1:31 "You're born with feeling, you'll die with feeling. Feeling doesn't have to be learned. Feeling is another universal language like love, hate, jealousy--nobody has to learn that. That's not cultural dependent. We feel everywhere all the time. So when you can reach someone with feeling, you can play less techniques. Right? And you end up playing more music." - Victor Wooten
The bass player and one of the composers for Snarky Puppy, is sitting besides Victor, looking awed. What an inspiration Wooten is, therapy through music.
Yep when I first clicked on this I was like, “Is that Michael League standing behind him??” Lol. Love it. You can’t be a young bass player in the jazz space and not have been impacted by Victor Wooten.
He’s a genius musician and bandleader in his own right. I had the privilege of meeting him when a band I played in, in the Dallas jam band scene in 2007 and 2008, played on a night that had several local bands play. He’s such a nice guy as well as being a brilliant musician.
He’s in the same class of people as Carl Sagan and Mr. Rogers: People that are so passionate about what they do and say, that their enthusiasm rubs off on you.
@@LeakyJAZZ THE “lipbone” who was notorious for the “I think I got a twenty down in this pocket” joke he’d play on everyone when it was time to pay tabs? That’s a name I wasn’t expecting to read.
@@etiennemiemczyk7081 I don't like jazz when it gets too complicated, because it doesn't make me feel anything. I don't feel like it makes sense. I'm ok with complexity, but I can appreciate simplicity.
Actually it is pretty easy to feel, thats why it is so popular and most beginner guitarists take it up. Hendrix probably said that just to try to be cool or insightful.
This is why playing in a band or ensemble is fulfilling in a different way than playing solo. Technically, it's simple and boring, but the amount of value you add to a song just by existing as a unique voice in the group is immeasurable.
Coming from one of the most technically expressive bassists we’ve ever seen, to hear him bring it back to the basic fundamentals of a good bass line, is amazing.
@@matthewlawton9241 soooo true dude… as a former elite basket-baller, now coach of elite 15 to 18 year olds, a bass player, surfer, scientist and business owner ,, nothing could more true … all facts in fact !! 😃 …. the quicker ya learn this in ya life, the better off ya life will be …
Amazing advice! As a _drummer,_ it really resonates because...all too often...drummers get bored and start thinking, "I should be doing more." Then we start _decorating_ the beat and/or throwing in unnecessary fills. One of the things that made Charlie Watts (a highly accomplished and technically masterful Jazz drummer) one of the greatest Rock & Roll drummers of all time is that he could just play a simple beat for several minutes without drawing focus. "My job is to provide a simple, stable platform, so Mick and Keith can shine." Whatever our instrument(s), when we play with others, we are part of something bigger than ourselves...and _individual_ expression at the wrong moment can inhibit the _collective_ emotional creation.
Not to mention we got Michael League just hanging out up there next to Victor acting super regular. No big deal lol. Two of my favorite musicians! I’d like to see more of this.
Victor Wooten: - play simple, catch people feelings, BB King famous playing 5 notes Also Victor Wooten: - plays uber stuff, chords, double thumb slap, tapping, became famous because he is a virtuoso of bass I'm joking (don't take it too seriously) i love him, amazing human being, teacher and musician
1990 Telluride Town Square. Shawn Colvin had just finished a songwriting clinic. Everyone left the square except me. I was just sitting, nice buzz, strumming a few chords. There’s a bass clinic coming up in a few minutes. This guy walks over, plugs in a small bass amp and starts warming up. I can’t help but notice that he’s good. Another minute or two goes by. Now, I can’t help but notice that this guy is really something special. He’s playing super intricate, lightning fast perfect timing. I finally say, “Whoa man, you’re a great player!” He says, “Thanks, man. I’m Vic”.
Victor Wooten is the wisest musician to ever walk this Earth. Every time he opens his mouth, people should listen to what he has to say. I'm not deifying the man or anything, he just drops so much musical wisdom, it's astounding. This has nothing to do with knowledge or "smartness", just pure wisdom.
Radek Szyroki - If you like what he has to say here, you might enjoy reading his book “The Lesson”. I dog eared many of its pages as he imparts a number of bits of musical wisdom.
I think that he is the wisest musician you know, okay no (just kidding) XD Edit: check out who Benjamin Zander is, another wise musician just like Victor.
For anyone wondering, if I could remember correctly, the guy fanboying at the left name is Michael League. He is a really great bassist and founder of the mega band "Snarky Puppy".
This took me a LONG time to learn. Flea talks about this as being "generous" with your band. Giving them the space to share the love. In The thing is, if your bored with the simple groove, your doing it wrong, FEEL the groove, dont think, thinking is the enemy. FEEL the grove, drive your fingers with your heart, not your brain. .
The point is also, when you find something you feel but then cannot do practically/technically, stick around that for a while until you feel more in control of that movement, let it sinks in and become part of your language and vocabulary. Work it our, groove it. Never neglect what your fingers wanted to do but couldn't.
It's refreshing to hear someone so talented basically say, 'Don't play as I do, play how you feel'. Makes a big difference when you know technique isn't everything. No one can teach heart, not even a legend like this
This is so true. In my Heavy Metal Guitar Bible, a music book I picked up in the 80s. I read an anonymous quote that has stuck with me since. "Play as fast as you want but with no feeling it means nothing".
IBlind Samurai that would make a lot of sense. I've been wondering why in the world Vic would be playing a P, but then I remembered that's literally all Michael plays
I know what he’s talking about, when he says feeling. It’s an incredible feeling, when you feel the music, it’s like getting chills but it’s a strange feeling. It’s addicting in a way, and you can only get this feeling from music you truly love
Wow, I never knew that quote about how ‘people will forget what you say/do, but will always remember how you made THEM FEEL’, was attributable to Maya Angelou. I first heard Al Jarreau say it in an interview on the Tavis Smiley show, now I hear Victor Wooten talk about the same thing. Ever since I heard Al Jarreau say it, I have been living it myself. Peace. 🐰💙🎸🎶🤝✌️
@@pardolagames8994 I can’t tell if you like or dislike Polyphia. I hate them tho. Tim Henson to me is like having the playing talent Ichika Nito while only having the song writing ability of Machine Gun Kelly.
I just realised this is what I love about John Frusciante’s work with RHCP. For example “Can’t Stop” … starts simple - you’re feeling … then the song gets more complicated - now you’re listening. Thanks Victor 😃
Bass is so beautiful. It’s nowhere to be found but without it there’d be a weird empty place in a lot of songs. Seeing this guy jammin made me happy and smile in litterally 2 seconds.
Mannn ur missing the best part of that line. To me it ends "when you can reach someone with feeling, you can stop playing techniques - and start playing music"
In my early 20s I was all about how fast and complex I could make my bass lines. Had a "crusty old veteran", who was probably younger than I am now, approach me after a show and say something that has stuck with me ever since. Him "You play pretty good." Me "Thanks!" Him "Its not how good you play, its how good what you play is." It took a good 48 hours to appreciate how much I had been roasted. It took another 10 years or so for me to truly understand what he had told me. I still show off, and cant lay off adding my own flair to any song I play... But now I am looking for spots where those additions enhance the song. I am making sure my fills/passing notes/counter melodies do not step on anyone else. Most importantly, I now make sure to stay true to the foundation of what I am playing. This results in my flair blending into the overall sonic frequencies instead of trying to stand out from them. Victor is preaching here, but its not a sermon anyone will understand until they are ready. I guarantee there were bass players in that audience who came away from it with "Victor is amazing, I must slap harder and faster to emulate him" as a take.
@@jasco5001 Not at all, he dropped a nugget of wisdom I needed to hear. Many life lessons are delivered in uncomfortable to painful packages. If that man had just said I was overplaying, I would have completely blown him off. I am grateful he chose the words he did and am absolutely a better bass player because of his comment.
You're telling me it took you ten years and two days to understand that simple sentence that he said? Guess I'll see you in ten years when you understand my comment and get around to replying to it.
Coming from a bass MONSTER like him, that's quite an endorsement for the bass playing its intended support role (ok, ok, with several notable, and highly talented exceptions to that rule!)
Reminds me of the saying “the perfect is the enemy of the good” There’s a million musicians who know everything there is to know about music. They have perfect ears, perfect form, great work ethic, know how to compose, know how to engineer, know how to change styles...... why aren’t they all famous? Because while they know everything there is to know about how to make music, they don’t know how to make you feel it. Simple as that. The most famous musicians aren’t always the best.
When kids ask me about writing songs, I often point them to musicians like Chuck Berry, Kurt Cobain, Bowie, Oasis etc. Their most well known songs stick with you because of their simplicity. You don't need to have studied music or know about theory to create something that moves people.
As a bassist that has been playing 20+ years. I keep coming back to this video because Victor is a great teacher and can communicate his teachings to non-musicians as well which is extraordinarily rare in people
I feel like Victor is one of those who's brought wisdom all his life. Even when he was a little kid he was probably blowing minds. He's intelligent, observant and insightful.
That’s the reason why Eddie Van Halen was so successful, there were so many super-shredders like Yngwie Malmsteen, Steve Vai etc, but who had the most hit songs and made the most money = EVH ... and it was his simple songs that connected to everybody and made everyone remember him. Eddie actually bought his original Frankenstrat guitar body off Allan Holdsworth.
Ha ha no he didn’t. It was from the manufacturer “Boogie Bodies” and it was a factory “second” which means it likely had minor cosmetic issues. He bought the “second” because it was cheaper and he was a broke musician. He did however admire Holdsworth playing.
Like Victor said here, “People will remember how you made them feel” - Eddie Van Halen made them feel. Its not necessarily a matter of his playing being simple/complex. He just didn’t let any of his ungodly techniques get in the way of conveying the feeling
@@stevieflowersbeats1506 shut up boomers If there were only simple music and feel music Classical nd jazz wouldnt have been ever made by humans And arguably these genrrs are the pinnacle of human achievement in music.
He is such a genius. How else can you explain this insight into music? Freedom in artistry is what he is about. Saw him live a few times (I feel so lucky) and he is spot on about feelings. He can play music so well that you can move from joy to melancholy to tears. Thank God for VLW. He was and still is an innovator and a game changer who touched so many musicians lives-including mine.
I was there, sitting just in front of him. Ground Up 2018 fest. Michael was listening him and began crying at some point. It was that strong. I remember from what he had said "when you call you mother you say two syllables and she recognizes you. How many notes do you need to play in order to people recognize your music?" Btw Wooten was just killing on double bass that time.
I had a teacher tell me “you know how to play the instrument, and you know you know how to play it. Don’t get lost trying to prove it or impressing the audience, because they’ll clap regardless.”
As many have already commented, this applies to more than just bassists. A lot of what Ringo Starr did for the Beatle's comes to mind for example, and Mr. Wooten used BB King as another. Took me a few moments to recognize Michael League as the guy tweaking on his rig and sat down next to Mr. Wooten, hands to face :) Mr. League is an awesome bassist and writer/creator (see Snarky Puppy) yet fully immersed into what Mr. Wooten is sharing with the crowd.
I understand what Victor meant to say, but musicians aren't just looking for popularity. If it's business, he's right, but music is also art. I love Allan's music so much, R.I.P.
RIP Alan Holdsworth :(
Allan Lives!
Who?
@@Alex-vi2wl lol
@@Alex-vi2wl Heidi Hot
One of my favorites! RIP allan holdsworth :(
I met Victor 20 years ago. After asking him about some of his techniques, he told me, “Don’t try to figure what I do. Try to figure out what you do.”
I read this in his voice haha
Such wise word
Lol hes like the Denzel Washington of bass guitar
Like da13thsun says: Dont look outside yourself.
You do you , ill do me.
13Wisedome
EARTHBOUND806 I was thinking right away that he sounds like him.
This is not a lesson for bassists.
This is a lesson for every musician out there. No matter the instrument.
This is a message for life
I agree and I'd raise it with "Every artist in general"
I was going to say the same thing
Amen
Exactly
Victor Wooten is the rare combination of an outstanding musician and an outstanding teacher.
And an outstanding human being. Love that guy!
He's a guru, a spiritual leader, check out his book, "The Music Lesson," he's the Carlos Castaneda of music.
Naturally funny as well. Just so fun to listen to.
1:31 "You're born with feeling, you'll die with feeling. Feeling doesn't have to be learned. Feeling is another universal language like love, hate, jealousy--nobody has to learn that. That's not cultural dependent. We feel everywhere all the time. So when you can reach someone with feeling, you can play less techniques. Right? And you end up playing more music." - Victor Wooten
👍
Deep philosophy
Great statement
Awesome words òf advice.
Yeah he said that in the video.
Michael League fangirling over Victor Wooten is priceless
Dude what the fuck I was so driven to pay attention and watching Victor that I havent even seen Michael in the background/chair :D :D :D
Who?? :-) There's someone else in this? I thought he was talking just to me.
Holy shit I’m so busy focusing on Victor that it didn’t even notice Mike. So much talent between them two.
...and who wouldn't? :)
Life goal: Find someone who looks at you the way Michael League looks at Victor Wooten
Damnit, this ain't no music lesson, this is LIFE LESSON.
Very true
@@DOCTORBAZZ But he's not following it though :)))
you need to get out there more dude haha
music is life
@@michaelciancetta6397 somehow, his recent experimental stuff does not reach me
A lesson not only for bassists but for all musicians!!!!, Can't get enough of his simplicity.
💯 true
Not only for all musicians but for almost everything / everybody in life ...
The bass player and one of the composers for Snarky Puppy, is sitting besides Victor, looking awed. What an inspiration Wooten is, therapy through music.
Yep when I first clicked on this I was like, “Is that Michael League standing behind him??” Lol. Love it. You can’t be a young bass player in the jazz space and not have been impacted by Victor Wooten.
Michael League
He’s a genius musician and bandleader in his own right. I had the privilege of meeting him when a band I played in, in the Dallas jam band scene in 2007 and 2008, played on a night that had several local bands play. He’s such a nice guy as well as being a brilliant musician.
That looks like Michael League
At least called the dude his name
This isn't just a lesson for bassists. It's a lesson for everyone.
I’m a drummer. Saw Wooten and had to click
victor is too preachy
This isn't just a stolen comment...
It’s a philosophy lesson!
@@vanguard4065 yeah, but when you're him, you get a pass
This dude don't even need his bass , his talking alone is interesting enough
He wrote a book. It’s been about a decade since I read it, but it was chock full of little gems like this. The Lesson, I think it was called.
have you seen his commencement speak at college
He’s in the same class of people as Carl Sagan and Mr. Rogers: People that are so passionate about what they do and say, that their enthusiasm rubs off on you.
He's so nice too.
But because of his bass, so many more are listening and being pulled into where the cool stuff is
Amazing how simplicity has become something we dont appreciate anymore, to the point it needs to be explained to us.
Amazing point man, try that.
Pheeew
Lol isn’t the whole point of this video to show that simplicity is the very thing we truly appreciate?
Right lol
Jeez Thats deep
I want like an hour of victor just jamming and telling me how to be awesome, can he do that album please?
Read his books! Great stuff.
Steve Gadd said it best "fills bring the thrills but grooves pay the bills"
Exactly which means the average music lover cant understand anything or even want anything beyond 4/4 or 2/4.A real musical person always wants more
Solo for flash, groove for cash
@@LeakyJAZZ I like this one
@@BREAKocean “Lipbone” Redding, my step dad, and professional musician, told me that one
@@LeakyJAZZ THE “lipbone” who was notorious for the “I think I got a twenty down in this pocket” joke he’d play on everyone when it was time to pay tabs?
That’s a name I wasn’t expecting to read.
Jimi Hendrix " Blues is easy to play, but hard to feel "
And Jazz is even harder to play and harder to feel. (Sometimes)
@@etiennemiemczyk7081 I don't like jazz when it gets too complicated, because it doesn't make me feel anything. I don't feel like it makes sense. I'm ok with complexity, but I can appreciate simplicity.
@@blop-a-blop9419 jazz piano can be quite relaxing
Actually it is pretty easy to feel, thats why it is so popular and most beginner guitarists take it up. Hendrix probably said that just to try to be cool or insightful.
Anybody can feel the blues. Lots of people can play the blues. But only some people play with “feel”.
This is why playing in a band or ensemble is fulfilling in a different way than playing solo. Technically, it's simple and boring, but the amount of value you add to a song just by existing as a unique voice in the group is immeasurable.
Bro just laid down some of the most powerful truths about music and being a musician. He’s like Jonathan Livingston Bassist.
All my love foth the reference to Jonathan Seagull. One of the most powerful books out there.
Coming from one of the most technically expressive bassists we’ve ever seen, to hear him bring it back to the basic fundamentals of a good bass line, is amazing.
Amazing? Not really, in fact it is obvious. Of course he knows the fundamentals, he is a very experienced bassist as you stated.
@@matthewlawton9241 soooo true dude… as a former elite basket-baller, now coach of elite 15 to 18 year olds, a bass player, surfer, scientist and business owner ,, nothing could more true … all facts in fact !! 😃 …. the quicker ya learn this in ya life, the better off ya life will be …
@@johnm3187 literalists like yourself are so annoying to talk to and are the worst conversationalists.
" You can play a shoestring if you're sincere"
Coltrane
Probably the best explanation of what "feeling" is that I've ever heard.
Every. Single. Word. He said is 100% on point!! I'll add that this applies to ALL musicians, not just bassists. ♥️🎶✊🏾
Correction: Every MUSICIAN needs to hear this.
Not avant-garde musicians who don't care about it.
Amazing advice! As a _drummer,_ it really resonates because...all too often...drummers get bored and start thinking, "I should be doing more." Then we start _decorating_ the beat and/or throwing in unnecessary fills. One of the things that made Charlie Watts (a highly accomplished and technically masterful Jazz drummer) one of the greatest Rock & Roll drummers of all time is that he could just play a simple beat for several minutes without drawing focus. "My job is to provide a simple, stable platform, so Mick and Keith can shine." Whatever our instrument(s), when we play with others, we are part of something bigger than ourselves...and _individual_ expression at the wrong moment can inhibit the _collective_ emotional creation.
Not to mention we got Michael League just hanging out up there next to Victor acting super regular. No big deal lol. Two of my favorite musicians! I’d like to see more of this.
Victor Wooten:
- play simple, catch people feelings, BB King famous playing 5 notes
Also Victor Wooten:
- plays uber stuff, chords, double thumb slap, tapping, became famous because he is a virtuoso of bass
I'm joking (don't take it too seriously) i love him, amazing human being, teacher and musician
He puts feeling into every one of those flashy licks. A complex web built on a stable foundation.
You aren’t wrong. Neither is Victor. Comical irony!
@P Botrel you didn't get famous for playing simple riff, but you keep people listening. Thats what he said
Fawning simpletons come in every guise... normally liberal apologists for mediocrity.
Your Mama don't know who Victor Wooten is.
1990 Telluride Town Square. Shawn Colvin had just finished a songwriting clinic. Everyone left the square except me. I was just sitting, nice buzz, strumming a few chords. There’s a bass clinic coming up in a few minutes. This guy walks over, plugs in a small bass amp and starts warming up. I can’t help but notice that he’s good. Another minute or two goes by. Now, I can’t help but notice that this guy is really something special. He’s playing super intricate, lightning fast perfect timing. I finally say, “Whoa man, you’re a great player!”
He says, “Thanks, man. I’m Vic”.
Cool story but isnt that what he just said not to do 🤔😂
Shawn Colvin🤔😄
@@alexiswow2434 it was warm up though
@@alexiswow2434 i think very sadly u missed the whole point 😂😂
@@alexiswow2434 it’s a warm up my dude.
Every MUSICIAN needs to hear this
That's why he's the best. He preaches such truth with such conviction. He doesn't just "get" it. He lives it.
That group laughter is a swarm of joy.
I love that
@@say-cred ....and thank you for commenting. I just watched this twice again.
Victor Wooten is the wisest musician to ever walk this Earth. Every time he opens his mouth, people should listen to what he has to say. I'm not deifying the man or anything, he just drops so much musical wisdom, it's astounding.
This has nothing to do with knowledge or "smartness", just pure wisdom.
Radek Szyroki - If you like what he has to say here, you might enjoy reading his book “The Lesson”. I dog eared many of its pages as he imparts a number of bits of musical wisdom.
I think that he is the wisest musician you know, okay no (just kidding) XD
Edit: check out who Benjamin Zander is, another wise musician just like Victor.
Radek Szyroki facts. Saw him at Sam Ash and was almost afraid to speak with him. I did though lol
Man I love Victor, but I have to 100% disagree with the Allan Holdsworth thing he said, I don't the comparison he made was even remotely fair
@Jesus Blackness explain to me .... How?
This is exactly how I feel about Jesus Christ and what he is to me and what he offers. His music is offered to all, but many refuse hear it.
Many have listened, an decided they dont like it
For anyone wondering, if I could remember correctly, the guy fanboying at the left name is Michael League. He is a really great bassist and founder of the mega band "Snarky Puppy".
This took me a LONG time to learn. Flea talks about this as being "generous" with your band. Giving them the space to share the love. In The thing is, if your bored with the simple groove, your doing it wrong, FEEL the groove, dont think, thinking is the enemy. FEEL the grove, drive your fingers with your heart, not your brain. .
Yesss.... amen!
The point is also, when you find something you feel but then cannot do practically/technically, stick around that for a while until you feel more in control of that movement, let it sinks in and become part of your language and vocabulary. Work it our, groove it. Never neglect what your fingers wanted to do but couldn't.
Well put , David yours also.
Basically, playing for others instead of playing for yourself.
“every bassist needs to hear this” trust me they have...
It's refreshing to hear someone so talented basically say, 'Don't play as I do, play how you feel'. Makes a big difference when you know technique isn't everything. No one can teach heart, not even a legend like this
This is so true. In my Heavy Metal Guitar Bible, a music book I picked up in the 80s. I read an anonymous quote that has stuck with me since. "Play as fast as you want but with no feeling it means nothing".
Is that Micheal League with him? So much concentrated bass power in one spot.
I believe that is also one of mike’s vintage p basses that victor wooten is playing
Yup
Ground up music festival look it up go to it these sit downs happen a couple of times a day
IBlind Samurai that would make a lot of sense. I've been wondering why in the world Vic would be playing a P, but then I remembered that's literally all Michael plays
seems to be because of markbass
I know what he’s talking about, when he says feeling. It’s an incredible feeling, when you feel the music, it’s like getting chills but it’s a strange feeling. It’s addicting in a way, and you can only get this feeling from music you truly love
I cant do covers of songs i dont love
Wow, I never knew that quote about how ‘people will forget what you say/do, but will always remember how you made THEM FEEL’, was attributable to Maya Angelou. I first heard Al Jarreau say it in an interview on the Tavis Smiley show, now I hear Victor Wooten talk about the same thing. Ever since I heard Al Jarreau say it, I have been living it myself.
Peace. 🐰💙🎸🎶🤝✌️
“Freddy’s Dead”. Love it. I’m 64 years old, and it brings back awesome memories. As does WAR’s BB Dickerson. Life was simpler back then.
“It’s not about being a great musician; it’s just about playing great songs.”
- Doyle Wolfgang Von Frankenstein
Yes!! I watched that interview!
Literally the opposite of Polyphia
@@pardolagames8994 I can’t tell if you like or dislike Polyphia. I hate them tho. Tim Henson to me is like having the playing talent Ichika Nito while only having the song writing ability of Machine Gun Kelly.
@@fernandoantoniomusic8712 that's exactly what I think
@@pardolagames8994 nice
This man is the definition of cool, knowledge, soul, and a real musician. I love this man.
fucking same man he's so cool
I just realised this is what I love about John Frusciante’s work with RHCP. For example “Can’t Stop” … starts simple - you’re feeling … then the song gets more complicated - now you’re listening. Thanks Victor 😃
Damn, Alan Holdsworth hit me hard. Long live music!
Exactly. A simple melody that most people can hum will stick.
Bass is so beautiful. It’s nowhere to be found but without it there’d be a weird empty place in a lot of songs. Seeing this guy jammin made me happy and smile in litterally 2 seconds.
Laying down bass makes a song come to life
Yet how do you explain When Doves cry ,or Kiss by Prince
Met Victor once many years ago. One of the most genuine people you could ever meet. Great dude.
I got to jam with Victor when he visited my high school in 2003 (I was on keyboard). Legend.
"When you can reach someone with feeling, you can play less techniques." - Thanks for reminding us, Victor.
Mannn ur missing the best part of that line. To me it ends "when you can reach someone with feeling, you can stop playing techniques - and start playing music"
The title of this video should be "EVERY Musician needs to FEEL this"
Long live the king, BB King!!
I WILL ALWAYS GIVE THIS MAN BOTH OF MY EARS WIT NO RESERVATION
The snarky puppy guy sitting beside victor is in "in the zone" listening position. Victor might establish a bass cult.
He already has
Michael League is the P bass guy.
@@peterzelaya4771 you're thinking of Rocco Prestia 🤓
In my early 20s I was all about how fast and complex I could make my bass lines. Had a "crusty old veteran", who was probably younger than I am now, approach me after a show and say something that has stuck with me ever since.
Him "You play pretty good."
Me "Thanks!"
Him "Its not how good you play, its how good what you play is."
It took a good 48 hours to appreciate how much I had been roasted. It took another 10 years or so for me to truly understand what he had told me.
I still show off, and cant lay off adding my own flair to any song I play... But now I am looking for spots where those additions enhance the song. I am making sure my fills/passing notes/counter melodies do not step on anyone else. Most importantly, I now make sure to stay true to the foundation of what I am playing. This results in my flair blending into the overall sonic frequencies instead of trying to stand out from them.
Victor is preaching here, but its not a sermon anyone will understand until they are ready. I guarantee there were bass players in that audience who came away from it with "Victor is amazing, I must slap harder and faster to emulate him" as a take.
damn, if this isnt one extremely insightful and inspiring comment. Thank you for your story :)
that man fucked you up, huh?
@@jasco5001 Not at all, he dropped a nugget of wisdom I needed to hear. Many life lessons are delivered in uncomfortable to painful packages.
If that man had just said I was overplaying, I would have completely blown him off. I am grateful he chose the words he did and am absolutely a better bass player because of his comment.
Verb the Noun That’s word. 💯
You're telling me it took you ten years and two days to understand that simple sentence that he said? Guess I'll see you in ten years when you understand my comment and get around to replying to it.
I enjoy listening to Victor Wooten talk as much I enjoy listening to him play. He's a true American treasure.
I stand in awe, totally blown away by this man’s wisdom. Respect!!
Coming from a bass MONSTER like him, that's quite an endorsement for the bass playing its intended support role (ok, ok, with several notable, and highly talented exceptions to that rule!)
Reminds me of the saying “the perfect is the enemy of the good”
There’s a million musicians who know everything there is to know about music. They have perfect ears, perfect form, great work ethic, know how to compose, know how to engineer, know how to change styles...... why aren’t they all famous? Because while they know everything there is to know about how to make music, they don’t know how to make you feel it. Simple as that. The most famous musicians aren’t always the best.
Victor...beast on bass. Major influence.
Knows the groove. Really enjoy his concepts on sounds.
Victor is just as incredible as a teacher as he is a BASSIST. ICON!
When kids ask me about writing songs, I often point them to musicians like Chuck Berry, Kurt Cobain, Bowie, Oasis etc. Their most well known songs stick with you because of their simplicity. You don't need to have studied music or know about theory to create something that moves people.
He cracked the code to making good music.
I've heard of Allan Holdsworh..there was nobody like him may he rest in peace 🙏!!!!
When I was 7 I went to one of victors concerts and after I waited by his bus for him to sign my bass and then he invited me onto the bus
Absolute legend. I love the way he commands the crowd. He’s so undeniably great that people actually WANT to listen to what he has to say.
i would extend this to every musician needs to hear this, applies to everything, so important
Damn Victor really just broke that down to me. Play and make the audience “feel” your playing and you got them.
As a bassist that has been playing 20+ years. I keep coming back to this video because Victor is a great teacher and can communicate his teachings to non-musicians as well which is extraordinarily rare in people
Gifted intellectually and musically.
He sounds like Denzel Washington. Now I can't get this outta my head.
Bit of Magic Johnson as well
My man
Alien nation * my nigga *
I feel like Victor is one of those who's brought wisdom all his life. Even when he was a little kid he was probably blowing minds. He's intelligent, observant and insightful.
First thing you should learn from Victor is: enjoy it! You’ll never find this man playing without smiling ear to ear!
Preaching the gospel of creativity. It all starts with a feeling, then the music, the painting, the book can emerge.
I love how 'in awe' Michael is.
He is wise and here is a guy that can play anything yet, he preaches simplicity. Amazing
That’s the reason why Eddie Van Halen was so successful, there were so many super-shredders like Yngwie Malmsteen, Steve Vai etc, but who had the most hit songs and made the most money = EVH ... and it was his simple songs that connected to everybody and made everyone remember him. Eddie actually bought his original Frankenstrat guitar body off Allan Holdsworth.
Some Eddie songs are simple but others are not at all, listen to I’m the one isolated or Mean Street and tell me those are simple.
Edward did NOT play simple songs.
Ha ha no he didn’t. It was from the manufacturer “Boogie Bodies” and it was a factory “second” which means it likely had minor cosmetic issues. He bought the “second” because it was cheaper and he was a broke musician. He did however admire Holdsworth playing.
Like Victor said here, “People will remember how you made them feel” - Eddie Van Halen made them feel. Its not necessarily a matter of his playing being simple/complex. He just didn’t let any of his ungodly techniques get in the way of conveying the feeling
@@stevieflowersbeats1506 shut up boomers
If there were only simple music and feel music
Classical nd jazz wouldnt have been ever made by humans
And arguably these genrrs are the pinnacle of human achievement in music.
Every musician needs to read Victor Wooten’s book The Music Lesson . . . a musically life changing read. ☝️🥴🎵🎶🎵
One of my all time favorite reads for both music and life lessons!
He is such a genius. How else can you explain this insight into music? Freedom in artistry is what he is about. Saw him live a few times (I feel so lucky) and he is spot on about feelings. He can play music so well that you can move from joy to melancholy to tears. Thank God for VLW. He was and still is an innovator and a game changer who touched so many musicians lives-including mine.
Agree 100% 😎👍🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
I love that Michael League is just sitting there blown away the whole time!
I was there, sitting just in front of him. Ground Up 2018 fest. Michael was listening him and began crying at some point. It was that strong. I remember from what he had said "when you call you mother you say two syllables and she recognizes you. How many notes do you need to play in order to people recognize your music?"
Btw Wooten was just killing on double bass that time.
Damn. Going on 15 years of playing, and that's the best thing I've ever heard about bass.
For those of you that are trying to find the name of the song from the first bassline. It is “Freddie’s Dead” by Curtis Mayfield
Thanks a lot. Thank you so much.
Victor playing an old (Michaels) P Bass. Something I wish would happen more often.
BB was one of those rare musicians, who could play one note, and you knew it was him
BB, Mark Knopfler and a few more. Instant recognizable
How cool is it to hear Victor play on such a smooth sounding, classical type of bass?!
FFS Michael Legend's face the entire time. So awesome seeing talented folks humbled and fanboying in the presence of greatness.
I've seen him live several times. The man is brilliant, down to earth and real. He connects without being pretentious.
His book "The Music Lesson" is a gem!
It's a must read for every musician
This is the same approach that comes to any art creation, so unbelievably wise of him to lay it out like that.
EVERYONE needs to hear this
True
When Victor Wooten speaks, I listen.
Who else immediately had to look up Holdsworth cause they didnt know who he was. Glad I did, dude was fantastic
I didn't but he is right. Technical virtuosity garners respect from other musicians. Hummable songs garner record and ticket sales. RIP Holdsworth
Dude is a legend, from Nashville with vibes!
Even the tone of his voice and wisdom is gold
I had a teacher tell me “you know how to play the instrument, and you know you know how to play it. Don’t get lost trying to prove it or impressing the audience, because they’ll clap regardless.”
As many have already commented, this applies to more than just bassists. A lot of what Ringo Starr did for the Beatle's comes to mind for example, and Mr. Wooten used BB King as another.
Took me a few moments to recognize Michael League as the guy tweaking on his rig and sat down next to Mr. Wooten, hands to face :) Mr. League is an awesome bassist and writer/creator (see Snarky Puppy) yet fully immersed into what Mr. Wooten is sharing with the crowd.
Meh, no one was listening to The Beatles for Ringo...
How dare you compare Ringo Starr to Victor Wooten! One of them was a revolutionary bassist the other was an absolutely sh*t drummer
@@Guppusmaximus not if you are listening yellow submarine
"When you can reach someone with feeling you can play less techniques": I agree, Victor Wooten is the best technician
If someone has a full video, please send it to me, I would appreciate that A LOT🔥🔥🔥
Was introduced to Mr. Wootten when 'Three Flew Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest' was released.
Thank you Mr. Fleck
R.I.P. Allan Holdsworth though.
Holdsworth and Gambale are my favourite guitarists.
r.i.p. Allan :(
Holdsworth’s work did make emotional connections with me and with many others. He was both extraordinary and very human.
What?!? I wasn’t aware of his death I’m shocked.
I understand what Victor meant to say, but musicians aren't just looking for popularity.
If it's business, he's right, but music is also art.
I love Allan's music so much, R.I.P.
He died in 2017... nothing new.