Can a Cord Make That Big a Difference?

Check out the New Victor Wooten signature power cord. It's "just" a power cord, but it's attracting a lot of heavy hitters who say it makes a major difference to their sound.

The Loss of An Amazing Mother.......Victor Wootens Mom Dorothy Passes Away

I am usually unaffected by death for the most part, it's all a part of life. But the passing of Victor Wootens beloved mother Dorothy has deeply touched us all today. I never had the privilege of meeting her but that doesn't change how I feel about "our" loss. When you meet any one of the Wooten boys you will know their is something special about them. And where did they get that?

"If the whole world decided today to follow you....where would you lead them"?..... Dorothy Wooten

Upon every friend or loved ones passing we ponder our own lives, and our own death. Have you even begun to write your song? If not you owe it to yourself to start today......

"So live your life that the fear of death can never enter your heart. Trouble no one about their religion, respect others in their view, and demand that they respect yours. Love your life, perfect your life, beautify all things in your life. Seek to make your life long and its purpose in the service of your people. Prepare a noble death song for the day when you go over the great divide. Always give a word or a sign of salute when meeting or passing a friend, even a stranger, when in a lonely place. Show respect to all people and bow to none. When you arise in the morning, give thanks for the food and for the joy of living. If you see no reason for giving thanks, the fault lies only in yourself. Abuse no one and nothing, for abuse turns the wise ones to fools and robs the spirit of its vision. When it comes your time to die, be not like those whose hearts are filled with fear of death, so that when their time comes they weep and pray for a little more time to live their lives over again in a different way. Sing your death song and die like a hero going home." Tecumseh

Please take a minute to send a positive note to Vic here on his Facebook Page.

Victor Wooten Announces VIX Records, Re-Releases “A Show of Hands”

Victor Wooten will be expanding his musical footprint as he launches VIX Records, his self owned label on which he will release all of his future albums. The new record label will give Vic “complete control of his creations,” as well as help others keep their voice.

“We aim to provide, by example, a different standard and model for record labels and artists, as well as for how they relate to each other,” the five time Grammy winner explains. “Following my successful approach of creating Music that focuses on filling my soul rather than my pockets, I’ve found that this is the best recipe for doing both.“

To celebrate the move, Wooten is re-releasing his solo debut with bonus material. Available in March, A Show of Hands-15 contains the re-mastered versions of the original songs from the groundbreaking album along with three new tracks, including two with drummer JD Blair plus another unedited live solo by Wooten.

Posted courtesy of NoTreble.Com

Warning Against Trying to Play Like Victor Wooten

So if you are going to try and copy Victor Wooten's bass playing style, you better have his style of strap and strap locks.



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Own a Fodera? You Can Come to Victor Wooten's Nature/Bass camp

Fodera Guitars, founded in 1983, have quickly become the “Stradivarius” of bass guitars. Creators Vinny Fodera and Joey Lauricella are already legends in the elite world of luthiers. Fodera’s craftsmanship, beauty, sound, and playability, is now the model for which many other companies pattern their instruments. Fortunately, as fate would have it, Victor and Fodera’s love affair started in that first year back in 1983. The rest … is history (or the future.)

Fodera Camp is the opportunity for ALL Fodera owners to come together for the first time to celebrate as one. Join Vinnie, Joey, Victor, and other Fodera users from around the world to share, learn, play, (and brag about our instruments.)


Join us for:
· Fodera artist concerts everyday
· Lessons and classes with world class Fodera users
· Building and maintenance workshops with Joey, Vinnie, and the Fodera staff
· See some of the first Fodera instruments ever built
· Unique B/N Camp workshops and exercises
· Prizes, giveaways, great fun & food
· Join Joey and Victor for their birthday celebration
· And much, much, more!


Criteria: Must own and bring a Fodera instrument.
Dates: September 6 – 11, 2011
Age: All ages.
Place: Wooten Woods Retreat
Cost: $1,250. (price may change)

For more info visit Vic's Nature/Bass camp Link



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Victor Wooten - Prasana Lay it Down in Mumbai, India

When four stalwart musicians gather, entertainment is guaranteed. But guitarist Prasanna, and bassist Victor Wooten were not touring just to entertain. Along with Bangalore Amrit (kanjira) and Dr. Karthick S (ghatam) their energetic ensemble toured Chennai, Bangalore, Kolkata and Mumbai for a purpose. And, the purpose was to raise funds for the Swarnabhoomi Academy of Music (Chennai), a music school started by guitarist Prasanna.

Going back to the concert, the connection between Prasanna and Wooten was quite evident right from the start, be it through their performance, or some teasing each other through musical notes. One thing is for sure, Victor Wooten should be lauded for the way he adapted himself to carnatic scales and patterns.

Like their other concerts, their last leg in Mumbai was quite inspiring. While Prasanna, who is known for his carnatic chops, spell bounds you. Victor Wooten with his sturdy hands, slaps, picks, bends and churns notes after notes. The grammy winning bass player is certainly a music genius, both in technique and composition. In fact, there was a moments when Wooten was matching his bass to the intricate rhythms played by Dr. Karthick S on Ghatam, incredible stuff!

One of the biggest highlights of the concert was when Wooten treated listeners to an instrumental version of 'Yesterday' (Beatles) using a loop station.

A majority of the songs played through the concert were from Prasanna's album 'Be the Change'. He rocked, he rollicked, and he had listeners in awe with his ability to blend any genre into his trademark carnatic chops – be it blues, jazz, rock or Indian classical. Unassumingly, his technique and sound is so unique that you can probably notice it’s him on a record after hearing him just once. The other thing that makes Prasanna stand out from the rest is that at no moment one feels that his sound over powers other instruments in the band. However, he does go into those loud and dirty blues mode when he wants – but it's so well timed, it sends your heart racing.

There was one more unique thing about this ensemble, with Karthick S and Bangalore Amrit taking care of the percussion department, it literally drops the notion that 'one needs to have a drummer'. The duo is one of the best accompaniments a musician can ever have, they often threw bananna skins under the feet of Prasanna and Victor with their odd timed rhythms. With an interactive audience, woo-ting, and some jaw dropping moments this was one of the best concerts to have happened to Mumbai. I even saw the sound engineer's dancing in sync to Wooten’s groove!


Thanks to Chirag Sutar @ Radio and Music .Com



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Victor Wooten's "The Lesson" Bass Tab

It's time I actually sit down and make myself learn this so I thought I would suggest the same to my readers. It's obvious why Vic calls this The Lesson, but he could name any of his songs The Lesson and it would be fitting. Before you get started on the tab take a few minutes to watch the video of Victor playing this tune live at Stockholm Jazz Fest.






Have you seen Victor Wooten’s Groove Workshop? Check it out!


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Have You Played Victor Wooten's Bass?

After seeing this posted on Saundra Williams Facebook page I had to ask myself, how many top rate musicians and entertainers have you ever seen hand over their instruments to the crowd? I can only come up with one, of course it's Victor Wooten.

Victor Wooten Band performs at the Variety Playhouse on 7/15/05



Check this out…..you don’t need to go to music school!

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The Strangest Bass I Have Ever Seen!

OK, I have seen some wacky custom basses in my time, but this one takes the grand prize. I guess this thing is playable, it does not appear to be a prop.

If anyone knows anything about this bass please leave a comment. I would love to know more details about it.

Check Out Bass Player Blogger "Growing Up Bass Player"

One of my favorite bloggers has always been Allen over at Bass Player Blogger. He has always had one of the most entertaining bass blogs going and he has now updated his site to be a complete website including lessons, videos and more. It's awesome go check it and make sure to drop Allen a line. Truly one of the nice guys in the online music community!

Click Here For Bass Player Blogger Website

Check out our Online Store Bass Player Music .Com The only online store of it's kind. All Solo Bass artist!

Stanley Clarke's School Days - Bass Playing History

The 1976 release of Stanley Clarke's "School Days" album and the title track changed the way people looked at the potential roll of bass players forever. While the main riff is not particularly difficult to play, it was ground breaking in that Stanley took the part of bass player playing bar chords and playing the part of rhythm guitarist while still holding done the bottom. This is a great tune to learn if you are into looping as you can play the complete tune with just a drummer. I have only posted the main riff here but check out a reasonably complete tab at 911 Tabs.

|--9--6--4-4-2-2-4/6\-4-4--2-2-4/6\--4-4-5-2---|
|--7--4--2-2-0-0-------2-2--0-0--------2-2-5-2---|
|------------------------------------------------------|
|------------------------------------------------------|

Here are a couple of different videos of Stanley just killing this. Note that he does put a different twist on this depending on who he plays with. Don't let him fool you standard 4 string players as he usually plays this on his tenor bass tuned A-D-G-C.

This first video is from the David Letterman Show with the Will Lee Band....I mean Paul Schaffer's Band.



Here is a version from the 2007 North Sea Jazz Festival. Check out how he does a different opening giving us a lesson in chord inversions.



And of course the most popular version with well over one million hits on You Tube is this one with Marcus Miller and Victor Wooten. This is where SMV got it's start.

Trailer from the upcoming Victor Wooten DVD - Groove Workshop

What a treat for all of us. Victor puts out another must have for all of us with the "Groove Workshop" DVD. Just the trailer I posted below is a great lesson and a reminder about what a force of nature this man is.

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.

Bassista! A Great Lesson In Slap Bass

All of you regular visitors here know how I love to post videos of bass players from around the world [outside the U.S.]. Here is another one of my favs. Gianni Serino "The Bassista"

One of my pet peeves is the amount of players we see playing "Slap Bass" who really are just Slapping a bass. Few people really have a sense of musicality in their slap technique. Maybe we should call it "Beat Bass"! Seriously, check out the videos below and do your best to work through the language barrier. It is worth it.