Any Gary Willis students about? (either actual students or "students")

Wilbyman · #1 01-09-2010, 08:49 AM

Just thought I'd start a discussion of Willis techniques, especially his right hand technique, rather than his gear and/or music. I have dabbled in it for years but am making an effort to get it solidified in my playing. I know there is some right hand stuff on Willis' video but any reports from people who have actually studied it with Willis would be cool. -W

Barfy · #2 01-13-2010, 12:02 AM

Well, I have a Willis bass (the cheaper one).

I'm still trying to grok the three finger technique. I can produce a galloping duh-duh-dum duh-duh-dum "Iron Maiden" sound but I'm trying to get the hang of the fast, uniform, even sound.

From what I gather...

The gallop = index, middle, ring... index, middle, ring...

The uniform = index middle ring middle index middle ring middle...

Or is it... middle index middle ring middle index...?

ninjadeathfunk · #3 08-07-2010, 01:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Barfy

Well, I have a Willis bass (the cheaper one).

I'm still trying to grok the three finger technique. I can produce a galloping duh-duh-dum duh-duh-dum "Iron Maiden" sound but I'm trying to get the hang of the fast, uniform, even sound.

From what I gather...

The gallop = index, middle, ring... index, middle, ring...

The uniform = index middle ring middle index middle ring middle...

Or is it... middle index middle ring middle index...?

The three finger technique Willis uses is not at all like the kind used by shredders like Billy Sheehan or Alex Webster.

If you want to learn the most economic way to play bass a la Willis,

watch this video : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u82A7ILPKHE

I myself am finally starting to make some headway with this technique, having dabbled in it on and off. I can really see how beneficial it could be (once I can play using it a little bit better

)

It's a hard technique to learn because in the end, it's not as flashy and fast right away, seeing as you're essentially reinventing everything in your right hand. Takes some time.

I haven't seen anyone else, besides Willis really use this technique as their foundation. I've seen Bruno Tauzin, (http://www.bassebruno.com/indexeng/indexeng.php) use it, but he mainly plays with a traditional technique.

It would be interesting to see someone else with the same dedication to the Willis technique as Willis himself...

(and for the record, most metal guys go middle - ring - index - middle - ring - index)

Mr. BassmanPT · #4 08-07-2010, 04:20 PM

i am studying this technique as well, i saw the willis video in youtube and was hooked. ninja nailed it, it is a hard to implement technique (i played with only 2 fingers, not counting the thumb) for too many years and when tried to play with the willis technique, it was like the first time i played a bass..

i am still in a work in progress at the moment but already apply "some concepts" in live situations. defenitely worth it.. should have take a look into it sooner!

MixBass · #5 08-08-2010, 01:13 AM

I took a few lessons from Gary a long time ago when he was in L.A.
I can't add much as we didn't get into his right hand approach very much, other than a light touch.
But I can say that he was as nice of a guy you could meet. I'll check out that link, thanks.

Nashrakh · #6 08-08-2010, 02:09 AM

Not an actual student of Willis but more a follower of his approach to playing bass from the ergonomic side.

I adopted playing with a light touch and even installed a ramp due to Willis' influence. The ramp is on a P-Bass. Haha. I haven't adopted his three finger technique though, as I play bass more like Jamerson did (with mainly one finger, wish I was on his musical level though lol).

So, thanks Gary! Without you, I'd still be hacking away at that thing.

Spin Doctor · #7 08-09-2010, 03:24 PM

What does a ramp do for you? I've seen then installed on his basses, but have no idea what it's for.

Mr. BassmanPT · #8 08-09-2010, 04:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spin Doctor

What does a ramp do for you? I've seen then installed on his basses, but have no idea what it's for.

to prevent you from digging in too much.. and also give you a different feel.

Liberty Citizen · #9 08-10-2010, 09:12 AM

There is a specific thread devoted to ramps here in TB, started by Brian R. Tyler. Lots of information. In addition to Willis, a lot of other "technical" players are using ramps: Richard Bona, Hadrien Feraud, Matt Garrison, Janek Gwizdala (Willis created the concept and the name)...
I have practiced the three finger technique. I don't get the open position, but the closed position feels very natural to me. At the moment I have installed ramps in most of my basses, and I play with closed position or combinations of thumb and index-middle-ring for string crossing. Playing with the ramp and three fingers helps me in having a light, even, precise touch, with less hand movement, more articulate sound, better muting of unused strings. It wont't make you a genius or double your speed. It's like running with lighter shoes of better quality than usual.
I have studied The Fingerboard Harmony (FBH) Method by Willis (Book-CD). It's clear and concise. If you are a intermediate player used to playing funk, rock, fusion but get lost playing through changes, the method will help you in putting yourself together in a short period.
Willis is not a frustrated player that only teaches to make ends meet. He enjoys teaching and sharing knowledge. Just browse his Ask Willis section in his site and in Bass Musician Magazine Online.
I wouldn't ask for private lessons without studying FBH and watching his video first. I would ask for the advanced stuff that can be best shown face to face. Just my opinion.

theunknowndude · #10 08-10-2010, 09:18 AM

have the GWB35, love the ramp! feel so much better at not digging in now... though I don't play his weird right hand style I think it does have its merits!

only bad thing about a ramp is no slapping or popping really... but I never really do that and playing fast passages is sooo much better when you use a super light touch

bassebruno57 · #11 08-12-2010, 11:40 AM

Hi,

I'm not a Willis students but I love the Ibanez GWB bass, his right hand approach...and his music of course ;-)

So, in my opinion, it's relatively easy to work on octave exercise (for example), but it's difficult to incorporate it in your playing if you play since a long time.

This technique requires a lot of work !! Of course, a ramp and a low action of strings is useful.

I've made 3 lesson with tabs in Gary Willis style:

Lesson 1

Lesson 2

Lesson 3

Wilbyman · #12 08-12-2010, 11:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Liberty Citizen

There is a specific thread devoted to ramps here in TB, started by Brian R. Tyler. Lots of information. In addition to Willis, a lot of other "technical" players are using ramps: Richard Bona, Hadrien Feraud, Matt Garrison, Janek Gwizdala (Willis created the concept and the name)...
I have practiced the three finger technique. I don't get the open position, but the closed position feels very natural to me. At the moment I have installed ramps in most of my basses, and I play with closed position or combinations of thumb and index-middle-ring for string crossing. Playing with the ramp and three fingers helps me in having a light, even, precise touch, with less hand movement, more articulate sound, better muting of unused strings. It wont't make you a genius or double your speed. It's like running with lighter shoes of better quality than usual.
I have studied The Fingerboard Harmony (FBH) Method by Willis (Book-CD). It's clear and concise. If you are a intermediate player used to playing funk, rock, fusion but get lost playing through changes, the method will help you in putting yourself together in a short period.
Willis is not a frustrated player that only teaches to make ends meet. He enjoys teaching and sharing knowledge. Just browse his Ask Willis section in his site and in Bass Musician Magazine Online.
I wouldn't ask for private lessons without studying FBH and watching his video first. I would ask for the advanced stuff that can be best shown face to face. Just my opinion.

Just saw this thread again. This is a good post. I agree with what's said here, as far as I have followed Willis on the internet for years. Willis has made alot of his concept available on the internet, so I think most of what people would get in lessons with him is out there.

I think Willis is the most important innovator on the electric bass out there. I don't think anybody has his groove, soloing skills and sense of musicality. (Garrison could get there.)

W

robwren · #13 08-12-2010, 01:14 PM

Might want to check in with Todd Johnson on his forum. He studied with Willis a lot back in the late 80s. He doesn't really do a lot of the three-finger stuff but a lot of the other Willis stuff is integral to Todd teachings re: technique. (light touch, rest stroke, floating thumb, etc.) Todd is a great teacher and player...I'm sure he could help point you in the right direction.

devine · #14 08-12-2010, 02:01 PM

I studied with Gary around four years ago for about 18 months. I live in the UK but used to fly to Barcelona once a month for the lessons. Although we didn't really discuss his right hand concept other than the 'light touch' it did make me very aware of the different right hand techniques players out there are using. After many years of playing and countless changes in technique i opted to use the 'free stroke' instead of the 'rest stroke'. Although the rest stroke is more commonly used, players like Matt Garrison and Tony Grey use the free stroke technique. If you watch Gary's hand closely you'll be able to see he uses a mixture of the two.

What we did cover in lessons was mainly harmony/solo based information where he would teach his extensive use of pentatonic's within a soloing context.

Easy man,

Scott.

http//:www.scottsbasslessons.com