Q+A #32 - Why bass solos suck

Thanks to Dmitro Grunt, Rodrigo Pavez, Viktor Onopko, psl101, Jack Brooks, Sir Autismo, Michael Williams, Julian Fernandez, Smitty Wabablababerry, snipergurke1005, Zippy Leroux, Will Lacy, Andrew Bell, Hanz Santos, juan diaz, and Mike B or their questions!
0:14 Your advice for Guitarists switching to “base” is crap
1:50 How I use Sibelius to animate music
2:32 Using Phone numbers as tab
3:36 “Offbeat triplets are too easy/hard!”
5:17 Shifting the downbeat an eighth note
6:01 Classical musicians throwing shade
7:29 Nice comments!
8:25 That painting in the background of my videos
8:57 Are there any virtuosos who start later in life?
10:29 Props to classical percussionists
10:48 Why did you study music composition?
12:40 How do you record the audio/video for your gig vlogs?
13:46 Why I think bass solos suck
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Peace,
Adam

[@dantefloressq]

Bass solos could be used to break the tension between two very shy people who are left alone in a room and don't know how to start conversation

[@Snardbafulator]

That's adorable ;)

[@steve00alt70]

is that suppose to be a compliment or an insult or jealousy?

[@malcelinho]

I though about that funky songs that plays in the movies when people flirt

[@pringelsthegamefreak]

Amanda Flores aww

[@LootFragg]

+Optic500 It was an extension of what was said and shown in the video at 14:07. "[The bass solo] causes people to talk." So apply a little humour here and take it all the way, make shy people talk to one another by playing a bass solo. #iexplainjokesforaliving

[@sissygirl141]

In reference to the "never too old to learn" comment you made, I teach beginner private piano lessons, and one of my students is a 67 year old man. He has such a desire to learn and works hard. He lacks confidence, but I enjoy watching him learn and improve upon each new concept. ☺️

[@Billi_crow]

Juanita Autry aw man this is awesome! If he can do it so can I! Please continue to support him!

[@aarondafunchio5610]

Lacking confidence could be a great thing for an adult man starting to play an instrument. Being confident and not realizing you suck is one of the reasons its harder for older people to learn an instrument as effectively as young people

[@brokenroot7337]

I didn't start taking music seriously until after my dad died, which was when I was 38. I found I had a knack for piano, but I wanted to shear down some trial and error time, so I took piano lessons.

[@masonmurphy675]

Is he still taking lessons?

[@wanderingrandomer]

I've only really just started, and I'm 26. I knew next to nothing about music theory before 2 weeks ago, and it's kinda exciting to have this whole corner of the human experience open up to me as an adult.

[@nikolapetrov4929]

I remember an old interview with Victor Wooten when the guy asked him "no offence, but why do bass solos suck?" He kinda said the same thing - when the bass starts soloing it stops grooving, and groove is it's job.

[@alexdamaceno]

And that's why he has a band full of basses - someone's gotta keep grooving, baby

[@johndeal666]

I feel the same way about drum solos tbh, once you lose that pulse, the song just kinda... died

[@kelamuni]

@@johndeal666 thank you

[@christianhenry4173]

Ok bass solos really don't suck what sucks is playing solos in a band it's too much Sonic space to blend in with the other instruments I like bass lead solos that's what bass guitar was made to do. You can groove and play solos guitar players won't be able to tune down to.

[@dansaunders1655]

Joe- and I cannot stress this enough- Dart.

[@jmirkec]

On: am I too old? For example: I was startin' to learn music (play bass) when I was 36 years old (now I'm 43) because when I was in my teenage years the civil war was going on in my country (Croatia) and it was hard to learn music when bombs dropin on your head every day, but it was my dream to play jazz, and I've done it. I'm still learnin I and hope it never ends.

[@69elchupacabra69]

Hi, so is 7 years enough to be good and have fun on it? I play the violin and was wanting to learn something more out there

[@declspecl]

El Chupacabra If you put enough work and dedication into it, definitely! I believe in you!

[@PlaguePriest88]

Nije kasno dokle god ulazes puno truda i volje te ucis "pametno". Samo naprijed!

[@cursedcliff7562]

*Smeje se u rodjen posle ratova*

[@jacksonpalmer8955]

@@69elchupacabra69 I personally played trombone, and within my first five years of playing (middle and high school) I was in a position to play as part of a trombone trio in marching band front of a football stadium (yes, it was uptown funk, so sue me). By the time I had played for seven years, I was able to play three instruments well enough to perform in front of a few hundred people at my senior band concert. (Primarily trombone, euphonium is easy for trombonists to pick up, and then bass guitar because my buddy's feature ensemble needed a bass).

[@omnisel]

"kind of unfinished but in a finished way" art.

[@ricsouza5011]

a wise man once said that no art is ever finished - you just give up on working on it

[@Exploshi]

@@ricsouza5011 who said this

[@ChurroLightyear]

@@Exploshi a wise man

[@akoaykilalamo]

@@ChurroLightyear you are a wise man indeed

[@akoaykilalamo]

@@Exploshi you on the other hand..

[@unfa00]

Continuing on the "why bass solos suck" theme - could you show us some of your favorite bass solos and why you think they work so well?

[@Trigga95original]

Trivium -Becoming The Dragon (Solo at the end)

[@monkyjamman]

Everything on "A Love Supreme" is pure gold.

[@lfkw2484]

I think Joe Dart does a pretty good job on the live version of my first car

[@keremmadran]

Tal Wilkenfeld's solo on Jeff Beck - Cause We've Ended as Lovers (Scott something live version)

[@cancan460]

Obscura's Ten Sepiroth has some sick bass

[@ieatgarbage8771]

“I’ll never tell you!” “We have ways of making people like you talk” **plays bass solo**

[@JeffLearman]

You pointed out two advantages kids have over adults when learning music: they have more free time and they learn stuff faster. I find there's a third item that can be even more important , but fortunately is not completely out of reach for adults. Kids don't have sophisticated expectations and can enjoy achieving something simple. We adults who start out as beginners carry a ton of baggage, a highly developed ability to discriminate between beginner attempts and pro-level playing. Even relatively non-musical people have this. But a kid can play Smoke On The Water (wrong, on one string in E) and get a big grin out of it. As horrible as that may sound to the rest of us, it could be the beginning of the journey to being a creditable musician. So, IHMO, the biggest challenge to any adult that wants to learn something new (to play, or read, or play a new unrelated instrument or style) is to cultivate your inner child, learn to notice and appreciate the progress, and enjoy it!

[@smmusicplus96]

I've always been a dabbler and I play by ear. At 43 I find myself wanting to get more technical and rounded. This comment is an inspiration.

[@axr6327]

Jeff Learman I’m 24 and am already seeing the effects of this in myself, even more so since I judge my skill level and ability to learn quite harshly by comparing it to others, taking away the joy that carries the learner all the way to the end. Something that’s helped me get over it is having a goal in mind when learning it, a “why”. I’m learning bass, and I’m sure I’m not the best, not in the world, but in my neighborhood. But why do I learn it? It’s because I wanna be able to pick it up and play whatever I want, because I love music and this is a tool that will help me in exploring music. Practicing with a big-picture goal that excludes my ego is what helps me carry on and learn.

[@Daily_Bassist]

Jeff Learman “In honest my opinion”

[@cheesecakelasagna]

I'm 21 and already fearing I would never learn music properly ever, feeling hopeless about grasping shit. This reminds me that I should never compare my prologue to anyone's nth chapter.

[@MrGTI05]

This may be the single most helpful bit of advice I have ever gotten on any music related video! As they say, we (our egos, anyway) are often our own worst enemies.

[@AndriyVasylenko]

I think, you explain why bass solos are not to the point sometimes (and I agree with your argument). So, not the solos suck, but bassists who want to play them like 10 times a gig.

[@AndriyVasylenko]

'The range of bass is pretty limited for musical expression' - this thought was closer, imho

[@kraigadkins6252]

Andriy Vasylenko Love your videos man

[@pizzicato16]

I disagree that it is limited, it just has a steeper learning curve than some other instruments.

[@DaveMoustache]

That's the reason I like Cliff. He could play a mean solo, but he also knew when to step out of the spot light and serve the song!

[@tyr.4252]

Andriy Vasylenko ANDRIY :D!!!!!

[@tiny-orange1531]

That moment when you watch Adam yet you play woodwind.

[@Brexthebossgaming]

I'm a trumpet

[@tiny-orange1531]

Klutch Brex Bass Clarinet, Tenor Sax, and Clarinet here.

[@jamiekarlstevensmusic3361]

Same.

[@navehraz4326]

Tiny-Orange15 Drums..

[@jamiekarlstevensmusic3361]

You ARE a trumpet, or you play trumpet...? :P

[@stalka929]

Makes me think about Vulfpeck, one of my favorite bands, and their bassist Joe Dart. There are a lot more fills than solos, which makes more sense when you pause the groove, fill, and resume together. Then there's "Beastly" which is a piece with Bass being lead with keys and drums. Bass solos fit when the bass is the main voice and the other players are keeping the groove. I think then, for a bass solo to fit, there must be other players keeping the rhythm like a rhythm guitar, keyboard, or drummer. And if too many players drop out, the movement is lost like you say.

[@cookie0329]

god i fucking love vulfpeck

[@notpresobama1553]

It’s so funky and low-volume

[@kosiqueensly4506]

As long as Joe Dart exists, us bassists will continue to advocate for bass solos. Fantastic comment btw.

[@dkrmsd365]

JOE DART ON THE JOE DART

[@jonas9]

no more government subsidies for active basses!

[@3spooky5me98]

Davie504: I'm going to call the police

[@markoer]

3Spooky5Me Davie504!!!!

[@akiradavis4666]

Shh, Adam made this video preemptively because he knows Davie would own him.

[@jamesrussell5196]

His haililuluh cover was dope

[@guitargod63]

Davie504 says Adam is not allowed to play bass anymore

[@captainalex8003]

@@guitargod63 Well, Davie504 is not the boss of him. Adam can do whatever he wants. Davie has just become immature.

[@dsnodgrass4843]

Can I talk about "bass solos" for a minute? I've been playing bass since 1985, when I was 15. As soon as I could expand beyond the necessities of playing in a band context; I wanted like anything to play solos, to let MY musical ideas shine through without always being subordinated to guitarists, keyboardists, etc. I worked out complex melodic/harmonic ideas, interspersed surprising "quotes" of classical and other musics, worked on "shredding", etc. No one cared. If anything, it confused people; even when I was playing in a jazz group. There was no cultural "handle" for regular listeners to hang it on at that time (like a Hendrix, for example, for guitarists), so it just seemed weird; like a man who starts lecturing on existentialism at random in a subway car at rush hour. He could be great at it, but...why? 30 years later, KZbin is heavy with bassists (esp. young ones) who can do everything I could then, and more. I resigned myself years ago to do only tasteful little "fills" when I could fit something in here and there; with an occasional sweet melodic departure when it seems necessary (which was, and is, rare). The attitude of the (non-musician) listener is no different, however. I've come to learn that they only expect one of 2 things from instrumental solos: fireworks or tears. Problem is, our fireworks usually sound like something bubbling in a kettle (if down low), or a tone-poor imitation of guitar "leads" (up high). Our tears sound lugubrious rather than affecting; and, like Adam says, people begin to talk over them. I know there are exceptions to this, but they remain, sadly, few. I don't feel like I can blame anyone over this (much as I'd like to blame Glenn Fricker, on General Principle); it just seems like our musical conditioning as humans isn't geared to gravitate to complex sounds in the lower registers of our hearing. Maybe it'll take another Jaco to come along and awaken people's cultural consciousness to our unique musicality, like Segovia did for classical guitar, I don't know. If you're out there, don't give up. But as for me, even when they point to me, I pass on it these days. I encase "my" sounding good within the band's sounding good. If that's not enough for others, I understand; I was there once, too. But I never have to look out beyond the lights, and see only blank faces struck stony with incomprehension anymore. The ones who know, will know; the ones who don't can't yet be taught. Sorry for the really long 'minute", but that's my take on it; for what it's worth. Thanks, Adam, for all you do.

[@TheHeavyModd]

That's absolutely terrible to hear. You had a vision that nobody understood or could relate to. I personally think that bass should be much more than just a silent sound in the background, or "that one guy" who just stands in the back looking good. Bass solos are way too underrated and I always enjoy it when I hear one. Albeit rare, it breathes some fresh air into a piece of music.

[@MarcAnthem]

D Snodgrass i always felt the same way until i discovered Thundercat. its as if Victor Wooten, Frank Zappa, and Jaco Pastorius had a sweet little baby that was tutored by Abraham Laboriel.

[@dsnodgrass4843]

***** I tried to like Thundercat that much, but his sound seems too buried and indistinct on his records. No doubt he's got skills, but he's stuck in a Steely Dan-sounding compositional rut right now. Maybe his best days are still ahead.

[@Patronux]

Hey man, this was your solo and it brought me to tears.

[@KingWTFuck]

That was an insanely accurate description of Thundercat.

[@NotRightMusic]

Honestly - Adam's comment sections are some of the best on KZbin!

[@g0rthaur]

The fact you may had the urge to point that out is also that he is showing all different kind of comments, even the critical ones. I assume he is not necesserily a guy who needs a comfort zone, maybe thats a musician thing, learning music could be though and there are always better people so whats the point to learn afterall - exactly curiousity killed the cat ..

[@ian1352]

I'd say the same about a lot of guitar solos. They sound like the guitarist taking an opportunity to show off rather than something that feels an integral part of the song. Same goes for other instruments.

[@billy_little]

Dude said "pedagogical" without skipping a beat. **salute**

[@ququququququqdradradradrad4373]

.

[@brothaman4578]

*deletes 42 takes from before getting it right* "Yeah... haha.... First try."

[@Henry-uv9xu]

Very easy word.

[@jareddeltaco6185]

@Thomas Myles yeaaaaa that’s what i was just thinking

[@Ahriman_II]

hilariously informative as usual

[@josepmir4530]

Do you know the worst thing about the bass solo? The drum solo goes after it :P

[@drewb5775]

we got beef??

[@josepmir4530]

Before anyone gets offended by this comment I want to say that I'm a drummer, so this is more of a "make fun of myself" joke

[@berxsol]

Bep Mir But I'vr got to say that small drum solos, like 1 bar fills or so, sometimes are very very tasty

[@josepmir4530]

Bernardo solano rodriguez I agree. 8 bar drum solos are pretty painfull though

[@berxsol]

Bep Mir True haha, bye, mate with a B as the first letter of it's name as well as me

[@lonenexus959]

"sibelius is easy to use" lmao

[@OK-ei7io]

tantacrul brought me here

[@OK-ei7io]

the cheese melts in the microwave the music melts in sibelius

[@yuichituba]

Probably better to say that it's more intuitive. It was really easy for me and my other colleagues to pick up.

[@manan-543]

Ofc Adam will say it's easy to use cause he has been using it for years.

[@yungstallion2201]

It is

[@RedneckCasanova]

Adam I'm sincerely impressed by the way you can discuss sophisticated points of theory or technique without being condescending and yet break it down for the 'unwashed' in a way that makes the conversation normal and relaxed...The way it SHOULD be, like nobody need be intimidated by the subject because it's just describing what the music is already doing. Most of us untrained or self-trained musicians lack the vocabulary to describe what we already know and do, whether through inspiration or clever mimicry of our idols, unless we go out and learn theory on the streets...in my case I paid for two years of jazz guitar lessons because I didn't understand "chords with numbers in them" as a punk and rock guitar player who can only read music because I played sax in high school band but got my first paying gigs on bass playing on low budget cabaret productions that just required a bass player who could read a chart and not irritate the pianist too much, so my theory beginnings were a bit piecemeal! Thank you for your great videos and great approach!

[@azenhar]

You do soooo much stuff and you work mostly when other people enjoy time off.. that got me wondering, how much free time do you have as a working Musician and what do you do in your free time? Do you do anything else apart from Music? Painting? Martial Arts? Pottery? ballet? love the vids! cheers!

[@AnAmericanComposer]

"Sibelius is very easy to use" _FINALE MASTERRACE_

[@ryanmayberry7479]

Musescore gang

[@lincolnpepper816]

musescore masterrace

[@miosz9007]

Sibelius has crashed.

[@mason11198]

Noteflight gang!

[@Corsaka]

Sibelius crashed

[@AimeeNolte]

Adam's a BALLER 😎

[@Snardbafulator]

Hey Aimee, have you ever heard of my favorite jazz vocalist (and one of my favorite jazz composers), Esra Dalfidan? She's an ethnic Turk with a comp degree from Amsterdam Conservatory and she's just incredible. She's a mezzo who sings with no vibrato, but with melisma that'd melt you through the floorboards. She also loves herself some mathy grooves, and her mostly German band, Fidan, is impeccable (their lead instrument is bass and contrabass clarinet). If you haven't heard, check her/them out ;)

[@NeivGabay]

Snardbafulator jazz vocalist? That is more shocking than when i discovered bass guitar at 12 y/o

[@jamesrussell5196]

You and Adam inspire me a lot thank you for putting your knowledge and personality out there for us

[@WeyounSix]

My Bassist is not nearly as good as I am as a guitarist, in fact I've had to teach him many things, However I ALWAYS listen to his input on even the simplest changes to the bass part. His ear is geared to playing a totally different instrument, it doesnt matter if I have more technical skill, his viewpoint is important and relevant in my opinion.

[@rickdicoulus4728]

In my band is backwards... Ive been playing bass for 10 years now, and in that time I started playing a lot of other instruments, including guitar. But in every new song I try to let go of him a little bit more, and let him do his part a little bit more on his own, he has improved a lot, and I think that is one of the greatest feelings, knowing you've helped someone to become better. Victor Wooten said once that, music is a language, and just like learning your mother language you jam with professionals, people that already know how to talk, and that is the best way to improve.

[@justinrensel8518]

Weyoun you aint good

[@waynebrown1394]

To open minded for this comment section.

@@justinrensel8518 "anyway, here's wonderwall"

[@WeyounSix]

@@strugglepresident3779 No I mean I literally taught him how to play the instrument and though he's not all that skilled yet I still let him give as much input as he wants to, no holds barred.

[@chasetherightenergy]

It really bothers me how pretentious most musicians are. Or they don't wanna get taught anything, or they feel insulted when they get taught anything

[@jonathanzilk6089]

*most*

[@RicardoUrquizaMusic]

Most musicians I know are the opposite, they enjoy the process of learning. However there are some groups of people who think they're gods amongst men, while in reality they just suck *cough cough* metalheads...

[@KingWTFuck]

Metalheads? How about people that don't understand fully the beautiful guitar. I love metal, but I love learning new things about my instrument even more. Even Adam listens to metal. Quit being a typecasting fuckwit, it really shows your ignorant side.

[@versaliathompson831]

They're probably just insecure. It has nothing to do with being a musician. There are always such people in any field.

[@marshallzingkhai889]

I'm offended

[@NavarreAnthony]

Hey Adam, even after completing a masters degree do you still look for private instructors to teach you what you may not know? Are you close to any of your professors from the two schools?

[@Towern96]

Indeed, an interesting one.

[@JJBerthume]

Towern An interesting one, indeed.

[@achilama20]

One interesting one

[@luvbeefy]

hm, interesting

[@DuxJerome]

I want sharks with frickin laser beams on their heads!! Now thats interesting.

[@elducko1951]

Personally, I find a lot of the snobbery that you see as so apparent in "Classical" musician also readily apparent in other genres. I can name a bunch of Harmonica players, drummers, and even pedal steel guitar players who are so closed-minded they seem to border a kind of "Fundamentalist Militancy" about what/how they play and their influences and dismiss everything else. (Whew, sorry about the marathon run-on sentence.) I REALLY like your approach, logic humor and open-mindedness. Most of the "professional" musicians (quotes because they're getting paid - but by accident) I worked with in Chicago could use a few lessons from you on comportment and attitude. Thanks for what you do

[@contentioushackery]

I am almost 3 years too late now but RE: too old...I have a fuzzy memory of a violin virtuoso who was about 98 years old and still playing in some orchestra. The interviewer was surprised that after 90 years of practice he still continued to practice every day. His humble reply was something along the lines of "well I think I am still improving."

[@BassForever44]

If I'm not mistaken it was a cellist and his name was Pablo Casals. But yeah, supposedly he did say that.

[@bobbysanchez6308]

Solution: Have TWO bassists! Checkmate, atheists.

[@bipbipletucha]

I really want "lead" and "groove" bassists in bands to be a thing

[@salatieljyrustumanan4929]

I always do recordings of two bassists on a song.

[@tothefinlandstation]

The great DC artsy-hardcore band Black Eyes had two drummers, two bassists, two singers and one guitarist. The guitarist mostly makes noise and texture and the main riffs that give the songs their identity are supplied by the bass players.

[@kobyschuman7006]

And checkmate guitarists

[@maxhaibara8828]

@@kobyschuman7006 quadruple checkmates, Adam Neely

[@sidneyrichard5319]

Very, very few bassists can really capture the attention of an audience, let alone build momentum during a solo. I still remember seeing a bassist called Bayete in the late seventies - a tall black dude (unusual in a rock band of the time, to the point I can't remember anything about his band) who dressed like Hendrix down to the frills and hat, and who fuzzed it up mightily when it came time to step out front. i was lucky enough to play with a guy who was such an incredible bassist and soloist, the MD often gave him the last solo to take it home, and he invariably obliged. His name's Simon Goulding, and he was already a virtuoso at 19, didn't even touch the sides at music college before being swept up. I used to have cassette tapes of him and all my bassist friends got me to break them out when they came round. The thing about Simon was, he always seemed to have another gear, a way to crank up the heat without ever seeming as if he were over-playing, his timing was so perfect. So bass solos don't always suck. My personal feeling is that, like drum solos, they should maintain the groove and build on it, although ballads obviously Sadly, the answer to capturing an audience's attention might be pyrotechnics. I guess it doesn't have to be at the expense of musicality, but it all too often is.

[@felixmarques]

Can I just say that, regardless of how teenagers learn-you learn music theory and physical playing faster when you're 20 than when you're 5. I spent so many years as a kid trying to wrap my head around piano and basic theory and I know it's easier for an adult to grasp. So if you're 30, just start playing and learning now, I assure you're gonna get the basics and be able to do some cool stuff way faster, and in a more personal way, than it would take if you were a kid just starting. By starting early, children aren't doing some magical thing to their soul that you won't ever be able to replicate.

[@cursedcliff7562]

Me *Looks at tab* ah yes this is good Me *Looks at sheet music* Brain explodes, pigs fly and hell freezes over

[@larsdietrich7336]

As a classical musician, i want to apologize for the people leaving comments like this... I love watching your videos especially for the different point of view that you have on things. Keep up the good work!

[@bipbipletucha]

Same.

[@AdamEmond]

how does functional harmony stuff (dominant, sub-dominant, tonic, etc) apply to modes? (specifically dorian)

[@instrumentenfreak]

The best bass solo I ever heard was played by Tal Wilkenfeld on Crossroads 2007 Cause We've Ended As Lovers. When I first heard it, I mutated into a single goosebump...

[@Zanthorr]

I typed in Adam Neely Joe Dart and this was the top result, I was really hoping you were going to talk about Joe Dart

[@vaticpillars]

Thank you! As a drummer, I love bass solos in general. Anytime the bass and/or drums get some is great. But, I’ve always had an issue with forward momentum and foundation dropping during bass solos. Sometimes the drums drop completely too. Like keep the time. The worst is when the piano stops altogether. Especially if the bass is playing something more melodic. And when the bass isn’t audible at all, forget it.

[@ambrosedavis8070]

Hey Adam, what do you think of the online certificates Berklee offers, specifically in the areas of music production, songwriting, and arranging? Would you recommend them or do you think that time/money could be better spent elsewhere?

[@LearnSwingGuitar]

TBF jazz musicians can be arrogant pricks too. There are musicians who are open to learning and musicians who are closed off in every tradition - but - I do enjoy your baiting of the classical guys on the subject of rhythm. On the other hand I have no idea how to do rubato :-)

[@anthonyflanders1347]

That is very true and Adam talks about that in his real book vid

[@wardesu2120]

i do rubato on a regular basis incidentally. :P

[@timbeaton5045]

Rubato? Easy... slow down, then speed up???? No? I'll get my coat. 🙄

[@mikehawkisb1g]

Learn Gypsy Jazz and Swing Guitar I find classicals and jazz players to be the most arrogant cause 'much classical training'

[@user-iv5wn1su4c]

It is easy. Write down "rub.".

[@such.ukr.nu.metalcore]

Adam, thank you so much for the all video you're doing, all the topics you're speaking at, it give me so much hope and inspirement. i'm a novice at music and i'm hearing all over the time from my mates/family so much things kinda "it's nonsense, you should leave it, give more effort on you medical studying", but even on my basic level of musical understanding/making, i can't imagine myself without it. and your videos making me feel the universe of music deeper and better (such like understanding of some matters of regular universe, too c:). best wishes, one shubshcribed boi)

[@Jach28]

This is a great video!! Your points about the variety of perspectives people bring to the comment section were so accurate.

[@justawatchin2]

3:14 yay Adam said math rock

[@beam3932]

Paul Sutherland nice

[@outliving_7130]

yay, i'm very happy.

[@ameersbeih6777]

Hahaaa at 3:14 too. Pi!

[@job9650]

@@ameersbeih6777 ?

[@job9650]

@@ameersbeih6777 othats the same time

[@78deathface]

I made the "top" comment on the offbeat triplets video about "just feeling it", to be honest it was meant to be playful. I'm barely a musician, but I love music and I watch these videos because I like Adam and I find music theory interesting (even when I don't really understand it). What I found really fascinating was the resulting back and forth debate that my offhand joke comment facilitated. People had A LOT to say about the merits of feeling the rhythm vs. understanding the theory. All I can add is that music is an art, a science and a craft. It can be all those things separately, but when your heart, your brain and your hands are all working together to create something THAT'S when things can get truly awesome, man... :)

[@liamcartland1886]

Adam Neely: this is why bass solos suck. Geddy Lee: Hold my beer

[@samculver9852]

The live bass solos on Driven and Time Stand Still (Rush in Rio, A Show of Hands). His bass intros are just as good (Turn the Page, Ghost Rider, Seven Cities of Gold)

[@Stonloy]

Cygnus X-420 listen to leave that thing alone live in Cleveland. At the end he does a quick motif that is super groovy

[@belladonichaze3213]

The bass solo in Queen's "Liar" is amazing

[@brianmaysprettycooleh9271]

Belladonic Haze yesssssss

[@alvin2407]

Not really a solo is it?

[@ashraykotian1]

Alvin Johnsen Well, technically yeah? Besides if Adam can make an entire video on one note jazz saxophone solos then Deacon's 3 note bass solo will most likely count.

[@wontpower]

6:04 Me: **reads name** **looks at profile pic** Smitty: "As a classical musician..." Me: **spit-take**

[@BloodValeOfficial]

Sibelius is easy to use...meme of the day :D have you seen tentraculs video about Sibelius? :D

[@Corsaka]

Tanta specifically said it's easy for veterans and only veterans

[@pogus49455]

Everyone one is quick criticise people who share knowledge. I personally enjoy watching your videos to see someone else's perspective on music. People don't know the effort that goes into making these videos. Music is not a law, a competition, nor a series of instructions to churn out a product. Music is an art form, we should remember this before we start getting on each other's cases and trying to come at another fellow musician with the "let me tell you how you're wrong" mentality. After all, Free Jazz isn't for me, but it's for someone (same goes for classical). Reverse engineering, or dissecting, is the best way to understand why someone has done what they have. Kudos to you Adam. I enjoy watching your videos.

[@K-Viz]

Music joke: How do you get an annoyinv guitarist to stop playing loud cheesy solos? Put sheet music in front of him/her.

[@eugenesis8188]

Nah. Wouldn't even slow me down. Might as well try to get stray dogs to quit shitting in your yard by putting a "no dogs allowed" sign up. Just one more thing to shit on.

[@TallicaMan1986]

I can't read music, soo...

[@ruthtkt7623]

😂

[@TheVergile]

I know this one as a two part joke: how do you get him to play quieter? Put a sheet of music in front of him. How do you get him to stop? Write notes on it.

[@evanwohlrabe2175]

Barely any guitarists can read music

[@mas_3330]

Hey adam, How has your practice routine evolved from your teenager years to your time in berklee to a gigging musician?

[@zachzero2702]

After watching this video, I went back and looked at some of the comments on your other vids and i must say, You cannot stop making these videos. The butthurt is too delicious and ironic. Keep up the good work.

[@gavers101]

I'm probably the only person to play on the first desk of the Violin Is who is ever going to say this, but: apologies for my pompous associates. (time for the rant) A lot of the violinists I know are, indeed, very technically impressive. mastering staccato playing, intonation, and the sheer speed of the notes we have to play is indeed difficult. But other than myself, I know few violinists who genuinely engage with, and appreciate the music we play. I was leading a string group playing Eiene Kleine Nachtmusik, and I seemed to be the only violinist in the group who was genuinely excited, yea, passionate about the incredible piece. A criticism of most non professional violinists I know is that they have no passion. They see notes that they have to play, and not an idea or a thought that they are to convey in the music. Hats off to the people who engage with music. I love you.

[@ezioblazesit9017]

Your offbeat triplet video actually helped me make a song for my friend about how bad I am at thinking of ideas for songs. I ended up using the offbeat triplet as a part of my chorus. So thanks.

[@Michael-Oh]

Thanks adam for the orchestral percussionists shout out. I find it halerious how in some gigs we hit a triangle twice and we get paid more than half of the string players.

[@TheVergile]

still waiting for the kettledrum

[@jakegreene4313]

Ya know what is better than triangle? FINGER CYMBALS

[@hadmyfill8179]

That Curious Artist - The bass player for Queen, John Deacon, has a triangle ‘solo’ in the live version of the song Killer Queen. They make it a ‘big production’ lol

[@TheCivildecay]

As a bass player I usually hate bass solo's! It's better as intro or fill

[@GAMER-rw8jo]

"your ability to express a musical thought or idea should always be your goal" - Adam

[@gafBacani]

Agreed. You talking about the relationship between bass solos and the role of the bassist makes me think how people disconsider, for example, Pastorius's incredible orchestration and writing skills, lots of time paying attention only to his lines as a separate entity.

[@FriskXI]

John Myung: am i a joke to you? (Seriously Metropolis Pt.1 and The Dance of Eternity have stunning bass solos)

[@BassForever44]

If only they were audible LOL. Terrible mixing of the bass. In my taste anyway. Myung's a great bassist though

[@thedemocraticfilipino6417]

Ngl He did really amazing work in Dance of Eternity. His bass tone was lovely... His solo tho... Was a bit muddled because of the distortion used.

[@brianfedele94]

great speech about the bass solos! (I'm a bassist too)

[@ajadrew]

I think bass solos should only be played by people like Jimmy Haslip, Linley Marth, etc etc

[@BanIsNotAPotato]

I think bass solos are fine as long as there's some kind of transition into them. I myself have heard many a time the bassist breaking into solo out of nowhere and suddenly the feeling you had in your chest from the bass disappears with the band sounding much drier. Momentum, I believe Adam mentioned. If there's some kind of a transition that "lets the listener down gently", I think you'd be able to get away with a bass solo, but in most cases I'd prefer the band being well-held together over a bass solo.

[@brianfedele94]

Another case when a solo dosen't break the mood is in a small ensamble, like a trio (like the red garland trio) le of course a duo (jim hall and red mitchell) in bigger ensamble like big band you heard very few bass solos... (sorry for my horrible english :D)

[@holdencaustic]

brian fedele bass solos are good if you have a statement to make- otherwise, they tend to be an exercise in exercises. Giving the bassist an open cadenza is a better idea

[@richardhart8533]

I like your stuff. Gives a fresh perspective. I particularly enjoyed the vid you did on classical musicians sense of time vs the rest. And you keep it real. Thank you.

[@zacharyhaynes8969]

I’m in my school jazz band, classically trained in both piano and bass so I switch off and on semi frequently. Whenever I take a bass solo, however, the teacher and I always agree to put it at the very end of the song before we come back to the head. Bass solos, in my opinion, really come in handy when your solo section of a song is burning whereas the actual head is much slower paced. Thus using my bass solo as a way to slow the pace of the song down and jump right back into the head.

[@Flemmingdoerken]

You smiled when you read out Wabablababerry, didn't you?

[@ZippyLeroux]

Perhaps Adam can tell us why words like that make us smile.... Vermicious Knids unite!

[@GabCampbell]

Adam, about the no signature on the painting. Apparently its kind of a trend thing. Theres like different school of thought on subject. Some people sign at the bottom, some at the back and some not at all. Over the years, trends about these things come and go so it can be normal that a painting is not signed.

[@WRXBase]

I was beginning to think that NOBODY was going to comment on the painting ...

[@pierredessein5568]

I've got a comment about it: I can see why the person was going to throw it away.

[@ToonsCraft1]

Georges-Honoré Gagnon dit Deschênes oof

[@DanielBoonelight]

@Nolan M. we like to call these types of people 'taste free'

[@maddyh3856]

This channel has inspired me to start getting a real/non-youtube musical education and I'm now auditioning for a music high school. Thank you so much!

[@mirco_geremia]

"The emperor has no clothes. I'm going to throw shade where shade is necessary." No the hero we deserve but the hero we need.

[@connorstaub9299]

But joe dart

[@kennet7837]

Pear Beastly!

[@yaribins5754]

Joe fucking dart, man fuck that guy and his incredible sense od rythm

[@ToonsCraft1]

yes was looking for this

[@fl4135]

Tbh the speed of his head bobbing is equally as impressive as his playing

[@IntoTheBass]

The ''Goal'' is to play Music; The journey is when you Apply ''What-If's'' beyond ''THE LICK!'' - 3:13

[@BarcodeBass31]

I watched your video and I agree with you. The thing about a bass solo is, it depends on what the gig needs. I'll be 40 this year and I started playing bass at 13. I started playing all on the top string, picking out bass lines like Iron Man one note at a time. Using one finger. Now I throw in two handed arpeggio tapping in a cover song to fill out a simple chord progression. There was no internet when I started, and tabs were hard to come by, so we learned almost everything by ear or by watching someone else. This was good in a few ways because we learned to pick out what the other musicians were doing. So I didn't have to learn every song in a bands set list to "sit in". I just had to listen to the songs I didn't know the day before and ask the guitarist what key he was in. So it forced you to develop your ear. The downside though is that we didn't develop knowledge of scales and modes, intervals, techniques, as solid and soon as is possible now. Going back to a bass solo. I've seen a lot of bassists lose a crowd by trying to play a lead guitar solo on a bass, or play a classical piano part on a bass. Your musicians in the crowd may be in awe of your skills, but unless you are Billy Sheehan or Victor Wooten, there will probably not be a lot of bass nerds at the "Goobs House of Brew" on Saturday night at 12:30 a.m. So what do you do? Check the crowd. Does the crowd seem like a bunch of people who want to hear you play Tocatta en Fugue in D Minor on your bass? Or can you get the drummer to join in, play "Ice Ice Baby" and make these people mega fans? I've pulled off both but sometimes just playing something people like is better than showing them your best stuff.

[@lecosmique]

Really enjoyed this Q&A. As one of those later in life, diving into learning music theory, notation, and performance, I really enjoy your unique ability to discuss sometimes exceptionally complex topics in a digestible manner.

[@ewegenia]

Whenever I write a bass solo into whatever I'm doing, I always just have a keyboardist do the low end.

[@_modiX]

Adam Neely: "Sibelius is very easy to use." _Tantacrul initializes video editing software ..._ "Let the game begin!"

[@noaevron2012]

Adam! I really enjoy your videos! I just started music theory and guitar studies with a private tutor and I find your videos very helpful. you seem to really like teaching which is a rare quality (from my experience) .keep doing what your doing.

[@redrum1692]

I love your videos. Glad you don't let the negative comments slow you down :)

[@Shamanel48]

Hi Adam! Just have a question that might be related more to music business and exposure in general. If a band or an artist cannot exactly pinpoint what genre they play (Assuming that such displays a wide fusion of different genres), how would you recommend such band or artist to label themselves? I do recall you stating that labels are unnecessary to the artist although it is very crucial to the LISTENERS. How would you approach such situation? I'm also a fellow bassist btw. I love the quality content you constantly put out, keep up the good work Adam! Cheers!

[@himbo7772]

Perhaps get every genre you can group it in, and then minimize it to the absolute necessities. If you have a band that's rock but borrows from almost every genre, try naming it after the most used genres. Blues Rock would be a lot easier than "Blues Rock with classical influence, Indian classical, Mongolian throat singing and Prog metal"

[@spacejazz6272]

What is 'Berklee Funk'?

[@TheDjangofan]

In an earlier video he describes how Berklee students end up performing a homogenous style of music he names "Berklee Funk". It's a point of criticism of a music education system that doesn't encourage creative differences.

[@AfferbeckBeats]

Not sure if it means funk music or like a depressive rut.

[@Jefferson-ly5qe]

In another local example, I've heard of a similar thing at UWA (the University of Western Australia). Apparently composition students there are strongly discouraged by staff from writing anything diatonic, to the point that they'll get failed for using 'conventional' harmony in any way. The resulting compositions are generally quite atonal and (in my opinion) pretty bland, having sat through a few concerts myself.

[@WeepingWillow6497]

danehb89 depressive rut. If I lived my life as a funk musician I'd be pretty happy lol

[@DelDuio]

Berklee Funk (n): When students don't get out of the studio much, it builds up in their underwear. See also: Fromundacheese.

[@himanshpandey6380]

I love your videos! Aspiring to be a full time musician soon, I learn a lot watching these, and they're really fun to watch. Thank you!

[@tormado]

Adam, You have some really great content here. Keep the uploads coming; they're always interesting!

[@samuelemonaci]

do you prefer your memes dank or normie??

[@nog5904]

You're a normie.

[@pedrocerda6574]

Jake Hayes You know you're really cool? You're really cool specifically because you use slurs to try and offend everyone.

[@whiz8569]

+Pedro Cerda So NOT dank.

[@zm448]

adam pls respond

[@AdamNeely]

/mu says i'm normie af, so... =/

[@MarkWladika]

...."What is it? The drums have stopped!" The terror-stricken youth replies "Yes! Drums stop! Very bad!" The explorer asks "Why, what will happen?" the boy screams "BASS SOLO!!!"

[@kogunkogun]

This is why I came here. Thank you. I fully expected to hear the joke in the video and was disappointed. Then I realized that it relies on some stereotypes that can't really go over without controversy these days. But still, it is a hilarious joke.

[@turingmachine8831]

I tell that joke often.

[@bipbipletucha]

Almost 69 likes

[@nanderv]

Hey, do you know the Polish progressive rock band Riverside? The frontman is a bass player, and plays some really nice solos here and there. If they are ever near your area, be sure to check them out, they deserve all the attention they can get. With Riverside it's sometimes hard to know where the bass line ends and the solo begins. Look up a song like Escalator Shrine. It starts on a drone synthesizer note, with a bass solo. Then the bass solo goes down an octave and moves seamlessly into the main riff, which is totally awesome by the way. Listen to the one note that gets omitted every other time the riff is played. That one note screws even some veteran listeners over when they play live, because it interrupts the flow of the rhythm. Riverside is, in my opinion, a bass guitar player's dream.

[@joebrowser775]

I think the problem with bass solos that suck is more of a compositonal problem than a bass problem. Following what you said quoting your professor, the "what if" is what must be thought out. Not every song needs a bass solo. I dont know if you have hear Yanni but there is an epic moment in the Tribute album(highly recomended) in the song Dance with a Stranger that has an amazing Bass solo and I dont think anyone gets to talk while that solo is going on. And on the Bruce Hornsby live version of The Way It Is it has a great bass solo moment. So I guess it also depends on the setting of the gig. Just my two cents. Love your vids, man! You and Rick Beato are hands down the most rewarding subscriptions I have here on KZbin. It was amazing to see you both in the interview

[@n7275]

2:05 Wait, isn't All-Star in F#.

[@andrijasentic9702]

no, it's in F

[@berxsol]

Andrija Sentić no F words please, there are kids around *Goes away confused*

[@toad15fan]

Yep

[@ramsu2_45]

2:29 Tentacrul has joined the chat

[@trevorpope1913]

Adam, thank you for the postings. I want to pick up on the idea that there may classical musicians and other types of musician. I trained "classically" but am not sure it made any difference to me becoming a musician. Yes I read music easily, but that has nothing to do with being a musician. Some of the best musicians I know are people who can not read a note. Ironically, I meet lots of people who say they wished they could read music and feel this would help them become a proper musician. I think the realist is that playing music is something we feel and sometimes other people connect with what you are doing. Notation might help us map out the music but it is not musical in any way. Keep posting. Cheers Baz

[@robsantorobass]

Love your videos, Adam. Keep them up!

[@buaco]

Hey Adam, first of all let me say I'm a huge fan of your videos. I'm a classical musician, and although I agree that our sense of rhythm may be a bit more "lax" or imprecise in general, this is not always the case, specially for contemporary or 20th century music. I'm sure you're familiar with the music of Elliott Carter, he has a very particular relationship with rhythm and time and you definitely need to be precise for his music to shine through. There's hundred of examples, even in more "tame" music like Bartok or Ligeti. I think you linked a video of the Hagen quartet playing Ravel once (Maybe I'm imagining things). I think they are the perfect example of what classical musicians strive for. Even though the rhythm flows quite freely, and there's not always an instrument playing the beat to "agree" on, they manage to flow perfectly together. It's very rare but it's a magical experience when it happens. I do agree with your general sentiment though, I've had rehearsals completely derail over something simple like a quintuplet and it's a frustrating experience. Sorry for my english!

[@bacicinvatteneaca]

It's more of a thing were the best musicians can both handle BPM variations and precise rhythmic pronounciation. The ones that aren't as good only know one of the two. But understanding where you're supposed to be in the beat is a more fundamental element of playing than messing around with speed, and yet classical education teaches you that first.

[@brushot]

14:38 T H E L I C C

[@jamesvisceglia3971]

As a guitar player who taught himself (with some assistance here and there) I can easily say your videos have helped me understand my primary instrument better then any other. I never liked to use things like videos to help me through the struggle, but sometimes, getting a hint can be helpful. I came across a vid like a year ago, and your music theory videos are in my opinion unparalleled in their ability to get the information through in the simplest way possible. Because if this, I have expanded my musical knowledge and ability at an exponential rate. And through the simpler stuff (and complex too) that you explain, I have been able to teach some of the other theory to myself that you had not gotten to. So basically, u make learning music theory fun and not mind numbingly confusing so much so that I can use my knowledge from u to teach myself theory. and I don't really think I can say more than thanks for helping me to break through the door and move my musical adventure forward.

[@nazario4389]

"ima learn him good." Thank you for adding another beautiful quote to my arsenal.

[@Dendobrium]

Have you ever had other musicians completely waste your time? Like, you're organizing a band and they never come prepared for practice. I seem to find a lot of these types of musicians, regardless of their skill, lately I've only met amazing musicians who end up being extremely irresponsible.

[@sissihirvitys]

How can i get into playing jazz with a bass after 5 years of playing only metal?

[@leafar8272]

Play better

[@ferox965]

Dive in and immerse yourself.

[@dlawlis]

When I used to play out, people would sometimes ask me why I didn't do bass solos. My stock answer: because they're bass solos.

[@BallsMcNaughty]

i seriously thought the offbeat triplets were super easy UNTIL i actually found out i was timing it wrong and god damn was that a rough few minutes trying to actually understand it better, you really can't put much of any thought into it or its just way more difficult.

[@kensisyphus]

Hello, Adam! I'm learning basic classical music theory recently. The textbook said people should avoid doubling the third of major triads (Chord). I would like to know the reason behind but I can't find a good explanation on the internet or on the textbook. Sometimes while I was playing guitar in a band, doubling the third of a major chord doesn't sound really bad or weird to me (The numbers or the 3rd note are more than the numbers of 1st and 5th note in a major chord). So I'm really curious what your take on this is. Also, it is interesting to know that parallel fifth is allowed in nowadays in "Q+A #31", such as parallel fifth was used by Duke Ellition. Is there any concept in jazz or popular music theory that is also contradicted with the classical music theory? Thank You!

[@smithjedediah]

this is a good example of how classical training can hobble musicians (absolutely do not mean offense, actually trying to express sympathy without being condescending?) Sorry if that didn't come across though.

[@kormendymatyas8667]

classical music theory is based on how white european dudes played music 200-300 years ago, most of the stuff is "outdated" i mean people still take it to the heart while it was just the way those dudes liked to play and maybe in a classical context it still matters but jazz and rock didnt even exist when those observations were made for example maj7th leaps are "forbidden" in classical theory but jazz is all about 7ths

[@seothis640]

Cool to hear that you're using Sibelius! You probably know that Sibelius was an AWESOME Finnish composer and I'm from Finland so I have an important question: As you MUST know, bestiality is still legal here in Finland as long as it's consensual and we (obviously) take great pride in this so my question is.... Which animal is the sexiest? The humble raccoon? Maybe the beautiful dolphin or just something familiar like your neighbors dog? I know that a LOT of your fans have been begging you to finally answer this question and to put a rest to this debate so I hope you finally do... Also, do you think that learning to play the keyboard is easy for a bass player? I found it kind of easy... Like 6/10. Thanks for the videos.

[@Snardbafulator]

TFW you can't decide if a comment was just a really good troll or made by a really eccentric Finnish person ;)

[@troodon1096]

+Snardbafulator I don't know, and don't really want to know lol.

[@rowanjeffree1094]

Underrated comment

[@leandrog2785]

Wow that's fucking awesome i'm moving to finland now

[@user-wt2dz5bx5m]

...oh

[@kierojin]

In regards to the “is it too late for me” question, a client of mine who is 70 started playing guitar last year. He now plays in his church band and he really loves and enjoys it, which I think is the most important thing when playing music.

[@patrickmaline4258]

you’ve got me thinking about john paul jones and i can’t put my finger on it but i feel like he might have been an exception once or twice. i may only be remembering moments when he was really shining, but not soloing. now there are moments in the wall when rodger waters carries the song forward all by himself. perfect moments.

[@aidange2]

Allan Holdsworth (who passed away recently) started guitar in his late teens (got his first guitar at 17) and is unreplicatably virtuosic.

[@alto2forever908]

Finally someone who says "niche" instead of "nitch"

[@notaname8140]

"Unfinished but kind of in a finished way" pretty much sums up my music lmao

[@noragallivant]

I love your videos. Wish I had you as a resource way back in music school!