Why Victor Wooten HATES Practicing 😱

In this quick video, bass legend Victor Wooten shares his approach to learning bass, but not in a traditional way.
This clip is from Victor's SBL interview, available on Spotify, youtube, iTunes, and the SBL website.
See you in the shed...
#Shorts #VictorWooten #BassGuitar
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[@TikkyTakMoo]

"Practice is not my mentality, playing is." ❤️

[@roblemaer4834]

Playing is another name for practice

[@RonSavage01]

This man expresses his musical ideas and thoughts with a clarity second to none.

[@elihyland4781]

“You’ve maintained your freedom, that’s how you found your own voice” omfg I’m about to have a good cry. Wish me luck

[@user-ue5jc7mt4g]

Victor Wooten is from another planet, and so is his playing!! A master musician and player!!

[@youbeknowin]

Wooten is the man. Every video I’ve ever watched like this he’s just dropping absolute gems.

[@6feetunderpants]

Have you been able to implement his tips? Have you had improved your playing?

[@FunkInTheTrunk]

@@6feetunderpants it can be hard to directly implement teachings one has acquired from the internet sometimes but some of the things I’ve heard Victor say have stuck with me for years

[@pabl0sauced0]

I'm the complete opposite. I love practice and the entire process itself. The feeling of improving is so damn satisfying

[@samdajellybeenie14]

I love the feeling of improving but I HATE when I get stuck on something and can’t find the solution for days and days.

[@tylerwalker5055]

It's cool that there are so many ways people can improve on an instrument weather that's practise or just playing. Love music so much man

[@terran236]

Practicing doesn't have to mean exercises . I've been practicing music since I started. Just practice songs and you'll pick up the techniques naturally.

[@elbowstancenow1519]

​@@samdajellybeenie14'Whether'

[@ramanpreetsingh2206]

So true! The moment I learnt how to do slap on guitar was damn satisfying

[@MrJeremy0311]

Man…..I absolutely love listening to Victor talk. He’s such a cool, make sense person.

[@musicdaddee6578]

I have the opposite reaction to what he says. I find him pretentious and self bloated. Take this thing right here. To practice means to do over and over and maybe add in with the intent to improve. To play means to do the thing as well. These concepts are identical. What he means is that he doesn’t want to “play” scales to learn music. Or play music in a disciples way that delays gratification. And he is incorrect.

[@donnynorthmackwood3418]

@@musicdaddee6578 dude chill, there's no such thing as incorrect with what he'd just said... I mean, he just explained why he doesn't like practicing, not actually preaching a good word type thing... I mean he did advertently say it out loud from his thoughts, he just gave his own opinion regarding that matters... Myb he doesn't like the term practicing, and like to use "play" instead, I mean who knows right... And yes, you're right the concepts between playing and praciticing is arguably identical. Regardless, he's still one helluva good bass player or should I say the best solo bass player...

[@gregtheos9309]

Victor has very original intellectual thoughts. All of his brothers are exceptionally gifted musicians like him, too. They must have had amazing parents.

[@YRTEverything]

I understand his mentality, but when you are practicing, you are also playing. When you learn a rigid routine, expand it. Add and subtract Intervals to get a new feel. Do this in different Time Contexts.

[@ricklubbers1526]

Then you like the entire process. Hes talking about something deeper.

[@SeanLaMontagne]

He has an amazing point. You don't learn the alphabet before you learn to speak. You learn to speak first, and then you are taught the alphabet after. In music, perhaps we should just teach people to play music even if they're really bad at it first, and after they started we can explain the fundamentals and music theory. He's saying we learn through experience, and we study the fundamentals of something after we've got our foot in the door

[@castlecrasherproductions6074]

I’m the opposite. I adore practice because I know that every time I do I get closer and closer to my ultimate goal

[@tijnblub6221]

🤓

[@waltz251]

what is your goal?

[@zac3392]

What is ur ultimate goal?

[@yunnowho3225]

Exactly, isn't your "goal" ultimately to play music? Well then you're doing it wrong if that's the case.

[@Dimitri-Jordania]

@@yunnowho3225 no u

[@dr3v]

Big facts, I learned more doing it and failing then I did practicing 300 hours a day

[@flintdavis2]

Music to my ears!😁 love his outlook on playing

[@alexanderlyon]

Well, I have to practice. I enjoy it but I have to put a certain amount of focused time and effort in or I don't improve. I don't have enough natural talent to just pick up higher-level skills automatically. I'm comfortable with that. Maybe he's talking more about a mindset rather than the number of hours he invests or reps it takes to sit down to work on his craft.

[@kylefugazzotto1520]

I concur

[@SirBoopBoop]

Oh yeah he's talking about the mentality of practice. Changing your mentality from "I have to practice for an hour today" to "I have to play for an hour today." Practice, for a lot of people, is very boring. Productive to bulding your skill, but dreadful at times. However. A LOT MORE people love to just play. Give a kid anything and tell them to just play and they'll just go nuts. Switching your mentality from practicing to simply playing is more fun sounding which will make you "practice," play, more and more effectively instead of inevitably burning out from a strict regimen. "You maintain your freedom, and that's why you have your own voice."

[@mihailmilev9909]

@RA Horus this comment is simultaneously memeable because of it's sudden random complexity and also one of the best youtube comments and points I've seen

[@mihailmilev9909]

Communication Coach Alex Lyon username checks out

[@scopilio13]

@RA Horus you sound like full metal alchemist

[@SimonBrisbane]

Love this guy. Full of encouragement and practical advice and really gives a lot back to musicians trying to improve.

[@FunkInTheTrunk]

Not to mention he is an AMAZING jazz bassist his tracks have almost brought me to tears

[@bevans224]

I think both is important. Being able to test your skills and watch yourself improve over time is satisfying. But being able to play that one piece or bar that you struggled on is heavenly. At first I couldn’t get Billy Jean down at all. Now I can play it with much less effort and it’s an amazing feeling

[@picure]

My interpretation of this is practice playing. The way I do it as a self taught bassist is I only practice playing songs by transcribing by ear. And if I come across a passage that is technically difficult, I then practice the technique to make that passage easier. So basically, I only practice technique to serve the music.

[@MiketheNerdRanger]

There seems to be some confusion in the comments and that's understandable. It took me a minute to get it. *He's not saying "don't practice." He's saying to start by practicing music.* When he says "practice," I think he's referring specifically to practicing technique, and when he says "play," he means practicing songs. *It's all practice.* Practicing technique like scales and exercises can make you better at playing music, but *technique ISN'T music.* I can vouch, because I didnt get any better until I practiced a song. So I think I see what he's getting at. I think maybe he should've made that distinction more clearly.

[@jeffreyfelder7981]

For Victor to play the way he does.... he practiced... maybe he did it in a way he enjoyed... but he did practice.... he said he didn't enjoy it... but he sure put the time in.

[@abcdefu3198]

I completely understand where he’s coming from. I do practice but I’ve learned more by just playing and following along rather than getting so much into music theory or practicing scales and things.

[@stephenshoihet2590]

This has always been my preference too. When I was in school, I hated practicing, hated working on theory, I just wanted to play.

[@wesleywalden4997]

Omg love victor I met him at the namm show and we jammed a little at his booth I was maybe 15 at the time and got a signed photo of him! Super awesome guy! Probably one of the nicest people in the world!

[@mhermit]

I had the good fortune to retire last year at age 53. I've played bass since age 18. I've decided to spend a couple of years just seeing how good i can get & I'm relieved to hear that the best player in the world got that way by avoiding a strict regime instead of adhering to one.

[@Doctor-Shoebill]

I think Mr Wooten is onto something here. My little girl wanted a guitar so I got her one. I quickly found out that she wasn't interested in learning the fundamentals of guitar. She wanted a new way to spend time with me. And that's awesome.

[@Aspartamebraintumor]

Truth. I've been playing 20 years now.. when it comes to playing bass if you want to get better, no amount of rigid repetition will help you find what you want to say. You need to understand what you want to say then visualize the finish line many miles in the distance

[@Yupppi]

There's great arguments for both ways. You can find success in either if you're dedicated and recognise what works for you. Learning to practice (something) is golden value for a kid, unless he happens to be Wooten who makes a career out of speaking his way. For many of us we need to develop the ability to practice and learn tough things through rigorous practice, because we don't have such a strong voice, motivation and inner guidance towards what's the correct way to get it down. There are very few natural engineers.

[@BassBaseBerlin]

I love Victor Wooten for his attitude / view on "music". 20 years ago I just thought "he's a virtuous guy". But then I learned what a great person he is. Now - he is a real idol for me - not just as musician! As you can see in every interview with him. Thanks so much & Cheers, Stefan

[@halfunkbass2966]

Victor is a legend.

[@tigerscott2966]

He has a good point...I like experimenting...practice is necessary, but it does get boring.... My brother was a great bass player...He didn't practice much either ...he would listen to a song and ten minutes later he had it down to a T...

[@nolanbannon3101]

I love playing and finding people who also play

[@Bro.ŽO]

depends on what type of music we talk

[@Faus4us]

Victor is spot on. Speaking, reading and understanding are very different things. I knew a man who couldn't read until he was out of high school. Hard to believe but, he was my best friend for years. He could speak publicly with no issues. Super sociable. Put a book in front of him and he would struggle. He did learn later on but, I feel the same experience can be found with music. You can speak it but, can you read it and understand it? Victor is spot on and so wise for using this analogy. Music has always been another language for me. One we can all understand regardless of where we come from and/or what language we speak.

[@epicragegaming2016]

practice vs playing is like studying a scale and playing it over and over vs jamming and mixing things in and learning along the way.

[@ralphwhittemore5041]

Dome are born with a God given talent. Others really have to work at it . Victor is a gifted Human being .

[@devinebass]

💯💯💯

[@mase444]

That's how I was with both guitar and bass, that's probably why I'm so passionate

[@isaiahneilguitaristofficia549]

That’s to me why it’s so important to “practice “ things that you will use/like , if you don’t dig odd time signatures,don’t “practice” them, for example however if you dig classical music, “practice” the technique needed to “play” the music that requires the technique. Definitely have to “Play” that’s why we started on our musical journey to PLAY MUSIC! P.S. even in a structured practice regiment, I always included 10-15 minutes of JUST PLAYING, put on a jam track and play!!!

[@ledzeppelin174]

The man speaks just like he plays. Freaking amazing!

[@ComeRee]

*bows down in honour of respect of the one true Vic Wooten*

[@flintdavis2]

Music to my ears!😁 love his outlook on playing. Practice makes perfect. Who said that? Playing makes perfect when it comes to music. So easy to agree with something you want to hear 😂

[@cameddy4081]

God bless you and your wisdom Victor !!! You are a kind genius- music came to you as naturally as speaking !! And you speak so eloquently 👏👏👏🙏🌏✌️🎼🎶

[@RE4Maverick]

He makes a valid point. We are looking at music the wrong way for sure.

[@JasonNoto]

I've heard the saying "practice like your performing" probably so it's realistic. Even if slowing down the tempo or learning the structure, notes or phrases of a piece or discovering inspiration, a way could be to play and perform making the heart sing at a doable level while naturally honing skills for more of a clearly comprehensive mindset and dexterity capacity

[@andrew6889-p5c]

I’m a always impressed at how carefully VW has thought about every aspect of music.

[@haydenwiltbank2249]

Well when u play u are learning it’s pretty much practicing but at ur own knowledge and pace

[@austinbossertyeah6135]

Spent many years playing guitar, but my band needed a bass player. So, I switched and I've been winging it and picking up new techniques along the way. I love the way he explained this.

[@bandit-ms6ys]

I’m 16 and been playing guitar for almost 2 years. I never took any lessons, nor practiced any particular scale or other routine. People i know who have played for more than a decade have said that my skill level would make it seem as if i’ve been playing for 6 or more years. The way i learned to play was to play with the music. Never once used a metronome but i can play in time with other people perfectly. Also picked up bass (which obviously would be easy coming from a guitar player) and piano without practicing, just learning how the instrument works and playing music.

[@maks886]

Victor is a legend as a musician, but a fantastic teacher as well.

[@sspsdell]

I get this... I practiced for the sake of doing it, but my growth came from not only playing, but playing with people better than me & I made a great living for my family doing it!

[@cathridge]

He came from a family of musicians so aside from it being in his dna, all of his older brothers played musical instruments. They started to teach him to play when he was as young as two years old so his perspective is a lot different than those of us who didnt start till we were teens and had to practice to be half as good as he is.

[@anandreas8593]

Limitless definition of music art, Victor Wooten is music art 👍🙏👍🙏👍

[@billwrubel6313]

Not everyone is a musical genius like victor wooten so I’d say some people need tons of practice for whatever reason whether the like it or not but his insight on practice and being included is fascinating..he’s such a phenomenal musician and person too

[@Tren.hegellian]

I’m the same way. I actually find that I play better after not practicing for a while, I tend to just play until I discover a new technique on my own. but I know a lot of people who really gain from and love frequent practice. I guess it’s different for everyone, as long as you enjoy it that’s what really matters.

[@GustavoDB]

It's like the LAO TSE wu wey... Doing by not doing. So Vic is the LAO TSE of bass ❤

[@davidfaustino4476]

I'm not a kid anymore and I still enjoy doing it. Music too.

[@isiahyasharahla2896]

Well put sir!👍🏿👍🏿

[@SortaNormal3]

I started a bass as a kid and quit cause I didn’t want to practice before my lessons. I just started again this year a decade later and now I think it’s fun to teach myself. Time is weird

[@YouTube_gets_dumber_each_year]

Such a brilliant, beautiful human being. Victor is introspective in way that's equally interesting as it is inspiring. 🙌🤟✌

[@devinebass]

🧡🧡🧡

[@Westside_69]

I also grew up around musical instruments and I agree, I also hate practicing. I do play some exercises to get faster but my best teacher are my own feelings when it comes to music.

[@thatanti-egoguy]

Protect this man!

[@LewiDoesMusic]

Very much agreed by the great words of Victor here!

[@JonTorrence]

The knowledge, heart, and wisdom (emphasis on the heart) of this man has been staggering to me over the years.

[@ccaa7674]

What you gotta do is turn the practice into playing. Want to learn C ionian? Turn on a metronome or backing track and jam on it. Or find a song in that key and work off that.

[@jonnehayesjr.9299]

Ahhhh yesss… I can relate to what he’s saying and totally understand. Practice is a by product of doing it not the other way around… 🤔💭💭💡

[@kaedeschulz5422]

Vic is that cool uncle that everyone wants! He is one of those that made me fell in love with BASS!

[@manydreams1life315]

This man is a spectacular human being and a EFFEN GENIUS!!!

[@0ldMatty2]

This dude has changed the way I look at bass & life in general “There are no wrong notes” “Play, don’t practice” 🫡🤩🤯💥

[@dialect64]

for me on the bass it was getting some fundamentals down, like technique, control of muting, and a bit of muscle memory for knowing modes... then it became writing what I wanna hear, and the practice was learning to play that flawlessly

[@TimTrussJr]

This definitely just opened my eyes. Love this conversation between two great legends.

[@shepp7988]

VICTOR IS A GENIUS HE'S EXACTLY RIGHT BUT ON THE OTHER HAND SOME PEOPLE MIGHT NOT KNOW EXACTLY WHAT To PRACTICE TO GET WHERE THEY WANT TO BE AND NOBODY THERE TO SHOW THEM THE WAY

[@KRG30001]

Greatest all time bassist

[@tonystarks3486]

This video has given me a new found respect and admiration for Victor

[@kiwion3s]

This is reminding me that the only reason I loved practicing so much was that once i learned a song, I could finally speak through the notes in a way I just can't when going measure by measure

[@CyclesAreSingularities]

True, if you start using your skills you improve them.

[@superconductor4645]

I always learn from Victor Wooten when he speaks. Brilliant man.

[@BibleGeeek]

Translation: his attitude toward practicing is that he’s playing and having fun. It’s not a burden. I had the same mentality practicing sports. It was fun, not a burdensome task.

[@devinebass]

💯💯💯

[@jeffjefferson8137]

i’ve never taken lessons for any instrument except i played sax in school band and percussion later but i wouldn’t really say lessons i kinda learned how to read music but i already forgor. the thing i like about music is there are no rules do what sounds good to you. if you really need to learn something look it up. but i agree with him music is freedom there’s no set rules or boundaries to follow

[@csp4454]

He's one hundred percent correct. Throughout my early teens that's all I ever thought about...DOING IT!!!

[@Jesusprayerwarriorbw]

What I believe Vic is saying is that learning should be fun so it doesn't feel like work. Should be organic & free. Grab a song you love and learn the hook, then intro and then combine it. Get theory also tho. But have fun. My neighbor in my apartment complex was Chris. He was high school student who ALWAYS had his guitar around his neck. No shit! Just we would be drinking me a beer him a coke, and he would be playing the whole time. Just noodling. Once in awhile he would add a string band to enforce his conversation with me. He would smile and lean towards me and make his guitar laugh or some weird sound. Point is, he just spent time with his guitar & had fun. He still is the best dam player that I know.

[@clydebermingham121]

Exactly 💥👍🏾 …. I wanted to play …. And that what motivated me to practice more … after I had a visible goal of what I wanted to play like . The drive to play is what motivates to practice It’s like riding a bike …. I kept trying & trying without this is training wheels until that ‘FIRST FLIGHT ‘ of BALANCE .. And once I achieved that 1st balance , it just never left me ever since It just adt ER so much trials …. Then that kind of magic moments arrives … then one starts to ‘fly’ … affer so much attempts of ‘practicing ‘ to try to play … Then once tings just come out that way … it never leaves you … it becomes 2nd … or even 1st nature … Then several things just become easier even … after that ‘1st FLIGHT ‘✈️

[@diazostreta4473]

He’s referring to the fact that actually composing or learning songs by ear would give you the greater mileage than simply watching tutorials and tabs. Active involvement and having a purpose is name of the game, and involved practice implements purposeful planning too.

[@arturoacosta6583]

Right On Victor!!!!!!!!!

[@diegoraimundo11]

"Freedom is the oxygen of the soul" - Moshe Dayan

[@Stereostupid]

I kinda feel and understand what he's saying in a way I'd rather practice while playing with a band really playing and doing it you're just learning kinda just powering through rather than sitting in a chair practicing sweep techniques or something for 2-3 hrs of the day...I just keep writing songs on the cuff and like a hendrix approach of flying over a mountain improvisation flowing

[@LedufInfraLeDufiNFrA]

I learn bass in playing on records (chic, jamiroquai, police, dB brother, steevie Wonder ...) And yes i never learn musical theory, but V wooten IS a genious bass player ...

[@tonyrichengod9280]

I don’t like to practice either, but I love the results I get from it

[@gigglesribera2379]

Well put 👏🏽 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽

[@freddytudare7817]

The best player bass, in word wisdom for the practice

[@ricklubbers1526]

This is deep and goes far beyond playing bass. Dont hide your true self behind some self imposed milestone. You get to be you and do you right here right now.

[@abowlofsoul]

I practice but I am in agreement with him. If there is a song that I like, I will get my bass and play it. I enjoy the mistakes, but I also enjoy that I attempted to play that song without practiciing it.

[@bassmaiasa1312]

For me, practice is playtime. But I'm self-taught, I've never had a teacher impose a regimen on me. I design my own practice sessions. Like playing a difficult technique but keeping it in time with the metronome -- it's a game! I want to get the high score!

[@johncbeer]

My sentiments exactly. The only significant progress I've ever made was playing for the enjoyment. Scales and other similar exercises did nothing for me other than showing me where the notes were. But those didn't sink in until I saw their actual context and purpose in a song. I tried SBL for a while, but it abruptly went from "too easy" to "what the hell are you talking about?", so I left. Nothing against SBL; it obviously helps a lot of people. Just not me. I get way more out of playing along to a YT playlist, or experimenting with sounds. Now in a band I was lucky enough to find with serious players, I'm getting better simply by learning new songs.

[@nylesfrench3568]

Incredibly excellent point. I will say that he has been playing since he was Five!!

[@HiMyNameIsJonathan]

Man this guy is amazing to listen to. Like a lot of us, we grew up playing music while being a child, learning how to speak and communicate. I totally get it.

[@mitchhilton1669]

I love to listen to victor..

[@krisskraynov7164]

It's easy to say this from his perspective, he grew up with a bass in his hands since was 2yo!

[@spanqueluv9er]

That’s his entire point, genius.🙄🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️🤡🤡🤷‍♂️

[@phil6lacio9]

I had to practice spelling, grammar, sentence structure, vocabulary, as well as creative writing. In learning my second language (Spanish) all these components were absolutely necessary, but drinking beer with natives is what made me actually good at Spanish, more so than school.

[@mitchelfulcer2874]

This is how I am with bass as well. Freedom goes a long way!

[@dictatorshipoverdemocracy]

I don't like practice, but I think it's still really important. Especially for beginners to build important muscle memory. (I'm a pianist)

[@6minus3minus2]

The comparison to language is a good one. The text book can you some guidance, can teach you the rules, but the book can't ever give you every scenario. You gotta go the cafe and order a drink, or go to band practice and lock in with a drummer. The highest level comes from testing yourself without the guardrails of the book or practice routine.

[@devinebass]

Absolutely, it's in those real-world situations where the true magic happens and your skills truly come to life, just like learning a language by immersing yourself 🙌🏻🧡🔥

[@allstarlord9110]

I picked the guitar 4 years ago because i moved to a small island and i knew i was gonna be bored. Never thought of it as practising and i never thought i would keep up with it. Fast forward to a few months ago, we started a punk rock band with a few friends. Life is good