Tommy The Cat - Bass Tutorial, (Only correct riff on youtube!!) ACTUAL EXPLAINING

Actual explanation of the riff rather then a "tutorial" of just some guy playing the riff slowly, also this is the correct riff complete with falling notes, correct muting and RH fingering.
Sorry i do not know how to write tabs so i cannot post them up but the video explains the tab position of every note in the riff so you shouldn't need them.

[@Leadmetal300]

This guy may have trouble explaining, but the way he plays it really sounds like the real deal. I always come back to this video to learn this song.

[@MasterMarf]

i love the fact someone really knows how to play the song. but dude your tutorial is chaotic^^

[@2005redhorse]

I just started playing bass about 8 months ago and this 8 year old tutorial was way more helpful than any other videos or tabs. Thank you chap

[@navygarlic1529]

I know its now 5 years on but the fact you was playing tommy the cat 8 months in is beyond me

[@pavese1379]

0:12 The noise it makes when you fall form a high place in Minecraft

[@bobbydavro3603]

I have a feeling Les Claypool would like this guy.

[@antoniorivera3256]

i have a feeling this is Les Claypool

[@xyz9610]

Antonio Rivera haha who knows...

[@permanentwaves6377]

This is Les Claypool ... lol

[@ciderpichie]

Just listen to the voice

[@jiggityjames26]

I don’t

[@williezer0]

I dont know why people are being negative, I learned a lot from this, sure it was a bit sloppy but dude. its a Les Claypool riff, hes the man!

[@chriswhite1184]

I saw this video a year ago, and it took me about that whole time to internalize the riff and be able to play it. Thank you. It’s been a long long journey to slap that good for me.

[@ytmndan]

Those who can, do. Those who can’t, teach. You are very clearly a doer.

[@shanephillips4069]

Okay, dude!!! I've been scouring the KZbin to find a guy that explains the riff and all the little nuances that go along with it, but most of all the delivery!! I loved the way you broke it all down into a couple of different parts!! Thanks to you, brother, I can now play a song by a band and bassist that I absolutely love!! Thank you, man!! I am going to go check out your page and hope there are many more Primus covers!! IF not, I'm coming back here and demand you do a couple!! THANK YOU, DUDE!!

[@IRNatman]

Holy shit, thank you so much for this! This has helped more than any tab possibly could! Message to everyone in the comments who complained about this tutorial: This tutorial is great. As I read someone else say, if it confused you, then you're just not ready for this riff yet. Everything is very well explained in this video, it's not this guy confusing you, it's the riff confusing you.

[@marchesetticavallo97]

stop talkin' like Les :D

[@Wouldyoujust_]

I'm not mad at it. Not even a little bit. Thanks for the help.

[@scrollbass27]

This IS the actual correct way to play Tommy The Cat. Cheers bro!

[@garywinthorpe1552]

Who's joe?

[@drsimmons74]

Fifteen minutes could save you fifteen percent on your methamphetamines. Seriously though. I tried to learn this song from a tab in guitar world magazine in the early nineties then I realized I sucked. Lol. Great job figuring this out. Les is awesome. And he's singing over this btw. Maybe I would've got it had I had a yt tutorial when I was fifteen dreaming of rock stardom. Lol. For those brave enough to attempt this, good luck and stick with it.

[@lukelindemeyer]

I watched this years ago. You're the only reason I ever learned to slap-pop correctly. Just wanted to say thanks ;)

[@kompaniart]

I think that guy is probably Les Claypool himself

[@hexahexametermeter]

This guy's got it. Watch no other.

[@therandomman6647]

This is the best (and smoothest learning curve) way of playing it, and it sounds perfect!

[@theheretic1180]

Thank you!! I've been trying to learn this for days from another tutorial video and I wasn't getting it. It sounded totally wrong. I watched this and it only took me an hour to unlearn all of the wrong hits and placement of notes, hammer-ons, etc. Thanks again, good sir.

[@res6155]

You're right, this is the best tutorial and all-around cover of the riff that I've seen yet, although there is for a 6 string, he's been playing it on his 4 lately, and still making it sound funky as hell

[@stevewoodward7850]

Could watch this all day.....at some point I'm going to have to learn it

[@malicant123]

I think he's got it. Seriously though. We live in the internet age, can we all come together as bassists, put aside our differences and just ask Les what the hell he actually plays?

[@lazaruslazybones]

i think this guy remembers it as thought it were a meal ago

[@Keplaffintech]

@TheMortallyWounded I know he plays it differently every time, I'm merely explaining the way its played on the studio album, which would be considered the 'official' riff.

[@calebmacgray4588]

Really great lesson. People who say they can't follow it just weren't paying attention. Keep it up and nice playing.

[@joeycruise1003]

lol all these bass snobs

[@ashscott6068]

+Joey Cruise (Tom Cruise's Uncle Joey) Yeah...makes me wonder....if they are any good...why are they searching tutorial vids on youtube? I know how to make a bacon sandwich. So...I will never watch a youtube video on how to make a bacon sandwich

[@JDWolfe-wt2ji]

Accurate but disjointed explanation. Thanks.

[@daemoncel]

hey, so here's this great tutorial for Tommy the cat, then Drum solo cause Fuck all

[@chrisblight3451]

You have got one bit slightly wrong. After the two sweeps at the start Les doesn't hammer on from E to G, he hammers from G to A. Aside from that, good work fella.

[@lolguy8119]

yup

[@Roosterwbass]

I think that also the second part is a little bit different

[@milocl529]

No ,is correct

[@liquidbraino]

@@milocl529 Isn't correct. My ears work. I know what the song sounds like and this ain't it.

[@michaelnaish5702]

wow why the hate now i can actually play it this is a very good tutorial other dudes r salty cause they cant play it

[@clarkstanfill7404]

Don't knock the lesson. Yes, he might be a little high but he nailed it on the head. I liked it.

[@jacksoncox8580]

It’s hard to stay along since he is repetitive. However this has been my favorite one I’ve found so far. Sick playing man

[@musiciangal02453]

Guys, don't be mean if he didn't get it quite accurate! Tommy the Cat is not an easy song and one of the most difficult to transcribe. He tried and almost had it completely accurate!

[@liquidbraino]

Close but no guitar.

[@AtomizedSound]

But it’s the closest there is so far. Except the actual tab by Les

[@sheldonsaunders8546]

this is a good tutorial man, thanks a lot. been wanting to learn this for a long time

[@bradleywhitehorne1820]

that cool man

[@ZiggyHuttinga]

This is easily the best tutorial I've seen! Great job, and awesome bass playing. I couldn't help but smile when you played the bass line at full speed. :D

[@jimmyjameslee7189]

thanks so much can play it now used this video for the notes and another helped with the voicing

[@ghostfacedude93]

Been playing for well over a decade, most of all the people saying this is correct, don't seem to know what they're even talking about. This is a pretty spot on play through. One thing that they don't seem to do in their videos is mute the strings as they're playing, giving it it's Claypool aesthetic. Well done vro

[@qrqrqr0515]

i really dont get all the hate.. its probably the most accurate version of tommy ive seen (minus the sloppy performance). and the "egotistical" speech in the beginning is obviously not honest. hes just joking around

[@moggioz7165]

I dont think im quite ready for this yet but Im glad theres a good tutorial waiting for me in the future. thank you!

[@moggioz7165]

Revisiting! I understand the tutorial now, Im in the process of playing it slow. Hopefully with more practice and a metronome I will be able to speed it up as nicely. Thank you for this tutorial 💕💕

[@Generalawesomeness25]

this was a mad lesson, i dont know what people re complaining about, i think that all the people complaining are just inexperienced

[@funkydeathpunk]

Yay, a free drum solo at the end (8:31)! Great vid, thx.

[@ReefMellors]

thats one dodgy english accent. we dont all sound like that....

[@nan1674]

Reef Mellors he sounds half Australian half English

[@JohnnyK2811]

Yes you do.

[@TheEyesThrone]

sounds like a very soft kiwi accent rather than english

[@mrmogensen]

close but no cigar

[@fresherwill]

He doesn’t quite have the descending muted fingers %100 on the E, which no one on KZbin does at all. But he has lovely technique, though his explanation is a little disjointed.

[@magaplays7549]

@@fresherwill fuck descending, I suck that part all the time and the half mute thing, bro I am severely underqualified for this shit.

[@RobertoMatiz123]

Thanks, great tutorial. I am a good slapper and now that i've figured it out i think i'll be able to get it up to speed in little time.

[@fantomagnik]

This really is helpful af! Thanks a lot man!

[@JRocco2021]

This is right but instead of open E to G its G to A. Not that it makes any difference. The descending part is correct. The way it is transcribed in the "Official" tab book which I have is wrong. I know because I was so obsessed with learning this song when I was starting I had my mom sit down and help me. She plays piano by ear and tunes instruments by ear, her job is violin repair, shes like a human tape recorder. I saw them play it live too it is so much clearer you can hear all the notes.

[@barbara.l8906]

thank you that’s some good explaining

[@SPOGGETT]

there's no WAY anybody actually sounds like this when talking

[@liquidbraino]

Cocaine is a hell of a drug.

[@bongosock]

What makes you so sure this is correct, because Les actually gave the tab for this in a old edition of Bass Player magazine, and it was different. Has Les given an alternative tab somewhere else?

[@kornnut43]

YES. Finally, someone got it right. I mean, I am still having a rough time learning how to play it (I'm still new to slapping), but I sure as hell know how it sounds... and all those others don't sound right at all. Cheers, man!

[@trevorthompson3293]

fuck what everyone says, thank you mate

[@LittleManFlying]

Yep, hard to follow in spots. This is more of a master class given by a player than a lesson given by a teacher. At this point in my playing, I prefer the former. In the former, the observers bring their own musicianship so they can adapt to and gain knowledge through (or in spite of) the demonstrator's style. Those who can't/won't need not apply (and would get blanket partied out in back of an actual masterclass itrw).Extending this notion regarding troll themes; Observations on teaching ability aren't relevant here. Also; surprise, the groove breaks down when the figure is forensically deconstructed. Once again, we must bring our own musicianship and vision, or go home.Now forwarding this to my 14 year old daughter who has been trying to crack this riff. This will be the missing link for her.

[@ReachBlows]

this is pretty god damn accurate. nice work there man, shit keep these vids coming I'm just learning to play bass so this is really working out great, huge thanks

[@IdiotsForSale]

Thanks to you I can play a decent version of Tommy the cat's bass riff. However, I've noticed that when Les plays this riff live, he always seems to be doing something different. There's one specific thing that he always does differently: on 16-beats 3-4-5, instead of 0h3-X (like you do), he plays X-3h5 (h = hammer-on). See what I mean? I think it sounds cooler and I'm not surprised Les does this way every time he play Tommy live.

[@nobbytart27]

Came here with the faint hope of learning how to play this, leaving now with a "no chance" after watching this. I cant even figure out how Les Claypools brain works coming up with a bass line like this, great video btw

[@Imine_san]

Goddam legend, this sounds much better than whatever the heck i was doing. Thanks!

[@cursedswordsman]

Thank you for being the only sensible person on KZbin!!!!

[@Keplaffintech]

@bigvelvetdog The bass runs DI into the computer, through an amp/cab vst simulator and recorded in DAW, i mix this with a mic that i speak through, so no camera audio at all.

[@Kekster3000]

Still the best Tommy The Cat tutorial

[@Xais56]

You, sir, are a God amongst men. Thanks so much.

[@TestMeatDollSteak]

Some people can do, but can't teach. You are one of those people.

[@liquidbraino]

I think he needs to slow down a bit, go back and listen to it again. He's pretty close but his rhythm is slightly off.

[@thetruemaxgoof]

This is a good video stop getting mad because you can't play it

[@jewpiles]

Good job. I've never seen a talking bass play a headless torso before!

[@creampuffwar2000]

This is a wonderful tutorial. Great job. One thing, muted is the correct term for what you call a dud.

[@GabrielNacu]

Good video! Turns out my Trinity Rock and Pop Grade 8 book was correct all along! Who would of thought!

[@dendriloquist]

it's completely perfect , if its not right it sure as hell sounds perfect! my question is what gear/type of bass are you using? musicmanwhat?

[@pudman31]

Very informative. Not sure I'll be able to play it, but now I know how I would if I could...

[@dazza211988]

only correct video on youtube hey? you forgot the part how you got it wrong since the run down isnt Ab to G its A to Ab to G

[@willy-guillermoeujenio8289]

Man you helped me a lot with this video, thank you so much!

[@juanh6334]

The big book of British smiles.

[@a.card.o]

actually on the verse riff off tommy the cat claypool mutes de high c string while doind the chord cuz it doesnt sound right so for this part of the song is way better using the 5 string ;)

[@lucheloco420]

Pretty rad, sir. I think you've earned a subscriber.

[@bigvelvetdog]

How did you record your bass? Just with the camera mic and bass amp or did you run the bass into a recording software? It sounds pretty cool. Hot and overdriven. Just wondering if that is the tone you get from your amp or maybe it was just a bit hot for the camera mic. Anyway sounds good

[@michomicho7668]

after two ,,up /down chords on main riff,,you try double g and a //instead e to g ,,and it all become much more familiar //took a lot of video looking ,listening //test it you will see difference ,,//both riffs can be used but e to g,,is more normal to play for average slapper but g to a just sound s right when you try //TRY IT PLS

[@dumyes]

nice bass tone for this one.

[@slimone87]

Are you sure there isn't an A immediately after the F-G hammer on on the d string? It sounds like there is one on the main riff at the start of the studio version

[@damyclaypool]

If you cannot follow the lesson, you shouldn't be trying this song... (I hope it's well written, i do not talk or write so much english.... sorry). It's well explained and perfectly played...

[@6ckbass]

You did a great job on this video! But your hands move abnormally fast when you talk, and I felt like I was on speed. lol

[@detroitjames2012]

great job w the tutorial... for those comparing versions, realize that Les plays this son with a six string on the Seas of Cheese album, and it sounds quite different (well as different as the same song can...)

[@Bytorsdog]

Have you heard any of the LIVE 4 string versions by Primus? I mean, you have the studio version somewhat, with arrogance. He plays it aggressively live. But a truly correct version would use and explain the Les Calypool thumbing technique (which is like Larry Graham) as opposed to the Flea thumbing technique you are using. Just sayin'.

[@kurtkieswetter6864]

ITS CRAZY...IF ANY OF U REALLY KNEW PRIMUS,OR PLAY BASS,HOW CAN U NOT SEE THIS IS THE TIGHTEST VERSION ON YT?I MEAN IVE HEARD VERSIONS THAT ARE CLOSER TO CLAYPOOLS SOUND,AND TONE THAN THIS GUYS,BUT WHEN HE SAYS ALOT OF THE VERSIONS HES SEEN SOUND "OPEN",I TOTALLY GET WUT HE MEANS....EVERY1s PLAYING THE EASY,SHORTCUT WAYS....THIS GUYS T CAT IS FULL...U DONT HERE THE SORTA ROOKIE PLAYIN SOME KID THAT LEARNED THE EASIEST WAY TO SHOW OFF TO HIS BUDDYS....THIS DUDES PLAYIN IT RIGHT

[@_jeff65_]

AWESOME!!!!! waited for this a long time thank you!!

[@NapoleanXV]

also know that the suck on this version is different than the sailing the seas of cheese version in terms of accenting

[@kurtkieswetter6864]

I FIND THIS VERY STRANGE.....see,alot of time on u tube,il see some bird whos an ok,but nothing special player get all these comments sayin how good of a job he did...im findin T the cat the toughest bass tune to master yet..(tho theres quite a few more primus tunes im gonna find hard too.i dont find too many bass riffs that take as long to get....and with no favortism,this dude is the best T CAT player im seein on YT...he does it that bit dif that no1 else does...except LES.this dudes is tight

[@PrestonHowell23]

@Chris08166 it would appear to be a MusicMan Stingray 5. i only know because i happened to be holding one in my hands when i started watching the video.

[@deptofsfelt]

fuckin finally someone who is actually able to play it! i thought i was goin to have to upload a tutorial before i went mad! nice one bro! :) keep a look out of a tommy the cat cover soon! ;)

[@DerBlaumiese]

Is this one of these tweekers Lesley always talks about? He seems like he used some pushers

[@cherterfield2]

Gret job, gansta!...and the drum solo on top!!

[@Slamface7]

Hey man which bass are you playing? I'm looking to get a new one and yours looks and sounds pretty damn amazing.

[@Lowclef]

@Keplaffintech Thats a collector's item. I ordered one the day they came out. You're right its a great bass.

[@0mnis14sh]

Yay for tutorials that are actually correct! Honestly, what is the point of learning if you're learning it wrong?

[@J0000OOOO]

this helped out a ton. thanks!

[@theos138]

What VST Are you using, this sounds great!

[@stevewoodward7850]

Love it....great explanation!

[@sheepsauruszillarex1332]

Sunlight Blade is that u?

[@ABell676]

Really is the best.

[@Keplaffintech]

@Slamface7 It's an OLP mm32, shame they don't make them anymore; they're great basses.

[@ipelogi2076]

"good, good, not bad." dude.... yes thats baaaaad.. really bad....

[@ElBastardoAlmeida]

Well, can you point everyone in the right direction or that's it?

[@thefancygrunt878]

Why I love Australians

[@bassplayer2011ify]

thank you vary much now i just have to work on the speed what fun