I was playing a private party in Nashville, when to bathroom and he was there. We have mutual friends, I introduced myself, we talked for a min. He ask what I was doing, told him I was play an event in one of the rooms. He said he might drop in and watch. I told him I would take my Bass off if he dropped in. He did and I took, my bass off mid gig, he chuckled and left. Our second break, I was walking around and hear killer bass coming from another convention rooms. I opened the door and saw Vicotr playing, I stay to watch for min or 2, he saw me and in Victor fashion took off the bass laid it on the ground and pointed to me. Room turned and looked at me, I waved and left...We've met over the years and he remembers the moment....
Such a humble kind man. Met him in the VIP Lounge at Summer Camp Festival 2022 and we sat and talked for a near hour while watching live music. One of my favorite memory’s from that fest. RIP SCamp
Vic is such a nice guy I've met him a few times plus had the pleasure of taking part in many free live webinars that him and Steve Bailey hosted through the Berkeley Bass Department during COVID.
I was lucky enough to see Victor live. I personally was a keyboardist but my friend had dragged me along to see him. After watching him crush, Classical thump, Liz & Opie, and Funky D, the next morning I got myself a squire jazz bass for 459 at the closest music shop. I’ll admit I haven’t gotten very good but he remains as such an inspiration for my job, my bass playing, and my entire life. Thank you for this video
You have a head start, keep going! Some of the best bass lines ever were performed by a pianist or keyboardist's left hand. See Stevie Wonder as an example of this.
So I was fortunate enough to do my college internship with Victor at Wooten Woods. I had an advisor that knew him pretty well and encouraged me to cold call and somehow we were able to work it all out. The summer of 2014 was one of the most incredible times of my life and I will always remember how much I learned from Vic and the entire staff that summer about music, nature and life. If anyone has the opportunity to go to one of his camps out at Wooten Woods, do not miss it. It will change your life!
I went to see Bela Fleck & the Flektones at a music festival in W. Palm Beach, FL and after the performance, which was totally sick, I heard someone in the crowd say that Victor would be playing later at a small Jazz club nearby. We then made a beeline to that club and as we had heard, Victor did indeed show up. It was about 11 PM when he began to play and he played non-stop for about 4 hrs playing what seemed like everything he knew. Jazz classics, Pop classics, Funk classics and everything in between. It was an unbelievable experience. Just like 30 people sitting there watching musical miracles take place before our eyes.
The amazing grace got me hooked. I went to the concert a month ago with all his brothers in Holland. Afterwards signed his book and a cd, and he is very kind. True legend . I am considering even going to Tenessee for one of his camps in nature
I have some friends that are pretty great jugglers, Vic juggles. SO one year, prolly late 90s or early 00s my friends saw the flecktones in a park in San Francisco. They juggled while watching the show, then the show was over and Vic stopped by and commented on their juggling, saying they were doing stuff he hadn't seen before, and he tried some stuff with them and and said it was tough, to which Mike said, "Well Vic, it's all about rhythm."
You two are, for me, the best thing anywhere on CZcams regarding bass learning content. Love your expertise, your totally user-friendly guidance, and your hilarious, upbeat vibe. Keep doing what you're doing, fellas - can't get enough.
I've been fortunate enough to meet Victor a couple times through work, one of the most genuinely kind people I've met period. Not only that, his book, The Music Lesson, was a big gamechanger to me as a kid when I first read it. Ended up doing a report on it for school, and because I was so inspired by it, I decided to send an email to him (just through whatever his contact form was on his website at the time, this goes back almost 2 decades at this point) telling him how much I loved it. And to my surprise, he actually wrote me back with some great encouragement and words of wisdom. Truly one of the GOATS.
I've done the Slap Accelerator course several times - it's the most fun course you've ever produced. I always thought my technique was bad because I didn't curl my fingers like you two do. Then I saw a video of Wooten slapping with his hand open like I do and felt much better.
I got to meet him a few years ago when he was a guest at a music camp a back in 2017 when I was 18 and was absolutely astounded by his playing, I got to take a picture with him at the end and he was such a nice guy (I also have a guitar strap signed by him as well as Albert Lee and Jennifer Batten since they were also guests that week and I still love it)
I first went down the Victor Wooten rabbit hole when I saw a video of his incredible bass over the song #41 during a guest appearance on a Dave Mathews Band show.
I was going to buy the new Type O Negative album at the mall, and a guy a few years ahead of me in school was working there. He was a bass player and knew I was too. Dude straight up told me you don't want that, you want this, and handed me the Yin Yang album. Changed my life. I didn't even know you could do that on bass.
my first time hearing victor wooten wasnt even when he was playing. he was actually doing a ted talk called music as a language and from there i had to go listen to him. its been a rabbit hole ever since.
When I was a young bassist I put in Bela Fleck & the Flecktones UFO Tofu. I had no idea what I was going to hear but I was blooooown away by this bassist. Such a distinctive sound, such a seamless groove, somehow both a support and featured role...it was then when I went into my Victor Wooten rabbit hole. Flash forward a few decades and I got to see him live in 2018! Incredible.
My first experience watching and listening Wooten perform was in the 1996 Jacksonville Jazz Festival broadcast on TV. All songs were amazing but, The Sinister Minister where apart form the marvelous bass lines he does an amazing solo was really my first look at what can be done on the bass. From slap, to double thumping, to tapping, etc...I was just blown away and he instantly became one of my heroes! I am nowhere near his talent and abilities of course, but he has always been an amazing source of inspiration. His bass lines and solo on the song "The Longing" always give me goosebumps still to this day!!!
I've been on this Earth for 63 years and have seen and liked and enjoyed many expert bass players. But by far Victor Wooten is one of the best bass players I have ever seen before in my life
I got a summer gig as a bassist for an amusement park in Minnesota. Our manager had Live Art playing in his office and I just sat and listened and soaked it in. I followed the Flecktones and Vic anytime they came through driving up 8 hours away to see them. I even had the opportunity for a masterclass and just love him.
Back in 08, friend of mine and I happened to attend NAMM kind of event, but its just for Bass. There were many booths such Fodera, Sadowsky, Warwick and bass amps too. Went to the Mackie's booth and Victor Wooten just finished a song. I didn't know him at that time as I'm a guitarist, but my friend knew him very well. Victor then asked the audience any song request, and my friend shout "The Lesson". I stood in awe literally just next to Victor Wooten while he played that song. Took out my iPhone 1, recorded a bit of that performance. I couldn't believe how amazing his technical ability was, and IMHO, The Lesson is a such a well written, beautiful piece. Best part was, when he finished playing the song, i said Thank you so for much the song, and he replied "Glad you like it" That was a core memory for me and i became an instant fan. Bought his audiobook called the Music Lesson and got him to sign it later that day.
First time I heard Wooten was a recommended CD. I literally thought my new CD was scratched when I heard classical thumb. Then… when I realized what was happening my mind was absolutely blown! So good.
I'm with Scott. The tone in the 1st two videos is the best. It has more high end zing. That's what I want when I'm listening to a bass virtuoso play busy lines. I don't need massive low end.
The man who inspired me to love music the way I do. His live performance of “isn’t she lovely” just blew me away when I was a little 11 year old searching for bass videos. Still does.
First saw Victor with Bela Fleck in 1992 when I was in college. I was a big Flea and Claypool fan but I was completely blown away by Victor. I had no idea those things were possible.
I remember a slightly different amazing grace clip where he adjusted the tuning knob at the end to resolve the chord. Blows my mind every time I hear it.
Dave Matthews Band, Live in Chicago. Victor comes on.stage and plays an iconic role that just sounds stupid good. The vibe he found with them changed the way I heard bass.
I think I first saw Victor's "Amazing Grace" performance, somebody sent it to me and said "hey, you're a bassist - check this guy out!" I was a teenager at the time, and a friend of mine went to an arts charter school and was in a jazz band. Well, i got to see them open for Victor when he came through town, and THAT was a life-altering moment as a bass player.
Victor's ability just makes me smile with blissful enjoyment without the ambition of trying to emulate him. Additionally, these two guys are so much clean, wholesome, generous and self-deprecating fun... fantastic channel 👏👏👏
I saw Victor Wooten (with his brothers) live for the first time a few days ago in Houston (Heights Theater). Victor is THE player that made me want to play bass (over the electric guitar) when I was first starting college. It was mesmerizing to finally see one of my greatest inspirations THAT close and completely killing it! Still blown away by the whole experience, he is still doing all of those amazing things on the bass (in spite of his condition).
I can't say how much I have enjoyed the addition of Ian to the channel. I have loved SBL since the beginning, but it is better now than it has ever been. Simply top notch.
It was 1994, when i, as a Dutch Bassplayer, came to NY and took a lesson with James Genus, and he was working on “U can’t hold no groove” of his friend Victor Wooten, by that time I’d never heard of him. And he showed me that new thumping technique.
At last week’s concert, Victor told a story about how he and his brothers performed on the Don Kirshner Rock Concert tv show back in the 70s. One of the producers from that show contacted him through social media and said he has a cassette tape Victor’s mom sent to the show of them jamming together as children. They played some of those jams for us which included some funk staples, but also broke into rock and they played Kashmir. He said this inspired them to open the vaults and explore forgotten recordings and that they’re using AI to lift and restore performances of their brother Rudy, who has passed away. So that’s probably going to be what he releases next.
I remember watching the VHS over and over again. It was called Super Bass Solo Technique or something like that. I bought it at Guitar Center when I was probably a freshman in high school. I learned the Pretty Little Lady part by repeatedly rewinding and rewatching it. It was the best part of the whole video. His explanation of the double thump changed my whole life. Although, I've never been able to figure out the double thump double pluck. I can do double thump single pluck all day, but that double pluck has eluded me.
I'm still in the rabbit hole y'all 😂😂😂😂😂😂. This guy is Bass god!!! Watching Victor play gives bassgoosebumps. Laaaaaaaaawd have mercy!!! I've been following him since i found out about him way back 2004.. Love him to the moon and back
You guys are a riot! I first came across Victor years ago when I stumbled across his book, "The Music Lesson, A Spiritual Search for Growth Through Music". Any player, any instrument should check it out! And he can play his arse off too! Great post!
Live at the Apollo with Bela Fleck and the Flecktones is the first time I saw Victor while I was in college. I was flabbergasted to say the least at his playing technique
I first became aware of Victor at the Saratoga Springs Jazz Festival, back in 2009 as part of SMV; Stanley Clarke, Marcus Miller and Victor Wooten. Needless to say, they absolutely blew me away. I had heard of him before and knew he was good but never really had much exposure to him. At the Tower Records booth after their set, I had them all sign the CD of theirs I bought. I told Victor, "After watching you guys, I don't know whether I want to quit or practice harder." Victor replied, "I think you know what to do." Such an eminently cool dude and a fierce bassist. I'd love to do a week at his bass camp.
Amazing Grace from Live At The Quick was it for me. Was in a band with some high school buds, we were already playing some Dave Matthews, and during some of our non-practice hangout sessions, I got launched through DMB's occasional teamups with the Flecktones into the world of Victor...and I only own a bass, I'm not a bass player 🤣 the retuning at the very end absolutely exploded the top of my head. So, from there, I was hooked. I got to meet him twice (in the same weekend, but who's counting :D) and he and the other Flecktones are just the nicest, most personable dudes you could ask for. This was 2005, they came out and just hung out on the front of the stage for about an hour after the show. Life-changing music.
I love the clip where he says there are no wrong notes in the context of we are dancing to the groove not the notes. He comes across as having humility and willingness to share.
First time i saw Victor Wooten was in a video of the Dave Matthew’s Band live in Chicago where Victor plays a solo in #41. That solo blew me away and to this day is still one of my favorite Victor Wooten solos
The first time I saw VW was on a PBS special, I think it was a jazz festival or something with Bela Fleck and Victor just blew the roof off the place with his insane funk slapping technique and tone. I was literally jaw dropped for 45 minutes staring at this performance. Absolutely amazing.
~22 years ago me and another band mate where showing a friend Victor's stuff (a song) and she said "wow, that's great, who's the two players" we said, it's only one guy...Mind bown - Song was Amazing grace
My first exposure to Victor's work was with the Flecktones' second album, "Flight of the Cosmic Hippo". The opener, "Blu-Bop", is an absolute tour de force of walking bass lines , harmonics, vibrato work, and a great tapped solo break, all done with impeccable timing and soul; I've been a huge fan ever since. I've met him a few times at clinics and after shows, and he has been a kind, generous, thoughtful person every time. Victor is One Of The Good Ones.
First time I knew about him is when I heard Overjoyed. Wow it’s so amazing. I didn’t know bass can do that. Then I kept learning the song. Really one of the bass Gods
First time I ever heard Vic was on a mixed tape in my friends car… 2001…the song was “oddity” with the Flecktones….. just blew my mind…. Then whatever happens at the 3:37 mark in the song changed my life forever.
I caught Victor with Steve Bailey and Greg Bissonette live in MSP awhile back. Incredible show, two Jedi masters blowing the minds of northern acolytes!
I heard Victor Wooten for the first time when I was a teenager, the album The Show of Hands made such an impression on me that it inspired me to play the bass, which has been my main instrument ever since I was over 40 years old. What victor does is amazing :)
The first time knew about Victor Wooten was in a clinic in Mexico City and shortly after I witnessed his superpowers at a Bela Fleck concert, that was life changing man!!!
Flew down from Glasgow to London on sleazyjet in early 2000s to see Bela & the Flecktones. My mind has still not recovered! Vic's touch is so light I still havent stopped quivering. And then futureman programmed me even deeper into the matrix.
18:49 You comment about playing a harmonic in front of the 3rd fret just blew my mind...no wonder I've had so much trouble ..thank you ❤ I've now nailed it .... When you know , you know Sorry if I seem stupid and that's actually obvious
I had mostly on experienced Victor listening to Béla Fleck. Then I got to see Victor live at a small venue in Springfield, Missouri, and was absolutely mesmerizing blown away.
How in the world can one man make a bass sound like 3 instruments at the same time. There's got to be some unseen hands with him playing. Victor is the reason I'm still playing bass.....❤
I went to a Victor wooden bass clinic at guitar center in Austin. I asked a question that I was hoping wood lead him to ask me to come up, and play with him, and it worked. So I got a personal 5 minute bass lesson from him. Pretty cool.
The really greats of all times are the great DISCO-FUNK players that have recorded the most beautiful bass lines ever on hundreds of famous and less famous DISCO-FUNK records.
I first heard Victor on Flecktones' Live Art. I heard it, bought it in 1997. Then, in 2008 or so, I started playing bass and I went to his Bass Nature Camp the same year and met him and many others. Victor is amazing at all this unique super show-off-y stuff, but his GROOVE is an undeniable force of nature unequalled in the universe. There are tons of lessons in that knowledge - go to his camp. change your life.
First time I saw or heard of Vic was many years ago. He was with Bela Fleck and the Flecktones but neither he nor Bela was well known at the time. The Flecktones were playing the *old* Birchmere in northern Virginia. Tiny little club, not like the new Birchmere. My buddy, a fellow bass player, had an extra ticket and said YOU ARE COMING! He gave me no choice 😁. We were sitting, I dunno, 10 feet from the band, great seats, and I mean, we were absolutely blown away. My buddy’d never seen them live before then either. It was like nothing I’d ever heard or seen on bass before. We couldn’t for the life of us figure out how he could even do the things we literally saw and heard right in front of our faces. It was an amazing experience, kind of like a musical magic show. Since then I’ve seen him a bunch of times live of course, but also attended some of his lectures at Chuck Levin’s in Maryland. Just a phenomenal player and person. Thanks for spotlighting his incredible talent!
Speaking of pocket - yeah, one of the deepest ever. That’s the thing that early on I really dug about his playing. One of the first pyrotechnic bass players, undeniably, but he can also just sit there in the pocket and groove like nobody’s business. To me, that’s the thing that makes him a *bass player*. Our job is to groove above all else and he brings it all the time.
I’ve been privileged to meet Victor quite a few times. From his combo performances and obviously Bela Fleck and the Flecktones. Prior to that, I always wished I could have went to his Bass & Nature Camp when my buddy said I should join him. Always regretted it. Felt like I wasn’t good enough. 😂 But literally all of these grooves are what got me into Victor Wooten. I practiced all of this grooves. So fun to figure out before tabs and all that came out. I do have to say, Sinister Minister is the first time I heard Victor. I thought that was such a good entry to try and figure him out. Victor is such a great person. Literally one of the most kindest people on the planet. People out there, if you haven’t met him or haven’t seen him perform go do it!
The first time I saw Victor was on BET on jazz. He was with the group Bela Fleck & the Flecktones and he was amazing. Growing up a big Stanley Clarke fan, that got me into the bass. So whenever I hear an outstanding bass player, it gets my attention. Victor is undoubtedly one the best and outstanding bassist I ever heard. I'm blown away every time.
My very first experience hearing Victor Wooten was about 1991/92. I heard a song on the radio of him playing. I can't remember what the song was. I thought to myself," man these guys are good." And then the dj said, " That was Victor Wooten." I was waiting for more names. I was blown away when I discoverd it was only him. Been following him ever since.
The crazyest bass I ever saw was in the late 1980's. A store in Madison Wisconsin had a BC Rich warlock Bass that was both Fretless AND had a Kahler tremolo on it!
I saw Victor and the Wooten Brothers last week 6/28/24. I brought my VHS case for the Super Bass Solo Technique video and had them sign it. I feel like Ralphie from A Christmas Story when he meets Santa and asks for the football instead of the BB gun. Instead of asking him an insightful question, I told him I asked my parents for a Flea video for my birthday 30 years ago and the guy at the store told them if I was into bass, they should get that video instead. I have several other videos, but was happy to get their signatures on the one that got it all started.
I had heard about the Flecktones but never listened to them before. We played 2 bands before them at the KingFest in Atlanta, maybe in 1991. Needless to say after their performance I became a huge Victor and Flecktones fan.
My first Wooten experience was the Amazing Grace harmonic jam, which I'm still trying to play at speed. First in-person mind-blowing experience was a Flecktones Christmas concert where they played Twelve Days of Christmas in 12 keys and 12 time signatures 🤯
I saw Victor with Cory Wong in St Louis, and it was an amazing show! I've seen him several times and actually had a chance to speak with him. Victor is an amazing human being, and musician. I saw him with the Flecktones, on a solo tour with Divinity Roxx, and also when he did a clinic/Bass Extremes with Steve Bailey at the music store I worked at!
I saw Victor Wooten for the first time live at the Aggie in Ft. Collins, CO about 20 years ago. He was playing with Reggie, to see it in person was absolutely mind blowing. Kind of like watching the Harlem Globe Trotters of bass & guitar.
I attended a Vic bass class back in the '90's. The biggest takeaway was that you can hit wrong notes, but timing has to be perfect. Vic has all the skills beyond the bass. He's personable and a fantastic teacher. I could hang out with him and never talk about music.
I first heard Victor Wooten end of the 90's on a Bela Fleck recording. That sparked my interest. Later I bought the Live in America album and that blew my mind. I particularly like his playing together with JD Blair as a drummer. I like JD Blair's drumming a lot. Very minimalistic but with a FANTASTIC feel. Together they work miracles
Florida theatre in GNV as a college kid I saw Victor with Bela Fleck and the Flecktones. Blew my mind. I'd never heard anything like it - any of it. Have seen VW with his brothers as well. Incredible musicality.
It wasn't a video for me. In 1992, there was this album Handel's Messiah: A Soulful Celebration, and behind that superb arrangement of the track "Hallelujah," the bass line caught my attention. Later, I found out it was Victor. That time, there was a dearth of reading material and videos other than the Bass Player mag. One day, I saw UFO Tofu in a music store and saw his name there. There were a lot of things he was doing (like Sex In A Pot...) and I just wished i could groove like him. He's probably the epitome of technique, groove, and novelty.
The whole Show Of Hands album...I saw Victor performing twice. I also met him after the show for a quick photo and some words. He is the G.O.A.T. technique, melodies, groove...he has everything and as a bonus he is a great human being.
First experience with Victor was seeing him w Bela Fleck & The Flecktones at the Somerville Theater in Somerville, MA, USA in maybe 1997ish. That was before I started playing bass but his playing was definitely what stood out for me. I got to see a crazy Wooten Bros show in Asheville, NC before the Warren Hayes XMas Jam in the early 2000s. Oteil came out and him and Vic had a bass duel. Epic. And Vic bowed to Oteil out of respect at the end. Wish there was video of that one.
In 1982 when I attended MI in Hollywood , there was a Jamaican guy named Adrien that called me dread , I bought his 78 stingray bass from him , well he showed me this up plucking thumb style that only he was doing back in 82 !!! He was studying with Jeff Berlin !!! Wow this cat could play !!! I would watch in a daze the stuff he laid down !!! Memories . Just an observation
I was playing a private party in Nashville, when to bathroom and he was there. We have mutual friends, I introduced myself, we talked for a min. He ask what I was doing, told him I was play an event in one of the rooms. He said he might drop in and watch. I told him I would take my Bass off if he dropped in. He did and I took, my bass off mid gig, he chuckled and left. Our second break, I was walking around and hear killer bass coming from another convention rooms. I opened the door and saw Vicotr playing, I stay to watch for min or 2, he saw me and in Victor fashion took off the bass laid it on the ground and pointed to me. Room turned and looked at me, I waved and left...We've met over the years and he remembers the moment....
Such a humble kind man. Met him in the VIP Lounge at Summer Camp Festival 2022 and we sat and talked for a near hour while watching live music. One of my favorite memory’s from that fest. RIP SCamp
I hope to be good enough to play a gig one day.
@@NotCharAznable You Will, and I hope I can be there to watch. Keep Grinding... You Got This ..
Vic is such a nice guy I've met him a few times plus had the pleasure of taking part in many free live webinars that him and Steve Bailey hosted through the Berkeley Bass Department during COVID.
I was lucky enough to see Victor live. I personally was a keyboardist but my friend had dragged me along to see him. After watching him crush, Classical thump, Liz & Opie, and Funky D, the next morning I got myself a squire jazz bass for 459 at the closest music shop. I’ll admit I haven’t gotten very good but he remains as such an inspiration for my job, my bass playing, and my entire life. Thank you for this video
You have a head start, keep going! Some of the best bass lines ever were performed by a pianist or keyboardist's left hand. See Stevie Wonder as an example of this.
You know he's still on tour right
read his book!
you guys are the best duo
Appreciate the warm words!!
So I was fortunate enough to do my college internship with Victor at Wooten Woods. I had an advisor that knew him pretty well and encouraged me to cold call and somehow we were able to work it all out. The summer of 2014 was one of the most incredible times of my life and I will always remember how much I learned from Vic and the entire staff that summer about music, nature and life. If anyone has the opportunity to go to one of his camps out at Wooten Woods, do not miss it. It will change your life!
heyyyy
I went to see Bela Fleck & the Flektones at a music festival in W. Palm Beach, FL and after the performance, which was totally sick, I heard someone in the crowd say that Victor would be playing later at a small Jazz club nearby. We then made a beeline to that club and as we had heard, Victor did indeed show up. It was about 11 PM when he began to play and he played non-stop for about 4 hrs playing what seemed like everything he knew. Jazz classics, Pop classics, Funk classics and everything in between. It was an unbelievable experience. Just like 30 people sitting there watching musical miracles take place before our eyes.
I love the way Victor talks about and explains music as much as I love his playing.
The amazing grace got me hooked. I went to the concert a month ago with all his brothers in Holland. Afterwards signed his book and a cd, and he is very kind. True legend . I am considering even going to Tenessee for one of his camps in nature
I have some friends that are pretty great jugglers, Vic juggles. SO one year, prolly late 90s or early 00s my friends saw the flecktones in a park in San Francisco. They juggled while watching the show, then the show was over and Vic stopped by and commented on their juggling, saying they were doing stuff he hadn't seen before, and he tried some stuff with them and and said it was tough, to which Mike said, "Well Vic, it's all about rhythm."
I seen Victor and his brothers last Friday in Dallas. I talked with Victor for a bit he’s such a nice guy.
i was at that show last saturday. was so good! got to meet him and the brothers after the show.
@@peaelare was it the Austin show?
You two are, for me, the best thing anywhere on CZcams regarding bass learning content. Love your expertise, your totally user-friendly guidance, and your hilarious, upbeat vibe. Keep doing what you're doing, fellas - can't get enough.
I remember the first I saw Wooten it was his Amazing Grace solo. I had to go back and watch EVERYTHING I could.
I've been fortunate enough to meet Victor a couple times through work, one of the most genuinely kind people I've met period. Not only that, his book, The Music Lesson, was a big gamechanger to me as a kid when I first read it. Ended up doing a report on it for school, and because I was so inspired by it, I decided to send an email to him (just through whatever his contact form was on his website at the time, this goes back almost 2 decades at this point) telling him how much I loved it. And to my surprise, he actually wrote me back with some great encouragement and words of wisdom. Truly one of the GOATS.
I've done the Slap Accelerator course several times - it's the most fun course you've ever produced. I always thought my technique was bad because I didn't curl my fingers like you two do. Then I saw a video of Wooten slapping with his hand open like I do and felt much better.
I got to meet him a few years ago when he was a guest at a music camp a back in 2017 when I was 18 and was absolutely astounded by his playing, I got to take a picture with him at the end and he was such a nice guy (I also have a guitar strap signed by him as well as Albert Lee and Jennifer Batten since they were also guests that week and I still love it)
I first went down the Victor Wooten rabbit hole when I saw a video of his incredible bass over the song #41 during a guest appearance on a Dave Mathews Band show.
I was going to buy the new Type O Negative album at the mall, and a guy a few years ahead of me in school was working there. He was a bass player and knew I was too. Dude straight up told me you don't want that, you want this, and handed me the Yin Yang album. Changed my life. I didn't even know you could do that on bass.
For me it was "more love" and "overjoyed." They displayed his best qualities - his articulation and his feel.
His Overjoyed arrangement is masterful. ❤
my first time hearing victor wooten wasnt even when he was playing. he was actually doing a ted talk called music as a language and from there i had to go listen to him. its been a rabbit hole ever since.
When I was a young bassist I put in Bela Fleck & the Flecktones UFO Tofu. I had no idea what I was going to hear but I was blooooown away by this bassist. Such a distinctive sound, such a seamless groove, somehow both a support and featured role...it was then when I went into my Victor Wooten rabbit hole. Flash forward a few decades and I got to see him live in 2018! Incredible.
My first experience watching and listening Wooten perform was in the 1996 Jacksonville Jazz Festival broadcast on TV. All songs were amazing but, The Sinister Minister where apart form the marvelous bass lines he does an amazing solo was really my first look at what can be done on the bass. From slap, to double thumping, to tapping, etc...I was just blown away and he instantly became one of my heroes! I am nowhere near his talent and abilities of course, but he has always been an amazing source of inspiration. His bass lines and solo on the song "The Longing" always give me goosebumps still to this day!!!
I've been on this Earth for 63 years and have seen and liked and enjoyed many expert bass players. But by far Victor Wooten is one of the best bass players I have ever seen before in my life
I got a summer gig as a bassist for an amusement park in Minnesota. Our manager had Live Art playing in his office and I just sat and listened and soaked it in. I followed the Flecktones and Vic anytime they came through driving up 8 hours away to see them. I even had the opportunity for a masterclass and just love him.
Steve Bailey & Victor Wooten - A Chick From Corea (video from 2009) was a revelation for me...
I’ll second that.
Seen him at Atlanta City Winery and I was blown away the entire time
Back in 08, friend of mine and I happened to attend NAMM kind of event, but its just for Bass. There were many booths such Fodera, Sadowsky, Warwick and bass amps too. Went to the Mackie's booth and Victor Wooten just finished a song. I didn't know him at that time as I'm a guitarist, but my friend knew him very well. Victor then asked the audience any song request, and my friend shout "The Lesson". I stood in awe literally just next to Victor Wooten while he played that song. Took out my iPhone 1, recorded a bit of that performance. I couldn't believe how amazing his technical ability was, and IMHO, The Lesson is a such a well written, beautiful piece. Best part was, when he finished playing the song, i said Thank you so for much the song, and he replied "Glad you like it" That was a core memory for me and i became an instant fan. Bought his audiobook called the Music Lesson and got him to sign it later that day.
First time I heard Wooten was a recommended CD. I literally thought my new CD was scratched when I heard classical thumb. Then… when I realized what was happening my mind was absolutely blown! So good.
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I'm with Scott. The tone in the 1st two videos is the best. It has more high end zing. That's what I want when I'm listening to a bass virtuoso play busy lines. I don't need massive low end.
The man who inspired me to love music the way I do. His live performance of “isn’t she lovely” just blew me away when I was a little 11 year old searching for bass videos. Still does.
His solo from Live at The Quick is ridiculous
Honourable mention to all the Vital Tech Tone recordings! Ridiculous trio!!
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First saw Victor with Bela Fleck in 1992 when I was in college. I was a big Flea and Claypool fan but I was completely blown away by Victor. I had no idea those things were possible.
I was there with you. What an amazing BPC concert.😊
A friend of mine introduced me to Victor Wooten. Saw him play live and was simply awestruck. Dude is one of the best ever!
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The double thumb technique has haunted me for years! So cool. Never could get it right. I leave that one for him to do.
I remember a slightly different amazing grace clip where he adjusted the tuning knob at the end to resolve the chord. Blows my mind every time I hear it.
I’m not even a big Wooten fan but this episode was mad fun to watch and listen to! Well done guys…props to whomever does the sound & video editing.
Dave Matthews Band, Live in Chicago. Victor comes on.stage and plays an iconic role that just sounds stupid good. The vibe he found with them changed the way I heard bass.
I think I first saw Victor's "Amazing Grace" performance, somebody sent it to me and said "hey, you're a bassist - check this guy out!"
I was a teenager at the time, and a friend of mine went to an arts charter school and was in a jazz band. Well, i got to see them open for Victor when he came through town, and THAT was a life-altering moment as a bass player.
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@ 0:40 Man, I remember those types of VHS tapes being advertised in all of the guitar and bass magazines.
Victor's ability just makes me smile with blissful enjoyment without the ambition of trying to emulate him. Additionally, these two guys are so much clean, wholesome, generous and self-deprecating fun... fantastic channel 👏👏👏
I saw Victor Wooten (with his brothers) live for the first time a few days ago in Houston (Heights Theater). Victor is THE player that made me want to play bass (over the electric guitar) when I was first starting college. It was mesmerizing to finally see one of my greatest inspirations THAT close and completely killing it! Still blown away by the whole experience, he is still doing all of those amazing things on the bass (in spite of his condition).
It's incredibly inspiring to see Victor finding his own ways of overcoming focal dystonia, almost more so than everything else he has done!
I can't say how much I have enjoyed the addition of Ian to the channel. I have loved SBL since the beginning, but it is better now than it has ever been. Simply top notch.
Appreciate the warm words, glad you're enjoying having Ian as part of the channel!!
It was 1994, when i, as a Dutch Bassplayer, came to NY and took a lesson with James Genus, and he was working on “U can’t hold no groove” of his friend Victor Wooten, by that time I’d never heard of him. And he showed me that new thumping technique.
At last week’s concert, Victor told a story about how he and his brothers performed on the Don Kirshner Rock Concert tv show back in the 70s. One of the producers from that show contacted him through social media and said he has a cassette tape Victor’s mom sent to the show of them jamming together as children. They played some of those jams for us which included some funk staples, but also broke into rock and they played Kashmir. He said this inspired them to open the vaults and explore forgotten recordings and that they’re using AI to lift and restore performances of their brother Rudy, who has passed away. So that’s probably going to be what he releases next.
I remember watching the VHS over and over again. It was called Super Bass Solo Technique or something like that. I bought it at Guitar Center when I was probably a freshman in high school. I learned the Pretty Little Lady part by repeatedly rewinding and rewatching it. It was the best part of the whole video. His explanation of the double thump changed my whole life. Although, I've never been able to figure out the double thump double pluck. I can do double thump single pluck all day, but that double pluck has eluded me.
He blew my mind right at the outset with that Sinister Minister solo. I mean, daym!
I'm still in the rabbit hole y'all 😂😂😂😂😂😂.
This guy is Bass god!!!
Watching Victor play gives bassgoosebumps.
Laaaaaaaaawd have mercy!!!
I've been following him since i found out about him way back 2004..
Love him to the moon and back
You guys are a riot! I first came across Victor years ago when I stumbled across his book, "The Music Lesson, A Spiritual Search for Growth Through Music". Any player, any instrument should check it out! And he can play his arse off too! Great post!
7:27 trust me, the most under-rated music pun of all time. After mentioning Willie Nelson vibe, Ian says "Crazy"... just, stunning
Live at the Apollo with Bela Fleck and the Flecktones is the first time I saw Victor while I was in college. I was flabbergasted to say the least at his playing technique
I first became aware of Victor at the Saratoga Springs Jazz Festival, back in 2009 as part of SMV; Stanley Clarke, Marcus Miller and Victor Wooten. Needless to say, they absolutely blew me away. I had heard of him before and knew he was good but never really had much exposure to him. At the Tower Records booth after their set, I had them all sign the CD of theirs I bought. I told Victor, "After watching you guys, I don't know whether I want to quit or practice harder." Victor replied, "I think you know what to do." Such an eminently cool dude and a fierce bassist. I'd love to do a week at his bass camp.
Amazing Grace from Live At The Quick was it for me. Was in a band with some high school buds, we were already playing some Dave Matthews, and during some of our non-practice hangout sessions, I got launched through DMB's occasional teamups with the Flecktones into the world of Victor...and I only own a bass, I'm not a bass player 🤣 the retuning at the very end absolutely exploded the top of my head. So, from there, I was hooked.
I got to meet him twice (in the same weekend, but who's counting :D) and he and the other Flecktones are just the nicest, most personable dudes you could ask for. This was 2005, they came out and just hung out on the front of the stage for about an hour after the show. Life-changing music.
A family friend brought over The Flecktones Live at the Quick on DVD. That was the craziest thing I had ever seen. Obsessed ever since.
I love the clip where he says there are no wrong notes in the context of we are dancing to the groove not the notes. He comes across as having humility and willingness to share.
First time i saw Victor Wooten was in a video of the Dave Matthew’s Band live in Chicago where Victor plays a solo in #41. That solo blew me away and to this day is still one of my favorite Victor Wooten solos
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One day, we will see "Ian Allison is the GOAT" video. His techniques, tones and super grooving positive vibes is top notch 👌
The first time I saw VW was on a PBS special, I think it was a jazz festival or something with Bela Fleck and Victor just blew the roof off the place with his insane funk slapping technique and tone. I was literally jaw dropped for 45 minutes staring at this performance. Absolutely amazing.
~22 years ago me and another band mate where showing a friend Victor's stuff (a song) and she said "wow, that's great, who's the two players" we said, it's only one guy...Mind bown - Song was Amazing grace
First Vic Wooten song I heard was him playing Amazing Grace on a Bela Fleck album where he's wearing the rainbow tight shirt. SO SO SO GOOD!!!
I never heard that first song, I really dug that bass line and will try and learn it now! :)
Go for it, have fun!!
My first exposure to Victor's work was with the Flecktones' second album, "Flight of the Cosmic Hippo". The opener, "Blu-Bop", is an absolute tour de force of walking bass lines , harmonics, vibrato work, and a great tapped solo break, all done with impeccable timing and soul; I've been a huge fan ever since. I've met him a few times at clinics and after shows, and he has been a kind, generous, thoughtful person every time. Victor is One Of The Good Ones.
First time I knew about him is when I heard Overjoyed. Wow it’s so amazing. I didn’t know bass can do that. Then I kept learning the song. Really one of the bass Gods
I fell in love with Victor when I first heard Bela Fleck and the Flecktones in the 90's, my hands hurt just watching this.
First time I ever heard Vic was on a mixed tape in my friends car… 2001…the song was “oddity” with the Flecktones….. just blew my mind…. Then whatever happens at the 3:37 mark in the song changed my life forever.
I caught Victor with Steve Bailey and Greg Bissonette live in MSP awhile back. Incredible show, two Jedi masters blowing the minds of northern acolytes!
I heard Victor Wooten for the first time when I was a teenager, the album The Show of Hands made such an impression on me that it inspired me to play the bass, which has been my main instrument ever since I was over 40 years old. What victor does is amazing :)
The first time knew about Victor Wooten was in a clinic in Mexico City and shortly after I witnessed his superpowers at a Bela Fleck concert, that was life changing man!!!
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Flew down from Glasgow to London on sleazyjet in early 2000s to see Bela & the Flecktones. My mind has still not recovered! Vic's touch is so light I still havent stopped quivering. And then futureman programmed me even deeper into the matrix.
18:49 You comment about playing a harmonic in front of the 3rd fret just blew my mind...no wonder I've had so much trouble ..thank you ❤ I've now nailed it ....
When you know , you know
Sorry if I seem stupid and that's actually obvious
I had mostly on experienced Victor listening to Béla Fleck. Then I got to see Victor live at a small venue in Springfield, Missouri, and was absolutely mesmerizing blown away.
That must have been a fantastic show!!
How in the world can one man make a bass sound like 3 instruments at the same time.
There's got to be some unseen hands with him playing.
Victor is the reason I'm still playing bass.....❤
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I went to a Victor wooden bass clinic at guitar center in Austin. I asked a question that I was hoping wood lead him to ask me to come up, and play with him, and it worked. So I got a personal 5 minute bass lesson from him. Pretty cool.
The really greats of all times are the great DISCO-FUNK players that have recorded the most beautiful bass lines ever on hundreds of famous and less famous DISCO-FUNK records.
I was wonderfully ignorant when I walked up on Victor Wooten playing a set at SummerCamp music festival in 2015. He’s such a badass to see live.
Scott I am with you. The pretty little lady riff is sooo deep and beefy sounding. Friggen unreal
I first heard Victor on Flecktones' Live Art. I heard it, bought it in 1997. Then, in 2008 or so, I started playing bass and I went to his Bass Nature Camp the same year and met him and many others. Victor is amazing at all this unique super show-off-y stuff, but his GROOVE is an undeniable force of nature unequalled in the universe. There are tons of lessons in that knowledge - go to his camp. change your life.
First time I saw or heard of Vic was many years ago. He was with Bela Fleck and the Flecktones but neither he nor Bela was well known at the time. The Flecktones were playing the *old* Birchmere in northern Virginia. Tiny little club, not like the new Birchmere. My buddy, a fellow bass player, had an extra ticket and said YOU ARE COMING! He gave me no choice 😁. We were sitting, I dunno, 10 feet from the band, great seats, and I mean, we were absolutely blown away. My buddy’d never seen them live before then either. It was like nothing I’d ever heard or seen on bass before. We couldn’t for the life of us figure out how he could even do the things we literally saw and heard right in front of our faces. It was an amazing experience, kind of like a musical magic show. Since then I’ve seen him a bunch of times live of course, but also attended some of his lectures at Chuck Levin’s in Maryland. Just a phenomenal player and person. Thanks for spotlighting his incredible talent!
Speaking of pocket - yeah, one of the deepest ever. That’s the thing that early on I really dug about his playing. One of the first pyrotechnic bass players, undeniably, but he can also just sit there in the pocket and groove like nobody’s business. To me, that’s the thing that makes him a *bass player*. Our job is to groove above all else and he brings it all the time.
show of hands is biblical ❤ completely left me in disbelief
I’ve been privileged to meet Victor quite a few times. From his combo performances and obviously Bela Fleck and the Flecktones.
Prior to that, I always wished I could have went to his Bass & Nature Camp when my buddy said I should join him. Always regretted it. Felt like I wasn’t good enough. 😂
But literally all of these grooves are what got me into Victor Wooten. I practiced all of this grooves. So fun to figure out before tabs and all that came out.
I do have to say, Sinister Minister is the first time I heard Victor. I thought that was such a good entry to try and figure him out.
Victor is such a great person. Literally one of the most kindest people on the planet. People out there, if you haven’t met him or haven’t seen him perform go do it!
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The first time I saw Victor was on BET on jazz. He was with the group Bela Fleck & the Flecktones and he was amazing. Growing up a big Stanley Clarke fan, that got me into the bass. So whenever I hear an outstanding bass player, it gets my attention. Victor is undoubtedly one the best and outstanding bassist I ever heard. I'm blown away every time.
Personal favourite is his bass solo on Direct Flyte with Cory Wong and the Wong Notes.
So much groove with technical chops mixed in tastefully
I was in the audience on that victor and Michael video! pure gold
My very first experience hearing Victor Wooten was about 1991/92. I heard a song on the radio of him playing. I can't remember what the song was. I thought to myself," man these guys are good." And then the dj said, " That was Victor Wooten." I was waiting for more names. I was blown away when I discoverd it was only him. Been following him ever since.
I watched SMV live in concert. Seeing it live in person was a revelation.
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The crazyest bass I ever saw was in the late 1980's. A store in Madison Wisconsin had a BC Rich warlock Bass that was both Fretless AND had a Kahler tremolo on it!
I saw Victor and the Wooten Brothers last week 6/28/24. I brought my VHS case for the Super Bass Solo Technique video and had them sign it. I feel like Ralphie from A Christmas Story when he meets Santa and asks for the football instead of the BB gun. Instead of asking him an insightful question, I told him I asked my parents for a Flea video for my birthday 30 years ago and the guy at the store told them if I was into bass, they should get that video instead. I have several other videos, but was happy to get their signatures on the one that got it all started.
I had heard about the Flecktones but never listened to them before. We played 2 bands before them at the KingFest in Atlanta, maybe in 1991. Needless to say after their performance I became a huge Victor and Flecktones fan.
My first Wooten experience was the Amazing Grace harmonic jam, which I'm still trying to play at speed. First in-person mind-blowing experience was a Flecktones Christmas concert where they played Twelve Days of Christmas in 12 keys and 12 time signatures 🤯
He loves magic tricks like the "lean" from smooth criminal... He's got the plate and the boots and does it for shows on occasion. Love it.
Seen this man live four times, the most skill ever displayed in front of me. John Madeski on keyboards was a close second(MMW)
I saw Victor with Cory Wong in St Louis, and it was an amazing show! I've seen him several times and actually had a chance to speak with him. Victor is an amazing human being, and musician. I saw him with the Flecktones, on a solo tour with Divinity Roxx, and also when he did a clinic/Bass Extremes with Steve Bailey at the music store I worked at!
I saw Victor Wooten for the first time live at the Aggie in Ft. Collins, CO about 20 years ago. He was playing with Reggie, to see it in person was absolutely mind blowing. Kind of like watching the Harlem Globe Trotters of bass & guitar.
I attended a Vic bass class back in the '90's. The biggest takeaway was that you can hit wrong notes, but timing has to be perfect.
Vic has all the skills beyond the bass. He's personable and a fantastic teacher. I could hang out with him and never talk about music.
I first heard Victor Wooten end of the 90's on a Bela Fleck recording. That sparked my interest. Later I bought the Live in America album and that blew my mind. I particularly like his playing together with JD Blair as a drummer. I like JD Blair's drumming a lot. Very minimalistic but with a FANTASTIC feel. Together they work miracles
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Florida theatre in GNV as a college kid I saw Victor with Bela Fleck and the Flecktones. Blew my mind. I'd never heard anything like it - any of it. Have seen VW with his brothers as well. Incredible musicality.
It wasn't a video for me. In 1992, there was this album Handel's Messiah: A Soulful Celebration, and behind that superb arrangement of the track "Hallelujah," the bass line caught my attention. Later, I found out it was Victor. That time, there was a dearth of reading material and videos other than the Bass Player mag. One day, I saw UFO Tofu in a music store and saw his name there. There were a lot of things he was doing (like Sex In A Pot...) and I just wished i could groove like him. He's probably the epitome of technique, groove, and novelty.
The whole Show Of Hands album...I saw Victor performing twice. I also met him after the show for a quick photo and some words. He is the G.O.A.T. technique, melodies, groove...he has everything and as a bonus he is a great human being.
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First experience with Victor was seeing him w Bela Fleck & The Flecktones at the Somerville Theater in Somerville, MA, USA in maybe 1997ish. That was before I started playing bass but his playing was definitely what stood out for me.
I got to see a crazy Wooten Bros show in Asheville, NC before the Warren Hayes XMas Jam in the early 2000s. Oteil came out and him and Vic had a bass duel. Epic. And Vic bowed to Oteil out of respect at the end. Wish there was video of that one.
In 1982 when I attended MI in Hollywood , there was a Jamaican guy named Adrien that called me dread , I bought his 78 stingray bass from him , well he showed me this up plucking thumb style that only he was doing back in 82 !!! He was studying with Jeff Berlin !!! Wow this cat could play !!! I would watch in a daze the stuff he laid down !!! Memories . Just an observation
"The people of the Tubes", that's funny Scott! Also, I just want to say you guys are so entertaining, what a great channel for bass.
My first time was Sco-Mule with Gov't Mule - instantly wanted to play bass 🙏