Gary was the biggest reason why I dropped out of university and left my full scholarship at UNT. I had a private lesson with him my sophomore year (last one of the day) and he let me come to the bar with him afterwards and over a drink he let me grill him about his life as one of the most successful jazz bassists (what I wanted to become). The stark reality of the life he described was so shocking to me (and later backed up by several other bassists I had the honour of meeting and studying with) that it snapped me out of my idealized picture of what life as a jazz bassist might look like. I dropped out a few months after that lesson. Smartest decision I ever made in my life. Moved back home to Canada, built myself a career. Later spent 7 years touring with a band for fun while on vacation from my new career and later got married and had 2 kids. It's sometimes bittersweet watching videos like this and thinking that had I not met Gary when and how I did, and had he not been so honest and forthright with me, I may have stayed on that track. While that path may be right for some, and in some cases the only path, it was NOT the path for me. I'm happy to dust my fretless off once in a while and play Gary's Bowlegged until my fingers bleed from lack of calluses. 🙂
Neil..Great story and very wise information to pass along to all us former wanna be and future bass player profi's..the dream is strong when we are young as is the desire..we practice for years and years, play in all kinds of bands, go to school to learn and become better and go to sleep dreaming of being this great in demand jazz/fusion/funk bassist..the reality is very different..It was very brave, honest and forthright of Gary to open up about his place in the world..I had a similar conversation with him over here in Europe when he was touring with Tribal Tech back in the late 90's..after a gig, I helped the band pack up and load into the van, afterword we had a chance to hang..very enlightening..I continued down the "trying to be a full time bassist road" for some time and with the time realized I too needed to drop out..Similar situation to yourself..I'm also from Canada but stayed put here in Europe, started a career, got married and had 2 kids..the loves of my life..Life's lessons eh..!! Peace
Im glad to see Im not the only guy who never tires of Gary's solo on "The Big Wave" and "Self Defense" 25 years later, and they're still my favorites. Great analysis of how he came up with it...thanks!
I met Gary back in the 1990’s. Tribal Tech at The Troubadour. I was outside before the show, when Gary came out too… cap Hawaiian(¿) shirt, blue jeans. Looking so comfortable. I said hi, and he responded kindly mentioning something about the weather being nice! It was nice out …West Hollywood. 🤗 Great human!
What a bass player! Willis must be an alien… And how fantastic do these fretless F-basses sound…. Alain Caron discovered that all right a hundred years ago.
Gary willis is such a beast!! I also love scott's reactions in this video hahah thanks Scott there was so many great tricks in this video (i really liked the harmonic technique - definitely using that one)
Gary was one of the tutors at BIT in Hollywood whilst I was studying there around 1987, I haven’t played much in the last 30 years but watching these videos has inspired me to dust off my bass and see if my fingers will cooperate
Willis is Ridiculous !! Has been many decades . Many never heard him play standards too in a trio. Slams that also! Nice man, super intelligent and as good as anyone post Jaco playing fretless. Hear him blow hours on Giant Steps/ Humpty Dumpty. Willis is humble and a savage at same time. Massive respect to…. HEY WILLIS!!
Oh God! This is so good. I just am so addict now! I started following you way back. Inspired me to get back to my shed. Then it got to the point where I felt the need for more serious stuff. And you built this incredible team around you to create your academy. Best thing ever. Year after year as I improve with your créative help. This video gives me a chance to plunge deeper into an other level. Your enthusiasm is shared 100 % from my part. Thanks to you all and looking forward for this next year coming as an SBL student.
Living in the desert my whole life (Tucson, AZ and Las Vegas, NV), I've played my share of outdoor gigs, both on bass and drums, when it was 100°F. Definitely not my favorite, but hey, playing live is always overall great. And yes, I remember 1995 well!
Gary does use rest strokes on his right hand. He explaines it that REH video & he explains he uses rest stroke on your SBL Gary Willis Module 1 Live Seminar Recording @ 44 minute mark. Gary says he uses rest strokes for more bottom as opposed to free strokes.
Lol. what i've learned is that Gary can be "polite" when he's recording, if you've heard him play live in a smaller venue he rips it, levels above even what's here. I've got some great recordings, it's a shame there is so much clipping or id have posted them.
Uno dei più grandi bassisti al mondo è il grandissimo Dario Deidda. E' assurdo che ne ignori completamente l'esistenza. Con tutto il rispetto per Gary Willis.
If You want to hear sometring really crazy by Gary Willis check out the "What Has He Had?" from Tribal Tech's "Thick" album at the 3:15, i still don't understand what is happening there, sounds like he plays on the leg thick floating bridge wires :D
95 I was a crazy misfit teenager just starting out on bass. Trying to find time away from the partying to learn ............therefore took longer to get to a point were I could Actually play ....lmfao.......I was a stupid kid , but wouldn’t change a thing🤣😂🤣
Question for all you fretless guys....does a Ebony fretboard ever need to be refinished? I say that cause I don’t bend notes on mine but even with careful playing it’s getting a bit pitted (not bad) in some spots so I switched to flat wounds for now. I have the GWB205e
Get it coated or just buy a bass that has a phenolic fingerboard....you won't be disappointed. The 3k GWB model is phenolic, the cheaper (original) one was ebony...go figure, since good ebony is more expensive than phenolic resin. Flatwounds are only good IMO if you want to simulate an upright bass. For that midrangy growl, its not an option...you have to have roundwounds. Jaco coated his fingerboard because he saw that it was getting eaten up, but you lose tone if you dont have them. Dead/old roundwounds can always simulate the sound of flats, but flats will never be able to duplicate roundwounds. The only cheaper basses (that I know of) that have phenolic fingerboards are the Fender Squier VM ( a great bass, BTW, dont let the Squier name deter you) and MTD's fretlesses. You can get used MTD fretlesses on guitarcenter.used.com for about 400 - 1000 depending on the model...they're a steal, and the Squier VM is about 299 brand new...but I play 5 string. otherwise I wouldn't have sold my VM. I think once you go phenolic, and you hear how much better you cut thru the mix with a band, you'll never go back to wood.
@@bannanapancake No problem, brother....I wasted a LOT of money on other fretlesses until I discovered phenolic. GC now has a 6 mo return policy so you got plenty of time to test drive whatever you end up with. Good luck!
I have personally have never been impressed with how many notes can be played in a second... Compared to how his talent shines through at the 8:50 mark....
![Gary Willis - Progressive Bassics [Full Instructional VHS]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/GeGOTnYYWjI/mqdefault.jpg)
Gary is such a stud. The most underrated of all the greats!
Gary was the biggest reason why I dropped out of university and left my full scholarship at UNT. I had a private lesson with him my sophomore year (last one of the day) and he let me come to the bar with him afterwards and over a drink he let me grill him about his life as one of the most successful jazz bassists (what I wanted to become). The stark reality of the life he described was so shocking to me (and later backed up by several other bassists I had the honour of meeting and studying with) that it snapped me out of my idealized picture of what life as a jazz bassist might look like.
I dropped out a few months after that lesson. Smartest decision I ever made in my life. Moved back home to Canada, built myself a career. Later spent 7 years touring with a band for fun while on vacation from my new career and later got married and had 2 kids.
It's sometimes bittersweet watching videos like this and thinking that had I not met Gary when and how I did, and had he not been so honest and forthright with me, I may have stayed on that track. While that path may be right for some, and in some cases the only path, it was NOT the path for me. I'm happy to dust my fretless off once in a while and play Gary's Bowlegged until my fingers bleed from lack of calluses. 🙂
Neil..Great story and very wise information to pass along to all us former wanna be and future bass player profi's..the dream is strong when we are young as is the desire..we practice for years and years, play in all kinds of bands, go to school to learn and become better and go to sleep dreaming of being this great in demand jazz/fusion/funk bassist..the reality is very different..It was very brave, honest and forthright of Gary to open up about his place in the world..I had a similar conversation with him over here in Europe when he was touring with Tribal Tech back in the late 90's..after a gig, I helped the band pack up and load into the van, afterword we had a chance to hang..very enlightening..I continued down the "trying to be a full time bassist road" for some time and with the time realized I too needed to drop out..Similar situation to yourself..I'm also from Canada but stayed put here in Europe, started a career, got married and had 2 kids..the loves of my life..Life's lessons eh..!! Peace
Epic! Now we need a times where Scott went beast mode. He deserves credit for being a beast of a player as well!
Richard bona beast mode please !!!!!!!!!!!!
About him, beast mode is always on.
Mani Shahedi of course
Yes
I'd love to see that
Haven´t we all seen him a million times doing that...
I can't stand jazz, but Gary makes me listen in awe!!!!
He’s an absolute monster player, no question!
Im glad to see Im not the only guy who never tires of Gary's solo on "The Big Wave" and "Self Defense" 25 years later, and they're still my favorites. Great analysis of how he came up with it...thanks!
respect man. you link to paid classes but you still teach us something for free. thats the way
Puh, fantastic Fretless Sound in the FBass
3 times? I think he goes beast mode in almost every song. :)
I met Gary back in the 1990’s. Tribal Tech at The Troubadour. I was outside before the show, when Gary came out too… cap Hawaiian(¿) shirt, blue jeans. Looking so comfortable. I said hi, and he responded kindly mentioning something about the weather being nice! It was nice out …West Hollywood. 🤗 Great human!
What a DUDE right?!
@@devinebass yes, sir! :D
Gary Willis isn't underrated among musicians, but among "regular" folks he is.
I think Willis has outclassed Pastorious actually.
What a bass player! Willis must be an alien… And how fantastic do these fretless F-basses sound…. Alain Caron discovered that all right a hundred years ago.
Gary willis is such a beast!! I also love scott's reactions in this video hahah thanks Scott there was so many great tricks in this video (i really liked the harmonic technique - definitely using that one)
Hey Scott, George Lewis here. Really digging the video, thanks for sharing.
Gary was one of the tutors at BIT in Hollywood whilst I was studying there around 1987, I haven’t played much in the last 30 years but watching these videos has inspired me to dust off my bass and see if my fingers will cooperate
Do it!! 😀
THIS IS AN AWESOME VIDEO
1:07 oh yes, I remember well when my bigger brother got his Gameboy and I got a mere drawing book. I'll never forget it
Kirk is the icing on the cake of that rhythm section.
Willis is Ridiculous !! Has been many decades . Many never heard him play standards too in a trio. Slams that also!
Nice man, super intelligent and as good as anyone post Jaco playing fretless. Hear him blow hours on Giant Steps/ Humpty Dumpty. Willis is humble and a savage at same time. Massive respect to….
HEY WILLIS!!
best bass player ever imo
Best fretless bassist ever.
This is awesome!!! congratulations for having Gary Willis on this lessons!
I agree. Tribal Tech=beast mode.
Oh God! This is so good. I just am so addict now! I started following you way back. Inspired me to get back to my shed. Then it got to the point where I felt the need for more serious stuff. And you built this incredible team around you to create your academy. Best thing ever. Year after year as I improve with your créative help. This video gives me a chance to plunge deeper into an other level. Your enthusiasm is shared 100 % from my part. Thanks to you all and looking forward for this next year coming as an SBL student.
GW is an absolute monster! I love his version of The Chicken.
Great stuff. I appreciate you sharing how the cool bits are composed or why they work (pentatonics). Gary is a monster player AND teacher.
I love that song the big wave that’s the song that got me in to tribal tech
Living in the desert my whole life (Tucson, AZ and Las Vegas, NV), I've played my share of outdoor gigs, both on bass and drums, when it was 100°F. Definitely not my favorite, but hey, playing live is always overall great. And yes, I remember 1995 well!
Gary Willis is a monster!! Nice video!!
SLAMMING LESSON!!! Thanks Scott.
beast mode series is a great shout
Excellent, Awesome and Amazing! 😁👊🏾
Speaking of Beast Mode --> Linley Marthe... please show him some well deserved love. So unique!!!
I LOVE these beast mode videos.
haven't seen a recent video in a while. your production, design, content and entertainment value are all aces. no wonder you're #1 !
Can’t wait for the course to start
Please do a ‘when Michael league went beast mode’
Tetsuo Sakurai beast mode on Casiopea - Domino line please!
Awesome bringing out the fretless. Nice GW sound Scotty
Chris Squire - Fish out of water or any Anthony Jackson! :D
Oh, the harmonic slide
Hi Scott! Would you consider doing an interview or instructional video with Stuart Zender? Please 😎
Great work man this is Kirk
I love these videos
I know this is about Gary's beast mode, but a shout out to the drummer! He's going crazy
Gary master of masters !
Gary does use rest strokes on his right hand. He explaines it that REH video & he explains he uses rest stroke on your SBL Gary Willis Module 1 Live Seminar Recording @ 44 minute mark. Gary says he uses rest strokes for more bottom as opposed to free strokes.
I was 15. Hadn't yet realized I wanted to play an instrument yet.
Sickkkk video
Nice ideas 💡
I will add to my bag of tricks 😉
I've signed up for the master class before but it was over my head... will try it again!
Niels Henning Ørsted Pederson beast mode is due
Richard Bona Beast Mode Please!
Mr Gary! 🤩
I'm bad with all these scales, chords and everything. I just play on the dots mostly and it seems to sound good 😂
Great bass sounds and technical elements. Also good right hand sound experimenting. That right hand playing style is also used by Mike Pope
Lol. what i've learned is that Gary can be "polite" when he's recording, if you've heard him play live in a smaller venue he rips it, levels above even what's here. I've got some great recordings, it's a shame there is so much clipping or id have posted them.
The best
Is the first tune Havona? Scott Henderson has such a unique tone...Been binging some Vital Tech Tones lately
Bona beast mode & scott beast mode!
Gary Willis,really a big cat! :-)
LOL... I turned 21 in 1995.
I would request Victor Wooten, or Billy Sheehan beast mode videos, but those guy only have that one mode.😜😉😎
Very unique picking hand style
definitely, Gary's plucking hand system is really singular!
Uno dei più grandi bassisti al mondo è il grandissimo Dario Deidda. E' assurdo che ne ignori completamente l'esistenza. Con tutto il rispetto per Gary Willis.
Love how whilst watching the video of the beast mode, you look back at the camera with a serious grinding bass face!
Thanks for uploading such deep content! Glove is to protect strings ?
It's funny how a lot of bass players changed their approach to bass playing... after Jaco. (this sound is absolutely Jaco's)
Thank you for sharing. Might I ask, what brand is that matte black electric bass? Keep up the great work! Cheers
If You want to hear sometring really crazy by Gary Willis check out the "What Has He Had?" from Tribal Tech's "Thick" album at the 3:15,
i still don't understand what is happening there, sounds like he plays on the leg thick floating bridge wires :D
Ok...let's talk about that F Bass for just a minute...
I wonder what model is that? It's beautiful!
Stanley Clarke or Cliff Burton next pls
Did Gary Willis ever write a song called Wha' Choo Talkin' 'Bout, Willis? If not, he should.
Gary's right hand technique is high black magic.
Great video! So when we can find theory tutorials about what pentatonic possible to use when playing over the cord?
Maybe heresy to say this, but this is impressive bass playing that just leaves me cold musically.
Do I have to have a membership in order to enroll in the masterclass?
Not me livin in Texas where 100 is below average summer day...
95 I was a crazy misfit teenager just starting out on bass. Trying to find time away from the partying to learn ............therefore took longer to get to a point were I could Actually play ....lmfao.......I was a stupid kid , but wouldn’t change a thing🤣😂🤣
Scott. Its the ideas that matter more than chops or ability
What kind of gloves you are using while playing bass? And to be specific whats the name of its brand and its name itself? Thank you. God bless
Hey Scott, what pickups are u using in that black bass?
Probably aguilars
What’s the silver fretless that Gary is using?!
What Bass are you playing in your video?
Question for all you fretless guys....does a Ebony fretboard ever need to be refinished?
I say that cause I don’t bend notes on mine but even with careful playing it’s getting a bit pitted (not bad) in some spots so I switched to flat wounds for now. I have the GWB205e
It will certainly wear. A light touch helps. Metal vs wood. Metal will win but the fretboard should last a long time.
John Bae - appreciated, thanks!
Get it coated or just buy a bass that has a phenolic fingerboard....you won't be disappointed. The 3k GWB model is phenolic, the cheaper (original) one was ebony...go figure, since good ebony is more expensive than phenolic resin.
Flatwounds are only good IMO if you want to simulate an upright bass. For that midrangy growl, its not an option...you have to have roundwounds. Jaco coated his fingerboard because he saw that it was getting eaten up, but you lose tone if you dont have them.
Dead/old roundwounds can always simulate the sound of flats, but flats will never be able to duplicate roundwounds.
The only cheaper basses (that I know of) that have phenolic fingerboards are the Fender Squier VM ( a great bass, BTW, dont let the Squier name deter you) and MTD's fretlesses. You can get used MTD fretlesses on guitarcenter.used.com for about 400 - 1000 depending on the model...they're a steal, and the Squier VM is about 299 brand new...but I play 5 string. otherwise I wouldn't have sold my VM.
I think once you go phenolic, and you hear how much better you cut thru the mix with a band, you'll never go back to wood.
centra bass -huh, I’ll look into that for sure, I appreciate your time thanks.
@@bannanapancake No problem, brother....I wasted a LOT of money on other fretlesses until I discovered phenolic. GC now has a 6 mo return policy so you got plenty of time to test drive whatever you end up with. Good luck!
What bass is this? Thanks
don't forget 'bout kirk covington
🤘🏻🤘🏻🤘🏻
john paul jones beast mode
What bass is that Scott is playing?
Silly question but anyone have recordings / video of Gary on a fretted bass?
Check out an album he did with Jeff Richman. Also Tribal Tech's Elvis At The Hop. Gary played more often a lot in his earlier carrer.
Actually there are 12 different places you can play that particular pentatonic scale:)
Doesn't Gary Willis wake up in Beast mode?!?😂
I have personally have never been impressed with how many notes can be played in a second... Compared to how his talent shines through at the 8:50 mark....
I must be missing something
Jaco pilfer Ed the riff from joe z from his time In weather report
yo why tf am i so early
What's Scott's bass?
Looks like an F Bass
Ho
Lee
Sh*t!
Tony Levin?
Why the glove ????