The Ron Carter Lesson (and Interview)

[@RonCarterBassist]

To be part of the continuing musical journey of this young man is an honor…his dedication to a new instrument is notable and to be applauded.

[@BradyWatt]

Thank you Maestro!

[@JotaOrtiz]

Thank you master !!!

[@RobMLyon]

❤

[@ShanevsDCsniperr]

people say this a lot on this platform but it is honestly insane that this is free

[@CathyKreger]

Its a fantastic lesson! I am greatful to you both for putting this out there! Thank you! 🙏

[@urmero67]

Huge. A lesson that not just applies to Bass playing and music, it applies to everything in your life...Observe yourself, the bad things the mistakes ..analyze them and fix.

[@alexandram9477]

haha - he took his piece of velcro back at the end of the lesson! thx for posting, was great to watch.

[@fabbioalonso920]

Everything is everything... what a wise man !

[@markfoster_mkfbass]

Brady came proper: fresh cut and a classy suit for a discussion with a living master. Much love to both of you!

[@jazzbrew68]

Bass players all over the world thank you for sharing this experience. So much great information and inspiration. Thank you Brady and thank you Maestro!

[@JotaOrtiz]

Self taught upright bassist here. This is the single most important lesson ever. Thanks!! Man Brady, the pressure of having master Ron telling you you’re messing up! 😂😂😂

[@farshimelt]

As a drummer, that was an invaluable lesson. Taking it down to the basics. It translates to; This is how you hold the stick, this is the motion, this is the sound. Thank you.

[@dreamingpanthers1847]

This is indeed the lesson of a lifetime for all of us. Video saved, notes taken along the way per Dr. Carter's Rx prescription. Timestamps written down, key words noted, to be reviewed and woven into the fabric of my approach. You asked all the questions I had, and Ron did not disappoint. "Look at me and tell me what SHOULD I do?" Thank you so much for sharing this with us and allowing us to absorb a firsthand, first meeting master lesson along with you. I felt as though he were talking directly to me. I too am a longtime electric bassist who picked up double bass just prior to the pandemic. I did so with youtube lessons, and some Discover Double Bass courses. But notably without the benefit of a teacher to look directly at my hands and point out my weaknesses, and the strongest approach to the instrument. Doing the best I can, but a master would see through me in two seconds. What a leg up!

[@BradyWatt]

that's amazing, this video truly is the way I've been practicing this method and rebooting my technique for the last 40 days straight and my playing + sound is on a whole nother level + I can tell it's the right direction.

[@dreamingpanthers1847]

@@BradyWatt The other thing that impressed me here is what Mr. Carter DIDN'T say. He didn't judge others for not using his method. He praised them for getting as far as they did. He didn't curse the foam mounted pickup designer or call them out. He explained why it wasn't right for your application. By impeding the top, the foam would make you work too hard and keep you from getting HIS sound, which is what you'd hired him to teach you how to get. This teaches me that even when musicians are talking, they should be harmonious. Music is as much about the notes you don't play as the ones you do play.

[@ltfringr]

Being an incredibly accomplished musician and a patient, wonderful teacher are both quite difficult things to be, yet Ron Carter is both.

[@RonCarterBassist]

Thank you for such kind words. I do my best.

[@nicolasmolla5014]

Thank you very much Mr. Carter and thanks Brady too.

[@JK4ManC]

Fabulous. What a wonderful lesson from one of the greatest ever.

[@cameronlesley2428]

Probably the most important bass video since jacos modern electric bass video. Thank you very much for making history

[@daunomartinez3257]

That was beautiful ❤❤ thank you

[@thomascordery7951]

Mr Ron Carter: such a generous teacher and a fine gentleman.

[@johnljspiro]

Thank you so much Mr. Carter for sharing your knowledge and wisdom with us and Brady for making this available to us.

[@chafomon]

Thank you both for taking the time to do this and share it with the world.

[@AlamoCityCello]

Ron Carter is a great bass teacher. Patient and thorough.

[@josephandrosky6377]

This is such an amazing lesson, Mr Carter’s attention to detail really demonstrates a lifelong commitment to excellence. What an honor to watch a master teach in such a simple way. Thank you so much for sharing this precious knowledge.

[@rossfinazzo]

I was mulling over my bass string action, thinking it was too high, then I watched this and the number 2 pencil rule helped me to confirm my setup is correct, thank you sir Ron Carter !

[@RonCarterBassist]

I'm glad it helped.

[@TheVegasbud]

Damn you could have watched 1000 videos but having Mr Carter himself breaking down his style for you priceless !

[@Jo-si3ot]

Good for you Brady, you’re a brave man!

[@BradyWatt]

I appreciate that!

[@b2theb]

Im sat here 3am in the UK. Broken humerus and dislocated shoulder. This has taken my mind away on a holiday. Amazing. Just one thing though. 2 FINGERS!

[@jasonbaylor9865]

As a piano player my whole childhood, I can recognize how incredible of a teacher this man is.

[@rattle618]

This is SO good. I picked up an upright a month ago, all of these technical details are gold. Thank you so much!!

[@txsphere]

Wow Brady was brave because being a beginner on video certainly cannot be easy. The lesson I learned as a horn player is how Mr. Carter lines up with that metronome.

[@CrossFitDelVal]

He really worked you, Brady!

[@rfbass5046]

Thanks for posting this…I try to play like Ron when I’m on the upright- some of his approach to walking lines. The most valuable part for me is his explanation of the right hand and not over playing, and his left hand - I’m going to practice this every day.

[@RonCarterBassist]

I'm glad my advice has been useful to you :)

[@DanKlar]

This was fantastic!!! Thank you for allowing us a small glimpse into the process. Seeing someone with a wealth of knowledge and experience like Mr. Carter and how he shares that view into it was wonderful.

[@lindseyjohn4789]

I found the book and placed an order thanks.

[@BradyWatt]

awesome man!

[@MacTeee]

Thanks for posting this Brady! Absolute gold from Maestro Ron! He's a great teacher but, more importantly, a fantastic person too...the world needs more Ron Carter's in it!

[@RobMLyon]

The greatest double bass player in history (imo) this was incredible

[@Legendary9612]

I’ve never played an instrument, but, the bass is always the driving force of a good rhythm in my opinion and this is a fantastic learning experience. Can’t wait to see you get at it.

[@EricLevineItsEze]

An incredible watch. Thank you, Brady and Ron.

[@johng.4711]

Meeting Ron Carter is like meeting history itself.

[@firehehe2]

Much respect to you Brady, and to the legend Ron Carter. It was an honor to watch that.

[@ladynue1]

Wow! Wow! Wow! Man, thanks for sharing. Inspired to the n-th degree!

[@ingmarvanderhoek6314]

I don't play any instrument at all but this is so fascinating and illuminating. Ron Carter is an incredible teacher. Zen master jedi vibes!

[@duroxkilo]

this was fascinating, thank you mr Ron and mr Brady.

[@adriancorralero5239]

Be responsible for your sound and your technique. Love it

[@rudyzulkarnaen1633]

I'll practice this. Thank you for the lesson Mr Carter. Thank you for the video Mr Watt.

[@thefid89]

Proud of you man! I started upright late in life also and I know how tough it can be.

[@fuadramsey3]

SO awesome.

[@02mick75]

That was absolutely fantastic, thank you both !

[@silverpoki498]

Very kool! Ron Carter as teacher, this Monsieur Watt is lucky 🔥🥯

[@basscubs]

Bro, you're literally getting a lesson from Ron Carter. Unbelievable

[@Scoteh]

Iconic moments!

[@JohnR32111]

Wowwowowowwow. What a privilege to get a lesson like this. So inspiring. Priceless instruction from a master.

[@grantsomething]

amazing guys

[@xolisamlali50]

I could be wrong but I have seen Brady or someone who resembles him on a npr tiny desk session of DJ Premier. What a lovely and full of energy bassist!

[@gyrusssss]

Thank you for this video. 👍

[@mfakkamusic]

50:25 hip hop history right there ..this man is a legend.

[@BradyWatt]

very much so

[@lindseyjohn4789]

Now I know where to begin. Peace and Patients will resever life. I've been a fan of Ron Carter since 17 years of age.

[@norakat]

Now that’s a great idea - you need a lesson so you call one of the greatest upright bass players in the world to teach it to you.

[@reggiebushjr619]

are there any videos like this for guitar? like a masterclass from a legend that breaks down their philosophy and techniques to how they approach the instrument. id love to see guitar, drums, anything really! any recommendations are much appreciated!

[@ryojihata4279]

Amazing Video Brady! Good for you!

[@cheriNYCLiveMusic]

Great to see Brady 👏

[@W.E.]

Velcro; Proper fingering hand thumb placement: Even plucking to just fill the room!; Don't let the fingering arm elbow sag.

[@chrisharrison809]

Yah man! I think this will change your life bud others. Just getting the sound, letting the bass do the work. It works on electric too bro! Low action, light touch, big sound. The “dig in” sound is cool on electric, but the big fat sound is in that light touch. You rule dude. Keep it up man.

[@TheTarotDJ333]

That was absolutely delightful and so effin cool!!!

[@FrantzesElzaurdia]

I would love to see a series where you show your progress on the upright :)

[@BradyWatt]

not a bad idea

[@richardcalifano1674]

Thanks,Brady! This was great.

[@avialbersbenchamo4797]

Ron is a sweet man ❤

[@nathanbrownbass8484]

Awesome 👏

[@pickenchews]

That was friggin awesome

[@starfox5467]

Oh man. Wow!

[@BULLY_FINGER]

the greatest

[@austinsmith3559]

this is awesome. Thanks for sharing!

[@montes707]

This is a such a beautiful thing you've posted on here man. On some time capsule stuff.

[@BradyWatt]

That was the goal!

[@montes707]

​@@BradyWatt knocked it out the park. Congrats man

[@pickenchews]

My feelings exactly

[@BeskroneSteve]

Fantastic video with the master Ron Carter. So much great information. Love the cork. What was the book Ron and you were referring too?

[@christianheredia615]

This is an awesome take!!

[@taigasugimoto632]

I was always curious why it always looked like Ron Carter's playing looked so light, that it made the strings look soft. Now I know why, he intentionally plays soft.

[@outersposato]

2 RE20 mics? I was lucky enough to learn from Mr. Carter

[@mattthecatt]

Amazing!!!! 🖖🤩

[@timobara64]

Going to get a bottle of wine.

[@raveniskcrow3638]

Great lesson! good stuff (Samandl left hand stuff) Why did you not put a link to Mister Carters Book?

[@lindacaul5419]

I loved this so much, and I don't even play bass, but .... hum ... maybe on my bucket list! Thank you Mr Carter & Brady Watt

[@lindseyjohn4789]

Hello, my name is John. I'm 62 years old and just decided to learn how to play the Double Bass. I've been playing the elecric bass for 30 plus years. What book is that Ron has in the video?

[@waynepair8199]

Loved the interview and lesson, thanks for posting this! For Mr. Carter's recommendation of using #2 pencil to measure string height, does this apply to all 4 strings, including the G string also being #2 pencil width off the board? Thanks Brady

[@tomwest6990]

at 12 mins in it looks like he puts the pencil under the g side

[@waynepair8199]

@@tomwest6990 Thanks Tom!

[@RonCarterBassist]

Yes, it applies to all strings.

[@waynepair8199]

@@RonCarterBassist Thank you Mr Carter, I've raised my strings and will start to work on getting used to the higher level and fuller sound! 🙂

[@romangadua3701]

Could you please tell to people outside of the USA what does it mean the „#2 pencil” and what is the width of this pencil and string height in milimeters? Thanks for great video by the way.

[@gregc7699]

Cant believe he took his little bit of velcro back lol

[@marcaoliver2965]

This is awesome dude, Marcus miller next lol

[@JODofficial]

👑

[@ibassnote]

I am simply amazed that there is a block of anything deadening the fingerboard AND the top of the bass. Obviously it is some kind of pick-up which Ron doesn't seem to realize, But it 's horrifying and Ron does an excellent job of holding back his judgment. I can understand a pick up that is trying to reduce feedback but jeez, that is all kinds of wrong. Of course the top vibrating freely is of the utmost importance but also the fingerboard. The internet can be a dangerous thing, rife with all kinds of bad advice. Ron keeps mentioning using two finger for pizz and it sure looks like he is using BOTH to pluck the string but that never comes up in the lesson. I wonder if it is an optical illusion and he is only using the first finger for the quarter notes. But listen to his full frequency sound, all the color to his notes. This is a very typical, if not brisk, first lesson for a bass player, the kind new students hate. People tend to think all these fundamentals are boring and useless or worse, that they are already beyond this. But they aren't at all. They will get down the road and have developed problems that will make them plateau and stop developing. If these fundamentals are not in place you are doomed. In fact, I think most players warm up with some version of all this stuff every morning in some iteration. Ron is completely dedicated to discipline and fundamentals. He is also not a young man and can still play at a very high level. All this and not even a mention of the bow yet. It's a long road but a worthwhile journey. "Take care of this"...hahahahahaha!

[@BARTFUNKBASS]

💙💙💙💙💙💙

[@bragadan]

😲

[@craigs19721972]

I play double bass and had 1 lesson from David Friesen, who is one best double bassists in the world. Honestly... I've listened to thousands of jazz albums and that is how you get good. Lessons won't make you good. BTW. .. that bass sounds out of tune.

[@jdmercado718]

This was fantastic.. a great teacher needs a great student to do great things, I so appreciate your poise, respect and execution and humility as an already accomplished bassist learning from Mr Carter.. thank you.. made me pick up my bass immediately 🙌🏾🤌🏽

[@RonCarterBassist]

If I can inspire someone pick up a bass, then I've done my job. I wish you the best of luck on your journey as a musician.

[@jdmercado718]

@@RonCarterBassist thank you sir. I'm on the journey 🔆