I can't hold no groove...

RGC_Bass · #1 05-23-2007, 10:53 AM

Hey,

I've been playing bass for three years, and wanted to learn to play the Wooten classic 'u can't hold no groove' and I have no idea how to start to play it - what technique is used? double thumb, slap or something else?

thanks

trasser · #2 05-23-2007, 11:29 AM

I can't play it either, haven't really tried yet, but at some point I wanna learn it. He uses strumming for chords, a LOT of double thumping is used and he uses tapping as well. On youtube there are some videos of people playing it, just search for the song title and they'll come up.

RGC_Bass · #3 05-23-2007, 11:44 AM

thanks yeah I tried looking at a few videos - trouble is they move so fast u cant see what fingers they're using to play with

I just need to know what fingures to use for the basic beginning - then I'll be away.

trasser · #4 05-23-2007, 11:50 AM

There should be some power tabs on www.911tabs.com

JKT · #5 05-23-2007, 12:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RGC_Bass

Hey,

I've been playing bass for three years, and wanted to learn to play the Wooten classic 'u can't hold no groove' and I have no idea how to start to play it - what technique is used? double thumb, slap or something else?

thanks

If you can find a copy, get ahold of Victor Wooten live at Bass Day '98 on DVD. Musicians friend was selling it a while back. Victor opens his set with that tune.

I bought a copy by chance a few years ago and it changed my playing tremendously. Not because I can cop all his licks, ( a few would be nice though) but his approach to bass playing, practicing and life in general I found to be pretty inspirational.

I do manage to apply his thumb picking techniques here and there along with some chordal things here and there. I still watch it occasionally and somehow manage to get something out of it.

JKT

DocBop · #6 05-23-2007, 12:34 PM

It's in the The Best of Victor Wooten book of transcriptions.

RGC_Bass · #7 05-23-2007, 12:50 PM

Yeah I have that book, I have the music just not how to play it

Do I use my thumb to pluck the string or do I slap it?

DocBop · #8 05-23-2007, 01:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RGC_Bass

Yeah I have that book, I have the music just not how to play it

Do I use my thumb to pluck the string or do I slap it?

Can't help you there, you just have to listen.

My GUESS would be.... If you hear a line it probably his thumb. If you hear a groove he's probably slappin'. If me that is how I would start looking at it.

stealth51 · #9 05-23-2007, 01:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RGC_Bass

Yeah I have that book, I have the music just not how to play it

Do I use my thumb to pluck the string or do I slap it?

Well what in the hell are you doing here?

Log off and go practice.

nellie48 · #10 05-23-2007, 02:29 PM

"You Cant Hold No Groove". Is this song title an intelligent play on words (a purposeful double negative) meaning You CAN groove. Or is it just bad english?

XansNiceSweater · #11 05-23-2007, 02:31 PM

Bad English.

I think it's actually spelled "U Can't Hold No Groove."
But it starts out with someone informing Victor that "He cain't hole no groove if he ain't got no pawkit."
To which Victor replies, "yeah."
AND THEN THEY BOTH START GROOVING LIKE NOBODY'S BUSINESS.

Bassman7PM · #12 05-23-2007, 02:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RGC_Bass

Yeah I have that book, I have the music just not how to play it

Do I use my thumb to pluck the string or do I slap it?

It's some of both, but you can't think SLAP bass, it's thumping with both an upstroke and downstroke, sort of like alternate picking but with the thumb. If you watch the video, notice the double stops he's using with the fretting hand between the thumping and the chords. That's where the percussive nature of the thump is coming from. Practice his Open-Hammer-Pluck technique, it really works, but take time and patience to get used to. Good Luck.

dulouz · #13 05-23-2007, 09:07 PM

Try this link out. It has the basic riff broken down, and played slowly.

http://www.jimstinnett.com/lessons_slap.html

RGC_Bass · #14 05-24-2007, 03:03 AM

Thanks dulouz - thats great. I'll get practising the double thumbing. And just to clear it up - the title is a play on words - not bad english. I put 'I' because 'I' can't play it. I won't try to be so clever next time.

trasser · #15 05-24-2007, 05:22 AM

What would you guys say - is it most important to play it EXACTLY like Victor, or would it be okay to play it in your own way, as long as it stills sound like his version. I mean, do you have to pluck every time he does, or can you throw in an occasional thumb if thats more comfortable for you?

Wespe · #16 05-24-2007, 05:22 PM

If anything, I'm sure Victor Wooten would rather you play it like you than like Victor Wooten.

Yngwie 4String · #17 05-25-2007, 10:33 AM

Good Luck Buddy! Thats all I got to say.

hasbeen · #18 05-25-2007, 10:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bassman7PM

It's some of both, but you can't think SLAP bass, it's thumping with both an upstroke and downstroke, sort of like alternate picking but with the thumb. If you watch the video, notice the double stops he's using with the fretting hand between the thumping and the chords. That's where the percussive nature of the thump is coming from. Practice his Open-Hammer-Pluck technique, it really works, but take time and patience to get used to. Good Luck.

+1

Also, if you look on YouTube, there is a video of Vitor showing his double thumb technique.

BenWC87 · #19 05-25-2007, 10:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stealth51

Well what in the hell are you doing here?

Log off and go practice.

+1

In the transcription book, Vic says to play it however it works for you, so just figure something out. Double-thumping works for me!

DocBop · #20 05-25-2007, 11:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wespe

If anything, I'm sure Victor Wooten would rather you play it like you than like Victor Wooten.

+1 If you know anything about Victor this is the advise he would give you.