Progressive Bassics by Gary Willis

[romac]

This video I have seen recommended once or twice on here but on most of the blurbs it just says something like this:

A discussion of Gary's unconventional technical and fingerboard harmony concepts

Could anyone elatborate a little?? What exactly does he cover. This video is £23 (about $40 I think) so it's a bit pricey. Do you think I'd be better of getting 2 or 3 of Willis' books instead? Or both?

Also what's everyone's opinion on the John Myung video. Some say boring, others say very informative......You thoughts???

[Mike Flynn]

I understand you scepticism - it's funny cos I interviewed Willis once for a music website and he was a lovely guy but when I mentioned his video and that I owned it he immediately "Oh, sorry about that!" Mainly due to the fact that even the director (who according to GW was a bit of a twat) had a problem with exactly what the tape was to be about.

So in essence Willis covers the stuff that he has put out in his books - finger board harmony i.e. playing in position, scales, etc. Then there's a section on his picking technique which is really good, then he does a bit on fretless, playing in tune etc. There are two full length tunes 'Renegade' and 'Self Defense' that come with transcriptions - no tab mind - and he really plays beautifully, i.e. loads of tasteful lines and some brilliant chops and technique. The outro features a mellow vampish thing that is also cool - overall I think you will get something from this.

Lastly given that there's so little Willis stuff out there like this (PLEASE RELEASE SOMETHING SOON WILLIS - ESPECIALLY A TRIBAL TECH DVD!!!!!!!!!) this is definitely worth a look. Compared to somthing like the absolutely sh** Myung tape (that I partly downloaded) which is so bad you should save your money and learn the scales yourself.

Willis is a subtle guy with a hell of a lot of technique and music going on - thus his music reveals more depth every time you listen or learn it - this is a long haul tape not a quick chops fest.

Hope that helps (phew!)

[romac]

Yeah thanks mate that really helped.

Would you recommend me getting his books as well as his video though??

And as for the Myung video I think that's the nail in the coffin for that. I'm sure I'll learn a lot more with EADG4 by John Falstrom and Jazzbo's article

ps. When you say picking technique, is that his 3 finger one??

[Boplicity]

Originally Posted by romac

Would you recommend me getting his books as well as his video though??

I have two Willis books. "Fingerboard Harmony" and "Ultimate Ear Training." Both come with CDs so you can hear how the drills are played.

Both books are excellent and detailed. I warn you that the examples Willis plays are very fast, at least they are for me. I bet Willis THOUGHT he was playing slowly, but for those of us not in his league, they seem fast.

You will learn a lot, though, but you may have to progress very slowly through the book to grasp every idea he teaches. Of course, I do not know your present level as a player. But I feel the beauty of the books is that you can progress at your own pace...faster or slower depending on your need and ability.

I have several bass videos but tired of having to incessantly rewind. Books have the distinct advantage of allowing you to pause on a page or passage until you feel ready to move on.

While I don't have the Willis video, I would guess that having one or both books as an adjunct to the video would only enhance your learning experience.

[JMX]

I too recommend the books over the video. They're more in-depth and don't focus as much on his (hard-to-duplicate) right-hand technique.

[romac]

Yeah I've always prefered books. That is why I thought I should get some videos. I'm definetly getting the Video Progressions Tapping video and Billy Sheehan on Bass but I think I'll just get some Gary Willis books instead of his video.

Thanks for the help.

ps. Is Willis' right hand technique this pattern???

I - M - R - M

I = index
m= middle
R = ring

[JMX]

The thing is that he has no real rigid pattern.

Two-finger system with auxilliary third finger describes his technique better than three-finger system.

The third finger damps adjacent strings and often anticipates the next note on that string, ready to pluck.

[romac]

Certainly sounds complicated. I may just stick to 2 fingers, I'm easily confused............

[Mike Flynn]

Unfortunately for us mere mortals who haven't been picking the way Willis does since we were 12 (add on about 30 years for practice) his 3 finger technique is bloody difficult.

Having said that since I have been getting into Matt Garrison's ideas (I think he is another awesome bassist) I have been experimanting with both configurations of Billy Sheehans more obvious 3 finger thing and a softer version of Wooten's thumb and two plucks - rotating the first beat of every four on different starting fingers, and I'm getting some good results - but it's all about playing it in context and with a drummer or metronome.

I just wish Willis would bring out a new CD or DVD - or just come to the UK and do another clinic - the guy is amazing.

[JMX]

He did a very cool CD with Austrian guitarist Gerald Gradwohl

http://www.gradwohl.at/

[Mike Flynn]

I'll try and get it - I'm still digging some of that old Tribal Tech **** - it's good but the keyboards can grate sometimes - NB I do listen to all types of music - not just Willis BTW - I don't want to sound like a comeplete fusion freak here! Oh well, damage done already I suppose...cheers again