Download the Keybass Setup Guide now and take your bass playing to the next level by adding synth bass to your arsenal: bit.ly/4e8VJEd Prince Symbol 3D Night Light: amzn.to/4daBIvQ Prince Purple Symbol Neon Signs for Wall: Decor, Dimmable amzn.to/3BaNUQ1 BACK by Popular Demand: Purple Bass Lineage Merch! tedtalksbass.creator-spring.com/listing/funk-bass “Backing Tracks” for this video created with SongMaster Pro! Get 14 Days Free - aurallysound.com/tedtalksbass
@@TedTalksBass I knew it! It's Josh. Alex and Raquel say what's up. Great channel! You were born to talk bass. And you were always preaching the word of Prince. Glad the algorithm pushed you into my feed. If I ever run into you, I got a Rolling Rock with your name on it. 😂
everybody on this list sleep!!!!!! but there's something else.... to wake u up!!!!!! WHY NOBODY SAID MADHOUSE????? The Jazz/Funk duo of Eric Leeds (Sax/Flute) and Prince (Piano/Synths/Drums/Bass, what no guitar??) Unless there's something in the Vault at Paisley Park to top this, Prince's bass performance, as well as his tasty solo on the opening track "One" has to be his best... EVER!!!!!! CAN U SAY "PURPLE JAZZ????? LISTEN RIGHT HERE!!!!! th-cam.com/video/lJ-2mUH2iRA/w-d-xo.html
Thanks for posting this. I actually tracked Prince on Bass working as his Engineer at Paisley Park studios. His Bass chops in the studio is just on a whole different level! Thanks for paying homage to my former boss! Keep rocking.
A master musician needs to be able to not only play the instrument with outstanding technical skill but have an unwavering understanding of how to draw out the emotional aspects from a song. There are a lot of of great musicians that are technically skilled but have to know how to make the instrument fit into a song with maximum efficiency. Prince not only played the instrument, he played all of the instruments while writing and performing the songs. Prince knew what emotion he wanted to draw out of people, each instrument was an actor and they were critical components to the story Prince was telling. Prince wasn’t just a musician he was rhythmic poet that wanted to wrap his story’s around the audience so they could completely experience his vision. That’s what makes him a “Master” musician.
This is why a lot of technically proficient musicians can't find work. Yes, technical prowess has its place, but nobody is here to witness you shred on Bass for 10 minutes straight. That's NOT a song. People underestimate how much goes into the production of a song that resonates with people.
Well stated. EMOTION being your KEY WORD IMO. Prince had Emotion and could make any instrument fit in a song. Thats way more skill than just jamming fast licks. He may not have been the best drummer technically. However, Sheila E, said she loved the grooves Prince came up with because they were uniquely creative and worked well w whatever song.
For me, Prince is up there with all the greats of Bass playing. An obvious example being 777 aside, the groove this man was able to achieve was second to none. Even layering different grooves - think Alphabet St, Emancipation etc. You’re awesome man! Sending love
Prince was above all a composer. Each individual thing he did served the larger concept of the work. There are times when his drumming/drum programming is the highlight and other times when it’s dirt simple, etc. I think (accept for maybe on guitar) he really didn’t care what you thought of him on any instrument. He understood that music isn’t about trying to prove how bad you are. It’s about expression.
I think Prince, unlike other great guitarists, bassists, keyboardists, writers, etc., was so good on so many instruments that no single instrument stood out to distinguish him and box him into one category. But what I appreciate most about my all-time favorite artist is that he was still a student at heart and knew there was something to learn from other musicians to help him improve. Such a great musician and human being.
@EdTheBearsFan I think you've definitely identified the "problem". Prince was unique, a great multi-instrumentalist, a great songwriter, a musician par excellence, and a mesmerizing performer. We'll never see his like again.
@@bwat9365I think that with how great of a songwriter, performer, singer and guitarist he was we tend to forget he was also a great bass player, pianist, drummer and how many horns did he also play?? What else am I forgetting?? The dude was hands down the most all around gifted musician/composer we will ever see (at least in our lifetimes).
I used to listen to rhcp quite a bit and it was cool...but can you imagine flea in your funk. Prince just has a deeper understanding of funk, rhythm, timing, space than almost anybody but the masters. On Head, that groove plus the space before the cymbal crash on the hook is just perfection. It's so simple yet so deep
everybody on this list sleep!!!!!! but there's something else.... to wake u up!!!!!! WHY NOBODY SAID MADHOUSE????? The Jazz/Funk duo of Eric Leeds (Sax/Flute) and Prince (Piano/Synths/Drums/Bass, what no guitar??) Unless there's something in the Vault at Paisley Park to top this, Prince's bass performance, as well as his tasty solo on the opening track "One" has to be his best... EVER!!!!!! CAN U SAY "PURPLE JAZZ????? LISTEN RIGHT HERE!!!!! th-cam.com/video/lJ-2mUH2iRA/w-d-xo.html
Prince has always been one of my favorite bass guitar players. I love his playing especially on "Irresistible Bitch" and his writing and playing on the song "Crystal Ball" is just genius. Thank you for making this video and picking some deeper cuts as examples.
Prince was a technician who strategically placed the sound and the parts to fit the track he was doing at the time. He could have easily cooked it to highlight the bass, but he didn’t. Check out the line on Pop Life and see how it compliments the song. Genius!!!!
Brother, you are a very nice guy and you do not intend to offend anyone, so let me say on your post what you cannot. Flea is a dope bassist and he's a straight-up MONSTER onstage. I love him. However, comparing Flea to Prince is like comparing Mike Tyson to the Incredible Hulk. You don't have to take my word for it... just ask Flea himself. Not only was Prince better than Flea, but quite frankly, Prince was better than EVERYBODY on bass and on guitar for the very reasons you suggested. It was his approach; his dexterity and flexibility; his attention to detail; his ability and willingness to explore and experiment; his love and respect for rhythm BEFORE the hard line. Watching Prince play any instrument was like watching the Harlem Globetrotters play basketball. It was purely magical genius. Prince and I once dated the same girl back in the day before he was really famous and I had a chance to play music with him in a basement in Detroit for about three hours. All I can tell you is there has never been a greater musician EVER!!!
@@TedTalksBassPerhaps you did not say that Prince was the greatest bass player of all time, but I am saying just that, and here’s why: Although every bass player has his or her own style and approach to the instrument, you could have placed the top 25 bass players in a single room and let each one go face-to-face with Prince and he would have played their own style in front of them, then added his own Purple sauce. What I mean is that Prince studied music theory, music style, stage presence and overall audience impact the way Einstein studied Quantum Theory. Prince was Larry Graham, Verdine White, James Jameson, Bootsy Collins, Stanley Clark, Aaron Mills, Marvin Craig, Louis Johnson, Nathan East, Nate Phillips, Marcus Miller and many others all rolled up into one person. He was the only bassist that could play ANY style, ANY genre, and ANY song. He was also the only bassist that had MASTERED over 30 instruments, MASTERED vocals, MASTERED songwriting, MASTERED style….. I was never a Prince fan, but I still have to admit that he was the greatest musician of all time simply because he invested his time, energy and resources into becoming just that.❤
That would be one of my main points. I've heard many say that he was on par with the best on damn near every instrument. If Prince's primary instrument was bass, people would see it.
They said Prince could play over 20 instruments! It’s not jus guitar drums bass piano/keyboards! Some people haven’t a clue…… We were blessed to have such a gifted musician in our presence! Of course his vocals were great too! High notes & low vocals! Lead & background vocals! He was a one man band!
I agree Ted. Think of Alphabet Street, Love Bizzare, Le Grind, etc. Flea is bad too. But Prince was a creative force. He was on a different plain of existence as far as Bass playing.
I'm a bass player and being able to place the bass in the middle of the groove is important. My favorite bassist of all time in Verdine White...what can I say he plays in the vain. When it comes to prince to be able to not just hear your thoughts as a bassist but to play and build around it is simply amazing.
Ted, love your channel and thank you for this! Great selection from the man’s endless library. I also think the bass in I’m Yours is sick. Especially when he’s trading solos between the guitar and bass…crazy!
Nice Vid, Even Flea himself, said in an interview 12 years ago, He was inspired by Prince in every aspect from bass to songwriting, creativity. Even when Prince played the simplest guitar, bass, drum parts, they always fit the song and had emotion.
This dude played a simple "G" note throughout almost the entire "Controversy" song, and it was pure genius. It's the only song Ive ever played on bass with one note that drew me in like that. That dude was a MASTER.
When Ted talks--I listen. I think what made these parts so good is that there's a simple authority to them. They lay rock solid, inside the groove without cluttering things up. Thanks for the insight into one of Prince's many talents...a true groove-master.
Thank you for sharing this. I can play “head” now. It will take me a minute to get the other songs. Prince has always had my ear since the late 70’s. Lady cab driver has been my joint forever. I will always miss that brother, him and Mike. Much love to you bro!
Great overview of Prince's bass playing! I'm a Minneapolis native who was a classmate of Brown Mark and heard his bass playing in high school. I had the great fortune to see Prince in concert many times including his old Glam Slam Nightclub in Minneapolis! I love Prince's great ability to use fingerstyle and slap bass including on the song, "Anotherloverholenyohead." Other Prince bass lines I love, simple but funky, include "Pop Life." I just love another simple but funky Prince bass line on "If I Was Your Girlfriend!" which is a good accompaniment to Prince's "Camille" alter ego! Thank you for sharing this! Great memories! 😊👏🏾♬🎤🎶🎸
Much Love and Respect for you Brother. You have a great attitude & mindset for this! Very engaging, and nurturing the love of the craft as well. I have high hopes for you and I am honored to have shared the stage with you. Humbly. Peace. Light. Blessings. Bounty. Joy. 🙏🏼💛🎶
Good examples He understood the relationship between drums and bass perfectly Also the spaces were used to great effect It must have helped that he was such a good drummer that his bass rhythm was locked in
"Flea a better bass player than Prince, what uh joke,🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 Prince could out play Flea in his sleep. "You know Ted you can spot uh hater a mile away, "THANKS FOR KEEPIN IT REAL BRO!!!!!!!
Absolutely agree with you. Not even a legitimate comparison. Prince was another planet when it comes to bass. Flea is cool but not in the same world with it comes to being compared to the Prince.
For my top 10 bassist yes Flea is on it but so is Prince where the average listener wouldn't expect him to be because all they know him for is his guitar skills but you can hear the influences of the bass greats in his playing he had a way of making everything he touched his own
What a fantastic video. Lifelong Prince fan. And completely love learning more about his talent and musicianship from people that also know what they're talking about. Much love and respect ❤
These lines are great, but I recommend also “Alphabet Street “ and “Le Grind “ (too bad the bass is buried in the mix there). He also did some cool things on “Im yours “, “ Emancipation “, “2nigs united for west Compton “, “Northside “ and, of course, “Lets work “ and “7779311”
I feel for you, Pop Life, Tamborine (crazy!), The ballad of Dorthy Parker (only Prince could make such a song and bass), The one, Love Sign, Family Name, The Everlasting Now
Sonny T and Larry Graham . When I hear. Prince I hear these 2 legends. Sonny T taught Prince so much including bass, guitar , and singing in his falsetto voice . You can surely also hear the Larry Graham and Sly Stone influence. Flea , better than Prince? Hmmmph. I don’t think so .😂
I love Prince's bass playing. What's your take on Marvin Isley of the Isley Brothers? I've been listening to them lately, and to me Marvin puts the funk in all of their songs .please do a review
I was 12 years old when the "Controversy" album dropped. As a beginner, I was mezmerized by the bassline on "Let's Work". That's still my favorite Prince bassline of all time. Just funky! Learning that track gave me supreme confidence at a young age to keep on playing. 😁
Uhhh,,, he was a badass because he had natural God-given talent, realized it early, didn't waste it (or waste time), practiced a LOT when he was young, and eventually mastered the instrument.
SEXY DANCER is one of my favorite bass plays of Prince! Also the “H” song!!!! The keyboard solo on H is mind boggling! And the piano solo on sexy dancer too! He was underrated on bass play!!!! He’s a Guitar🎸Hero & Bass Hero! A Synth Great too! I also found my comment prior to this one! I thought I been here before!🤦🏽♂️😂👋🏻
The thumbnail photo of Prince and the one eyed bass during that time I was a regular at Prince nightclub in downtown Los Angeles, Glam slam West, and I snuck into an early morning rehearsal. That’s a whole other story of many, but I ended up in front of Prince maybe about 8 feet away as he rehearsed and play that bass guitar, Prince played 777-9311 bassline he probably knew and let me slide, I was the only fan there. I don’t think I need to say anything more but yes it was.😉
Hey Ted! refer this guy to Dave Ghrol jamming with Prince. Dave says Prince is the best BASS player Guitar Player, Drummer he's ever seen, or heard. flea is a great bassist! The majority of Prince fans from 1984 will never understand that his best music/songs are pre Purple Rain. This guy is probably not familiar with 17 Days, Do it all Nite, Party up, The Stick, Players Ball, Bambi, Still waiting, Sexy MF and Cream Girls and boys. He can't hear Prince! Prince was the greatest musician ever!
5:23 I knew it was Uptown before you said it, this is the song I play for young dudes wanting to know about Prince. They usually never heard of it and I enjoy watching it blow their minds.
You make a very important point: a player doesn't produce that Sound on the instrument unless they have technical proficiency (Proving once again, it's all in the hands)! Great video
That’s why I’ve always said Prince is the greatest musical artist to ever exit a womb. The lyrical/instrumental writing, masterful musicianship across many instruments, his engineering and creative understanding of sound constructs and interweaving, his vocal capabilities with that multi-scale octave skills. I’m not even going into his stage performance. The GOAT
I love Flea, I think everybody does. He loves jazz and dabbles on the trumpet proficiently. But Prince is GODLY! Ultimately though, we really needa stop comparing and “ranking” musicians and artists. It’s ART! Sure, it can be competitive. But it shouldn’t be taken so seriously.
Great video. One of my favourite bass lines is from the song "I feel for you". Very understated in the mix but the feel is always there. As you pointed out, very percussive in his approach.
I think there were definitely some different styles, but everyone sounded good. You had Larry Graham, Stanley Clarke, Marcus Miller, Lois Johnson, Michael Henderson, Prince, what made prince good was he could play both instrument's bass & guitar. Let's not forget Anthony Jackson, & James from Motown, couldn't think of his last name. I like to hear a lot of melodic notes while funkin it up. To all the greatest bass players that ever lived !
Aw man, I think we can objectively say Prince's work runs so much deeper in so many ways. Lovely illustration of the point. Subscribed! Best, Daniel 🤙🏻
Yes!! Great examples! I would say “She’s Always In My Hair” is a sneaky one too- as far as being about rythym and pocket - one may focus on guitar on that track which is awesome, but that bass and drum lock- whew!!
I am a bass player from Detroit and I think that the best bass player Prince ever had was Prince himself. I would also say that Prince was the greatest bass player and all around musician of all time. Why? Because Prince approached music like a science project: he studied and mastered the deepest depths of music theory and created magic the way the Harlem Globetrotters studied and mastered basketball. My favorite bass player of all time is Bootsy Collins simply because he was the first Rock Star bassist ever and because he developed his style from understanding the James Brown theory of the “One.” What makes a bass player great is his or her ability to feel the rhythm and groove, and hear the band, and place those bass notes between the different instruments to create a wall or floor for the music. No one does this better than Bootsy, and he attributes this magic to James Brown ❤
Glad you made this video. My 1st thought was: "Oh yeah, Prince did play bass." Seems there was studio Prince who, like Kevin Durant, scored 35 points on the album before you realized he ever took a shot. He played drums too and the two beats that stand out in my mind are on Irresistible B'tch and Housequake; but I'm only assuming he recorded those.
Prince is one of my all time favorite musicians period. He is a phenomenal bass player and all around musician. Larry Graham is One of my favorite bass player also. Marcus Miller,, Verdine White, Louis Johnson, Victor Wooten etc.
btw, Brown Mark actually responded to one of my comments on his Lady Cab Driver tutorial: he said Prince played on the recording while he played the song live. Quite cool Brown Mark responded, I thought.
There was a nice tribute to Prince at the Taste of Minnesota a couple of Sundays ago...by Jam and Lewis as well as Morris Day and the Time who performed! It was the BOMB!!! 😊👏🏾♬🎤🎶🎸
Love your breakdown! Im copping the black mug and subscribing my brother!. Stayn tuned in!! I sent this vid to both my musician cousins because this was our era and inspiration for what we do today. Keep em comin. Im locked in!!!! ✌🏾
I heard that when Eric Clapton was asked what it felt like to b the best guitar player on the planet he replied "I dont know ask Prince" ....my favorite basslines are off the "for you" album "so blue" and the end bass and guitar battle in "I'm yours" highly underrated album and the bass work on when doves cry.. Genius
So I think you play the bass really, really well. You hold the instrument very well, I don't hear any false notes, you mute all the noises with both hands and wrap the sound 😉. And YES!!! Prince was a super great musician... maybe orchestral arrangements weren't his strong point.... but funk, pop... wow😍
To be fair, Flea would absolutely say he couldn't touch Prince's level of musicality, even if he could pop/slap faster and maybe (MAYBE) rock a bit harder. Flea is such a good dude, he'd give Prince his flowers.
Badaxx on bass and 6 string. He was phenomenal. Unfortunately I wasn’t that into him when he was very popular. What a sad thing too lose such a talented person.😢
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@TedTalksBass Ted! Tell me you didn't work at Rasputin's back in the day.
@@slipperyfrog24yup. Who dis
@@TedTalksBass I knew it! It's Josh. Alex and Raquel say what's up. Great channel! You were born to talk bass. And you were always preaching the word of Prince. Glad the algorithm pushed you into my feed. If I ever run into you, I got a Rolling Rock with your name on it. 😂
everybody on this list sleep!!!!!! but there's something else.... to wake u up!!!!!! WHY NOBODY SAID MADHOUSE????? The Jazz/Funk duo of Eric Leeds (Sax/Flute) and Prince (Piano/Synths/Drums/Bass, what no guitar??) Unless there's something in the Vault at Paisley Park to top this, Prince's bass performance, as well as his tasty solo on the opening track "One" has to be his best... EVER!!!!!! CAN U SAY "PURPLE JAZZ????? LISTEN RIGHT HERE!!!!! th-cam.com/video/lJ-2mUH2iRA/w-d-xo.html
@@slipperyfrog24yooooooooooooo!!!! What’s up!!!!❤❤
Thanks for posting this. I actually tracked Prince on Bass working as his Engineer at Paisley Park studios. His Bass chops in the studio is just on a whole different level! Thanks for paying homage to my former boss! Keep rocking.
Wow that’s awesome. Thanks for commenting. Would you be interested in chatting with me for the channel sometime about that experience?
@@TedTalksBasslet me know when and how you would like to connect on it.
@@dlnzproductions y bro thank you for considering. I’m out all next week on a gig, but can we do the following week via zoom
@@TedTalksBass sounds like a plan!
@@dlnzproductionslove it. Can we connect via email?
A master musician needs to be able to not only play the instrument with outstanding technical skill but have an unwavering understanding of how to draw out the emotional aspects from a song. There are a lot of of great musicians that are technically skilled but have to know how to make the instrument fit into a song with maximum efficiency. Prince not only played the instrument, he played all of the instruments while writing and performing the songs. Prince knew what emotion he wanted to draw out of people, each instrument was an actor and they were critical components to the story Prince was telling. Prince wasn’t just a musician he was rhythmic poet that wanted to wrap his story’s around the audience so they could completely experience his vision. That’s what makes him a “Master” musician.
This is why a lot of technically proficient musicians can't find work. Yes, technical prowess has its place, but nobody is here to witness you shred on Bass for 10 minutes straight. That's NOT a song. People underestimate how much goes into the production of a song that resonates with people.
Well stated. EMOTION being your KEY WORD IMO. Prince had Emotion and could make any instrument fit in a song. Thats way more skill than just jamming fast licks. He may not have been the best drummer technically. However, Sheila E, said she loved the grooves Prince came up with because they were uniquely creative and worked well w whatever song.
There it is. Freakin' nailed it, Jason.
@@jasoncherry3404 right on!
For me, Prince is up there with all the greats of Bass playing. An obvious example being 777 aside, the groove this man was able to achieve was second to none. Even layering different grooves - think Alphabet St, Emancipation etc. You’re awesome man! Sending love
heck yes
@@TheDauriaProject #ThePrinceOnBassLikeOnGirlfriend
Indeed! Please don't 4get the Let's Work bass line its FUNKY LIKE 💩💩💩💩💩💩💩 1love
@@torinowens6103 #NoLiesDetected
That's Rondha Smith on Emancipation
What a titan Prince was. Just so gifted in every way. Pure genius.
Prince was not afraid to be simple when it fit the song. Making simple bass lines sound good is a great skill.
Prince was above all a composer. Each individual thing he did served the larger concept of the work. There are times when his drumming/drum programming is the highlight and other times when it’s dirt simple, etc. I think (accept for maybe on guitar) he really didn’t care what you thought of him on any instrument. He understood that music isn’t about trying to prove how bad you are. It’s about expression.
@@Brolo214 but he was Baaaaad....one bad dude! Rip. 🙏
I think Prince, unlike other great guitarists, bassists, keyboardists, writers, etc., was so good on so many instruments that no single instrument stood out to distinguish him and box him into one category. But what I appreciate most about my all-time favorite artist is that he was still a student at heart and knew there was something to learn from other musicians to help him improve. Such a great musician and human being.
@EdTheBearsFan I think you've definitely identified the "problem". Prince was unique, a great multi-instrumentalist, a great songwriter, a musician par excellence, and a mesmerizing performer. We'll never see his like again.
@@bwat9365I think that with how great of a songwriter, performer, singer and guitarist he was we tend to forget he was also a great bass player, pianist, drummer and how many horns did he also play?? What else am I forgetting?? The dude was hands down the most all around gifted musician/composer we will ever see (at least in our lifetimes).
I used to listen to rhcp quite a bit and it was cool...but can you imagine flea in your funk. Prince just has a deeper understanding of funk, rhythm, timing, space than almost anybody but the masters. On Head, that groove plus the space before the cymbal crash on the hook is just perfection. It's so simple yet so deep
All I know is that Victor Wooten credits prince as bass genius that is too funky for him still.
It’s called being polite.
@@debwebhubharple4941 you say polite i say inspired
@@debwebhubharple4941 Not being, 'polite..,' he was just telling the truth !!!!
everybody on this list sleep!!!!!! but there's something else.... to wake u up!!!!!! WHY NOBODY SAID MADHOUSE????? The Jazz/Funk duo of Eric Leeds (Sax/Flute) and Prince (Piano/Synths/Drums/Bass, what no guitar??) Unless there's something in the Vault at Paisley Park to top this, Prince's bass performance, as well as his tasty solo on the opening track "One" has to be his best... EVER!!!!!! CAN U SAY "PURPLE JAZZ????? LISTEN RIGHT HERE!!!!! th-cam.com/video/lJ-2mUH2iRA/w-d-xo.html
@@debwebhubharple4941Listen and you will hear. LISTEN and you will understand. 😊
Brilliantly put Ted! Prince was way ahead of his time even as a teen! Thanks putting this out there!
Never be another Prince. Genius of music.
Let's Work is funkier than 7 cans of Magic Shave! Brown Mark is indeed a beast on the bass
Gotta Add That "Acknowledge Me Rehearsal" NPG Joint. Wow Just Wow
Andre Cymone and Prince created that style of playing. Then Andre found Brown Mark to replace him in the Revolution.
Are you making a general statement cause Brown Mark didn't play bass, Prince did
Let's work is absolutely mad funky. To me it's one of the greatest funk baselines ever written.
Prince has always been one of my favorite bass guitar players. I love his playing especially on "Irresistible Bitch" and his writing and playing on the song "Crystal Ball" is just genius. Thank you for making this video and picking some deeper cuts as examples.
Dope. Just plain dope. The timing and articulation is what gets me.
I saw Prince live 7 times. At one show he played bass throughout most of the set. The groove was so fat I thought the roof was going to cave in.
Prince was a technician who strategically placed the sound and the parts to fit the track he was doing at the time. He could have easily cooked it to highlight the bass, but he didn’t. Check out the line on Pop Life and see how it compliments the song. Genius!!!!
#PopLife
From a Musician stand point, when it comes to guitar or bass with Prince, there's not much of a debate. PERIOD!
Seriously.
There needs to be a new category for Prince as a multi-instrumentalist. He was the full package. I can't think of anyone else to compare him to.
Brother, you are a very nice guy and you do not intend to offend anyone, so let me say on your post what you cannot.
Flea is a dope bassist and he's a straight-up MONSTER onstage. I love him. However, comparing Flea to Prince is like comparing Mike Tyson to the Incredible Hulk. You don't have to take my word for it... just ask Flea himself.
Not only was Prince better than Flea, but quite frankly, Prince was better than EVERYBODY on bass and on guitar for the very reasons you suggested. It was his approach; his dexterity and flexibility; his attention to detail; his ability and willingness to explore and experiment; his love and respect for rhythm BEFORE the hard line.
Watching Prince play any instrument was like watching the Harlem Globetrotters play basketball. It was purely magical genius.
Prince and I once dated the same girl back in the day before he was really famous and I had a chance to play music with him in a basement in Detroit for about three hours. All I can tell you is there has never been a greater musician EVER!!!
1000%
@@TedTalksBassAre you kidding ? Prince was AWASOM. But, 'PLEASE.' NOT THE GREATEST ON BASS !!!
@@spanishcastle1234 I'm 100% sure that I didn't say that he was. I'm also 100% certain that I said what is "good" is subjective. :-)
@@TedTalksBassPerhaps you did not say that Prince was the greatest bass player of all time, but I am saying just that, and here’s why:
Although every bass player has his or her own style and approach to the instrument, you could have placed the top 25 bass players in a single room and let each one go face-to-face with Prince and he would have played their own style in front of them, then added his own Purple sauce.
What I mean is that Prince studied music theory, music style, stage presence and overall audience impact the way Einstein studied Quantum Theory. Prince was Larry Graham, Verdine White, James Jameson, Bootsy Collins, Stanley Clark, Aaron Mills, Marvin Craig, Louis Johnson, Nathan East, Nate Phillips, Marcus Miller and many others all rolled up into one person. He was the only bassist that could play ANY style, ANY genre, and ANY song. He was also the only bassist that had MASTERED over 30 instruments, MASTERED vocals, MASTERED songwriting, MASTERED style…..
I was never a Prince fan, but I still have to admit that he was the greatest musician of all time simply because he invested his time, energy and resources into becoming just that.❤
This is an example of an artist’s genius being so effortless that people don’t appreciate it as they should.
That's what happens when you make it look easy.
Prince being compared to people whom only play bass as their claim to fame? The Brother played SEVERAL instruments.
That would be one of my main points. I've heard many say that he was on par with the best on damn near every instrument. If Prince's primary instrument was bass, people would see it.
To be clear...... Prince played 4 INSTRUMENTS. Tho incredibly.....it was 4.
@@kruncherbloc4775 harp is one. what were the other three?
Voice is also an instrument.
They said Prince could play over 20 instruments! It’s not jus guitar drums bass piano/keyboards! Some people haven’t a clue……
We were blessed to have such a gifted musician in our presence! Of course his vocals were great too! High notes & low vocals! Lead & background vocals!
He was a one man band!
I agree Ted. Think of Alphabet Street, Love Bizzare, Le Grind, etc. Flea is bad too. But Prince was a creative force. He was on a different plain of existence as far as Bass playing.
Norwood from Fishbone inspired and helped Flea with his groove.
This was so good. The feeling of all of these songs give me nasty face every time I listen to them and try to learn them!
Thank you for this video. Prince's style,technique and sound is often overlooked when talking about the pioneers of Bass. Awesome video! 👍
I'm a bass player and being able to place the bass in the middle of the groove is important.
My favorite bassist of all time in Verdine White...what can I say he plays in the vain.
When it comes to prince to be able to not just hear your thoughts as a bassist but to play and build around it is simply amazing.
Ted, love your channel and thank you for this! Great selection from the man’s endless library. I also think the bass in I’m Yours is sick. Especially when he’s trading solos between the guitar and bass…crazy!
Nice Vid, Even Flea himself, said in an interview 12 years ago, He was inspired by Prince in every aspect from bass to songwriting, creativity. Even when Prince played the simplest guitar, bass, drum parts, they always fit the song and had emotion.
That reminds me of when the Spice Girl, Mel B, said she was influenced by Prince.
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Preach! This isn’t spoken about enough! Loved the video 🙌🏼
Prince's bass playing has always been my favourite of all the instruments he played❤
Prince definitely brought a lot to the table of Bass. I learned from him 💯🤘🏿🎸🖤🌹🕊🙏🏾
This dude played a simple "G" note throughout almost the entire "Controversy" song, and it was pure genius. It's the only song Ive ever played on bass with one note that drew me in like that. That dude was a MASTER.
When Ted talks--I listen.
I think what made these parts so good is that there's a simple authority to them. They lay rock solid, inside the groove without cluttering things up. Thanks for the insight into one of Prince's many talents...a true groove-master.
Let’s Work is my favourite prince bassline. It’s a huge dose of funk
You really can't ask for anything more in a funky ass bassline lol
@@SubliminalLiminalX lol ikr? It’s got everything you want in a funky bassline
It’s refreshing to be talking about his bass playing. I love his bass.
Awesome video.
Also “Head” solo keyboard/synth is mind boggling!!!!!!
You obviously have good taste like me in good/great music!💪🤙🏽👌🙌🏽😉👋🏻
Thank you for sharing this. I can play “head” now. It will take me a minute to get the other songs. Prince has always had my ear since the late 70’s. Lady cab driver has been my joint forever. I will always miss that brother, him and Mike. Much love to you bro!
Great overview of Prince's bass playing! I'm a Minneapolis native who was a classmate of Brown Mark and heard his bass playing in high school. I had the great fortune to see Prince in concert many times including his old Glam Slam Nightclub in Minneapolis! I love Prince's great ability to use fingerstyle and slap bass including on the song, "Anotherloverholenyohead." Other Prince bass lines I love, simple but funky, include "Pop Life." I just love another simple but funky Prince bass line on "If I Was Your Girlfriend!" which is a good accompaniment to Prince's "Camille" alter ego! Thank you for sharing this! Great memories! 😊👏🏾♬🎤🎶🎸
Pretty cool you were class mate's with Brown Mark, one of my bass heroes.
Much Love and Respect for you Brother. You have a great attitude & mindset for this! Very engaging, and nurturing the love of the craft as well. I have high hopes for you and I am honored to have shared the stage with you. Humbly.
Peace. Light. Blessings. Bounty. Joy. 🙏🏼💛🎶
Good examples
He understood the relationship between drums and bass perfectly
Also the spaces were used to great effect
It must have helped that he was such a good drummer that his bass rhythm was locked in
"Flea a better bass player than Prince, what uh joke,🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 Prince could out play Flea in his sleep. "You know Ted you can spot uh hater a mile away, "THANKS FOR KEEPIN IT REAL BRO!!!!!!!
Smell a hater like a fart in a car
Again AND YOU KNOW IT TED!!!!!!!
Absolutely agree with you. Not even a legitimate comparison.
Prince was another planet when it comes to bass. Flea is cool but not in the same world with it comes to being compared to the Prince.
Phenomenal communicator full of grace, clarity and fire. Gratitude! Subscribed. ❤
For my top 10 bassist yes Flea is on it but so is Prince where the average listener wouldn't expect him to be because all they know him for is his guitar skills but you can hear the influences of the bass greats in his playing he had a way of making everything he touched his own
I would love to hear you review anotherloverholeinyourhead. That was a subtle bassline that is seriously funky. No one talks about it.
Thank you for this video!!!Nothing compares to Prince!!!
What a fantastic video. Lifelong Prince fan. And completely love learning more about his talent and musicianship from people that also know what they're talking about. Much love and respect ❤
In the Prince pantheon of bass players, I’d go with Sonny T., Andre Cymone, Brown Mark, Rhonda Smith
These lines are great, but I recommend also “Alphabet Street “ and “Le Grind “ (too bad the bass is buried in the mix there). He also did some cool things on “Im yours “, “ Emancipation “, “2nigs united for west Compton “, “Northside “ and, of course, “Lets work “ and “7779311”
I feel for you, Pop Life, Tamborine (crazy!), The ballad of Dorthy Parker (only Prince could make such a song and bass), The one, Love Sign, Family Name, The Everlasting Now
@@darkbluebossa good call on Le Grind. Deceptively and brilliantly funky.
@@mdf1671 yes, and the bass is buried in the mix. If you listen with earphones, there are some very interesting things he does on the bass
Sonny T and Larry Graham . When I hear. Prince I hear these 2 legends. Sonny T taught Prince so much including bass, guitar , and singing in his falsetto voice .
You can surely also hear the Larry Graham and Sly Stone influence.
Flea , better than Prince? Hmmmph. I don’t think so .😂
Yeah that dude was tripping! He also blocked me on fb
I love Prince's bass playing. What's your take on Marvin Isley of the Isley Brothers? I've been listening to them lately, and to me Marvin puts the funk in all of their songs .please do a review
@@alvin1039 LOVED all of Marvin's work. Never got the credit that he deserved when he was alive.
I was 12 years old when the "Controversy" album dropped. As a beginner, I was mezmerized by the bassline on "Let's Work". That's still my favorite Prince bassline of all time. Just funky!
Learning that track gave me supreme confidence at a young age to keep on playing. 😁
"Backing Tracks" in this video created with Songmaster Pro. Try it for 14 days! aurallysound.com/tedtalksbass
flea is one of my students
who said that stole my mushrooms
MAN THIS VIDEO WAS ON POINT MAN❤❤❤,1 OF THE BEST BASS PLAYERS EVER LIVED,BROWN MARK GREAT STUDENT,IF NOT SURPASSED PRINCE❤
Loved your playing on Uptown the most but a fun breakdown of Prince's bass lines. Thank you!
Uhhh,,, he was a badass because he had natural God-given talent, realized it early, didn't waste it (or waste time), practiced a LOT when he was young, and eventually mastered the instrument.
SEXY DANCER is one of my favorite bass plays of Prince! Also the “H” song!!!! The keyboard solo on H is mind boggling! And the piano solo on sexy dancer too!
He was underrated on bass play!!!! He’s a Guitar🎸Hero & Bass Hero! A Synth Great too!
I also found my comment prior to this one! I thought I been here before!🤦🏽♂️😂👋🏻
The thumbnail photo of Prince and the one eyed bass during that time I was a regular at Prince nightclub in downtown Los Angeles, Glam slam West, and I snuck into an early morning rehearsal. That’s a whole other story of many, but I ended up in front of Prince maybe about 8 feet away as he rehearsed and play that bass guitar, Prince played 777-9311 bassline he probably knew and let me slide, I was the only fan there. I don’t think I need to say anything more but yes it was.😉
Hey Ted! refer this guy to Dave Ghrol jamming with Prince. Dave says Prince is the best BASS player Guitar Player, Drummer he's ever seen, or heard. flea is a great bassist! The majority of Prince fans from 1984 will never understand that his best music/songs are pre Purple Rain. This guy is probably not familiar with 17 Days, Do it all Nite, Party up, The Stick, Players Ball, Bambi, Still waiting, Sexy MF and Cream Girls and boys. He can't hear Prince! Prince was the greatest musician ever!
5:23 I knew it was Uptown before you said it, this is the song I play for young dudes wanting to know about Prince. They usually never heard of it and I enjoy watching it blow their minds.
Such a killer tune
You make a very important point: a player doesn't produce that Sound on the instrument unless they have technical proficiency (Proving once again, it's all in the hands)! Great video
That’s why I’ve always said Prince is the greatest musical artist to ever exit a womb. The lyrical/instrumental writing, masterful musicianship across many instruments, his engineering and creative understanding of sound constructs and interweaving, his vocal capabilities with that multi-scale octave skills. I’m not even going into his stage performance. The GOAT
Race and Space...two of my fav all time bass lines
From the early 90's😎
I love Flea, I think everybody does. He loves jazz and dabbles on the trumpet proficiently. But Prince is GODLY!
Ultimately though, we really needa stop comparing and “ranking” musicians and artists. It’s ART! Sure, it can be competitive. But it shouldn’t be taken so seriously.
My money’s on the A to G on Head being played with the thumb fretting the E string!
Love your channel man. Much love from England 👍
As a 40 year bass player thank you for your first statement: "... this is an apples and oranges" comparison. Both excellent and both unique.
My brother I really dug this video and I thought u gave some great insights. Now as far as my fav bass player, it's Jaco.
Great video. One of my favourite bass lines is from the song "I feel for you". Very understated in the mix but the feel is always there. As you pointed out, very percussive in his approach.
I think there were definitely some different styles, but everyone sounded good. You had Larry Graham, Stanley Clarke, Marcus Miller, Lois Johnson, Michael Henderson, Prince, what made prince good was he could play both instrument's bass & guitar. Let's not forget Anthony Jackson, & James from Motown, couldn't think of his last name. I like to hear a lot of melodic notes while funkin it up. To all the greatest bass players that ever lived !
@@LarryRichardson-f1j check out Mark King of Level 42.
James Jamerson, the most influential bass player ever
Aw man, I think we can objectively say Prince's work runs so much deeper in so many ways. Lovely illustration of the point. Subscribed! Best, Daniel 🤙🏻
Thanks brother
@@TedTalksBass 🙏🏻
Yes!! Great examples! I would say “She’s Always In My Hair” is a sneaky one too- as far as being about rythym and pocket - one may focus on guitar on that track which is awesome, but that bass and drum lock- whew!!
Totally!
👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾.....Bravo.....Good choices my man! - Ricky
100% agreed with you Man! Prince was for all time. Was funk royalty
Also the bass hook for I Feel For You is legendary
I am a bass player from Detroit and I think that the best bass player Prince ever had was Prince himself. I would also say that Prince was the greatest bass player and all around musician of all time. Why? Because Prince approached music like a science project: he studied and mastered the deepest depths of music theory and created magic the way the Harlem Globetrotters studied and mastered basketball.
My favorite bass player of all time is Bootsy Collins simply because he was the first Rock Star bassist ever and because he developed his style from understanding the James Brown theory of the “One.”
What makes a bass player great is his or her ability to feel the rhythm and groove, and hear the band, and place those bass notes between the different instruments to create a wall or floor for the music. No one does this better than Bootsy, and he attributes this magic to James Brown ❤
Glad you made this video. My 1st thought was: "Oh yeah, Prince did play bass." Seems there was studio Prince who, like Kevin Durant, scored 35 points on the album before you realized he ever took a shot. He played drums too and the two beats that stand out in my mind are on Irresistible B'tch and Housequake; but I'm only assuming he recorded those.
Nice work brov, Prince was a master chef
Wow I loved this. Long time prince fan. I have to ask... what is that bass guitar? I'm gonna add it to the "want" list right near the top!
Prince is one of my all time favorite musicians period. He is a phenomenal bass player and all around musician.
Larry Graham is One of my favorite bass player also. Marcus Miller,, Verdine White, Louis Johnson, Victor Wooten etc.
You hit bro.. he was the best I’ve played them all on bass in the pocket 🙏🏾
btw, Brown Mark actually responded to one of my comments on his Lady Cab Driver tutorial: he said Prince played on the recording while he played the song live. Quite cool Brown Mark responded, I thought.
Hell yeah, Mark is a beast, my favorite Prince basses, by far.
There was a nice tribute to Prince at the Taste of Minnesota a couple of Sundays ago...by Jam and Lewis as well as Morris Day and the Time who performed! It was the BOMB!!! 😊👏🏾♬🎤🎶🎸
Love your breakdown! Im copping the black mug and subscribing my brother!. Stayn tuned in!! I sent this vid to both my musician cousins because this was our era and inspiration for what we do today. Keep em comin. Im locked in!!!! ✌🏾
Great video. I love your enthusiastic analysis. You've got me motivated to do a deep dive on the Prince catalogue of music.
You should! It’s a great ride
Honorable mention is Prince playing the blisteringly cold bassline of "Stare". The whole song is straight fire!! Baseline is face-melting!!
Oh fo sho
I heard that when Eric Clapton was asked what it felt like to b the best guitar player on the planet he replied "I dont know ask Prince" ....my favorite basslines are off the "for you" album "so blue" and the end bass and guitar battle in "I'm yours" highly underrated album and the bass work on when doves cry.. Genius
Andrew Gouché played with Prince. I liked that.
I really dug Mark Brown’s bass too.
Sonny T, of course. I think he’s my favorite.
Fantastic video.
Absolutely correct bro
@Ted Talks Bass the piano solo on Sexy Dancer was fire too
PRINCE WAS A WORLD CLASS MUSICIAN!!
Thank you good sir for this. Continued success.
Awesome content! That lamp is so fire 💜💜💜 can you please tell me how to get one???
Thanks! Look at the pinned comment for a link. They are affiliate links. Please use those :-)
So I think you play the bass really, really well. You hold the instrument very well, I don't hear any false notes, you mute all the noises with both hands and wrap the sound 😉.
And YES!!! Prince was a super great musician... maybe orchestral arrangements weren't his strong point.... but funk, pop... wow😍
To be fair, Flea would absolutely say he couldn't touch Prince's level of musicality, even if he could pop/slap faster and maybe (MAYBE) rock a bit harder. Flea is such a good dude, he'd give Prince his flowers.
Badaxx on bass and 6 string. He was phenomenal. Unfortunately I wasn’t that into him when he was very popular. What a sad thing too lose such a talented person.😢
Great segment, we do know prince wrote all his stuff,
Excellent!!
There’s another song that is the B side to Sign “☮️” The Times single, La, La, La, He, He, Hee, the bass solo in this song is ridiculous funky
@@silvestergardner4847 I was just about to mention that track. Amazing! 😍
Prince's approach on Irresistible Bitch and Tamborine is totally unique
I would say he actually invented a style listening to those two cuts
BRO!!! Just As Long As We're Together is a jammmm!!! Very good bass line on thar song! People slept on that song!!
You go homie! I loved the bass play of Sexy Dancer! And the Piano Solo!!! Prince was incredible! Let’s be real!!!!