How To Play Reggae Bass like Robbie Shakespeare
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 7 ก.พ. 2025
- In this tutorial we dive into the style of the bass legend Robbie Shakespeare who along with long time drumming partner Sly Dunbar have taken reggae to places it had never ventured before. Download free backing track and PDF here www.reggaebass...
If you found this tutorial helpful and would like to support the channel feel free to buy me a coffee.
ko-fi.com/dons...
Download free backing track and pdf's here www.reggaebasshub.com/robbie-shakespeare-shine-eye
RIP Robbie! Master!
As a bassplayer of 30 years it is great to have someone go into detail on dub bass lines. Keep it up!
Thanks man
Sir you are an absolute Gentleman and scholar--- Reggae Bass 🔊is deceptively easy on first hearing then you put the cans on & there's a whole orchestra going on there.
Your method of breaking it down and giving us great Reggae Roadmaps is just superb
Thanks
Harry Blue x
I've been a guitar and bass player for 44 years.
I'm recording an original light-rock/reggae song, and when I play a bass line, it always goes towards light rock (because my reggae bass game is weak), but I want the bass to be real reggae.
I don't think I have ever found a music instruction TH-cam channel so perfectly inline with what I need to learn, right now!
Thank you!
Thank you
He’s my hero. Sly + Robbie’s ‘Reggae Greats’ LP changed my life. (It was later rereleased as ‘A Dub Experience’.) It’s basically a dub rework of their Black Uhuru production ‘Chill Out’
Fly away home to Zion Robbie, what a legend, his rock solid basslines and slides will live on forever. Thanks for the music you left us with.
I’m half Jamaican and Mexican, I grew up listening to a lot of reggae (through my dad) and the bass always spoke to my soul, to make the long story short, I recently got an acoustic bass and you really helped me get in touch with my roots so I love and thank you for that 🙏 keep up the amazing content 🙌
Welcome to the revolution👊🏾
Como se llama tu papá? conozco varios músicos de Jamaica que viven en México :) he tocado con algunos!
Bass is what speaks to the soul
Best reggae bass
teacher I have watched
Thank you
Yes I
Robbie Shakespeare is fantastic, his bass playin' is downright irresistible
Agreed!!!
Robbie and Sly are one of the most irresistible rhythm sections in music for me. 😀
ALL bass players should study reggae no matter what kind of music they play..
Totally agree!!! Definitely makes me play differently when I play other styles of music.
Amen to that!
Yeah drums too
totally! I listen to a lot of heavy metal music...but damn...I must say that learning raggae does open another door to grooving and songwriting
The bass line to Shine Eye Gal from the Showcase LP (1979) is deeper and heavier.
I miss and love Basspeare. Humble greatest basso player
That groove... it gets in your soul. I can *feel* that you *feel* it. It's a cosmic vibration travelling from you to me. I already have a job but I'm even more convinced I want to be a reggae bass player when I grow up.
Well... You can always have 2 jobs🤣
@@donstrumental1 You make a good point. For a first bass, do you feel like it's better to try to find something used, or purchase something new but priced modestly? By the way, thank you for the videos, they really speak to me.
@@OTOss8 th-cam.com/video/mw1URTKHwjg/w-d-xo.html this is a great bass for a first bass, you wouldn’t need another. Probably around $250
What a bassline Robbie really was a true reggae bass legend, and there’s no one better to teach these basslines to us reggae lovers than Don , imho best reggae channel on TH-cam, 🙏🏴🇬🇳thanks Don 🇨🇬
RIP Robbie 🇯🇲
RIP ROBBIE 🙏🏽❤💯
Pfffft. The world doesn't deserve Donstrumental -Give thanks!
(10/10)
Haha!!! You're welcome👊🏾
thanks for the lesson. i grew up playing rock and roll and rhythm and blues. when i heard reggae bass i was flabbergasted.
Big ups Don, Them style ya. The way you combine classic bassology w/ music theory & creativity - The professor, to the max! Bless, Richie
Thanks Richie
RIP robbie Shakespeare 😭😭😭🙏 #onewest# #entertainment#
You and reggae bass are a partnership, i wish i was half as good as you Don.
I really appreciate your giving details on assembling the pieces and then PLAYIN' the damn thing.
every lesson i learn so much
Wow I wish I had seen this earlier. RIP Robbie Shakespeare! Long live Sly & Robbie!
As a guitarist I follow your lessons for bass tracking exercises and it’s made a huge difference in my playing
Thinking outside the box. Guitarist can use the content here too. I like that👍🏾
still one of my favourites from all of your tutorials: looping 11:30 til 13:00, over and over... 🤩
I really appreciate that you use standard notation as well as the TAB. Thanks for that.
Thanks Luke👊🏾
You are a very good teacher, helping me to play the way i'd ever wanted to play
Thank you Robert👊🏾
Thanks for the great lesson, sir. With this bass line, I can keep myself grooving for hours. So much fun.
Very good..., 🙏💚💛❤️blessing..
Thank you
To me, this is the right way to approach music. Explore the spirit of whatever moves us, but keep it a creative venture.
Thank you, I was amazed at the amount of people that want an alternative to speed bass playing.
@@donstrumental1 I'm collecting a band for playing what's referred to as "world beat" music, and reggae plays a big part of the "world sound." It's amazing that a music form from a minority population on tiny little island of 2,000,000 inhabitants can influence music from places as widespread as the US, South Africa, Turkey, Spain, and Israel.
Robbie left us alone, all reggae bass lovers are now sad, I'm pretty sure. RIP Robbie, hope he's in peace with his jazz bass. Another genius has passed away.
Ya man....this is the real Reggae sound. I'l love it and i like the way you teach. Keep up.....greetings from Holland.
Thanks bro
Excellent Sir thankyou, what a fantastic teacher you make it look so easy,
Totally awesome 👌. Thankyou. I love how you break it all down and the process you use to bring it up to full speed. I've been playing bass for 50 years and am always learning. Love these " Master classes "🎸🎼
Fantastic thanks brother!! R.i.p Robbie, always remember your awsome bassline as a child and always beasslines in my blood! Blessings to all🙌🙏✝️💟
yes yes yes! i pressed like before even watching it. I swear I was hoping the next video would be on Robbie Shakespeare. Thank you!!!
Thank you. Guess who’s next!!!
@@donstrumental1 I think you already revealed it in one of the comments. Family Man
I actually dig this Donstrumental Riddim more and more !!!
Jah...bless... ONE LOVE
One Mama Africa....
Umoja na Amani...
Great job my brother...
Keep it up....
One Love Brother
Love your style of teaching dude.
I appreciate that!
Very nice Reggae lines and also your pedagogic style is amazing.
I saw Bob ! Thank you for these funky cool lines. Damn that's good. Yuma, AZ.
I can only wish i saw Bob. You're Welcome.
Maximum respect from Mexico!! You're a great bassie
Thank you Roberto
Hi mate
I find your videos very Well done and so useful.
If I was still living in the UK I would be knocking at your door every day a any hour
Cheers bud
Best reggae bass tutorials ever: big up yourself, family
Good stuff...I dig the exercises of making your own bass lines...Enjoy the coffee
Big Respect👊🏾
Hey @Donstrumental Im a long time reggae listener and now learning to play the drums. I really appreciate the hard work you put in to these videos, they are very well made and you are an excellent teacher. Big up brother! Keep em coming
Thank you. If you would like the tracks without drums to play along drop an email to donstrumental@gmail.com
I used to often wake up thinking about Robbie, visualizing what it took to get so deep. That tough sound with the groove-bounce. Legendary roots. When Joe Higgs and the Wailing Souls teamed up as Attaras for "Brimstone & Fire," they couldn't've picked a better rhythm section. Robbie? Or on "Temptation" by the Itals - there's no question. "Lift Up Your Conscience" by Israel Vibration, Robbie again. Tough riddim, consistently.
It's all Robbie's personality. How he looks is how he sounds👊🏾
An amazing 13 minute master class on Robbie Basspeare and reggae bass in general! There's so much advice and rock solid playing here. Thanks for making the effort to put this video together.
Thank you so much. I've started bass guitar 8 months ago and I'm trying to be regular in my practice. Your lesson is very clearly explained and very inspiring. The sound of your bass is just pure unadulterated reggae..... it is perfect
I hope this video helps you on your journey.
Thanks Don brother, great video man,
I hope you are well & good 😉👊🏽
Love your channel and your playing. Thank you
I really admire your teaching skills.
My good sir, you are awesome.
Thank you.
Great stuff thanks for sharing ...
You’re welcome
Yes! Simply brilliant combinations. Subconsciously (and often consciously) my improvised grooves are based on something I already know. Great teaching, Don. Thanks.
my goal when playing reggae is to see if i can avoid any improvisation at all. I listened to a lot of soul and funk growing up so it was a challenge switching hats to play reggae.
@@donstrumental1 Wow, that's a new insight for me. Thanks, Don, I will now start to create non-improvised reggae bass lines. I just checked out a couple more of your tutorial videos ... and they are extremely helpful.
I like what you’re doing sharing the music , please listen to shine eye girl again ..bless
Terrific lesson, thank you!
Thank you
Many thanks for the great quality !!!
Real Roots music 👍👌
Thank you
Wow nice to see these kind of videos! Can you believe I was growing up in Russia and since 12 years old I'm strictly hooked on reggae music and the first album that was explored by me is Black Uhuru's "Sensimillia"...Unfortunately back then there was no any explanation of how to play reggae so I've learned it by myself but only at the keys, but maybe now I can try it with the bass:)
Respect and keep doin it ✊️
Hi Don, thank u so much for share all that great bass lines!
You're Welcome
mate! I love these lessons. Coming from a background of heavy metal this opens doors to rythm, songwriting and grooving! I can't thank you enough
Another great video from Sir Don 👍👍
Thank you Paul
Hey man, Ive been finding your videos very helpful.
Glad to help
Reggae lover here! That was excellent! Sadly, I only play bass (cello and piano) in my dreams at night! Haven't learned yet!
Go get that bass Margery😀
I love playing this sort of reggae Robbie Shakespeare is one of my favourites just learnt this thank you.👍👏🏻
Have me wanting to put on that record, I have not heard in years, Big influence on me growing up, Much Love and thank you, Sir for this ✌ ❤ 🔊 🎶
Great video. Nice and easy to follow
Thank You.
100% right in your description of his playing as “attitude”. That captures his feel so well
Yes Don!! Loving these tutorial
#RobbieSauce
Thank you, just given me an idea to take to Dragons Den. Robbie Robbie Sauce👊🏾
@@donstrumental1 lol
Don, you did it again!
Clear explanation, sublime examples, positive vibes.
Don't stop giving these great tips.
Thanks Nick, glad you’re finding the videos useful.
Brilliant teaching method
Many thanks
How come i only got to know you now?
Great teaching. Love the groove. Hope to learn more from you.
Plenty more for you brother.
@@donstrumental1 thank you. Been playing bass since high school, but whenever i want to play the reggae style, i always find it hard. Like, i love the feeling, but i can't interpret it in my play.
Thanks for the video. It feels like i have played reggae for many years, your backing tracks gives me so much confidence. Thanks Jah bless
Thank you.
Taking the riddim from one bassline and inserting it in another bassline is a great idea! I try to hear the bassline as a fundamental African "drum" which riddim defines the music both rhythmically and harmonically. Great lesson, very informative without getting too 'technical.' Robbie does tend to use his thumb instead of fingers to pick tho, not sure if that adds more "meat" to the pluck but sure is effective for Robbie!
I had my eureka moment when I worked out that if you focus on the rhythm and not the notes you will never be short of ideas. Robbie uses thumb and fingers, he also doesn’t play anywhere near the neck like text book reggae says you should.
Solid as always Don...Rocksteady!
Man, I just love your channel. This is a lesson not just about groove, but for what the BASS is made for, an enveloping percussive machine. Thanks, and keep with te videos
very cool !!!!! i think I can do it , im gonna try and show you soon !!!!!
Looking forward to it.
Clean, Shape, Precise and Class my man!!
Appreciate it!
Robbie was the best of the best. Thank you for such great and clear instruction. Your videos are very helpful.
Lovely jazz bass ....
Fender Jazz Elite, monster tone👊🏾
I love the subtlety in that way of playing. Thank you for such a clear and helpful demonstration.
You're very welcome!
Wicked Bass Line Don
Great lesson! Looking forward to more!
Thank you
Loved how you are keeping it simple for us newbies out there. Nice bass too.
Simple is everything
Many thanks to the musician for sharing with the people.
True blessing I
Robbie has been one of my biggest influences, he's solid heavy and creative. Love all the Black Uhuru
You’re welcome
keep it up!
Wow just discoved the materials on the drive, amazing. Thanks man! I'll def buy you a coffee soon.
I let the ad play for you bro
I haven't played bass in about 6 months. It makes me feel kind of nervous every time I think of picking it up and playing a few songs. I really want to play some reggae vibes though, I think this channel will help me to get back into it again.
What are you nervous about? One note at a time.
This channel is amazing. Awesome content all the way. Subbed
Thanks for subbing
Excellent lesson Don!
Your teaching Reggae Bass really good bro
Thank you
Thanks so much for letting us download these backing tracks and score etc. Really enlightening!
Thank you for your wisdom and guidance. Right on time. quality video. Well thought out and awesome lesson.
Fabulous
Some great teaching here. Your videos are really well made and your instructions super clear. I am not only learning to groove but also how to create a good bass line. You are the coolest guy on youtube man.
Thanks man, happy the tutorial is working for you.
Thanks, very inspiring. Have been listening and playing Robbie Dub for decades, but never heard it so clearly. I'm done, into my bass-dungeon for another sizzling' session.
RIP Robbie Shakespeare - great video btw!
Man you are amazing! Great teacher!