NEXT LEVEL BASS TECHNIQUE with Billy Sheehan

[@quaz18]

I wrote an email to mr sheehan when i was a kid, didnt know anything. He responded back and even attached a picture of him with jaco pastorius back in the day. Truely a kind, smart, and awesome dude!

[@andrewgraham7659]

He usually always replies. Even if he takes a while.

[@barbaraepsaro2718]

Billy is amazing and willing to teach us and thank you Scott for having him on. I learned so much in this lesson machanics are alot to making good sound

[@stuartmcnichol5545]

Same dude. On my 23rd birthday. Yonks ago!

[@OnPointFirearms]

That's so awesome of him. What a great memory!

[@gabrielwalker4411]

@@OnPointFirearms can I see the picture of him and jaco pastorius

[@stevenerwin6202]

All "rockstars" need to watch billy Sheehan and how he conducts himself with people, fans etc. He's a humble and extremely personable human. Doesn't get better than him, thanks Billy!

[@studiodude1]

I am blessed to be able to count Billy Sheehan as an old friend (From back in the early Buffalo NY days). I can tell you, you won't find a better person or a more explosive and knowledgeable bass player!

[@jkwf1]

Talas! Met him at an incredible show in 79, in Geneva NY, in a bowling alley converted to a bocce club. He was Hendrix on the bass for sure! Met up with him again at NAMM a few years ago and he's still the same cool, down to Earth guy.

[@roman14032]

@@jkwf1 i met him in the parking lot of the holiday theaters in the summer of 75, big concert in the movie multiplex parkinglot in cheektowaga. we watched talas and send to ourselves "that guy outa be a star" hes better than EVERYONE ELSE IN THE WORLD AND HES PLAYLING A PARKING LOT IN CHEEKTOWAGA THAT AINT RIGHT

[@Optrader4MX289]

@@jkwf1 I'm from Waterloo, a few miles away. Sweet..

[@joemartucci4786]

I lived down the street from him great guy. He’d stop by if I was playin with my kids on the front lawn. After he left Talas they went back to being called the Tweeds I was honored to fill in with them for 4 shows. Had to figure out the Talas original from the albums & figure out how to play them close to the original bass parts without embarrassing myself lol.

[@tenbroeck1958]

That seems to be the consistent thing I hear about him, whether he's selling out arenas or playing in clubs: a heck of a nice guy, who just happens to be one of the great bassists.

[@papa_gummybear]

He's a rare breed, a shredder who is actually musical and I'm always amazed how obsessed he is with it, he is always trying to do something new despite being that good for that long 😂

[@alouiciousdeverdander9152]

I started playing bass because nobody else in the band would... I gave up the pick because the front man for one of the bands I auditioned for told me he would break my fingers if I played with a pick... I started using two fingers to pluck because that’s what Cliff did... I went to three fingers because that’s what Billy did... I learned how to slap because that’s what Les did... it’s a journey and I’m still happy to be on it... I love where it’s taken me so far and can’t wait to see where it takes me next... thanks for all you do, Scott!!!

[@KaijuAlert]

Billy is a monster player and one of the nicest guys in the business. His jazz fusion band Niacin is fantastic.

[@arthurfranklin9315]

I've had the pleasure of opening for Niacin; one of my favorite groups ever!

[@michaelmckibbin9665]

indeed, I stumbled upon that on spotify.

[@danajoelbogdanski2042]

I just finished watching this video. I was attending the Musicians' Institute when first Billy visited in 1985; I'll look for the photos. But the three finger technique was something I had been using myself before I attended M.I. My technique is different from Billy's, but here's how it started: When my high school garage band progressed from KISS to RUSH I began using my fingers instead of a pick. Like most bassists, I started plucking with my index and middle fingers. Then, one day, I saw a photo of Geddy Lee, and it looked to me as if he was using his middle and ring fingers. Whether or not he was, I began to play using my middle and ring fingers. By the time I started playing galloping Iron Maiden-type bass lines I was using three fingers, and as Billy said, Ring-Middle-Index was the easiest for triplets. But for four-count, and this is where I differ from Billy, I use Middle-Index-Middle-Ring. This puts the middle finger on One and Three, thus, the same finger is always on One: M-I-M-R-/M-I-M-R/M-I-M-R/M-I-M-R. You can still start with the Ring finger, as Billy does, but play R-M-I-M, R-M-I-M, R-M-I-M, R-M-I-M, starting each phrase of four with the same finger. My thought was to use my Middle finger each time I passed though, rather than skipping it and plucking only in one direction. Now that I've practiced this technique while typing this out, I think I will be changing my technique from M-I-M-R to R-M-I-M letting my Middle finger be my 2 and 4 counts; it just feels more comfortable now. But use whatever works for you. Oh, and if your Mum subscribes to your channel, you will be able to talk to her more. Cheers! ~D

[@mkm0901003]

NOW HE EVEN DOES SLAP? Wow..he's trying to be better endlessly. Real bass master

[@qdaveq6597]

The slap section he plays is from his song "Slapped Silly" by Niacin, which he recorded 21 years ago.

[@AndrewRodden]

Having someone like Billy on the show is pretty sweet

[@rickfromthecape3135]

Loved Billy's comment, "Went to go see Victor Wooten....gave up on that"

[@erickferdinandus1947]

Mark King, Sting, Cliff Burton, Duff McKagan, and Billy Sheehan are the reason why I fell in love with electric bass.. 🤟😁

[@greatsaiyaguy271]

I recently bought the Billy Sheehan custom Signature Series Yamaha Attitude Limited 3. In dark Red. It’s a beautiful bass and plays amazing. Has the high end tone and playability of high end Ernie Ball Music Man models, Specter Euros, and Some Warwick models. But also has the low end thumping power that high end Fender P Basses have, that is a necessity for live playing in a band. That’s the plus of having that pickup setup in his bass. Can be switched from a high end plucky, light tone for fiddling around, and low end power tone for live playing and rhythm. It worth every cent of its $2,400-$2,500+ price tag. It has a super strong neck for neck bends that is set to the body all the way down BEHIND the lower pickups as well as 2 screws at the usual place in the top of the body, it’s an indestructible neck...almost feels like a single piece of wood. It also has the highest 5 frets cupped & grooved for high end bends and playability. Not too many basses have that, pretty unique in a mass produced bass. A great bass for tapping techniques (which is obviously one of the things Billy is known for) thanks to its top of the line strings it comes with & a solid neck. It can be set up (which is almost always what Billy does) to DUAL amp setups. With an electronic pull switch on the body allowing for instant switches from one input to another. He uses one amp setup for high end solos, tapping, higher bass lines, or anything that requires a lighter sound, and another setup for low end thumping rhythm lines during most live songs. Worth every penny. You can find new models for $2,300 sometimes (if so take it because that’s a great deal they usually are around $2,550-$2,600

[@masacron]

First bass clinic from Mr. Sheehan in Chile , way back to 90's. We was out of venue..drinking a beer ...Billy showed up alone carrying his bass and waiting for the van to the Hotel. 10 minutes after that , Billy was talking and drinking beer with us. Very humble and talented guy, a truly inspiration for me as musician , artist and bass player.

[@dthebassman7999]

In 1996 I was in Buffalo, NY and happened to be in the local music shop. While I was looking at the acoustic guitars I heard this thunderous roar coming from across the shop. I glanced over and saw Billy Sheehan in all of his splendor, talent and glory checking out one of their Yamaha basses. I couldn't resist.............I had to bow down and proclaim that I was not worthy............

[@farhanayubi5137]

4 years......and now u can get one of the most ultimate-gods-bassist, cheers mate

[@tenbroeck1958]

He seems like a really cool person to hang with. Humble and funny.

[@ShihanmarkFilms]

Living in Buffalo I was lucky enough to see Billy in Talas any day of the week (Mondays at Stage One) Even then it was, wow I better go home and practice! Great guy as well as a master player!

[@roman14032]

TRIVIA, AND IF YOU KNOW THIS YOU ARE A REAL BUFFALO ROCK GUY WHO OWNED STAGE ONE,? AND WHERE IS HE RIGHT NOW? HINT #METOO

[@alessandroborghese8148]

Billy!! Man this is so Amazing I love this man

[@tvacchino]

Billy Sheehan saying "So apparently that's a thing" when discussing Bass made my day!!!

[@Zigarius1123]

Billy's instructional video from the late 80s is how I learned bass to begin with lol. His 3 and 4 finger plucking are easy to get down with practice. They are the same process. Middle finger, index, ring, middle, index finger. Then repeat the process. In a week or two you'll be flying across those strings! Ironically he's playing slap, look up his view on slap playing 15 years ago, he hated it because of disco xD. Much love Billy you are the man!

[@toddcampbell9732]

Yes! I believe it was called Bass Secrets, and in the video he explains that the three finger style creates a more natural evenness of finger height/strike on the strings, thereby creating a more uniform sound.

[@Zigarius1123]

That video catapulted me into so much speed I didn't know what to do with for years lmao. I developed the techniques to utilize it later.

[@konamad]

What a legend... So inspirational

[@kushking420]

Billy is such a great bass player and a gentleman. Very cool guy

[@devinebass]

🧡🧡🧡

[@paulsimmons5726]

I saw Billy twice on the first Diamond Dave tour along with Steve Vai, woah! Billy's a killer player for sure but he's also a very down to earth guy.

[@Zigarius1123]

You should look up Billy Sheehan and Paul gilbert

[@Zigarius1123]

Check this video out kzbin.info/www/bejne/oqTRnaGojbhqoqs

[@marcsorensen1184]

Two fools a minute...love his quick little bass solos.

[@jon91870]

This was great! Thank you! Get Joe Dart from Vulfpeck next!

[@ilpatongi]

Jon Anderson YES

[@kennet7837]

^ This!

[@Tdubbs5476]

Please for the love of god. Get Joe Dart on the channel.

[@coliimusic]

Yes

[@noahculp9900]

100% yes. There aren't enough Joe Dart interviews.

[@KarlKarsnark]

About time. I know Scott has a thing for the Gospel guys, but Billy really is one of the GOATS and he always pays attention to the groove first and foremost. Also, his Yami bass is pretty awesome.

[@jamestolson2526]

I messaged Mr Billy Sheehan he's so humble he messaged me back several times , ofcourse hes killer on bass but his humbleness and personality is his best asset, I mean he went out of his way to message back a stranger a fan blew me away , the epitome of how you should live your life as a musician and a great person NO EGO just a great guy !!

[@jamieshaffer6493]

One of my bass heros and influences. Thank you Scott and Billy!

[@chrischoir3594]

Billy is so humble and cool

[@michaeljohnson1481]

1988 MI I was at that same clinic. I was then fortunate enough to be with Billy in a private clinic of about 10 students. Really class guy with super cool techniques. Tim Bogert was one of my lead instructors at BIT. Those were great times! Too bad I was young and dumb (19) and didn't really take proper advantage of the Institute. Great memories! Super cool video! Thanks Scott!

[@bassface12348]

Man Billy is a killer player! Great to see him with Scott!!

[@handgunner1911]

met billy in chicago years ago and he was a super friendly guy and he took time to talk with me ill never forget him doing that thanks billy you are a stand up guy and a truly brilliant bassist

[@thebassrogue]

I love his work with the winery dogs, so cool!

[@sixsentsoldiers]

I'd like to share 2 things. 1. I use a rubber ball (various types. Racket ball, stress ball) to strengthen all my fingers. Using thumb always. Sets of 10 and holding for periods. 2. Like Billy talks about playing without an amp...make contact with a table. It will actually give off vibration and a little more volume. Just sharing.

[@DUSTYBASS]

Threshold of a doorway works too.

[@M2Mil7er]

I like door frames, or pressing the headstock against the door of kitchen cupboard units.

[@mv9787]

Billy has been an inspiration for decades. Living legend and a humble beautiful human being!

[@ariefputraart]

He earn a spot among the Gods of hard rock. One of my favorite bass player. Humble guy, monster on the stage.

[@Ivyhurster]

Billy Sheehan is a gem. Amazing player, amazing person. So humble and real. Love that guy.

[@richardgudino7630]

Thanks for this...I'm amazed how Billy keeps growing despite being so good for so long. I recall seeing him live when he was with Talas in Toronto's RocknRoll Heaven - what a place! - just months before David Lee Roth recruited him in the mid 80s. I was standing directly in front of him for whole show, about three feet away. It took me years to recover, it was so shocking to witness up close what he could do with the bass. Best rock bassist of all time? I'm thinking yeah.

[@butseriously]

Back in his Tapas days, "Sink your teeth". They played the Gasworks back then too.👍🇨🇦💯

[@butseriously]

Haha autocorrect. Talas

[@roman14032]

@@butseriously TAPAS ARE GOOD TOO

[@rickc2102]

Great, now I need Spanish food...

[@mikecortez4152]

I love that you had Billy Sheehan on your channel. He is my favorite bassist of all time. I hope he will be doing something on SBL soon.

[@danielhoneycutt3100]

Billy is sick. Saw him live with Winery Dogs, a very cathartic experience

[@sixsentsoldiers]

Damn good band. I saw Billy with DLR on the Eat em and smile Tour. Unbelievable bassist. And showman.

[@allanritter2671]

I play with three fingers due to learning the trumpet which has three valves. Just watching this though shows I still have some shedding to do as Billy's technique(s) are way more involved and incorporated. Always be learning!

[@wrathaz]

Great show Scott! Billy's so awesome and an incredibly nice guy as well! Love it

[@davidames9339]

Mind blowing, compelling, dare I say uniquely musical from day flipping one... Sheehan is part of a limited rank of musicians whose influence is in a sense tragically quiet. Great player, great person.

[@slimriddim4145]

Such a lovely bloke... No pretence, just genuine kindness. x

[@philzambo]

Wow, I always forget about Billy, he really does have his own style, a rare thing in this day and age.

[@TheToneLounge]

What a cool dude and an absolute beast on bass. I love how he seems like the most humble and down to earth guy in interviews, yet a total rockstar on stage. He's an amazingly talented dude.

[@i.duhourq2519]

Didn't know billy was such a cool cat. Great video Scott

[@kenminerva]

Billy Sheehan is the greatest rock bass player and definitely the most humble and down to earth rock star

[@8981USMC]

How can anyone thumbs down Billy Sheehan? He's one of the best. Thanks for the video.

[@geovannivm]

Hard to find someone as humble and down to earth like Sheehan. The man is still learning new stuff or him like slap, even after making lots of successful bands. People that criticize him because of his tone have no idea of what he's capable of when he's in a three piece band.

[@IvanRx76]

Most valuable minutes in bass history

[@crimsun7186]

While other bass players have their own share of flowery words that don't mean much and zen wisdom that can't be applied on the instrument to share, Billy is the living example of "practice makes perfect".

[@RH-xs8gz]

This man is one of the best bassists in any genre but he’s still learning new things. Amazing.

[@jodyhendrix5876]

thanks for the vid Scott, I love Billy Sheehan, great bass player and he seems like a nice guy

[@Goolio2020]

Love Billy Sheehan!! Watching his videos since the VHS days.

[@प्रवीण_राई]

dear scott you are my teacher and billy is my hero!!!

[@topcturvee1]

Many Thanks Scott, for bringing Billy on the show!!!!!

[@robmontagano8117]

One of the nicest guys out there.

[@SimulacronX]

Thanks a 1000 times for bringing this freak and fanatic to us, it's amazing

[@GPEART1]

Billy breaks down technique into simplicity, truly an amazing player. Winery Dogs live in Japan show is an amazing demonstration of how a 3 piece band can sound really big, if the players are good enough!

[@supadupahilton6848]

SERIOUSLY underrated bass player. IMHO Billy and Mick Karn are at the top of the heap. The part at 6:15 sounds like the forerunnure to Nunos "Rise" solo LOL

[@victorlopez1050]

Thanks for bringing this. Billy inspires me to play. And Scott expands my knowledge of everything bass. Wishing you the best year ever.

[@sowelldon]

Awesome bro ! He's the reason I started playing

[@BlaireBustillo]

Thanks Scott for sharing your time with Billy. 😁👍

[@ohayoueveryone7954]

This dude really like Paul Gilbert in different instrument, and vice versa. Humble, knowledgeable, virtuoso level, and one of the nicest guy in business

[@MazeMouse]

I started my 3 finger technique from Steve Di Giorgio but quickly ran into the same wall I had with 2 finger technique because he has that 1-2-3-2-1-2-3-2-1 type patern going. Still being limited to my middle finger speed. It wasn't until I started Steve Harris' galloping when I transitioned into a more Sheehan like style for staccato speedy bits as well. Very interesting to see he always starts on his ring finger as I'm completely neutral to starting on "whatever finger" as long as I keep the ring-middle-index pattern.

[@TonyJ1776]

Exactly the same situation with me. My 3 fingers fire out of sequence, it just seems more natural than a systematic 3-2-1-3-2-1-3-2-1.

[@samboliah3691]

3-2-1-3 2-1-3-2 1-3-2-1 repeat until it becomes natural, to the point of taking it for granted.

[@Zigarius1123]

You can get use to the 3 and 4 finger easy by doing what Billy taught years ago (the 80s) 2-1-3-2-1 played smoothly. Then for 4 it's 3-2-1-4-3-2-1. It really teaches you to keep them timed right and you can do cool stuff like play 2-1 and the 3-2-1 part to fit within the 2 beats of the 2-1 part. So two 8ths and two 16ths with an 8th note. Same with the 3 and 4 finger exercise. He also has a different raking technique from back in the day. It's probably all covered on SBL website. Billy pretty much only teaches technique and mechanics in his videos

[@Tenbears1812]

Billy Played in a band called Talus back in the 70's. He frequently played the Gasworks in Toronto. An excellent bassist even back then and indeed a gentleman.

[@mrscary3105]

Billy Sheehan is a sweet, humble man. Great guy.

[@ArthurStone]

Cheers Scott and Team Scott! All the best for 2019; much appreciated : D

[@wilfredovazquez2942]

Awesome. Thanks for sharing. Greetings from Puerto Rico.

[@DANTHETUBEMAN]

there is a vid of billy doing a session recording,,, you have to see it,, he was so musicale,, he would play some thing killer and then say or i can ply it like this,, or this or this,, like 4 riff and feels for each part of the song,,, so creative and so good,

[@SirEggbertfartalot]

Produce like a Pro (Warren Huart) KZbin Channel ? kzbin.info/www/bejne/qGfckmpnf7isnaM Is that the one you are thinking of ?

[@MichaelMaxwell747]

@@SirEggbertfartalot I don't know but thanks I needed that!

[@SirEggbertfartalot]

@@MichaelMaxwell747 You're welcome ;0)

[@EJROCKER1]

Billy is A Great musician. A Great teacher and A Great person. How often do you get a trifecta like that? Not often!!!

[@arnefreymann313]

Such a smart and cool guy.

[@mujari]

"string it light and get that action low and get it to play as easy as a ukelele" LOOKING AT YOU SCOTT

[@crimsun7186]

This is what Gary Willis does as well. Instead of playing hard and having to turn the amp down, you play lighter and turn the amp up.

[@Zigarius1123]

I think you can get easier dynamics this way.

[@cookinsdabest]

Aloha, bitches

[@leftaroundabout]

@CrimSun FWIW, I find Gary Willis' sound pretty feeble and uneven. Nowhere near the energetic pulse that someone like Jaco could develop, or good rock bassists who play with real force. Of course, it's a matter of taste.

[@ejnordberg]

Ground the pickup poles to stop the buzz when your fingers touch them. I've run into that on almost every bass I had.

[@williamhopkins1262]

6:07 My favorite part of the video. Shoes how humble he is after shredding something very badass 😂

[@coupeofyo]

@9:00 Scott proves to us once again that he is, in fact, a great bass player

[@horowizard]

Hats off to Billy Sheehan. I remember him from his days in Buffalo with Talas.

[@DedeSP]

Billy is my biggest influence 👍👍

[@EricNeuls]

Love Billy Sheehan!! He always responds to people on facebook hes a great down to earth dude! Also signed up for the Practice Accelerator! Can't to take the journey with you!

[@surike]

Imagine of you did this with Les Claypool

[@bassheadjazz2708]

I dont think he'd go for it. Hes always struck me as the Maynard james Keenan of bass, more into the art side of music and fairly private.

[@surike]

@@bassheadjazz2708 yeah I figured but still, i would sign up just for that

[@maximusmax4557]

Billy > Les.

[@gabrielwalker4411]

@@maximusmax4557 nah billy

[@gabrielwalker4411]

@@maximusmax4557 who do u think is a better bass player billy sheehan or john myung?

[@6mvargas]

Thank you so much, Scott and Billy..!! I learned so much from this video.! Priceless lesson once again.!! Thank you very much.!!

[@dedalus6982]

Billy is one of my favorites, I can remember being 15 and walking to record store to order a Talas record.

[@bigrick666drum]

Billy with the glasses on after Glasgow lights messed with our eyes. They were sooooo bright

[@andrewgraham7659]

A huge fan of Billy. Still of the master of the instrument no matter which band he plays with. Tried to get a signature but Yamaha don't ship them to Australia. Alas.

[@deadcityproductions2058]

Man its crazy to see this stuff. Its a big influence on learning to play bass better. Thank you for the videos, ill be signing up for your course sooner or later

[@torisdad2467]

When you see these guys some days it inspires you to practice harder, sometimes it inspires you to quit playing all together. When he said "and then I'll go see Victor Wooten and it's like forget that" I laughed... nice to know it's not just me lol. Long time fan of Billy's, he's made me a better player by showing what can be done and just like this video he's always willing to share his techniques to encourage all of us instead of the usual celebrity attitude of well I'm just that good...

[@ciaran3303]

I like the pickup arrangement

[@eliasaltman4439]

This is really awesome, do you think you can have a chat with John Myung too? I know he uses the three finger method as well and he also does a lot of different interesting tapping stuff, I'd love to see that in greater detail rather than trying to analyze live videos of him

[@jasongrace4200]

He is a machine those fingers are not normal

[@TorryFinley]

My favorite bass technician! Thanks for getting this! It'd be cool to see you collaboratively on some content with Bubby Lewis at some point too, if possible. Loving the academy! ✌

[@alfhisyahrin4822]

billy is so organic player. even that slap style and lick.

[@jonathanoverton1325]

Man! I used the back of the finger technique for years. I knew I didn't invent it but I didn't know it was Mr. Sheehan's thing!

[@brenlouissurio2404]

I'm a big fan of Billy. He's a cool guy. He seems a good person.

[@Wheel333]

Loving the three finger technique. Les Claypool uses it nicely too.

[@odevsgojira]

Billy is a really unique bassist! Great talk, thank you Scott! Can you make an interview/jam with Tom Jenkinson? *.*

[@alfhisyahrin4822]

i can watch this all day

[@FiveStringFling]

Billy Sheehan is a legend. You should sit down with Alex Webster.

[@carlogarcia1702]

one of my favorite bass player.😎

[@perkyoranges250]

Is that a cat sticker on his pickguard? That's so cute, I'm not much of a sticker guy but seeing that makes me want my own cat sticker lmao.

[@HaydnMowbray]

it represents his pet cat called 'spooky'

[@shakyblues2099]

My bass hero. What a legend.

[@JRP3music]

Very cool conversation about technique!