All of you fellow bass players know the incredible skill of Victor, but I am wondering if any of you have/are attempting to pick up his style of play. I watched his DVD which had some of his playing from Bass Day, and he explained the basics of how he pulls off those incredible triplets and quadruplets. I have been attempting to learn his thumb motion, which is nothing more than a slap down and through the string, and then a return through the string with an up-stroke. He then “pops” the third note with his forefinger. To add variety, he often pops with his forefinger and then middle finger.
My problem, and I have been playing for about 16 years, is that I can’t seem to NOT pop with my forefinger when I bring my thumb back through the string. I was hoping that maybe I could gain some insight or support from any other Dopers who have more knowledge/skill than I.
And if you feel like just singing the praises of Victor, then go right ahead!
I tried to figure it out on my own by the usual techniques - playing back at half-speed and mostly endless repitition.
When the Flecktones were just getting famous, there were no guides or method books to help.
Again, the more I heard Victor play, the more I gave up - in my case, not a bad thing - it was simply an acknowledgement that his technique could not be imitated by mere mortals such as myself. YMMV.
No, I don’t. If I ever have money someday, I might get myself a bass, but that’s a big if. I like to think you can’t follow the best guitar players without knowing the best bass players, though. In fact, just this past week I interviewed one of Victor Wooten’s colleagues and friends, and a guest on that Bass Day DVD- Oteil Burbridge.
Victor is simply the best bass player ever. I was lucky to catch Bela and the Flecktones live, back in 2002. Nobody else comes close to him (or any of them on their instruments), on a technique level.
I’ve seen Vic play with the Flecktones, and under his own name (with brothers on guitar and keys, and man, his brother who plays guitar was pretty amazing as well).
WHAT! You got to interview Oteil Burbridge? Am I allowed to ask why you were doing so? BTW, I’m just glad you didn’t say that “any guitar player can play the bass”.
Anything for publicity.
I freelance for a Southern music magazine called Hittin’ the Note. I’ve done a couple of pieces for their web site, and I’ve gotten stories into print in their last two issues. I’m hoping the February issue shows up soon, I did a big feature on the Derek Trucks Band for it and I think it should’ve arrived already.
I don’t think anybody who’s heard these guys would say that. Anyhow, if I’m not that good on the instrument I actually play, why would I be better on another one?
Any of you who are interested in checking the Flecktones out further should try to get your hands on the “Live at The Quick” DVD. It has a ton of great performances.
I’m so glad to see Vic get the recognition he deserves. I first saw the Flecktones open for Chicago back in '89 and was just floored by Sinister Minister and the way Vic broke into Tchiachovsky while spinning the bass around his body.
I had the pleasure of being a one day roady for the band when they played at Western Kentucky in '92. Got to meet them all (back when Howard Levy was still with the band) and everyone was great. Plus Vic gave me a free shirt! I still have the concert poster autographed by all four members. Good times…good times…
I’ve been a Vic fan for a long time, but I don’t have any of his DVDs. Are you saying he shares his technique on “Live at Bass Day?” or some other DVD?
I’ve tried to play along to a few Flecktones tunes, but on a few of them I stopped & wondered “How does he do that?”
I’ve ripped off his version of “Norwegian Wood” at a couple of my shows. It always pleases. It also makes me sad to have to admit that it’s not my arrangement.
AndyPolley, You can catch him sharing some of his technique on DVD. I believe it is titled “Live at Bass Day”, but I might be mistaken. I have been trying it out for about 8 months now, so if you have any questions, I will answer what I can.
A while back, I saw a TV special (PBS?) with Victor Wooten, Ray Brown, and Edgar Meyer playing together. All three are superstars of the bass in their various fields. Do you know if it’s available on DVD? The show was incredible. We have lost Ray Brown, but he was revered among jazz bass players. Edgar Meyer’s work in bluegrass, jazz, and classical music is known around the world. The admiration these three had for each other was obvious in the show.
I like to think you can’t follow the best guitar players without knowing the best bass players, though. In fact, just this past week I interviewed one of Victor Wooten’s colleagues and friends, and a guest on that Bass Day DVD- Oteil Burbridge.