Flea’s Funkiest Bass Line (that you’ve probably never heard)
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- čas přidán 14. 07. 2024
- It’s one of Flea’s funkiest ever bass lines, and it’s been hiding in plain sight for 30 years, on an album we all thought we knew inside out!
Blood Sugar Sex Magik was a game-changing moment for the Red Hot Chili Peppers. And after the soaring final chorus of Funky Monks, you’re momentarily kept waiting before Flea’s stomping funk groove plays in all of its hidden glory. And today you’re going to learn it…
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Video Breakdown:
00:00 - Introduction
00:20 - The history of Funky Monks
01:10 - Flea in the studio
02:16 - The hidden bass line
02:46 - Grab the FREE workbook
03:16 - What is unique about this bass line?
03:53 - What most bass players would do...
04:42 - The breakdown, Phrase 1 - Pt. 1
05:22 - The articulations
05:42 - Flea's musical background 🎺
06:15 - The breakdown, Phrase 1 - Pt. 2
07:19 - The breakdown, Phrase 2
07:44 - The breakdown, Variation 1
08:49 - The breakdown, Variation 2
09:24 - Never sacrifice the groove!
09:54 - The enemy of the groove
10:40 - The breakdown, Variation 3
11:54 - The super short note!
12:22 - Emulating the tone with FX
14:09 - Did you know...
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*PLEASE READ* - It's come to our attention that there are some commenters on our videos who are trying to scam our subscribers with offers of free gifts and message requests. None of these comments are official or from us. We will never reach out via the comments of a social media channel. We're doing our best to remove the comments and flag the accounts in question!
So I don't get a gift? No free Stenback or Fodera for me? 😢😢😢
12:39 hey! Have you got the preset/patch details for the HX stomp? I’d love that as I can’t quite get it myself.
There's actually a interview of Anthony and John where they are told that Funky Monks is not a "relevant song". John's reaction is priceless czcams.com/video/L1CZtGJpL0M/video.html
Like you trying to scam people to watch this video with thta title then?
I was on the Blood Sugar Sex Magik tour. Daaaaaaaaang!
The whole Blood, Sugar, Sex, Magik is full of funky bass lines!!
THEY"RRRRRRE GREAAAAT!!!!
- Tony The Tiger
You're jamn right!!! Loved it from the jump
The whole album bro!
I started playing bass in 1989 punk inspired but with a deep rooted love of Funk and Blues when this Album came out it rearranged my musical mind.
WHO didn‘t know this „hidden“ track?! It’s the best part of it 🥰
I mean the song wasn't one of their radio hits, but I feel like everbody who knows the full album likes funky monkey monks. Great song from one of the all time great albums.
I always felt like Funky Monks was the favorite track of anyone who owned the BSSM album. However, the kids genuinely don't listen to music like that anymore, the Spotify algorithm clearly isn't pushing this particular track.
This record is perfect from beginning to end. Wouldn't call it a Hidden track since it's in the middle, and who would stop any of these songs from playing? I played the whole CD every time
The righteous and the wicked is a better hidden 5 string riff by him I feel like
What I thought lol
The entire album is a masterpiece. The Righteous and the Wicked is pretty massive too, especially the unison lines with John
And Sir Psycho Sexy, and Mellowship Slinky in B maj... so many killer groove lines on that album! The best RHCP, to my mind ; the funkiest, at least.
@@abacquias totally agreed, my most listened vinyl for sure
Agreed. Best song on the album and it’s a real pity they never played it live.
That whole album is an education in modern funk bass.
Funky Monks outro is unbelievable. The whole album is the best stuff RHCP ever did.
🔥🔥🔥
the whole song is unbelievable.
the whole album is unbelievable!!
Still can not believe that they played this gem only 3 times live so far. One of their greatest songs.
🔥🔥🔥
Guys, you're such a great duo. Scott was great on his own, but man.. this format is awesome.
Much bass love
SBL is going from strength to strength!
Soo true
The non stop knee touching is a bit awkward, otherwise enjoying the series.
I played the second bass line in the intro at a band audition in the 90’s and everyone freaked. I didn’t admit where it came from. I also used the bass line to the shower scene from Debbie Does Dallas… it’s an overlooked funk gem.
After some extensive research on the DDD bassline, I agree it is quite a gem.
I never even noticed the bass line in DDD, must have been distracted.
@@Yomommahouse6801 things you notice the 23rd viewing….
@@guillermodelnoche 😂
that reminds me how I played Sebastian Bachs "Bouree" by Jethro Tull on bass for my 12th grade music exam and told my teacher I made it and got the highest grade in class lol
The fact that Scott is letting Ian get some luv from the WAL is so awesome!! You two are the best duo ever!! I didn’t know Flea played a 5er !! I wish he still played the Stingrays! That’s the Tone rite there!
Sounds more like a single coil bridge pickup to my ears
BSSM is a MANDATORY album for bass players. Being listening and playing it since tthe 90´s. Love it!
Flea said in an 90s article he had been listening to a lot of George Porter Jr. when he recorded the bass line. Yes it’s a horn line but is with the tradition of some good ol New Orleans Funk!
I love it!!
Here to echo how much I love having the two of you together in a studio - absolutely fantastic chemistry and dynamic!
This channel is good enough to be a 1/2-hour network TV show now.
"Never heard" bassline from one of the greatest albums ever. Lol. Every song is perfect on that album. But seriously love the channel. However, imo the chorus of "If you have to ask" is hands down the the funkiest bass line on RHCP's BSSM
LOVE that tune
I am now officially at the age where people "discover" the music I've been listening to all my life. *sigh*
I remember hearing this for the first time when I was 12 and being so amazed by how funky Flea is. He made me want to play bass.
You guys make me so happy and proud to be a bassist! There isn't a cooler jnstrument. Period.
I’m so glad you guys are feeling how amazing this is the track finally getting the recognition it deserves I love the appreciation energy here I have no one to share this stuff with and you guys get it!
This video was so fun to watch! Seriously, I cannot get enough of this bassline. It's nice to see it get the attention it finally deserves
On release day I went out and bought this. I had been playing for about 4 years by then and I listened to the whole album all the way through. This song, Righteous and the Wicked, Mellowship Slinky, and Sir Psycho Sexy are the songs that had me woodshedding that very night. To this day that Funky Monks “solo” at the end is one of the first things I’ll play on a bass to test how easy playing the neck is. I can’t believe it’s been 32 years now so thanks for reminding me how old I’m getting lol :)
Keep up this format! Great to watch, having fun and learning at the same time. Cheers from Brazil!
great video guys, as always
So glad you guys broke this down. It's my single most favourite bassline ever, so great to see it getting the respect it deserves!
Clicking this video and the first thing I see in Scott and Ian "headbanging" and vibing to the song... PRICELESS😆
I am a drummer and free time lowest level acoustic guitar player. You give me so much joy with your bass videos. I really feel to hopp on that groovy fourstring. 😊 So nice.
I learned to play bass off this album! I was so thrilled when Ian did a deep dive on this whole record a little while back.
Perfect analysis, awesome groovy groove! 🤘🤘
This groove falls under my fingers almost every time I'm procrastinating practice. It's so much fun to play, and just naturally makes me happy.
Blood sugar sex magic is my favorite album of all time. So happy that you bring up this riff
That is such a juicy bass track! I bought this CD when it came out in 91 and have worshiped it ever since.
Love watching your videos. These are amazing!
I put this album next to Parliament's "Mothership Connection" and James Brown's "Love, Power, Peace". It's the funkiest!
This is amazing, to see you two absolutely loving one of my fav bass parts by my fave bass player. Really inspiring. I started playing bass because of blood sugar sex magic and bought the book. I still after nearly 30 years haven't mastered it all. Love it. SBL is ace
thank you for making this! I always thought this was one of the most underrated chili peppers songs ever! this end section is without a doubt one of my favorite things to listen to and show people!
BEST CHANNEL ON CZcams!!!!! FUN AND EDUCATIONAL AT THE SAME TIME
Just from the title and album, I knew exactly what line you were talking about.. Been playing this randomly on bass for a decade. Great line that is too short.
Just finished the video. Great breakdown.
I loved the depth you guys went into breaking down this part of funky monks. I wish there was a guitar channel that would do the same as this
What a great dissection of this line, really great insight and playing.
I've always thought it sounds like John is playing horn section stabs. Absolutely love this part of the song, respect to you guys for focusing on it.
Matching your hat to your bass, boss level move Scott.
What good timing that you guys brought this song up! I started playing bass in high school and thought this song and this album was already a masterpiece, but my musical comprehension wasn't so developed, fast forward almost 20 years I've been playing mostly metal and developed my understanding and feelings about music much more. Until few months ago I watched Cory Wong sketches so I decided hmmm let's go back to re-explore funk and this RHCP album again, I got mind blown by this track once again! Thank you for showcasing this.
Great, always my favourite part of the album. The chorus part to "if you have to ask", is another amazing line
You have to do stank face to play that part correctly
My friend and I listened to this album on repeat all day long, pretty much the entirely of the summer of '94. It's probably my favorite album of all time, so many bangers. Flea became my first bass inspiration some 2 or 3 years before I even picked up my first bass. Such an aggressive style, but so damn funky.
It’s funnet how this was great because of Scott’s energy and enthusiasm… and now with Ian added in it’s 1+1 = 11. Because you to “go to 11” 💪 love how you enjoy exploring, explaining and enjoying this! Thanks for sharing your knowledge and insights.
Such infectious enthusiasm! Love it! ❤️
Great job guys! REaly inspire to keep playing thru this tuf time. Thank you!
Thanks guys, l've always loved this nugget at the end of the track. That tone would be one of my 'go to's' for sure !
The bass grannies finale - love it !
I've listened to this song 1000 times and never realized how amazing this bass line was. My fault not to paying attention to it. Thanks for this video!!
Love your duo work guys. And you’re sounding great 🤩
Great video! Man I really have to pay more attention to flea!!
I've been wanting to learn this for years!!
I have the tab book since many years and it is still one of my favorites. So funky ! Many bass riffs aren’t so difficult and are so fun to play !
When I saw the title I had a feeling it was this song! Threw up my hands when I heard the first note. Also the lead in to that funky outdo is perfect with Chad’s fill followed by a second of silence.
You guys so funny :) really the humour is what got me hooked to this channel years ago.
Oh man…making me feel super old if we’re talking about Funky Monks as part of a bygone era. Oh wait…I am old. Ha. I was 14 going on 15, and had been playing bass for 4 months when I got that documentary you’re showing for Xmas on VHS. I wore that thing out learning this track and others. It was also the first time we’d hear the sentimental bass line for “Soul to Squeeze” which wouldn’t be released for a good year or so as a b-side, then blow up when it was on the Coneheads soundtrack. That album (and documentary) taught me so much about playing bass.
That Wal is a beast!!!!!!!!!
This video got me listening again to one of my fav albums growing up
In a 1991 interview, John Frusciante is so utterly shocked that the interviewer didn't like this song that he interrupts Keidis and proceeds to sing the bassline like a little kid. Thats when you know you've got a good one.
I still remember hearing this bass line for the first time in the video you guys did for the Bass Albums That Changed the World for BSSM, definitely one of Flea's coolest parts
"the enemy of the groove is discomfort" man that one resonated with me! what a wonderful quote!
This was fun to follow along with. I always loved that hidden jam!
Yes, this is the TOP bass line ever!
I played it with my band in 1999 and it gave us that FEEL that called groove.
I don’t think Flea gets enough credit for how innovative some of his baselines are.. nice example here
You guys are so fun :)
Awesome video!. I remember being in awe to that bass line and was truly the first time I knew I had to learn to play bass🙏
Flea used Mesa Boggie Cabs for all that era and BSSM was recorded with Wal and Stingray 5 string bass
Scott, Ian, I just woke up so top of the morning fellas. Dudes, like, WHAT?!?! I literally paused the video to comment. No I have not heard this song, but OH ME GOODNESS! That opening riff just put me on pause in a good way
This outro is my ringtone for 10 years. Love it so much 👍
Scott, think you are a fantastic teacher and commentator (and bass player). Thank you for creating a fantastic spot on CZcams for us bass players! Genuine thanks!
Appreciate you checking out the channel! 🧡
Thanks for the transcriptions: ages ago I learned almost the whole album but have skipped that part, now I have no excuse, I must learn it! 😊
Go to it and have fun with it!!
This video is amazing guys. It's nice to be able to learn and enjoy as if we're among friends in a local.
Love that dude! 🧡
I made that last part my ringtone years ago. Love it.
Its a great line. Very insightful video.
I'm lovin' y'alls' enthusiasm!
I can't tell you how thankful I am for this video.
I’m totally familiar w/ this, but it’s nice to hear you 2 analyze it with music theory. Simply put, it sounds like he’s doing a fill before landing on what should be the root note typically played first. BSSM is definitely 1 of my favorite albums and I think 1 of the first I had on 💿 CD.
BSSM was the album that inspired me to start playing bass when I was 16.
9 years later, it's still a linchpin source of reference and inspiration for my bass playing. I'm so glad someone is finally doing a deep dive on Flea's funky bass beyond the mainstream hits, it really shows off just how fking funky he is.
Some of the best music RHCP ever recorded was on that album. That extended bass funk track was the reason I bought the CD in 1992. Pretty amazing transcription work on this Easter egg. Great post and fun to watch two super talented bassists in their working processes. I learned a lot.
Cheers Steve!
Geez, I listen to this hidden track like it was the most famous track ever since the 90’s. This is what got me started playing bass.. thanks Flea…
On the documentary "funky monks" (the making and recording of blood sugar sex magic) flea and John were doing an interview and the critic didn't like the song "funky monks"...John said said "wait! You don't like the outro where flea plays that amazing bass line!!??"
Been loving that song (especially the outro) for a long time!
🧡🧡🧡
Such a great album! I'd love to hear a breakdown of stuff off One Hot Minute. Not everyone's favourite RHCP albums but I think Navaro's playing opened up a different side of Flea's playing. There's some cool melodic stuff scattered throughout.
killer. i'm going to have to learn this!
Hey Scott and Ian! I love your breakdowns!
It would be cool to see you take a look at the herbaliser, they got some mean basslines!
Rock on!
Sounds like fun!
You two are right. Easily one of the best albums and an incredible bass line.
🔥🔥🔥
I had the cassette tape of this album my cousin gave me as a gift. It’s the album with many songs that you would want to listen each from the first to the last song. Best bang for your buck album.
GREAT breakdown guys… theres some serious gristle in that groove 🥩
I did this same obsessive deep dive in 1992 ... love this tune
This (part of the) song was actually my favorite RHCP song for a long time! My first CD at age 6 or 7 or so was RHCP BSSM... (because my older cousin accidentally left it at my parent's house and I stumbled across it). Pretty sure this album helped steer me into funk music in general as I tried to figure out what influenced this era of RHCP. Great stuff
Also the first 'break' is amazing
LOVE THIS
I’ve know about Flea being a horn player for a long time. But how it informs his bass playing has never been apparent to me until this video. One of my favourite bass lines of his, Special Secret Song Inside, seems to be a case in point
Great idea to learn the entire album.
OMG Ian, that Wal bass was the star of the show for me, my holy grail that I will make sure I get one day......also really enjoyed the content by the way 😁
As soon as I read the title I knew funky monks would be the call. Certain life a groove to be reckoned with
Straight up 🔥🔥🔥
you should see the Dutch interview, where John sings this bassline, it's hilarious
If Scott could make his HX Stomp presets available I would be forever grateful and ecstatic! He’s so good every HX Stomp thing I’ve heard from his is killer!
the outro to Funky Monks was a line that I just spend days playing, it sounds amazing, it's pretty easy and a nice exercise all in one.
“You didn’t like the fucking bassline at the end? BA DOo BaDOO Boo BOo” - John Frusciante, 1991, Boat in Amsterdam 😂
Omg. I can't hum while holding my nose! Old person here. This was the highlight of the album for me when I was a kid. So much 😊
I haven't met a single bass player who didn't start playing because if Flea. Definitely the most influential bass player of all time. I say this because it's so weird we don't see more videos like this!