Picked up bass at age 13 listening to Primus. My HS band teacher was a black gospel bassist and when he heard me listening to Primus said “he’s just playing recycled Larry Graham riffs!!” He gave me the Graham Central Station record with “Hair” and I was blown away. Single most important moment in my bass journey. Jaco came next and made me consider quitting 😂
As a guitarist, I enjoy your vids quite a bit, thank you very much. A youtuber once said that the reason he got better at the guitar was that he learned bass. I think it's very important to know your pockets no matter what you play. Thank you for your work dude.
This tune is from Graham Central Station's first album.Larry had just left Sly and the Family Stone ,apparently with some accrimony.Around 73.Release Yourself is probably their best album.Line-ups changed.Eventually Larry went solo and had a couple of ballad hits(80s?)Then nowt for decades.I think he became a lay preacher.Then about 10 years ago he picked up his bass and came to UK.I wish more people knew about how wicked a player he really is.
I always been a fan of Sly, Scott. Unfortunately, when I was young there was no internet. Other basses guarded their "trade secrets" when they learned a hot riff. You're a great teacher and a blessing to basses everywhere. Thanks for the incredible lesson!
yeah. its a tough one. I started playing along with the track, and only playing the few notes I could get right... but made sure I got them right, and in the right time, and then added more notes and more until I am... nearly... playing all of the notes. 2 weeks later and I only just figured out the timing on that glis, slide, slide part he does.
Love this riff, and hearing various players' takes on it... but keep coming back to listen to yours! The subtle bits of how you hang on parts or emphasize parts... would never show up in transcription, yet just makes your playing of it nail it how I feel the riff
Hi Scott! I've been a touring bass player and did a lot studio session recordings over the last 35 years. You have a ton of great advice even for us old school guys and worn out road dogs. I used to play at a very popular rock club in Dallas, Texas called Gerties. I got to see Larry Graham play at Gerties around 1975 or 76. You can only imagine how much Larry Graham affected my future as a professional bass player. At that time, it was like having an orgasmic bass experience after watching Mr. Graham play live. I even saw John Bonham, Jeff Beck, and Freddie King show up and jam with whoever was playing that night. Those really were the Good Old Days! Keep the great videos coming. Cheers from Buenos Aires, Argentina!!!
Man! For some reason, this riff is super hard to get my head around. Feels like some math-core riff to me! The tempo and technique are no problem. Just the way it dances around the down beat.
Scott, every time I have a hard time learning something new you always have a tutorial for it and I FINALLY learn it! You’re a great teaching thank you so much for all the years of content.
Your remark about the slower slap bass tempo is spot on. It just sounds more musical and less technical or mechanical. No doubt Larry Graham plays with a very musical and soulful groove.
....And probably the best teacher and bass player around! Really appreciate how you break down quite complicated pieces and making them understandable. Myself, long time bass-player, but a total failure when it comes to slapping. This gives me hope! Keep up the good work Scott!
Scott!!!!! You are the man!!!!! Your sound is flat out disrespectful!!!!! I heard your sound and just packed my bass up and put it away!! 😱😱😱OMG!!!! Your sound is incredible bro. For real!!! I LOVE IT!!
brother Scotty i`v been following you for a while now and i must say that i have learnt so much from your lessons and iv seen the improvements in my playing because of you and i must THANK YOU BIG TIME for making me a much better Bass player .... LOVE YOUR WORK MATE AND GOD BLESS
Great video Scott !! It's really the best bassline ever made using slap !!! Most of the people don't hear or play that A (ghost note) or even just don't notice it.The other thing is most miss the major third and pllay an A instead .Scott is the best teacher and nailed that !!.It's hard to believe but Larry slides and bends the G string at the octave (0:12) instead of sliding it back and forth like James Jamerson or Verdine White would do. ... I
Just found this today and love it. Scott love your lessons and how much you enjoy playing. Your into every not of very riff. And you teach pocket and groove. And you read and transcribe without forgetting the groove rules. If you haven't done so already. How about some Fred Hammond and gospel bass riffs and tools.
Hey Scott! Man, you have got some admirable didactic qualities there! There's a lot of tutorials on here for this song, but they all go slow and break it down n - o - t - e - b - y - n - o - t - e ......("Zzzzz ~ whoops how long was I out for?! :o"). I totally appreciate your breakdown of this bass line. So yeah, thanks a bunch man! :)
Truer words were never spoken. Being "thee" inventor of this playing technique that moves people like it does?... In my opinion put's it on par with the world's greatest inventions.
Awesome bass line. I'll be trying this one! Need to work on my slap bass and this one seems like a nice slower one to practise with while also sounding badass. As you say, the tempo makes it.
This is true FUNK slap bass! Much of what I hear now that attempts to pass for funk slap is all about the speed and completely looses all that FUNK! Funk is not fast. It's usually slow to medium pace and it's ALL about that funk groove not at all about speed. Unlike many of your more advanced lessons, Scott, this one is nothing new to me. It is a song I hadn't heard previously but even so that groove is text book Larry Graham, 100% pure FUNK! Thanks for showcasing one of my favorite bassists.
I'm not a musician, but in my opinion, if you don't know Larry Graham, you simply don't know bass. And I'd add Ralph Armstrong as a close second. These people are DEEP.
i like the heavy players like Larry or Flea. They rrrreally slap the heck out of their basses and that's what makes the wood vibrate and brings that bony tone that I like so much. The downside of this technique is that it produces less deep frequencies like when you were hitting softer...but who cares? That's why we call it SLAP BASS!!!
Hey Scott, thanks for the video once again. On a completely unrelated topic than slap bass, I think it would be amazing if you could do a lesson on the bass line from Solage's new tune Cranes in the Sky. It's an awesome bass line with some killer techniques (some of which I am struggling with) that will really help intermediate players understand groove better. Thanks for all of the Groovology that you bring to TH-cam, I really appreciate it!
The greatest SLAP bassline I have ever heard is on a song called "Regiment" from the David Byrne/Brian Eno album My Life In The Bush Of Ghosts. It is very simple but so totally funky.
The bassline on Regiment released in 1981 by David Byrne/Brian Eno is indeed an amazing bassline but its essentially my dad's 2nd cousin Louis Johnson's bassline on Herb Alpert's 1979 Rise.
@@craigdamage it could have been a sample as well as the entire album by Byrne/Eno contained multiple samples & was wayyyy ahead of its time. Regardless its an amazing piece of work
people there isn't really a technique for slap bass, it's all in how you play it and your confort into it. you can have the best slap techniques but still sound bad when you play it... well that's because you have to practice slap bass alot to get the hang and the confort of it. vidoes like this are ideas of how cool you can actually sound when you know how to properly play slap bass. just keep practicing, you'll get it down one day. remember nothing's impossible😊😊
Picked up bass at age 13 listening to Primus. My HS band teacher was a black gospel bassist and when he heard me listening to Primus said “he’s just playing recycled Larry Graham riffs!!” He gave me the Graham Central Station record with “Hair” and I was blown away. Single most important moment in my bass journey. Jaco came next and made me consider quitting 😂
It always dope hearing that initial path through the bass stars and where you finally landed!!!! Good stuff!!!
your teacher seems to be a pretty negative person
Awesome story, always great to have a mentor figure like that to send you on the path
Hhaha awesome
If you quit then you will never become a bass legend by yourself, a legend that is never told.
As a guitarist, I enjoy your vids quite a bit, thank you very much.
A youtuber once said that the reason he got better at the guitar was that he learned bass. I think it's very important to know your pockets no matter what you play. Thank you for your work dude.
Definitely my favorite bass line period
This tune is from Graham Central Station's first album.Larry had just left Sly and the Family Stone ,apparently with some accrimony.Around 73.Release Yourself is probably their best album.Line-ups changed.Eventually Larry went solo and had a couple of ballad hits(80s?)Then nowt for decades.I think he became a lay preacher.Then about 10 years ago he picked up his bass and came to UK.I wish more people knew about how wicked a player he really is.
Extremely good teaching. Even without any tabs for reference anyone could learn it.
Esteban Aguayo
Ah yes “anyone”
This is the very reason I'm getting into bass guitar!
It’s been 2 years bro how’s the journey been?
Yea give us updates man
I always been a fan of Sly, Scott. Unfortunately, when I was young there was no internet. Other basses guarded their "trade secrets" when they learned a hot riff. You're a great teacher and a blessing to basses everywhere. Thanks for the incredible lesson!
You (and Larry) are the MAN!!!
🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻
I’m glad you said “I’m not even making sense today.” I was totally lost after that breakdown of the sections
This is an English guy with a feel for funk.Respect.
Funk doesn't discriminate.
Excellent lesson Scott!!
Cambridge Bass Lessons
I really can't get my head around the rhythm of this riff! I just keep playing on the wrong beat :O
yeah. its a tough one. I started playing along with the track, and only playing the few notes I could get right... but made sure I got them right, and in the right time, and then added more notes and more until I am... nearly... playing all of the notes. 2 weeks later and I only just figured out the timing on that glis, slide, slide part he does.
Love this riff, and hearing various players' takes on it... but keep coming back to listen to yours! The subtle bits of how you hang on parts or emphasize parts... would never show up in transcription, yet just makes your playing of it nail it how I feel the riff
Hi Scott! I've been a touring bass player and did a lot studio session recordings over the last 35 years. You have a ton of great advice even for us old school guys and worn out road dogs. I used to play at a very popular rock club in Dallas, Texas called Gerties. I got to see Larry Graham play at Gerties around 1975 or 76. You can only imagine how much Larry Graham affected my future as a professional bass player. At that time, it was like having an orgasmic bass experience after watching Mr. Graham play live. I even saw John Bonham, Jeff Beck, and Freddie King show up and jam with whoever was playing that night. Those really were the Good Old Days!
Keep the great videos coming. Cheers from Buenos Aires, Argentina!!!
Larry Graham is the Father of Funk Slap Bass. I've always loved this song!! The fabulous shizness.
That's the great Larry Graham. No one on the planet has such slap bass composition. Thanks Scott for explaining it.
Man! For some reason, this riff is super hard to get my head around. Feels like some math-core riff to me! The tempo and technique are no problem. Just the way it dances around the down beat.
Yo i believe in you man! Keep at it and I'm sure you'll be able to plauly it!
It's so simple though, I mean look at the pattern, so easy right ? Hahaha : ).
Just had to put some alternative “fusion-drums” on this classic: enjoy! ✌🏻🤩
th-cam.com/users/shortsU0xLcfQpDek?feature=share
Came here to hear the best bass slap bass riff ever. Got the best slap bass riff ever.
Scott, every time I have a hard time learning something new you always have a tutorial for it and I FINALLY learn it! You’re a great teaching thank you so much for all the years of content.
Larry was one funky Mother! Great to be back seeing your channel after a while - don't ask. Good to see you're still killing it fella
When you played this riff on the last live video, I imagined the lesson was in its way! thanks from Brazil, Scott!
Your remark about the slower slap bass tempo is spot on. It just sounds more musical and less technical or mechanical. No doubt Larry Graham plays with a very musical and soulful groove.
Been to busy to enjoy life for the last few years. CRAZY. You've got my bass out of the corner for me. Thanks. Sincerely
This dude is awesome.
This riff seriously gave me chills. Damn. Taking this to the woodshed.
bro i have been teaching for longer then i care to say. my son and i both think your great!! keep it coming .
Larry Graham is awesome!
....And probably the best teacher and bass player around! Really appreciate how you break down quite complicated pieces and making them understandable. Myself, long time bass-player, but a total failure when it comes to slapping. This gives me hope! Keep up the good work Scott!
Scott!!!!! You are the man!!!!! Your sound is flat out disrespectful!!!!! I heard your sound and just packed my bass up and put it away!! 😱😱😱OMG!!!! Your sound is incredible bro. For real!!! I LOVE IT!!
brother Scotty i`v been following you for a while now and i must say that i have learnt so much from your lessons and iv seen the improvements in my playing because of you and i must THANK YOU BIG TIME for making me a much better Bass player .... LOVE YOUR WORK MATE AND GOD BLESS
Great video Scott !! It's really the best bassline ever made using slap !!! Most of the people don't hear or play that A (ghost note) or even just don't notice it.The other thing is most miss the major third and pllay an A instead .Scott is the best teacher and nailed that !!.It's hard to believe but Larry slides and bends the G string at the octave (0:12) instead of sliding it back and forth like James Jamerson or Verdine White would do. ... I
Larry is a legend! Like God of slap bass!!
THX for your lessons, man!
Klas Kallhag, Sweden
Sir you're one of the coolest bass players that ever walked the earth😁
Scott gets funky. Wonderful work brother!
Thanks a lot for this! The intro is perfect if you just need a visual reference of where the lick is on the fretboard
Scott, love you man. Been a subscriber for about 2 years. Playing bass for 30 years but you helped me clean up a few things. Thanks again man.
Pluckin the E, pullin off to the D, slapping the B, pluckin the D and then hammering on the E.
Gotcha. This party's gonna be amazing.
Dude. I started Bass playing about 3 month ago. The first part is playable for me, the following ones just killed me 😂
Can see Scott really practiced this sounds great man
It is the grid displacement of the melodic figures or 'fingur shlappped roodiments' that make this groove pop.
Well explained Shcoott.
Huge thanks for your work and sharing with us, simple humans .
After reading the e-mail and seeing the title for this video, I commend you on your cleverness!
That is a great groove man. So many spend so much time doing the fast slap but not a nice slow groove like this. Awesome man thanks!
I call this concept a 2 ,4 swing cuz it swings on 2 and 4 like a lot of the best grooves nice job Scott love your stuff
Great Scott, what a great job!!! Cheers my bass slappin friend!
That's just filthy! I mean, just covered in filth!
I LOVE IT!!!!
Just found this today and love it. Scott love your lessons and how much you enjoy playing. Your into every not of very riff. And you teach pocket and groove. And you read and transcribe without forgetting the groove rules. If you haven't done so already. How about some Fred Hammond and gospel bass riffs and tools.
As I was listening to you play and talk I just had to comment about the tempo / GROOVE. That's what R&B is all about
Scott , you are the best teacher! thank you for this lesson
nice to see Larry have not seen him in years used to go to his house in Oakland he moved out of us. back in the days when we were young
what i dig is that YOU dug that intro part. it is one of the baddest....
Hey Scott! Man, you have got some admirable didactic qualities there! There's a lot of tutorials on here for this song, but they all go slow and break it down n - o - t - e - b - y - n - o - t - e ......("Zzzzz ~ whoops how long was I out for?! :o"). I totally appreciate your breakdown of this bass line. So yeah, thanks a bunch man! :)
Love Larry Graham king thumb!
this is Soo badass!!
gimme a couple days and I'll have this bad boy down pat!!
All thanks to u Scott
Really good lesson. Thank you a lot.
Thanks You Scott!! Muchas Gracias
love the tune, loved this too. cheers
You are a great teacher and all round great dude - Nice one Scott!
Scott, I appreciate what you do!
great lesson scott
who else just listened to the intro on repeat
Nobody
The real question is: Who didn' t do that?
Scott's version is my favorite of anyone I have heard. hangs on all the right notes
Like 200 to times. And im about to do 300 more haha
Nathan Fiori all of us!!!! 😂😂😂😂
I can sit to you all day with your tutorial because of your sense of humor +.. Hahaha
Inspirational. I'll take it on
When my students ask me about slap bass I always tell them to start with Larry.
Larry Graham is the "father" of "slap"....he deserves SO much more recognition
who doesn't give him recognition?
general mayhem
A lot of people (who aren't fans of funk) don't know about him. And they can"t recognize him if they've never heard of him.
Truer words were never spoken. Being "thee" inventor of this playing technique that moves people like it does?... In my opinion put's it on par with the world's greatest inventions.
best bass riff ever, imho. Pure groove.
This was incredible, you're the best Scott
Wow! This is a fantastic riff, and Scott is a master.
I thought "Hair" as the song in the musical, but this is near equal awesome!
That is awesome playing scotty boy superb ! Loved it 🔥🔥🎸💯🤙🏽
Great slap bass riff. Really enjoyable.
man you really got that tone to such a good place at the beginning there, those slides were juicy!
Yeah man... That IS a badass bass riff yo!
Excellently funky man! Love your videos; great tone on that one too!
You are really feeling the groove.
Best Education on this bass line I have seen.
man you own this riff
Awesome bass line. I'll be trying this one! Need to work on my slap bass and this one seems like a nice slower one to practise with while also sounding badass. As you say, the tempo makes it.
I think the youtube community wants a picture of you before you started losing the locks.
Lol
Yes LMAO 😃
I just don't believe it's fair... To judge a man by the length of his hair.
Thans man for the lesson. I've learned a new great song
Hey Scott.. I prefer your execution! Larry is Larry, buy.. hey!!!! ...this is really cool!
🧡🧡🧡
I need a second life for being 20% as good as this. Awesome.
That is not true, slap bass is not as hard as it seems, just keep on going. It took me a year to play Miller's Run for Cover however it is possible
This is true FUNK slap bass! Much of what I hear now that attempts to pass for funk slap is all about the speed and completely looses all that FUNK! Funk is not fast. It's usually slow to medium pace and it's ALL about that funk groove not at all about speed. Unlike many of your more advanced lessons, Scott, this one is nothing new to me. It is a song I hadn't heard previously but even so that groove is text book Larry Graham, 100% pure FUNK! Thanks for showcasing one of my favorite bassists.
KILLER funk bass! Awesome Scott!
Thanks for the lesson! From Spain!
I liked this video just for the faces you made while playing, you are clearly passionate
Terrific breakdown.
I never played the bass.... Imma getting one now! Thumps up, funky bass is the shit!
I'm not a musician, but in my opinion, if you don't know Larry Graham, you simply don't know bass. And I'd add Ralph Armstrong as a close second. These people are DEEP.
Ill slapped the Likebutton to Death,for this great Lesson. Thanks Scott.
That bass. I love it
going to to get a bass and try and learn and I know I will probably never be able to do this, but oh man, I want to!!
Flawless , thanks for the video!
Nunca había comentado hasta ahora, eres un fenómento tío!!!
i like the heavy players like Larry or Flea. They rrrreally slap the heck out of their basses and that's what makes the wood vibrate and brings that bony tone that I like so much. The downside of this technique is that it produces less deep frequencies like when you were hitting softer...but who cares? That's why we call it SLAP BASS!!!
Hey Scott, thanks for the video once again.
On a completely unrelated topic than slap bass, I think it would be amazing if you could do a lesson on the bass line from Solage's new tune Cranes in the Sky. It's an awesome bass line with some killer techniques (some of which I am struggling with) that will really help intermediate players understand groove better.
Thanks for all of the Groovology that you bring to TH-cam, I really appreciate it!
The greatest SLAP bassline I have ever heard is on a song called "Regiment" from the David Byrne/Brian Eno album My Life In The Bush Of Ghosts. It is very simple but so totally funky.
The bassline on Regiment released in 1981 by David Byrne/Brian Eno is indeed an amazing bassline but its essentially my dad's 2nd cousin Louis Johnson's bassline on Herb Alpert's 1979 Rise.
@@aintnohalfsteppin88 Sounds spot on to me except the song "Rise" has more changes. I think "Regiment" drones along with no chord changes.
@@craigdamage it could have been a sample as well as the entire album by Byrne/Eno contained multiple samples & was wayyyy ahead of its time. Regardless its an amazing piece of work
When i saw the first half of the title,i just knew the song would be Hair.
people there isn't really a technique for slap bass, it's all in how you play it and your confort into it. you can have the best slap techniques but still sound bad when you play it... well that's because you have to practice slap bass alot to get the hang and the confort of it. vidoes like this are ideas of how cool you can actually sound when you know how to properly play slap bass. just keep practicing, you'll get it down one day. remember nothing's impossible😊😊
I'm gonna break my neck from how hard I jam to this line!