Thundercat Breaks Down His Favorite Bass Lines | Under the Influences | Pitchfork

Songwriter and bass connoisseur Thundercat takes an in-depth look at some of his favorite bass lines of all time. From Cream's "Sunshine of Your Love" to The Brothers Johnson's "Strawberry Letter 23," Thundercat breaks down just what makes them so spectacular.
Thundercat's new album "It Is What It Is" is out April 3rd.
Featuring:
D'Angelo - Lady
The System - You Are in My System
Bernard Wright - Haboglabotribin
Cream - Sunshine of Your Love
Graham Central Station - Hair
Herbie Hancock - Chameleon
Jaco Pastorius - Portrait of Tracy
------
SUBSCRIBE to Pitchfork.tv: bit.ly/yK2Fbp
------
FOLLOW Pitchfork.tv on Twitter: bit.ly/KJ2PhP
------
For more videos from Pitchfork TV: bit.ly/M1lvs8
Like Pitchfork on Facebook: / pitchfork
Follow Pitchfork on Instagram: / pitchfork
Listen to Pitchfork’s playlists on Spotify: open.spotify.com/user/pitchfork
Listen to Pitchfork’s playlists on Apple Music: / pitchfork
Thundercat Breaks Down His Favorite Bass Lines | Under the Influences | Pitchfork

[@upmysleeves3]

"There's a fine line between funky and ... disaster." 😂

[@cody181818]

I scrolled down and read your comment at the same time he said it lol.

[@velvetarcade6017]

It’s so fkn true tho

[@thesuncollective1475]

Yeah how cool is that..he nailed it

[@jeremystig98]

Most these guys that do slap bass are a disaster in my opinion.

[@osirishill23]

ashleyfayeee literally read this comment as he was saying this lol

[@theofficiallobst6592]

Thundercat: touches bass Subtitles: *[funky music]*

[@33bb33bb]

Subtitles know exactly wtf going on LETS GOO!!! #SKYELOUISE

[@NSUScooter]

I love love love this comment

[@andreasmoll_0924]

What demon has got him to paint his nails?

[@oryzae2937]

@@andreasmoll_0924 ????

[@trojanostar]

@@andreasmoll_0924 yeah right? AND all the stuff in his hair. There Is something there.

[@aaronguzmanaj]

As a musician, i found his in depth knowledge of bass lines motivating. I love how he talks about the overall structure of the song and not just how dope the bass line is. Really cool stuff honestly

[@whyjnot420]

I have always said that most proficient is not always the best. For whatever reason my goto example is Gene Krupa with drums. (He was very proficient, but there are a bunch with a better grasp on the technical aspects than he had, yet Gene Krupa always knew just what to play.) Honestly I think this is one of the first things anyone who thinks they love music needs to learn before they can actually love it.

[@LokiBeckonswow]

well said, we need more thundercat vids like this

[@anxietyprimev6983]

My dude plays bass, is a fan of Evangelion, and literally goes by the name "Thundercat". I think I just found a new idol.

[@Yeezus_2]

All of his songs abt DBZ are super funny

[@sj_leee4995]

@@Yeezus_2 Baby girl, how do I look in my durag

[@LucadiCaro]

and played for 10+ years on Suicidal Tendencies

[@Rude_Boi]

Don't idolize men

[@susagean2080]

@Michael Sanchez-Fouchécourt Never Gonna Catch Me is just a powerhouse of talent. Flying Louts as the producer, Kendrick Lamar on vocals, and Thundercat on bass. Same with More, but with Anderson Paak on vocals. It’s really the same song, but different ways of telling it.

[@mikesemie5028]

“If your feel sucks you just suck” - Thundercat

[@mr.enigma4475]

Feel is real. The reliance on being technical alone has produced more automatons than artists.

[@kiwasamuels463]

Absolutely true!

[@shlapleps3306]

Michael Seminatore Amen

[@ram-4]

It’s true, though.

[@GypsyConspiracy]

Facts.

[@gabrielsabode]

thundercat's favorite basslines: 3 notes, 2 bars thundercat's basslines: とてもたくさんのメモ

[@andy_aka_andee]

For real😂

[@leavewe]

that's... not how you say notes in japanese

[@brazil9944]

@@leavewe the joke 😥🥵🥵😡🥵🤬😔🥺😩🤫😟

[@leavewe]

@@brazil9944 the 'joke' is they used google translate? ok

[@FumoSequence]

@@leavewe yes

[@lefthandpathmedia5958]

I come here often to watch him play Portrait like it's no big deal. This dude is a LEGEND.

[@lu6460]

Just came back again after hearing it in my playlist. Just insane talent

[@mtheora5956]

"I didn't want to pick up the bass..." heh, everyone else wants it!

[@yawnsmuh3734]

As a new bassist this video is eye opening

[@DJradishmantis]

You've stumbled upon gold, and more importantly, you realize that having experts curate some of your listening is important. Try out some of the simpler lines in this video (the Herbie Hancock and Cream ones especially), you'll benefit for sure.

[@tofusrvng]

as a pretty experienced bassist its still eye opening. i love this guy

[@birth0fserpents]

seeing tcat on the 4 string is more surreal than what he's wearing

[@michabigulak19]

Some more ;) kzbin.info/www/bejne/oKnLfnxujpiDr8k

[@andreiadipaolo3238]

four string shocking

[@Starlightskipper]

Or his tapestry of tattoos

[@arekhautaluoma4276]

busts out Jaco...shocking to some, but not shocking to some :0 ;)

[@JosePineda-jn8jk]

That’s what I was gonna say! But much less coherently lol

[@TiagoLageira]

When your customizable character enters a cutscene

[@stoutlager6325]

god damnit

[@MastaPiff414]

This made me laugh, thx! I'm in the youtube process of becoming a Thundercat fan via KZbin as I type this, apparently I've been under quite a large rock for waay too long! Really cool watching him play Jaco even just for a sec.

[@Newspeak.]

MastaPiff414 I wish I could hear thundercat again for the first time.

[@MastaPiff414]

@@Newspeak. Yeah... No doing that but try watching some live stuff if you haven't yet! Watching a talented cat like Thundercat makes it feel fresh, the next best thing! (See what I did there? Ugh, nevermind! LoL) I was blown away with his skills on the bass! Seen him do a really good long solo on this song live somewhere on youtube!

[@rashidkopar6297]

Ahhh this gold‼😂🏅

[@OGReggieRegg]

Thundercat is a true student of music. I respect his art alot more now

[@fueu2617]

check this out, if you play bass this will blow ya mind ;) kzbin.info/www/bejne/sJm5mJWQmbKXmJIsi=ZOsJGg5_C5cIRgnk

[@tetrasoundlab5323]

Cream wrote Sunshine of your love while jamming right after going to a Jimmy Hendrix concert. That line is pure Hendrix....

[@estebanb7166]

What did Hendrix write that sounds similar? Just curious.

[@notapplicable328]

@@estebanb7166 inspiration doesn’t mean copying

[@johnnolcox8768]

Jimi did a cover of this song, its the other way around.

[@notapplicable328]

@@johnnolcox8768 am aware doesn’t mean he didn’t influence the writing of it.

[@mesobococacola]

@@estebanb7166 Fire

[@rekterscale583]

Thundercat looking like a straight up anime character here

[@goddamndog]

literally been for like 2 years now lmao

[@kaguth]

Pretty soon he will literally be animated.

[@AlexandreDuqueque]

Literally his goals

[@ooooooHOLYCOW]

@@AlexandreDuqueque he's a singer in Carole and Tuesday

[@archivehans]

thundercats jojo ref when?

[@y2dungur]

I think he's basically Rick James that got high on anime instead of cocaine...

[@drewwallace3632]

y2dungur Na he’s way more bootsy than Rick

[@cyberworld9000]

You mean DMT lol

[@woOOui]

Y'all bass-jits are so far off it's laughable. Bootsy was THE Player of the year, and Rick was friends with Charlie Murphy. Thundercat is a musician with style. NO COMPARISON!

[@shdyrhahdyj4172]

No coke no bitches no Rick James

[@SianaRepmad]

y2dungur yyyyeeesssss

[@ktmtxt]

00:37 D'Angelo - Lady 02:40 The System - You are in my system 03:58 Bernard Wright - Haboglabotribin 04:04 Marcus Miller 05:35 The Brothers Johnson - Strawberry Letter 23 08:00 CREAM - Sunshine of your love (Jack Bruce) 08:27 808 frequency 09:41 Graham Central Station - Hair (Larry Graham) 11:31 Herbie Hancock - Chameleon (Herbie and Paul Jackson) 12:36 Jaco Pastorius - Portrait of Tracy

[@udkc]

Thank you so much 🙏🏻😍

[@SELAHPAUSE]

Love the break down of strawberry letter 22, hair and chameleon

[@randomuser2455]

Just what I was looking for. Thanks

[@tweedyboy57]

Louis Johnson is playing the ORIGINAL bass line created by SHUGGIE OTIS who WROTE the song...dig deeper.

[@nicolasrodriguezdelpozo4012]

04:04 Marcus Miller Sample in Snoop Dog - "G'z And Hustlaz"

[@Nick-ry4mk]

Wow, it's so unbelievable to see someone else play Portrait of Tracy, but if anyone was going to do it, Thundercat's the man!

[@johnmclaughlin9823]

He busted that out with such ease. Much respect - guitar player

[@deepestpurple13]

On a precision bass nonetheless!

[@macgyvermind]

A lot of rappers and singers, have sampled that bassline.

[@Palpitacje]

What's unbelievable about it? At that point, there have been hundreds if not thousands of people covering it, including teenagers. It's not some unachievable feat of virtuosity by today's standards.

[@wisegamer706]

@@Palpitacje do you wake up seething every day?

[@mrdrummer218]

That's what I like: musicians talking about their influences and letting them explain why they like certain songs and how it influenced their view on music.

[@LunaticTheCat]

I was actually just thinking about how the song Amad by Duke Ellington ended up unintentionally shaping the way I make and compose music. When I was a trombone player in my colleges jazz band I got to play the solo at the end of Amad and it ended up changing everything. This solo was unlike most other solos in jazz band, as it was a solo over just one chord droning in the rhythm section. Because I didn't have to think about chord changes I was able to solo in a completely medatative state, allowing my subconscious and emotion to guide the what I was playing. Now years latter as a music producer most the music I produce has a lot of repeated groovin' drones while subtly changing things here and there. I actually just recently made the connection that the reason I compose music like this is because of the experience I had playing Amad.

[@Mannydude96]

@@LunaticTheCat unironic Cool story brother 💪

[@JunkBondTrader]

I like this: Commenters commenting on the videos they liked and explaining why they liked them.

[@henryfullmer9609]

“D’Angelo’s self titled album... Brown Sugar” 😂

[@cerebro813]

Yeah, I peeped that, too 😂

[@raphthaturtle9698]

Henry Fullmer album title is right but he missed on it being self titled.

[@youaintasbadasyouthink]

@@raphthaturtle9698 that was part of the joke.

[@kleann]

Spectrum UK lmao

[@teemad]

LOL

[@liambritt7806]

CONGRATULATIONS TO THUNDERCAT ON HIS 1ST GRAMMY!! 🔥🔥🔥

[@Harlem139Convent1]

That was his second fam, he won in 2016 for these walls!!

[@Alex88302]

I've never really been into the crazy technical bass style, I'm more of a 'crank it up to 10 and play 5 notes' punk bass type guy but every time I see jazz and funk bass broken down like this I just get tremendous respect for it. Always dug thundercat, super rad bass player and overall cool dude.

[@diegoguillen7322]

This is pretty much a bass masterclass.

[@stardust1621]

Period!

[@louiswilliams984]

It is!!! 🤩

[@kisslena]

I need another hour of this!😭

[@samtvmedia5066]

same lol@@kisslena

[@TenThumbsProductions]

"If your feel sucks, you just sucks." So true. That's why all musicians should dance as much as possible too.

[@thisislenard]

Love this comment bro!

[@suhaib168]

This. It shocks me how many musicians can't/ won't dance.

[@Aveofficialtone]

Not for black metal

[@Fabio9x]

@@Aveofficialtone LOL

[@JaesadaSrisuk]

TØNE Moshing is dance, all movement accompanying movement is dance. Your grandmother’s shoulder shimmy and clap in her chair at a family wedding is dance. It’s all dance!

[@YaBoiDoi]

Thundercat is a piece of art that came to life in the physical world

[@sapphirejaxxgh8639]

Luther Vandross " Never too Much " has a particularly wonderful bass line. Listen to it when ya can.

[@SG-qx1fg]

Marcus Miller!

[@zr2700]

The way he describes the bass as being a mix of rhythm, melody and harmony is actually spot on. The bass - whether it’s a double bass, a bass guitar, or key bass - is such a unique instrument and role. It really is the glue that brings everything else together.

[@ZENSIBLE]

It's not "His" 😂 🤣 😂 🤣 😂

[@zr2700]

@@ZENSIBLE what are you saying?

[@alexhoward1884]

"is actually spot on" thanks for confirming that Thundercat knows what he's talking about. It isn't like he is a highly regarded professional bassist that has played with legends and toured internationally. Lol.

[@zr2700]

@@alexhoward1884 I know right? :) I just really liked the way he put it, that's all. He obviously has a great knowledge and understanding of the instrument

[@meguilla]

ZENSIBLE Maybe if you use more emojis people will understand what you’re trying to say...

[@Jakelaven]

This guy is a poser. He didn't even mention Thundercat's "Them Changes".

[@ned5466]

That song was truly iconic

[@erikku4739]

you gotta play Friendzone Them Changes Show you the way in that order to experience greatness

[@ooferrell]

Yeah its almost as if he doesnt know who he is...such a joke.

[@abanustrickland368]

That bass line took my virginity

[@thesuncollective1475]

@@erikku4739 Friend Zone is hilarious

[@Sam-wp7gw]

His signature bass is so enormous that when he holds a regular 4 string P bass it looks like a guitar

[@blackjesus804]

Thundercat sounds like Questlove breaking down music. I would love to hear them play together.

[@cal91bck]

Hope ?uest sees this....pweeeeeeease

[@MrZachgonz]

I took a chance seeing his set at Coachella, never even hearing of him before and just going to see him simply because I liked his name. It ended up being one of my favorites of the weekend.

[@johnnyc.3261]

🤦‍♂️

[@Yeezus_2]

@@johnnyc.3261 huh

[@vannjunkin8041]

Hes the real deal

[@broncotrolly]

I started rolling a cig after the haboglanotrob song started lol. It was nice to hear thunder confirm

[@Pixelkip]

U gotta see him at a venue bro

[@talkingmudcrab718]

Dude is a musician's musician. Definitely one of my favorites. It's a real treat to hear him talk shop instead of the dumb stuff most videos have him talking about.

[@Babynate1000]

I have been to three of his concerts and this is first time I've heard him speak on his music

[@eknight101]

i've been playing bass for 20 years and it took me 17 of those 20 years to learn that groove is all about timing, space, articulation, and feel, not about how many notes you can play.

[@brunsomarrr]

Way ahead of you. I've committed to learning zero notes, and so far, I can play them perfectly. 😎

[@Pixelkip]

Once I’m 50 I’ll be there then xD

[@GirlNamedNino]

Your next practice Setlist is as follows: 1. “Lady” D’Angelo (Raphael Saadiq on bass) 2. “You Are In My System” - The System (David Frank moug bass) 3. “Havoglabotribin” Bernard Wright (Marcus Miller on bass) 4. “Strawberry Letter 23” The Brothers Johnson (Lewis Johnson on bass) 5. “Sunshine of Your Love”- Cream (Jack Bruce) 6. “Hair” - Graham Central Station (Larry Graham) 7. “Chameleon”- Herbie Hancock ( Herbie on synth bass doubled by Paul Jackson on e bass) 8. “Portrait of Tracy”- Jaco Pastorius (Jaco on bass 🙌🏼)

[@fourstarshit]

name one person whos practice routine involves portrait of tracy😭

[@KingTaichi]

Thundercat looks like he is ready to pilot a Eva.

[@raneanubis]

Let's hope he doesn't have a 2- episode metaphysical breakdown

[@diazdiomedes9102]

A man of culture right here

[@IronMan-tk8uc]

All right, I thought I was crazy when I saw the A-10 clips for the Evangelion pilots in his head.

[@2triggered2comment55]

@@IronMan-tk8uc it's nerdy af. Furry level nerd.

[@Metamere]

At least he's not wearing a plug suit.

[@jojijojo3566]

I love the way he talks about music

[@jer9683]

Thundercat: i chose all of these bass lines bc theyre simple Jaco Pastorius: *laughs in fretless jazz*

[@zbnmth]

Just a quick shout out to Shuggie Otis, the artist behind the original Strawberry Letter 23. Thanks, Thundercat, for introducing me to Jaco Pastorius. He is very moving.

[@velocityJE]

On the fly he just recreates a Jaco bassline. This dude's an amazing bassist, much respect

[@dietrichnelsonsr4796]

With ease🤦🏾‍♂️

[@utd4theleagueutd4theleague17]

pretty sure he's played it a thousand times before.....

[@kikodasneves1]

He just knew how to play the song already

[@awilsonarchive]

That’s not on the fly! But superb still!

[@thumbthump]

Serious bass players know how to play "Portrait of Tracy". It's a rite of passage and a must learn.

[@n0d0yuna]

My boi thundercat out here rockin the eva pilot headset

[@Therealryuh20]

And your rocking a JP Ahonen profile pic. Your well cultured too.

[@n0d0yuna]

@@Therealryuh20 "Ah, i see you're a man of culture as well."

[@b3at2]

How come one one talks about his weight lose and how much healthier he looks now?

[@missongbird]

Man I wish my dad was still here. My dad used to play bass, I know would have loved Thundercat. R.I.P Daddy💖🙏

[@DropsOfDestruction]

What portrait of tracy does to people is is amazing. This man says "woah" because it's almost impossible to put into words what that song means to you. That'll touch a little part of your soul that's ever present but seldom acknowledged.

[@lupash]

he's playing jaco like nothing and y'all focusing on what he looks like.

[@nickchurch4102]

Fr people are so weird

[@fixedfocusfilm3068]

Real. Talk. But that type of ability/genius often goes overlooked...

[@stinkywizzleteats662]

Easy way to see if people like music for it's art form, or use it as a social accessory to add depth to their shallow lives.

[@bluetrane65]

@14:57 that sigh as he's listening to Jaco is everything

[@benjaminhertoghs187]

Thank you

[@Cobobrob123]

There's something so dope about watching some speak who really knows their craft

[@g.l.8319]

Yeah man, it’s glorious

[@fingerdancer1721]

Watching him play Jaco like that is what dreams are made of. Fkn phenomenal.

[@Brennenm97]

His music IQ is so unreal.... amazingly talented

[@mjtonn]

Take a moment and listen to this man. He is incredibly articulate and descriptive. He has, at times, a profound vocabulary to express what he senses in music. It's refreshing to hear his thoughts. And at the same time, he is really relatable, very down to earth. I don't even listen to his music, but I watched this video.

[@shawnm3839]

I believe you should look at the definition of articulate.

[@123eldest]

Amazing what you can do when you prepare/have a script, though he sounds pretty normal.

[@noova02]

@@123eldest yeah, being able to write down your thoughts really let's you find the best way to convey all those golden thoughts trapped deep down in your mind. When you can get that point across in a just a few words, you sound so very wise. That's why I love to write things down before I say them

[@niamays5903]

Michael I’m frustrated that this comment is so far below all the comments about what he looks like. I agree that he’s really insightful in his analysis.

[@lobeydobeyshu1248]

You should listen to his music if you haven't yet. He has a sound that's quite catchy.

[@banfield1368]

I never thought I’d see the day Thundercat plays Portrait of Tracy

[@andrewsherman1797]

I teared up, not gonna lie.

[@johnnynephrite6147]

a bassline is like the line a surfer carves on a wave as it pushes the rider along.

[@SunnyBear]

Never heard of this dude before but I LOVE the way he talks about music.

[@Triekki]

Hearing Thundercat talk about Jaco made my day.

[@ShonTolliverMusic]

That was special wasn't it.

[@shwilly]

Not to mention cover a snippet of one of his most beautiful songs

[@Triekki]

@@shwilly I remember practicing Portrait of Tracy for hours when I played bass back in high school. He makes it look effortless.

[@TravisHansenForPresident]

The way he explained harmonics and ‘false’ harmonics was so refreshingly accurate and accessible. I’m always impressed at a knowledgeable person’s ability to explain things in a way that a simple listener can understand. Humble and descriptive, sans any pretense or unnecessary jargon

[@SmallEyez]

@@TravisHansenForPresident BARS

[@enzozimmerman3259]

Give me a thundercat masterclass now

[@MindlessKarlie]

Enzo Zimmerman was thinking the same thing! And a Raphael Saadiq class

[@ghostindamachine]

Man, discovered Thundercat today and super impressed by how skillful he is

[@nickelpasta]

I saw him front row at Red Rocks a couple years ago and it blew my mind, a true legend!

[@dennismcmurray436]

I would totally sit and watch a Masterclass by Thundercat. Hearing him talk about music is something else

[@Greasyheels]

If you told me this was Rick James son I would totally believe you

[@nayhart8639]

Your profile pic is the best! I subscribed!

[@KarlFrederick19]

He is

[@kingdavid7516]

He's not?

[@ImStuckInStockton]

thats racist

[@ooferrell]

He actuall kinda looks like a young rick james...a little.

[@cronosmx]

Great interview and bass lines selection. Gotta also love the editing and animations. So on point.

[@Orneryone]

LOVE seeing Chameleon on here. That whole Headhunters album made me want to play bass. THat album has some of the slickest basslines ever!!

[@melaniefayemusic]

never knew larry graham was drakes uncle. kind of blew my mind

[@edenbeats.8569]

ay love your playing!

[@jaymatic23]

Compared to LG Drake is an embarrassment. Larry is everything

[@gssong7111]

Drake is terrible, sorry Larry.

[@agungandy836]

What? For real?

[@carrotheart4384]

Ily

[@cabofalcone]

0:37 D'ANGELO - Lady (1995) 2:37 THE SYSTEM - You Are In My System (1982) 3:57 BERNARD WRIGHT - Haboglabotribin (1981) 5:33 THE BROTHERS JOHNSON - Strawberry Letter 23 (1977) 8:00 CREAM - Sunshine Of Your Love (1967) 9:40 GRAHAM CENTRAL STATION - Hair (1974) 11:30 HERBIE HANCOCK - Chameleon (1973) 12:36 JACO PASTORIUS - Portrait Of Tracy (1976)

[@bigojordo319]

thank you

[@puppperoni]

Thanks!

[@vanessac.1981]

literally what i was in the comments for ty

[@PhillipRemaker]

Also Snoop Dogg samples the Bernard Wright bass in Gz And Hustlas.

[@tojiroh]

Papa Bless!

[@Its_stupid_cupid]

I love the way he knows the music so well his head movements are in time with it.

[@wisewumman]

OMG, bass lines that blew my mind back in the day--he caught almost all of 'em. Blessings, brother!

[@FearTheBeardJP]

“If your feel sucks, then you suck” truth.

[@MrKicksaddiction]

Jonathan Parker my favorite artist now

[@emanueldixson5645]

Day 1 jazz band

[@palmiras100]

Here's the deal: that musical sensibility goes hand in hand with a really sharp mind. This is how he hears (and feels) what he plays and why, I think, he can be so clear about how it works. Amazing.

[@carmineingaldi47]

That' s exactly the difference between a guy playin' an instrument and a musician

[@Raptormonkey]

Good way too say a lot without saying anything at all 🤡

[@TacoCrisma]

Jaco is on his own level. He still can’t be touched. I love how thunder cat paid him some massive respect here. Talent gone too soon.

[@uraniumcranium2613]

Jaco was okay, many modern players like Gary Willis and Victor Wooten have it over him though.

[@TacoCrisma]

@@uraniumcranium2613 disagree, technically possibly more proficient but they do not have the writing and arranging ability Jaco does

[@unc1589]

Jaco was a guitar player. Bass got rules that can only be stretched but never broken.

[@RiveBassCovers]

@@uraniumcranium2613 Jaco walked so Víctor Wooten and all these other modern bassists could run. Even Sting himself said that Jaco completely changed bass all around

[@RiveBassCovers]

@@unc1589 since when does music have rules? 🤣🤣🤣

[@lifeiswhatyoumakeit4546]

He explained so well and picked great songs!

[@smileybone3010]

I have no clue who he is, but definitely one of the most pleasantly articulate people I've listened to. He makes me feel like I understand the bass even though I absolutely know nothing about it. I bet he'd be an excellent teacher of any subject.

[@mikeshaver-miller745]

He started off in Suicidal Tendencies (they did the song “Institutionalized” that you might have heard in one of the Tony Hawk games as a cover) in the 2000’s, and started his own thing just grooving after that.

[@chikinonfrydai]

@@mikeshaver-miller745 wait i thought metallica’s current bassist was the bassist for suicidal tendencies

[@mikeshaver-miller745]

@@chikinonfrydai I would not know; he DEFINITELY did a solo project though.

[@croulantroulant3082]

@@mikeshaver-miller745 Suicidal had a LOT of different bassists, guitarists and drummers over the years....Mike Muir is probably the only original member left.

[@shahirmonsuruddin6555]

@@chikinonfrydai Rob Trujillo of Metallica was the Suicidal Tendencies in the early 90s. Thundercat was their bassist in the 2000s, for about a decade.

[@CMD125]

The moment when you start explaining how hard a Jaco Pastorius song is to play, and then you play it flawlessly.

[@kaykay-hv2de]

This guy needs to become a teacher! He explained everything so so well ❤

[@sackman1886]

This is so great. I’ve played bass in a lot of different styles, but ultimately it was all of these types of songs that made me pick up the bass while all of my friends were getting guitars. Gimme that funk, that fell, that groove. It’s so much fun. I love playing stuff that gets people moving.

[@tonybp]

Nothing simple about a so called-simple bass line... to nail it in time, to make it groove and to always have those notes in the pocket, not as a easy as some would think.

[@chowmane9584]

Its simple compared to other basslines tho

[@timluyten8660]

It might be simple, but that does not mean it has to be easy. That's probably why he likes it so much

[@bcdrummer1962]

@@chowmane9584 Is it?

[@santapoca]

@@timluyten8660 I like this phrasing and will be using it in the future lmao

[@CRUASSANFAN]

It is tho, just a couple of notes played in a rhythm and repeated couple of times

[@tuskedbeast]

Notice the graphics person passed on trying to transcribe the Jaco piece :D

[@VeryScaryBiscuits]

lol didnt notice

[@J_Lag]

Yeah pretty cool, thought my screen was wet or fogged up.

[@muitosabao]

"i'm not payed enough for this!"

[@shawnm3839]

Jaco was garbage.

[@hermit8244]

@@shawnm3839 How could you be so brave? /s

[@modernmusicstudio303]

Wow, holy CraB, he just oozes authenticity. And his playing is epic, yet so natural and smooth. Great Video. Thank you!!!

[@veronicaolawaiye7617]

I love that hes wearing reis clips me too bookie

[@cvhannes]

Thundercats is by far one of the most grounded musicians out there right now. Can't wait to see what the future holds

[@DustinTheDickShow]

Hannes Åström a new album... tomorrow!

[@wr9192]

The future holds disease and death now. 🎉🦠🤢🎈❤️💨💨💨💨💨💨

[@Sami-vw5iz]

Quarantine

[@yxnggod9444]

Went to his last show before everything shut down. He’s amazing

[@iancampbell1411]

YO HE GOT THE REI AYANAMI INTERFACE HEADSET

[@girrafinha8598]

oMG YES I WAS ABOUT TO COMMENT THAT

[@SirQu94]

And look awesome

[@hilaryread4245]

I was wondering what they were, thanks for teaching me something new!

[@juansantiagomusic5551]

Ian Campbell it’s an interface??

[@Jalchmey]

This video was amazing!! The editing was great as well 🤩

[@thefumexxl]

The way he explained the role of the bass in songs just unlocked a level of understanding i've never had or considered. It's something i've picked up on lightly without understanding it over the years, but that just straight up made it clear to me.

[@pradheesandeepana]

He looks like a rich teen girls messy room.

[@mikkovaltonen3564]

Bruh

[@beedebawng2556]

😂

[@chloestephens1194]

So specific 👌

[@valencianxelle8015]

why does this make sense HAHAHA

[@zdsrtgnzetmyet]

Hahaha

[@CubensisRecords]

Music is going in the right direction with this cat and so many other artists right now.

[@LincolnGTX]

Been playing bass for almost 20 years and now I see how much more I have to learn... Thudercat is a pure legend!

[@diva70smusic]

Hearing Thundercat talking about my musical legends makes me smile. He sounds like my nephews when auntie pulls out her LPs and gives musical lessons. I get the biggest kick when hours later they are still dusting off albums and just chilling. While I have most of the music on CDs and in my digital library, it is not the same vibe.

[@nakiamuteka]

I just realised SWV may have sampled Portrait of Tracy for their song Rain.

[@ellacole249]

Same!

[@andyevans9145]

Just blew my mind

[@javimiami92]

May? They DID. Also, so did Chingy and Tyrese with “pullin me back”.

[@andrescen7577]

They DID sample Portrait Of Tracy

[@theoni4026]

@@andrescen7577 I was wondering why that sounded so familiar. my dad played SWV all the time and I know he never listened to Jaco

[@gstephenson9442]

Picks up random P bass, plays Portrait of Tracy... somehow it still sounds like Thundercat

[@ooferrell]

Gotta play that jaco man!!!!

[@lietkynes81]

And he does it well! Not easy to play Jaco.

[@uubuuh]

I think P bass pickup placement is on the node of some of those harmonics. J bass bridge pickup can get the higher ones. In case anyone's wondering why the harmonics didn't punch for the artist here, I think that's part of it.

[@grillman7170]

@@uubuuh Also no Compressor probably. Jaco most likely recorded with at least a studio compressor.

[@robertbernstein7811]

Thank you Pitchfork and Thundercat!!! Brilliant - I enjoyed the insights and learned A LOT!

[@1patula]

Man thank you so much for highlighting this cat Johnson for me!!! I just followed few of his collaborations and if seems that his is on many many of my favourite tunes!!! I didn’t even knew it was him, and know I know why I loved these songs;))) absolutely fabulous, the guy is my new role model and idol!

[@dylanlegarda3533]

SWV sampled that Jaco Pastorius song in 'Rain'. And then Kanye's Sunday Service did a cover of that SWV song on their album that came out last year. All versions are amazing.

[@blake1143]

I love rain so much!

[@dansta23]

Also chingy & Tyrese pulling me back

[@phsycomaniac]

EL-P sampled it on pigeon by cannibal ox. Pretty sick song

[@Woahbro69420]

Who's SWV? I've never heard of him

[@dylanlegarda3533]

@@Woahbro69420 Sisters With Voices! One of their most well known songs is 'Weak', which was also covered by Sunday Service lmfao

[@anthonyanderson4203]

The knowledge and passion is high. I listened to an interview with Michael League and it left me feeling the way this did, like I was listening to the words of a person deeply invested in music/art.

[@Anael272]

Accurate! You see the happiness on the person's face talking about music, that's beautiful!

[@mohamedkamara7056]

You remember the interview ?

[@gaberayback]

I love how excited he looks explaining that Jaco bassline. The twinkle in his eye just makes me so happy

[@herFLYness79]

I wish he was my instructor, I could listen to him talk all day! Love Thundercat! One of my favorite musicians! 💜

[@dylanhaji101]

You can hear all these records in his playing that’s crazy

[@Nathan-nj4lj]

One of my favorite things about music is hearing the artist’s influence come through their playing without “biting” the original sound. So amazing.

[@anniefrank5163]

That's how influence works, genius.

[@bobdylanlovr69]

Annie Frank Why you gotta be negative man. Especially on a thundercat video

[@austinhaywood24]

forreal!

[@kelseywarren7020]

Finally somebody gives props to "You're In My System". The electrobass is killin on that track. Thundercat rules on all levels.

[@roneeshamathews2231]

Yes!!!

[@storieswithori]

Finally

[@ArmandoSanchezOG]

I love that song so much

[@iketyson718]

One of my favs of all time!

[@Nostaljack]

David Frank is slumbered DEEPLY on. Total beast on most System songs.

[@pumpSHO]

This interview got me into Jaco Pastorius, thank you

[@dannybellinger2827]

Thank you. That was an amazing class session.

[@BeejBarrett]

Totally authentic, articulate, and wise approach to an intimate look into his bass and song writing in general. Love it.

[@SamDeville]

Man, I could listen to Thundercat talk about music all day.

[@StottMikel]

"Fine line between funky and disaster." truer words have never been spoken.

[@drugrugg]

always knew there was a reason i love thundercat so much! dudes got legendary taste

[@jacpod2046]

I'm not very familiar with him except a few songs, but he is probably the coolest guy I've ever seen

[@oatman6178]

@rocket grunt they're not cat ears. They're these things Pilots wear in the anime Neon Genesis: Evangelion

[@bobdylanlovr69]

rocket grunt Who cares if it's wack. This guy is a living legend. There's few as good as him, he can afford to be a little wacky.

[@wes.9353]

@rocket grunt homie your channel name is based on pokemon, you can't say anything about cat ears

[@shaunsolo88]

If you like how Thundercat looks you should check out his friend Kamasai Washington.

[@Skelliiie]

@rocket grunt who cares what he wears? What does that have to do with his influence as a musician? (I personally like his fit)

[@reubeniii7344]

Jaco Pastorius - Portrait Of Tracy... the foundation of SWV’s “Rain” song. Wow! Mind-blown!

[@nightangel3578]

I legit never knew and I've been listening to "Rain" since the 90s.

[@rivermana]

mate I was like....this is rain!

[@stevenramsey7947]

thank you! I couldn't quite put my finger on where i heard it before

[@Jayisnotbae]

everything in this bit of footage - exquisite

[@Robert-ck7nm]

Thundercat has taste. Love his appreciation for players who get to the heart of it, and understand that's transcendent.