Music as a language - Victor Wooten

View full lesson: ed.ted.com/lessons/victor-woot...
Music is a powerful communication tool--it causes us to laugh, cry, think and question. Bassist and five-time Grammy winner, Victor Wooten, asks us to approach music the same way we learn verbal language--by embracing mistakes and playing as often as possible.
Lesson by Victor Wooten, produced by TED-Ed.

[@JulianFernandez]

One of the most valuable vids on the whole internet.

[@Edukalia]

Can't agree more

[@canacar5519]

JulianFernandez absolutely bro.

[@franciscodelbarrio2101]

True eee!

[@AnitZ]

strongly agree

[@kirstylouise]

Let’s change the way music is taught, following Victor’s example :)

[@Martinroque77]

there is something about Victor Wooten's person that always makes me smile and feel happy just by seeing him.

[@jaiguru9538]

+Martín Roque He's the defining musician of our day.

[@otsoga0105]

Same!

[@ethanlocke3604]

He’s not only a fantastic musician, he’s a great person, and a genius

[@genaw8457]

Same!

[@klpjhcnfbband2285]

❤

[@MaggaraMarine]

Victor's point wasn't that theory/notes/techique shouldn't be taught. His point was that music is taught kind of backwards. Of course theory and techniques and all need to be taught, same as after you have learned to speak, you learn the alphabet, grammar and all. But they are taught after you have learned to speak, not before you learn to speak. Now people start over analyzing stuff they play and think about what scale fits these chords and what techniques to use and blablabla. They overthink. When you speak, you don't need to think what you say. You just say things you want to say. And I think music should be the same - you could just play what you want to play without needing to think about it. I wish I had learned music this way. I learned the importance of using my ears much later. I wish I had started playing music by ear. It may be slower at first to learn that way but IMO you'll become a lot more creative that way - for example improvising would be no big deal. Because music is sound. It doesn't really work on paper. And I think you need to know the sound well to be a good musician. And using your ears is the only way to learn to know the sound.

[@robertgolfetto]

Your thought is amazing, thank you for sharing it

[@rogerriveroll6324]

It happened to me, I started guitar lessons when I was 15, i always refused to practice in order to give my finger enough strength to play notes clearly, I really wanted to play “breaking the law” by judas priest so I got some tabs and tried but I realized my fingers were not strong enough to play the whole song so I started practicing my strength exercises again until I was able to play it entirely and clearly, I think victor´s point on this video is to let kids play and make them realize what kind of learning they need.

[@malesmandi]

yeah dude you make a good point. IMO ear training should be the first and most important thing to do in learning music. Joey Alexander is the example. he learns piano by himself, mostly by listening and play ing along the records. see his interpretation on giant steps, its mind blowing. and he's not even 15 y.o yet.

[@eddiemacias7066]

MaggaraMarine that's heavy

[@DavidPaigeMusic]

I replied there are lots of ways to make money as a musician, this is maybe a little too big of a topic for one message in a comment thread on a KZbin video, but I’ll show you some options: - Teaching - Performing original music and selling merchandise and experiences - Performing covers in a bar and festival band - Performing in a wedding and corporate events band - Performing as a hired gun for a touring artist - Busking - Licensing your original songs for film, TV and commercials - Writing for a publishing house or another artist - I write custom love songs for weddings, anniversaries, proposals, and any other special occasion - this has been great for me! There are TONS of resources out there now for how to make money as a musician. Done ever let that stop you from getting at it! If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to reach out!

[@hellskreamer]

This guy is a genious, he has changed my perpective of music in a really good way.

[@rip_lokum]

Mine as well! What an amazing human being.

[@JThrashYT]

An amazing human being. But I dont think he's a genius. Just a very passionate, dedicated, and well spoken individual with lots of talent.

[@TheBlackseyd]

Brilliant

[@petterp4679]

@@JThrashYT so .. how do you define genus?

[@TEDEd]

Behind the Scenes: The Director of Photography of this lesson, Anthony Jannelli, was also DP of 1991's "Best Picture," Silence of the Lambs!

[@AD-lh3jk]

TED-Ed why does imdb say the DP for Jonathan Demme's The Silence of the Lambs (1991) is Tak Fujimito though?

[@anteocaselli5344]

@@AD-lh3jk Apparently, he was the camera operator and not the DP (which is already pretty impressive)

[@alextheboi8630]

My mother loves that movie

[@GarrettBohannon5]

3:48 "The more they play, the more they will practice on their own" This has been backed up by research and is discussed in Grit by Angela Duckworth. Victor is a legend.

[@circamaniac11]

The meaning of life in 5 minutes......I have seen the light

[@mifune141]

Eric Rodriguez You're 100% right. Such a genius yet so humble.

[@L0wD0wnPhX]

meeting this man was one of the greatest honors of my life. thank you for being so amazing, victor.

[@Lucas_S91]

Like a child playing air guitar, there are no wrong notes. This is so true, and can be applied to almost every aspect of life!

[@abalmert]

I've watched thousands of KZbin videos, been moved to laughter and tears and have never made a comment. This is the best video I have ever seen. Thank you Victor Wooten!

[@TheFreebasslessons]

Thank you Victor - love you Bro

[@TEDEd]

Thank you. You just made our day.

[@poopl00p3r]

There should be a victor wooten plush doll.

[@averynb1218]

This is one of the wisest lessons on music pedagogy I've ever seen

[@zlevs_]

Am I crying? :( Somehow this made me cry.

[@kirstylouise]

💜

[@1whospeaks]

🤏

[@FistLowWeight]

Me too buddy, me too

[@bigkidkilla4506]

Why

[@JamesScottGuitar]

Study with his older brother Regi and you'll get this very experience....I absolutely love that whole family. Nashville is VERY fortunate to have them around. A big part of my approach to music is very much born out of their musical philosophy. Thank you, Wooten Family! -jS

[@MusicSim8]

This video is basically the principles of Music Learning Theory (or as some know it, the Gordon Method) at its finest. Incredible video, one that I'll be showing to my students on the first day of class before we start improvising and starting in some music babble. Listen --> Speak (improvise) --> Read--> Write is the order that music SHOULD be taught in, even though frequently it's taught the other way around.

[@CatherineSTodd]

Well, I'll be. I always thought I was "less than" because I did not learn by reading music. I learned by playing music. And that's how I showed others to do it too. Everyone has their own little song inside of them, and once they pick it out we can sing it together! What a great video this was. Validation at last!

[@leoazeredo]

Thank you so much for sharing that perspective. I am an Online English Teacher in Brazil, and I am a musician too. I have used this video with nearly all my Brazilian students who are learning to speak English as a second language, cause really, for ESL students, this is what separates people who know a second language from people who SPEAK a second language, and also a musician who knows from a musician who PLAYS.

[@shaneman121]

One of the nicest dudes I've met. His whole family is fantastic.

[@mohawkian77]

"music Comes from the musician, not the instrument." Very well said

[@gthomas15229]

This is amazing. I used to play flute and Harmonica by ear with no music education and enjoyed it very much. Lately I have been reading about music theory and have lost the will to play the music that is in my soul, I guess because I feel that I may not be doing it right. Your insight in this lesson is exactly what I needed to hear. I recently purchased a Suzuki QChord and really enjoyed just playing around with it. Then I made the mistake of buying the training books and videos and set the instrument aside because I was not doing what this individual conveyed as the proper way to use it. I am throwing away that information and going to just play what sounds good to me. I also have bought a Railboard but am afraid to use it because I am afraid I will not mimic those musicians who have perfected the way they play their own Sticks. I have to just get it out of the bag, plug it into the amp and play what sounds good to me. I have never seen the benefits of playing other people's music "perfectly." I enjoy listening to and feeling the musicians performance of the music that they created. I really appreciate your playing but would never buy the sheet music for one of your inspired jams and spend hours trying to repeat every note as you did. Play on and keep enlightening the rest of us.

[@patmurch6184]

PrREACH!!!! Right on right on right on brother man!!!! Exactly! I just found this video coincidentally but earlier today I was commenting on someone else's comments and telling them the exact same thing to just play whatever they feel because there is no rules to art! You can't find out what you want to say until you start ... Play from the heart play from the soul I now prefer to play bass drums or even guitar with my eyes closed as it helps me not be self conscious if other ppl are around me, I am still struggling with that but I am so glad I found this today. I had no idea Victor Wooten was such a master of words And saying what needs to be said I have such a hard time putting my thoughtz into words I am so grateful for people like Victor who have the natural gift of constructing meaningful words and ppl who can spell things out for those who need it spelled out.

[@Dulash]

Victor's definitely on my "Top 10 People I'd Love to sit down and have Coffee With"

[@svendkristensen8676]

Victor is Cool - Read his book - The music lesson - I read every summer :o)

[@DavidPaigeMusic]

Svend Kristensen I love the book! Have you listened to the audiobook version? He scores the whole thing and it really adds a special element to it!

[@giovanniterranova51]

Thank you Victor......from you I learn to become musical before being musicians.Now is the most important things.

[@beeshubluke]

At 2:00 he bends a harmonic. I don't understand how this is possible.

[@laeronym5884]

He didnt bend, he slid, right?

[@ruebene2223]

@@laeronym5884 Yeah, he slid.

[@Srhyle]

He slid, but same question though, how is that possible with harmonics? 🤔 But what do I know, I'm not a bass player. Lol

[@DOGOID]

Bend the neck back slightly

[@mcos6]

You can do this by playing the harmonic as normal and then pressing down onto the fret and sliding up or down. It is easiest to do this on a fretless bass (since no frets to "get in the way" of the slide) but is still possible on a fretted bass.

[@GlenScammell]

VIctor's Book "The Music Lesson" is very profound and powerful. Thank You Victor. Let's "PLAY" music, or even better, let the MUSIC play us.

[@sohanstag]

The most relevant point I take from this video, as relates to my teaching, is that some of the activities that *some* educators consider a waste of time, such as improvisation or so-called non-art music, are powerful enrichment and motivational tools. When used carefully and in conjunction with more traditional teaching methods, they can yield better results than those traditional methods alone. Examples would include open-ended composition projects, improvisation sessions or projects, etc.

[@65oh7]

This explains what music really is and should be watched by every musician! This is the greatest video I've seen so far on KZbin!

[@justice1606]

Victor is really on to something here. I'd love to see him create a music curriculum so this can become practical application. I know when my students are given the freedom he speaks of, they leave my class so energized and jazzed about music. Creating music is key, just like creating sentences.

[@amaliamasad]

+Ryan Justice Oh my God. Yes.

[@bushh8er]

Vic, I can only say this...You have spoken what is in my heart. I believe this so, so much. You have contributed to the world of music more than, I'm sure, you realize. Jaco did great things....you've picked up where he left off and given the world a gift....a gift that is so hard to describe with words....but you say it all so perfectly when you pick up that bass. Thank you for sharing your gift with us....with me.

[@scraptheplanet4446]

Such an inspirational figure both musically and philosophically - love you and your family Vic!

[@TKiphZ]

You know what's the best part? He's right, I learned how to proficiently play mallet percussion in about a year at my school without any previous percussion experience, instead of taking lessons or courses, I was directly thrown into my school's percussion section and I learned from watching others and out of necessity.

[@mathbrook]

+Manu Rosadilla lessons still help though! in the same way you can ask someone how to say something in a language, you can ask how to play [a song] or w/e. when i was in fourth/fifth grade i sucked at trombone because i was never taught how to play it, and i didnt get to be around those who did :(

[@TKiphZ]

+mathbrook of course they do, i take lessons, but im saying his way is really effective

[@chegadesuade]

If there were a global ambassador of music, it would be Victor Wooten. His perspective is as original as it is extraordinary.

[@kylecuppett]

quiet and humble and yet so powerful we will never be quite the same after hearing it. 師傅 is the only way to describe Mr. Wooten.

[@vinhill4758]

2:06 Beautiful move ! Your vision of music is very inspiring : everyone has something different to say, that's why so many instruments and note combinations exist to let us express all the beauty we have inside.

[@sdvstringer]

Best Ted talk ever. Victor is such a badass.

[@theirritatedirishman5440]

Think about other cultures that communicate through drumming or dancing? I know a guitarist that couldn’t play other guitar lines but when he got into jazz his playing did a 180 ,in less than 1 year! He was able to translate and copy all the sax and trumpet parts. From that point on all his practicing was listening and playing horn lines. Everything Victor Said makes total sense.

[@quotedearjangmi]

this naturally struck a chord within my being. it was so wonderful the way he was playing that bass, i was moved by how smooth it was!

[@ik04]

Perfect explanation for the universal method of teaching anything. This should be posted above the door in every school.

[@Grayswandiir]

I've wanted to go to the Warwick bass camps since I was 13 years old (I'm 29 now) just to have a chance to meet, chat with, and listen to Victor Wooten. The man is the most down to earth musician with the most talent I've ever seen/heard.

[@higler.]

+psychofmse so true! He is just incredible, yet super humble. The guy just loves music and playing and sharing that passion.

[@JBPhish73]

Attended a clinic w/ Vic at age 30. Was incredible!

[@patmurch6184]

@@higler. I would really love to meet him then. That's the best way I can describe myself, I have been that way since I was a small child and I have always felt like I was N outcast or an outsider And I am never truly at peace except while playing music . It's so hard to find others who know how to love and cherish the music we share with each other And we create to give. It's more powerful than anything I've experienced and the history of mankind tells the same universal power of and love. Music is my religion my everything my guiding spirit my purpose. I need to be around ppl who bring out the best in me and we bring out the best in each other.. Let's Transcend with each other ...let's reach Enlightenment!

[@rmp5s]

Fantastic info, fantastic message, fantastic playing all delivered by a fantastic man. And, how did he slide that harmonic at 3:56!?!?! MAGIC!!

[@flopfonohoe3686]

You can bend and slide artificial harmonics

[@callumbrady88]

pinch the harmonic 12 frets above with right hand and slide up with left hand

[@saamegan2985]

Wow... I'm still tingling from watching that. Thank you for sharing your wisdom Victor

[@Woulfe99]

It's never truly been explained better. "It doesn't have to be understood to be effective"

[@individualperson]

I have always thought pretty much exactly this, except the way I would put it was the music is about Communion rather than Control. You want to Commune with your self (which involves being relaxed among other things), Commune with your instrument, Commune with what you are hearing outside you as well as inside, commune with the other musicians, with who ever is listening, with nature etc. The normal idea is to control everything; control your body; control your instrument, control the other musician; control the audience's experience and opinion of you--its all unilateral, alienated, fear and ego-based. Both Language and Music are both not only Languages--means of Communication--but means of Communion and of Community. If there is any place for control in it, it is (paradoxically) to bring things back from an uptight control-focus when they threaten to shift to that. I think if everyone understood it that way, the whole way of assessing and experiencing music would be different--much more Joyful and with much more potential for Healing, inwardly in oneself and also outwardly in the world.

[@bluesamuraixx6994]

This made me cry tears of joy, knowing of what i can do. This inspires me to keep playing the piano. Even though i teach myself, and i have NO idea how to read music notes. I play pff what i hear, and make up my own music. And i am way to shy and inpatient to learn with an actual group or even one teacher. I was sad because of that :'( but this video helped me :3 thank u 💙

[@getutoghter823]

how is it going, wanted to know?

[@tmaciol]

My guitar teacher sent me this link. I was very lucky to find a teacher who has already embraced this method of teaching young and old students (I´m 49). Thank you so much Victor for formulating this wisdom and Jordan Ringo for showing me the way.

[@rudybigboote3883]

Man this is the deepest concept I have ever heard! Bravo Victor!

[@jesseasch2996]

Actually making music with others is conversational. You are using both receptive and expressive components to hear and process some one else's music idea and then respond in a manner that expresses your awareness of their idea, and vice versa. In a true musical flow, conversation occurs in a way that language cannot as its allows you to simultaneously have a back and forth where there is no distinguishable leader or follow, but rather a truly expansive conversation.

[@francescolella4224]

Music is a language. Both music and verbal languages serve the same purpose, they are both forms of expressions. They can be used as a way to communinicate with others, they can be read and written,they can make you laugh or cry, think or question and can speak to one or many, and both definetlly make you move. In some instances music works better than spoken word, because it doesn't have to be understood to be effective. Although many musicians agree that music is a language, is rarely treated as such. Many of us treat it as something that can only be learned by following a strict regimen, under the the tutelage of a skilled teacher. This approach has been followed for hundreds of years with proven succes, but it takes a long time. Too long. [...] Music comes from the musician, not the instrument. And most importantly, remember, that a language works best when we have somthing interesting to say.

[@elvoj5245]

This message... Thank you! This is one of the most valuable lessons I've found so far about music. I totally agree to this: 'music comes from the musician, and just like spoken language, music is better when we have something interesting to say.' This video can show why there's low and high quality musicians: human quality. Yes, focus on your personal growth, and music in you will play inside out. Again, thank you Victor. Be blessed!

[@W4mb1]

This is the most beautiful definition of music i have ever heard and no one can take it from me. Thank you Victor.

[@roryrobinson8220]

Victor Wooten is like the Morgan Freeman of music: enjoyable to listen to, very wise and interesting

[@jorgebassmaster22]

What a brilliant man.

[@HurricaneBarker]

The profoundness of this entire speech. Victor, you are an incredible human.

[@maureengrant9077]

Have just purchased book "The Music Lesson" today and just can't put it down. I have been learning guitar for 16 months and feel this book is going to help me so much. What an absolute treasure.

[@blakhokisbak]

Couldn't have said it better myself

[@CyphertheAvatar]

loving the message on this, i completely agree. i don't have any formal training with my music, i'm just learning as I go and i do believe it's coming along quite nicely.

[@MarcBenham]

The best version of amazing grace i ever heard it is on a bass guitar and so expressive plus love the way he talk about music awesome this goes on my fav !

[@DavidPaigeMusic]

I recommend this video as an intro to the Music Lesson for all of my students! Victor is incredible and these teachings are so important!

[@fabiojosefonseca8623]

The best bass player...

[@fatpurp4041]

My teacher showed this in class and my friend immediately said "oh, an electric guitar"

[@kirbymarchbarcena]

What a wonderful way to play that bass guitar...so soothing to the ears

[@3dguit9r]

I LOVE VICTOR'S WAY OF THINK, HE IS SO WISE.

[@marijn5621]

Awesome video! Hey Victor, so I can play on daily basis with you. Awesome, I'll get a green card right away!

[@MatiasVega08]

if you listen Carefully, he is playing "Amazing Grace", He is amazing :)

[@renatamartinez4765]

Yup!❤️❤️❤️💛💛💛👏👏👏💛💛💛❤️❤️❤️👏👏👏💛💛💛❤️❤️❤️

[@MatiasVega08]

@@renatamartinez4765 wow it's 7 years now from this comment 😂

[@akere6750]

This is my fav video on the whole internet. Victor’s a genius as well as a sick music player. Love music.

[@venkateshk8518]

"Music comes from the musician. Not from the instrument" The man's awesome!

[@nathanmorais9090]

Where the Heanven is that?!?!?! Holy molly so much doublebass it makes me moist!

[@AndrewHassel]

I'm pretty sure that's David Gage's shop in NYC

[@jbadilla1000]

Los conceptos pedagogicos que el maneja van mas alla de la percepcion normal que tenemos alguno profesores de musica, " el alumno tiene mucho que decir, hay que dejarlo que se exprese

[@MarcAlexanderMusic]

Friggin' amazing! Wonderful playing, sage words, humble human being, wonderful guy. Thanks, Vic!

[@pufifa]

One of the most inspiring people out there...

[@jordiibrahim]

Love you Bro Wooten, may i play with you then?

[@vincentdublino7136]

He's got soul. And he's super badd

[@uber_stuber]

i just love his insight and artistic opinions which he's also able to compare/apply to life in general.

[@chemadrummer]

despite all the year I've spent on the music field, i never thought about it as victor does! Definitely, wisdom has spoken!

[@iakovosharvey802]

Thats not a room in his house is it? because fuck me if so that is a lot of double basses

[@rufusstanier8893]

I doubt he has few million to spend just on double basses...

[@backslash68]

Is there a version of this without the voiceover? the music is wonderful

[@stefanf922]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/pWLRe2qmnNyYq6c

[@juniormendes8412]

Amazing.... I'm a musician and teacher and this only 5 minutes long vid changed all my mind and conception about what music really is and its real purpose! Thank very much

[@MIDIPipe]

75 people are agree with the idea that Music is a Lenguage but rarely treat it as such. Ha Ha!

[@youngprofessor]

+Jorge “MIDI Pipe” Medina MIDI Pipe You're probably right. They are probably music teachers fearful of losing their jobs. lol But, we can still be teachers while embracing this way. It actually makes me feel more free as a teacher.

[@raphaelplaza]

davie504 should see this

[@SekkMuddle]

Whats neat about this is when I was a beginner, I was immersed in this Jazz camp where everyone was this amazing well trained musician. Naturally I was lost, but I was eventually forced to learn as much as possible and it was really fun. I've never had a personal teacher, but I'd consider myself an okay guitarist :)

[@Kimboth108]

thank you Victor!!!!! I struggled with guitar for several years (i started late in my life too!) I got turned on the the native American style flute and the jamming began! with the no "wrong" notes attitude learning became more of a joy than a struggle and my guitar playing took off too!

[@Orrphoiz]

Wow, that guy is great on the bass! And this lesson is by far one of the most interesting ones so far. Keep it up, TedEd!

[@julipast]

Outstanding vid!!! "The music comes from the musician, not from the instrument" ... "Languaje works better when we have something interesting to say" ... absolutely love it!!

[@RickGibbonsOfficial]

Victor Wooten is an amazing and proficient instrumentlist as well as being incredibly wise. What a treasure of a man he is.

[@whitewolf7979]

That tone is so nice

[@Droidrevenge]

I have never ever eard nothing of more perfect in all my life! Music is a language, before we learn the rules we have to learn to feel it, like a baby... Victor you are the best teacher in the world!

[@teodorevjan263]

This is one of The most inspiring videos i've ever seen! As a young musician, and a bassist, i love This video, it keeps me going, reaching for more to learn. My band have Been playing for 2 months now, and because of you, we are now representing Lier rocke verksted in Norway! It means a lot to us, thank you!

[@dominiccole]

you guys make really awesome videos, but this one doesn't compare to the other ones i've seen so far. this video was truely touching and could not have been better! i watched it several times! thank you for making such amazing stuff!

[@shagunpsuresh639]

I feel enlightened, feels like knowledge of a life time spoken in 5 minutes Respect 🙏

[@lindacaul5419]

Thank you Victor, and thanks for writing The Music Lesson. I can't tell you how many times I have purchased and given it as a gift to friends and family!

[@idn]

Vic Wooten is an amazing man. Had the pleasure of watching him play on several occasions. Just beautiful all around.

[@juanticimo]

Victor is Brilliant! That's all there is to it. I love how he is playing to an audience of Double Basses. So cool

[@peregrination3643]

I like the visual style of this video as much as the narration and the player.

[@AlexandreWastable]

His timing is perfect !!!

[@Raezioo]

I have no words to describe this man. How is this guy not world famous.

[@Filigraana]

This lesson is pure gold.

[@ToriTreble]

I read and write fluently in English and treble clef. I started taking piano lessons when I was four, after the requirement that I learn recorder, but I was able to play music by ear since I was three. From piano, I went to flute, guitar, to viola, violin, bass, cello, mallet percussion, harp, and now I mostly play my ukulele.

[@JohnLobbanCreative]

Very, very well done! - Loved the concept, the location and style, and the wisdom.