Tommy The Cat (Primus) - Les Claypool's Toughest Riff (Bass Tab & Tutorial)

[@theseuskotselas4015]

What people oftenly forget to mention is that les plays this while doing the extremely fast tommy the cat vocal line on top of it. Guy is an absolute unit.

[@DaveTaste]

Who forgets? Every video I've seen him play it he's playing it and singing it.

[@albo3music]

@@DaveTastehey dont forget about it, they just forget to mention it :)

[@HiroDavid]

I saw him do this live and he was also dancing. Legend.

[@monsieurb.6733]

Live it is Les but in the album the Tommy part is Tom Waits.

[@cloerjohn]

Doing the crabwalk at the same time too..

[@limitless_ak7628]

I love how les claypool incorporates so many techniques one after the other and makes it looks so easy.

[@fireemblemistrash75]

Its funny too as he isnt very keen on perfect technique or music theory but he is so damn good at his own way he can do it perfectly

[@bungalowfeuhler1541]

Bass skill is in direct ratio to genital size. There’s a mild gravitational shift localized around every stage Les occupies.

[@jasonjuneau2948]

AND does vocals on top of it

[@mqbitsko25]

Country music: "Guitar is too hard, so I'll play bass." Claypool: "Guitar is too easy, so I'll play bass."

[@kaydgaming]

Jacob Flores - Country Music: “they’re the same person”

[@kadensmith8851]

Pretty sure Claypool said "regular bass is too easy, I'll play the 6-string fretless bass"

[@gingerjam2192]

No he said bass is too hard I’ll play a short scale one with floppy thin strings on it. But I like him nonetheless.

[@SpinoRexzillaEN25]

@@kadensmith8851 I'm pretty sure Claypool said "Existence is too easy, I'll just ascend."

[@summit6077]

@@gingerjam2192hes played more 5 and 6 strings than shortscales his entire career…..

[@tmdickey1989]

Les Claypool actually describes Tommy the cat as the hardest song for him to play, and he himself cannot play it anywhere near the way he does on the album. however I feel "hamburger train" off of "pork soda " or is it luck" from" sailing the Seas of cheese" have to be one of the hardest songs. If I had to choose which one to learn it would be hamburger train... thank you for this tutorial I myself have also changed the way I play "Tommy the Cat". over the last 10 to 15 years I've changed it numerous times getting little bits of info here and there well thanks again. Keep It Low!

[@louisz8817]

I second this.

[@robvegas9354]

Hamburger Train for sure

[@kevfullo]

American Life, it's not the fastest but I find it impossible.

[@bunstie5208]

@@kevfullo American life is pretty hard but you just need to maintain a strumming pattern, in my opinion, its nowhere near as hard as tommy the cat or hamburger train.

[@thaddeusfromsonar]

I can personally play Tommy and Hamburger train, they’re not too bad if you get in the groove and practice slowly and shit, and i have to say Is it luck is the hardest for sure

[@Izaghast]

can’t wait to see how im playing this wrong lmao

[@Jihadbearzwithgunz]

I dont do the palm slap.. I just slap two ghost notes my first mistake many more too follow for me lol

[@rafaelsoares8282]

Good comment

[@surfsquatch5]

Me 2

[@GrantFunkyFrabe]

Facts this is why I came here 🤣

[@tomaslesay1272]

He plays the hardest Primus riff ever and he is just like: “OK?” 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@tmdickey1989]

Dude it's Mark we're talking about here. He always says "okay " after a ridiculously difficult piece like we're just supposed to absorb that into our brains a felangies on the spot? it's hilarious to me, he always says ...."OKAY?"......lol

[@Themosthumblest]

hahah would be hilarious if the video just ended right after the “Okay?”

[@truegoblin3476]

@@tmdickey1989 9th ui88i888i88⁸⁸88

[@Adam-dh3jc]

Honestly this song is very easy once you’ve played it a few months. It’s all in the Technique if you’re having a hard time with this song practice higher ground by Stevie or chilli peppers great practice for slap and pop technique

[@jamesday1295]

What happened exactly matched my head vision after reading your comment.

[@sspygamer7396]

This guy is the number one best Bass Teacher ever!!! I just wanna say thanks for the free step by step Bass lessons man👍

[@gaasts]

I second that

[@yodawg45]

I third that, he is insanely good at what he does and the fact that it’s free, is nothing short of astonishing.

[@sspygamer7396]

Yeah, some famous bassist in the future might be one of his students... And that's epic

[@brianandreasen2200]

By far one of the hardest songs for a bass player to learn but when you break it down into parts and then it melds together. It's an amazing accomplishment :).

[@sebastiandiaz29]

This is mindblowing, I even have the official transcription book and I like this version much better, I never really liked how it sounded in the official tab, and he is right, Les has changed the way he plays it live through the years

[@vladv5126]

Damn, his playing was so clean it killed the remaining 0.001% germs.

[@vlobster7660]

You missed something out Mark....the Claypool dance routine!!!.This is gonna help my lockdown cabin fever!!Cheers for this!

[@LordSesshomaru584]

Right on .. life seems so pointless. Wonder what I'd do without my beloved bass..

[@Se7enDsinSGaming]

@@LordSesshomaru584 i just picked up a bass before quarantine

[@cursedcliff7562]

@@Se7enDsinSGaming same

[@CouchEconomyTX]

Se7enDsinS Gaming same kinda

[@dmikelepage72]

I think that one of the best attributes you have as a teacher is that you are always learning yourself through self evaluation. I went back and listened to your previous version of Tommy and your updated version is much better in my opinion, especially the left hand palm mute you figured out. When an instructor is willing to continue to evolve themselves, students always benefit. Good on you and keep up the great work!

[@carlogarneri7873]

I'm an old Primus fan, I quit with pro attitude in 2008 and can play 80% of they discography and consider Laquer Head o DMV a piece of cake to play. If now i can play this correctly (with slower bpm and workin on it) is just because of this tutorial. You are an amazing teacher ❤️

[@hdufort]

Doctor: "How many fingers do you see?" Me: "I... I don't know anymore"

[@GiveSic]

"Well I remember as it were a meal ago" SAIDTOMMYTHECATASHEREELEDBACKTOCLEARWHATEVERFOREIGNMATTERMAYHAVENESTLEDITSWAYINTOHISMIGHTYTHROAT

[@javierschiefelbein4084]

i feel like a baby learning to speak when trying to say those bars, damn

[@peppinospaghetti11]

MANYAFATALLEYRATHASMETITSDEMISEWHILESTARINGPOINTBLANKATTHISCARNIVEROUSBARRELAWESOMEPROWLINGMACHINE

[@shaunsheffield9743]

spent the last hour re-watching this video, trying to get everything right and finally did it. this guy is a great teacher!

[@JRocco2021]

Yes omg you did it right! I saw your original video and wanted to say something but it's so hard to convey what is incorrect about they way most people play this, there's a lot of little things that are easily missed. It took me years to get it down right and I still had to see the man himself play it live in front of my face to do it correctly. Bravo sir just figuring out what is happening in a Primus tune is half the battle. This is now one of the few, if not only, correct explanation of how to play this song online.

[@Lessmtezbass]

It is the only tutorial that explains well how to play, and the techniques you use, you are incredible, greetings from Mexico

[@milocl529]

I think this is the best youtube channel to learn songs. Departing fron chile!!!

[@nuke97]

My hats off to you. As a fellow bassist that has been doing the same by slowing down various live recordings of this song, referencing "Official notation books", and endless hours feeling out what variation sounds closer I have been driven mad by what is accurate for the main riff. The legato part for the high fretted G note, the left hand slap mute ( amazing capture there) and the surprising lack of ghost notes had me stunned. Bravo for getting this accurate. Subbed.

[@bloglivrada]

You are a great teacher, thanks for this lesson from a big primus fan:)

[@xBUMSKIx]

You’re an incredible teacher. I’m always amazed at how les claypool makes everything he plays sound like Primus. He’s always on brand.

[@TopShelfMontana]

i think you are the first person I've ever seen online play it, what sounds like, correctly. Props

[@chriszablocki2460]

I actually don't know why I'm watching this. I don't play bass guitar.

[@nick-dm3if]

You legally have to now

[@chriszablocki2460]

It's the top 4 strings of a standard 6 string, right? But thicker.

[@chriszablocki2460]

If I had any control over my media content, I wouldn't have to give random nonsensical comments to them.

[@ssimms8995]

Chris Zablocki if by “standard 6 string” you mean guitar, then no. It is the bottom 4 strings

[@cursedcliff7562]

@@chriszablocki2460 how dare you insult bass like that

[@goodearthrecordings1989]

This is the 1st video I've watched on KZbin that shows how to play the main bass riff in "Tommy the Cat" that sounds right to me. Now I have it down and thank you very much for the video!

[@topiasteirikko6238]

Awesome! Been struggling with this since the last millenium! Thanks!

[@jeremyredd4232]

Man, your voicing is GREAT! That G comes right out and talks to you!

[@pawelkoscielski1]

Wooow! This lesson is the gold standard of teaching a song

[@a2swebber]

YES! This has to be the most informative and extremely concise bass video on KZbin

[@a2swebber]

I played bass from 2001-13 and could never really slap I dunno. I’m looking for a 6 string.

[@a2swebber]

Ibanez Eda-900

[@jeffreysmith8789]

Les is a damn anomaly. Guys like him, jaco, Victor Wooten, and others run so far with their own style and make it undeniably theirs

[@skeeter197140]

Dude! This sounds right to me! For years I've tried to learn this part, but EVERY video I've seen swore they were right, and they never sounded right to me. This sounds spot on to me. And that's important. I've seen people say "It's like this, but it's open to personal variations", or some such BS. No! There's the way it is or the way it's not, so thank you.

[@huilton]

Congratulations, was amazing.

[@killmeorikillyou1]

Wow, I played it wrong too apparently. Thanks, man! This version is actually easier than most of what other people play. That explains how Claypool dances all around the stage while playing this riff. lol

[@noneofthemknew89]

This comment is absolutely acurrate hahaha

[@jeremyrushing9659]

me too! I learned it by ear with a cassette tape years ago. Made it way hard on my self..

[@tomtomthebear]

Golden boy is my favourite primus riff....so stoked when I finally got it

[@chrisclark432]

So, one thing that was messing me up that isn’t addressed here is the moment the riff cycles over. He on does it once REALLY slow but the key is when you pop that open D string it goes immediately into the down strum which is how it is taught here to be the very beginning. But if you think about that D pop as the beginning my head understood it much better as a cycling riff. Of coarse he does this because it is the way Les begins the riff. Awesome instruction here. This is a very elusive Primus bass line. It’s killer!

[@Veryfastslowcar66]

saw this ages ago and loved it thought id never have a chance untill I actually tried it, thanks so much!

[@antoniopizarro7670]

Masterfully done. I've been [poorly] toying around with this since 1993 and you have it better than any previous interpretation! Thx.

[@PocketManic]

First Tommy The Cat tutorial that actually makes sense. Thank you so much!

[@pabloortega5872]

Thank you!! I was playing the descending part wrong for years!! Great break down! 🙌

[@BassticklerBoi]

"Lee Van Cleef" is amazing. It's not very difficult technically but it's a great example of feel. I always enjoy using slap to get a nice laid back feel and I don't tend to see tutorials/lessons on that approach.

[@markcarson1844]

Super great transcript bro, thanks your a amazing player!!

[@leonardodonadel48]

"Is It luck" may be tougher

[@rainbowrotcod]

yes

[@adesignersperspective]

i'd agree. if you actually play that song at les' speed it's something around 11 notes a second. it's insane.

[@maddog3902]

I had a rendition of it that I'm sure wasn't perfectly accurate but sounded right or close to it. It was carpel tunnel town to play but not actually as stretchy and demanding as Tommy for me. I played tommy a lot more though because it is a really good warmup

[@rhabdob3895]

Just faster.

[@aiacusenaduschasames]

correction, is tougher.

[@juancamilomedinasierra5240]

It would be amazing if you do a tutorial of the awakening

[@_Only_Zuul]

it would be cool if les did a bass video to show exactly how he plays his bass lines. i don't think he's ever done anything like that ever in his career. we've seen bass lesson videos in the past from the likes of jaco, flea, billy sheenan etc but not les claypool..

[@Joetime90]

Wish Geddy Lee would do the same.

[@tadas7985]

It's like a secret recipe, magicians never reveal their secrets lmao

[@GfnWiz]

Picked up my bass again after a 17-18 year real about a year and a half ago…just now revisiting this and I can finally follow this at a slow tempo…clean. I used to cheat and do up and down stroke with my thumb instead of bouncing it. Like life, everything is a work in progress.

[@GfnWiz]

Playing it clean at a tempo of 108…moving up slowly.

[@michaelproctor8777]

Top choice Mark. Les was also known for some bizarre tuning as well. But to jump about on stage, play this tune as well as sing, the man is a legend.

[@WaxWolf]

According to Primus Road Crew Main Man, Tim "Soya", neither Les nor Ler have ever used any alternate tunings on any Primus tracks.

[@J-C1543]

I read somewhere that his main 4 ct has/had two G-strings and two A-strings, tuned to standard tuning. I tried it myself along time ago and didn't really like it.

[@Wave_Duck]

perfect riff to start with

[@duncdonut]

Say b-b-b-b-b-b-b-baby are a gonna sing the line and the same time??

[@talkingbasslessons]

Believe it or not, singing it and playing it at the same time isn't as hard as you'd think. It's continuous 16th notes so there's no rhythm to think of. If you can play it fine then singing over the top is easy. Sounds silly but Lovely Day by Bill Withers is waaaay harder to sing over. See you at the Premiere!

[@apheradevear5130]

Damien Darcell SAY BABY SAY BABY

[@Abaramotorai]

It had to be you. You just saved me my position in the band! Thank you!

[@davidofpiano423]

Absolutely fantastic lesson. Wonderful detail.

[@Megamare1]

This guy makes me want to put down the six string for a while and start learning Primus on bass👌🏻💯

[@starcrysis23]

Les uses a fretless 6 string for this song

[@LosBastardostributeband]

I think the descending part can also be played with ghost notes. Awesome tutorial, many thanks!!

[@Krogrosen]

Les does it ocassionally

[@malicant123]

Seems perfect to me! Honestly thought, with all the speculation about this line, and given that we live in the age of the internet, has no one ever tried to ask Les Claypool himself how he plays this?

[@TristanJCumpole]

Lacquerhead is another excellent example of how Les brings in left hand ghost notes to flesh out rhythms. It's simpler and great for new slappers!

[@fiveseven76]

That video, "Tommy the cat" made me want to get a 6 string fretless in the 90s. I ended up with a cheap fretless 4 string and traded almost instantly. Bastard makes it look so easy!

[@noneofthemknew89]

OMG THIS IS AWESOME. Thanks Mark! I seriously believe that you, and your well known friend, Scott, totally saved my bass playing and encourage me to keep learning

[@HandsomePuggg]

This is awesome! I've always been aware I've not been playing the first half of the riff quite right but haven't managed to properly figure it out. The backing tracks on your site are really useful too, thanks!

[@loulu7164]

I love this song SO much, especially the Bonneroo recording. Your lesson is totally awesome! I will never be able to play this, but your explanations and tutorial are outstanding. Thanks, Mark, for the delicious brain food. 😉😍

[@vinnyshock7733]

thank you so much this has been my dream bass line since i started playing and now that i got the hang of slapping i felt it was finally time. i still have to get it up to tempo but i understand the part a lot better

[@waynemichaelbanks]

Thanks for this. Like many comments…I’ve been trying many versions of this since back in the day. I reckon you’ve nailed it. It’s about time Les did a tutorial for us all! 👍🤞

[@chriscuthbertson]

I would love to hear Marcus Miller cover Tommy The Cat

[@leegibbs5317]

Or Andrew Gouche!

[@LageYouTube]

or Stanley Clark

[@chriscuthbertson]

Or Mark King

[@qphive]

Yes!!!!!!! Now.... next step, trying to sing over that sick line. Thanks for the tutorial!

[@andybunn5780]

I'm no pro, but learning this song is on my bucket-list. Video saved!

[@Sadisticator]

Awesome! Been waiting for this. My favorite bass riff of all time :)

[@gleventhal]

Most correct version I've seen online.

[@davimedeiros4725]

Best teacher on youtube! Thank you!

[@juancamilomedinasierra5240]

Wow!! Thanks for all Mark, you've helped me to improve a lot

[@Daywalker78]

Amazing, exactly what I needed! Thanks so much for this phenomenal breakdown 🙏🏿

[@kristofwynants]

Excellent lesson, thanks for clearing those hurdles out! You're a great bass teacher

[@rubberjonnyfive]

The song "buckethead" by colonel claypool's bucket of bernie brains has a pretty bad ass bass riff

[@housearrestgaming685]

That was a mouthful

[@winstonmarlowe5254]

@@housearrestgaming685 C2B3

[@Dudewhostartsargumentsandloses]

It is insane how easy it looks when it's Full speed. Then you break it down and it hurts your head. Crazy talent out there.

[@mariovomhof2775]

Amazing lesson. I shouldn't have wasted my time by just looking at other tabs. But now I feel some progress. Thx

[@katscurry]

Incredibly helpful! Nice breakdown!

[@stephencochrane6686]

Brilliant video! I remember trying to learn this years ago and couldn't play it. Got back into bass playing this year after nearly a decade break and set my sights on Tommy the Cat. This video was invaluable in helping me finally play it. Only problem I have now is stamina. My fret hand get's tired very quickly playing this. Any tips for improving stamina?

[@ikigai47]

Top instructor! Thanks for the lesson

[@marcocorsini4054]

Funnily enough, this was the first song I played that included more serious slapping. Of course, I did some exercises, but the main thing I did to get good at slapping was playing this song at low bpms and going progressively faster as I got more comfortable. Pros: I got better pretty quickly and I learnt one of the songs I had as a challenge. Cons: I probably spent some good 15 or more hours learning it. Worth it Edit: The Awakening or Jerry Was A Racecar Driver are both way harder

[@vlobster7660]

Les is on record as saying this is the hardest.....i know who i'll believe

[@jshepherdbass]

Excellent tutorial Mark 👍

[@jahnperez5060]

I second that comment. You're obviously a very good player, and a great teacher. Cheers for your help, and for free mate!!!

[@Braveliltoaster15]

excited for this one Mark !

[@louiscadieux-menard9686]

Great lesson! Thank you!

[@michellehager5588]

Ok ok.. . You're a bad ass! Excellent teacher as well! Thank you bunches!!

[@comax4480]

Can't wait to see it, i'd like to see more primus on this channel!

[@billlee6908]

Great lesson, Mark!

[@bassismath9118]

Now we want ryan marine's dig or an insight into his techniques..........great lesson .....lots of love n respect from India.....a big fan of u.....

[@diegomayfield4751]

This is the one legendary bass line I thought I could never figure out. Been waiting for this video since cheese album came out . Over 30 years ?

[@davidbarreracanon3446]

Fantastic lesson. Thank you, Mark.

[@humanidrome]

impressive, impressive, impressive! Sounds sooo good!

[@rudusblue7058]

Sounds great! Definitely trying this

[@SimonMSvensson]

Great as always Mark :)!

[@mad_cat_1st]

0:56 - You should actually study the riff from Suck on This. It's played on his four-string, and is much more punchy and trebly. When he went to the six-string, I felt it got too muddy. Love every single note Les has ever recorded. The fact that he can do the vocal patter to this tune while still playing the riff is pure genius.

[@ATthemusician]

I found a tutorial a couple years ago by BassTheWorld.com and it took me about 2 months to learn to play it at full speed(I originally couldn't even play it at 60bpm, it's a very challenging riff). Glad I learned it, it will make you a monster on bass.

[@KalakutaShow1976]

Excellent tutorial!:)

[@antoniopizarro7670]

Great video. "Is it luck" is soooo tough, too.

[@talkingbasslessons]

Have you seen my video lesson of it yet?

[@batman182]

Awesome Video! Thank you!

[@kyle2778]

For anyone looking to practice strumming I recommend learning school days by Stanley Clark. I still play it all the time to warm up.

[@ahmedcoskun9842]

Awesome as always sir! thanks a lot.

[@WakizashiSabre]

Eery dude who can play this must be great dude. Subscribed.

[@alexandredartagnan1227]

excellent your teaching, congratulations won a new subscriber on the channel!

[@issuu8050]

Cool video I'm always waiting for you to post new content love it!

[@nathanielitter]

Awesome tutorial and presentation! You clearly put a lot of work into nailing down the details of the riff, and this version is very trustworthy! (and might I say, relievingly more intuitive the many I've seen) My input isn't necessarily the "hardest" Claypool riff -- in fact it's one of the simplest of the more famous ones, from what I've seen -- but the riff of My Name Is Mud has done a great job of helping me exercise my thumb slap/left hand muting technique while playing a simple, badass riff. Of course the original is on a 6-string fretless, which I don't have, but having a 5-string does a decent enough job for getting the technique down for me personally! (or even a 4-string I suppose, if technique is the primary focus)

[@flamedemore9558]

I love the way Les Claypool plays... emphatic!!! You can actually hear the bass playing in the music. I played bass for a year...then went back to playing lead guitar...it was too easy to play. *Unless you are playing Primus or red hot chili peppers...I admire the bass work,cause it's way more complex than most other bands ....I can't even hear the bass player in most bands. That's why I love Primus! The Bass stands out as much as the six stringer. Seen Primus in Houston Texas during the tales from the punch bowl tour.

[@brianandreasen2200]

You probably think bass is easy because you are playing it like a traditional rhythm instrument. Les Claypool, Flea, and others play it more like a lead instrument rather than a rhythm. Give that a go. It's not as easy as it looks. :)