other places and lifts the soul.

[@kenchuba6024]

never get tired of this dude.

[@Jm00sh]

The emotion in His playing is what really gets me. He translates it so well, it's just captivating. It's certainly therapy to my ears! Such brilliance.

[@sealevelbear]

Really like the opening section, cool harmony!

[@plippleplop]

As a bassist myself, I am humble at your ability to reach the listener on another dimension!

[@peteschork9461]

a total reinvention of what's possible on the bass. jaco took us in one direction and manring takes us in another. incredible!!!

[@SOMETHING6223]

my thoughts on that opening jam are perfectly summed up by the guy that immediately says "wow"

[@drasgum]

wow the person and the musician are both so beautiul to hear, what a great guy !

[@mikemartin6554]

my favorite bass player! brilliant yet humble...

[@viaggiatorecosmico]

Not only a stellar bass player but a man with great inner qualities!

[@selfkindness]

gorgeous ...unreal playing.

[@samuraimalla]

Such an under-rated bassist!

[@bdking57]

Im enjoying this very insightful video...feeling immensly honored to be holding the original 1981 Zon composite neck prototype bass with a body that is pretty much a giant block of east indian rosewood. I had heard michael owns a number of the other prototypes. the design has changed very little over tge years and thisone is now almost 40 years old but looks brand new

[@bassheadjazz2708]

Incredible what this guy does with a fretless. Great songwriting too, check his albums out. Funny all the comments about how "non-bass" his style is. I'm 100 percent certain Michael can play brown eyed girl in a bar band any day, but have yet to see your typical "working" bassist achieve this level of skill and progression on a 4 string instrument.

[@soeffingwhat]

+BassHeadJazz Maybe he can but who knows. I'd like to see him play in a Band. It'd be interesting. And to be fair, his style is quite "Un-Bass like" as it were. Being a Soloist is not everyone's Cup of Tea, it doesn't mean they're "less Skilled" just that they're styles are different.

[@bvaughan3862]

+soeffingwhat I've seen him play in a band. He was the bassist of choice for Montreaux, and he kicked live ass as hard as he's kicking solo ass here. He also "taught" the best bassist that I've ever known personally, Milton Davis, to play comfortably with one Mr. Michael Hedges.

[@soeffingwhat]

Brian Vaughan He's due at the London Bass Show next March. Wouldn't mind seeing that.

[@davidhadley370]

+soeffingwhat I don't find his style "un bass like..." I think our perception of the bass is what's limited. He is very musical... and spiritual... and emotional. As a bassist, I think we're blessed to have him play our instrument.

[@keny46]

+BassHeadJazz I think just most people who pick up the bass aren't as drawn to doing solo stuff like Michael because honestly how many non bassist do you know who listen to solo bass music? It's the same with people like Vai and Satriani 98% of their fan base are guitarists because most of it is just guitar wanking for the sake of wanking and only other guitar players are really impressed by that. I think there are other bassists that could pull off his stuff but most players focus on making a living off free lance playing in traditional bands, and studio work things that are more realistic, pay more, and have better chances of accomplishing. No hate to the guy I met him and he's a nice dude.

[@refbassist]

Just awsome as always

[@chazz-j1994]

Such an amazing player and such a humble guy.

[@fnduran]

A humildade expressa toda sua grandeza aos 19'38''. Um músico genial e de uma simplicidade humana sincera.

[@genearbogast7525]

Wow!!!! So well spoken with the bass guitar and his own voice.......

[@GhadyegoCarraro]

My friend Michael Manring, great musician!

[@patrickr12342]

It is so sad, what he has experienced with Jaco. Very honest and respectful, how Michael described this. Thanks for the Video.

[@fabiancamacho7061]

I want to learn how to do all of that. Found a new inspirational bass player to follow

[@me126tilt365]

Namaste .. Michael .. Thanks

[@HouseOfSpheres]

Best eBow usage I've ever heard and it's not even close. Virtuoso.

[@daviddevilliers2828]

Ouch, fabulous men, musician, beautiful and magic, my soul is blowing into heavens

[@stevesheldon8616]

He plays with pure joy.

[@jayteebass]

VERY INSPIRATIONAL ... THANX :-) & WHAT A HUMBLE MAN !!!

[@JuergenJoherl]

Indeed...a great guy & fantastic player!

[@greggleventhal5010]

This must be art, because I think you can only either love or hate this.

[@mikesorbassguitar]

It's hard to believe that he plays the same instrument that I do. It's like the difference between Honey Boo Boo's mother and Jessica Alba.

[@ronfleming5488]

Unless you own a Hyperbass, he really doesn't play the same instrument. I mean it can do things that your bass can do, but your bass can't really do what his can.

[@reggiemulet]

Wtf lol

[@breadstuff]

@@ronfleming5488 technically i cant agree more. However, a more capable beast needs a stronger hand to tame imho.

[@mgdarenz]

LOL

[@SeanLain]

@@ronfleming5488 So exactly like Honey Boo Boos mom and Jessica Alba

[@BlackBeltBultitude]

Ok I'm gonna go practice for the next century...

[@pabloenriquetirabassi7060]

Que maravilla, es increíble verlo tocar !!

[@dasherbstkind]

...just beautiful...

[@DjunkMusic]

he can make his bass sound like anything.

[@thomifo]

What a great smile in his face when he play his instrument.

[@Toxeensynth]

So natural, isn't it?? It just shows the infinite passion and love he has towards music and his instrument

[@jonimisso2044]

Toxeensynth he loves the music and his fans. he tours around for next to nothing. he's been at it for all of his life with no signs of slowing. i met him in alabama and got a lesson, a master class and a show. like the inspiring speech he gives, that every bassist should see, he loves the bass.

[@jonimisso2044]

Joni Misso and aside from requests, he never plays the same song twice. i'm working on being as good as he is.

[@1BassJohn]

Joni Misso That's really inspiring Joni, it's always so inspiring hearing about people passionate about taking their art to the next level. All the best with it! :)

[@jonimisso2044]

Thanks meng. Yeah I'm learning jazz. Takes a lifetime. I've been playing metal, punk, prog, experimental, and dabbled in other styles like neosoul. Learning jazz properly and reading and all is kinda like starting over from the beginning with a head start, but it's rewarding. Manring is handily one of my favorites.

[@Guppusmaximus]

It was very validating to hear Michael say that being around your idol is "nerve racking". I got to meet him in Natick, at one of the best shows I'd ever seen, with David Cullen & Mark Walker and believe me... it's true (and I'm a drummer). I was extremely nervous and bothered him about what future projects he might do that has a metal tinge instead of just calmly explaining the impact his music has had on my life. Thanks, Michael, for your patience:) I appreciate his solo work immensely but it was his album "Thonk", his contributions to Spastic Ink, Jeff Loomis (and some other Metal musicians - check Wikipedia) and the "structured Improv" of Attention Deficit that really got me addicted. That is probably because I still don't fully understand his genius in regards to the Bass as a solo instrument even though songs like Adhan (brilliant song) bring about such emotions for me. Oh well... just my .02

[@arrivederci4002]

such a nice guy and great artist

[@osomusic]

I love this guy

[@ActualCouchPotato]

I got to see him at an art show here in Alabama. Blew me away. I kept wanting to shush everyone around me while he played!

[@jamesmorley5201]

he always talks about the beauty of what is inside the instrument but really it's the beauty inside him. He would make a hammer smashing a nail sound good

[@Matmus]

What a lovely man

[@den19742008]

Нереальная игра. Каким космическим ветром занесло этого бродягу на нашу планету? Басуха будто часть его тела, как-будто его ещё один орган.

[@AndrewWesthoff]

Even though I'm sure he's not at all interested, this guy could make some amazing stonery metal ala Sleep or OM if he wanted to.

[@aegaeonband]

Definitely

[@jonimisso2044]

Aegaeon (band) he plays shit like al and Matt a lot. Spastic ink are one. Attention deficit are more prog. All kinds of drone, doom, sludge and experimental bands have hired him. Even if these aren't great examples. Ask him on twitter. Not corrupted, but some similar Spanish language sludge band is one.

[@mackymaca]

Beautiful

[@sergejarko]

a magical journey into the unknown!

[@pauldoyle2407]

wow what a sound.and what a nice guy.

[@marvinkmooneyoz]

Crazy to watch him tuning so elegantly in real time like that at 42:00

[@taylormays29]

Dude he was tuning before that for 1:30 before that. It's the most badass tuning session

[@johnforest4804]

!!!! Michael Manring one of important fretless player !!!!!

[@jimaccardi4159]

My left hand is cramping up just watching this....

[@jdssurf]

If you guys havnt listened to his albums and colabs, your shorting yourselves. He plays all bass all amazing..

[@Tubulous123]

Yes!!!! Thank you!!!!

[@0823ghost]

Awesome!

[@netzah3488]

GOT WHOLE LOTTA RESPECT FOR THIS CAT. FIRST HEARD HIM COVER; spirits in the material world 'GHOST IN THE MACHINE', 20 YEARS OR SO AGO, AND THOUGHT THIS IS SOMETHIN SPECIAL. PLUS I HEAR MARK ISHUM IN HIM, DONT ASK ME HOW. MELANCHOLY. RESPECT

[@doctorsalas]

Can somebody call the MIB? I want to report an alien...

[@jakepark9962]

I really love how he talks