Slap Bass Solo - Prazsky Vyber

If you are a regular visitor to my website you know that I am, shall we say consumed with the "International Bassist". I really think there is a whole new breed of players coming out of Europe and the former eastern block countries that are just taking the "musicality" of bass to a whole new level. My theory on this is that while most Americans have been mainly influenced by Pop and Country music as children, the European children are still exposed to quite a bit classical music. Especially in their education system. We as Americans could really learn from this. That is why when I am suggesting that a young bass player focus on learning to read music I always suggest using music such as Pagini or Bach Cello pieces. In fact I will go do the same right now!

Check this guy out....

Slap Bass Lesson - Alexis Sklarevsky

The most common topic I receive emails and questions about is slap bass and slap bass technique. The one individual who has had the most influence on players through his slap bass instructionals is Alexis Sklarevsky. Here is a clip of some of the performances on his most popular CD/Tape "The Slap Bass Program" 1989. If you are serious about learning slap bass this is a must have.

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We are really interested to see what kind of websites some of our readers have. Feel free to leave a comment that includes your Web Address and a description of your site and we will share and promote them to the rest of our readers!

Marcus Miller - Jaco's Teen Town Slap Bass Style

What am I working on this week? Jacos "Teen Town". This is one of those songs that I have always struggled with. The section right after the opening theme has always given me fits. So I have used it for years as a string skipping exercise for myself as well as students. So I come upon this video [see video below] of Marcus Miller doing it live and he freakin' thumbs the part! He makes it look effortless to boot. So if you give this a try remember to go slow [sick of hearing me say that yet!] and make sure to limit your motion. When most players struggle with this kind of technique they have a tendency to flail their thumb and hand about. Keep it close and tight and you'll get it! Let me know how you do.



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Mark King Level 42 Bass Solo

One of the things I love about the online video sharing websites is the influence it has on young players. What we are exposed to as young players is programmed into us at a very critical time. So you have to think, if we have players like Mark King, Stanley Clarke, Victor Wooten and on and on, that were never influenced by the access to these videos what will the young players of today be like 20 years from now with this kind of learning tool. I brought this up to a friend and he thinks that they will not be any better and maybe even not as good. His theory is that we have become a culture of watchers instead of a culture of creators. Interesting thought, I hope I am around for decades to come to see for myself.

Check out one of my favorite videos of Mark King from Level 42. I noticed it has 914,068 views as of this morning. That's a lot of influence on a lot of players.

Victor Wooten Lesson - Part 7

Besides finishing up the two handed arpeggios Vic does a great version of "Sex In A Pan" from the Flecktones. This has always been one of my favorites to work on. You can find the music and tab here Sex In A Pan On Amazon along with other tunes from the Flecktones and Vic's Solo work.

Victor Wooten Lesson - Part 6

We are almost done with Victors lesson and I really suggest you don't start here. Scroll down to Lesson 1 and really take your time as you move through the lessons. Vic continues here with the two handed arpeggios. Now obviously Victors home key is G major. Nothing wrong with that, we all have a home key. But it is a good idea to practice theses lessons in different keys. Make sure to step out of your comfort zone and practice in some of the flat keys. It will help you visualize the individual intervals instead of invisioning the whole pattern on the fretboard.

Victor Wooten Bass Lesson - Part 5

Lesson 5 starts with the conclusion of the two handed arpeggios from lesson 4. Victor then shares some really interesting thoughts on creativity on the bass and how it compares with creating on other instruments. I especially like his thoughts on handing your bass to a piano player and asking them to lay it on their lap to make music. They would immediately make music that is nothing like what we as bass players would create. We all need to think outside ourselves to create music!

Victor Wooten Bass Lesson - Part 4

For Part 4 of Victor's lessons we get a real insight into what makes him tick. No bass for the first six minutes but don't get inpatient and move ahead, this is great stuff. He spends the last 3 minutes on a great two hand exercise playing 9th chord arpeggios descending. This is classic Victor. Go slow, practice it in different keys and you'll be shocked how quick you'll be adding it to your arsenal!

Victor Wooten Lesson - Part 3

Victor continues here in lesson 3 still covering artist that influenced him including Prince and Bootsy Collins. Great stories!

Victor Wooten - Lesson On Bass Technique Part 2

Continuing with Victors series of lessons Part 2 starts with him talking about influences on his playing. Stanley, Jaco, Larry Graham....and now Victor Wooten influencing us. Make sure to pause the lesson and learn some of these licks he is playing from these masters. I have a note book with most of these tunes in them and I try to work on them from time to time just to keep them fresh. We get busy with playing and life and forget to keep the riffs in our "arsenal". The note book helps me to from forgetting these great tunes. So as always take your time and if you did not do lesson 1 scroll down the page and do it first.

SMV - The Wait Is Almost Over

I don't know how many times I have viewed this video myself but after over 1 million views on You Tube I thought it was time to post it on my Blog. Especially after receiving the new copy of Bass Player Magazine this weekend only to find out the album is almost done.......The Album! SMV "Thunder" Stanley, Marcus & Victor. Really now, what more could we ask for.