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Billy Sheehan Masterclass

#21
moon-bass said:
This is it. I don't have a video offhand, but when they send me the session video I might be able to post a small part of it - but yes, you got it.
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ok that would be cool! Thanks.
I did this reverse tapping in the 90's when bass tapping was at it's peek (Stuart Hamm and all) and I was really into that at that time. Tapping chords high on the neck with my left hand and playing lower bass lines with my right hand. A bit of a circus act to watch, but it sounds cool :).
 
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#22
Les Fret said:
ok that would be cool! Thanks.
I did this reverse tapping in the 90's when bass tapping was at it's peek (Stuart Hamm and all) and I was really into that at that time. Tapping chords high on the neck with my left hand and playing lower bass lines with my right hand. A bit of a circus act to watch, but it sounds cool :).
Click to expand...
they said it may take about six weeks before they get the video to me, so hang tight :-)

And I tried that way back in the day as well (also waaaaaaaay into Stu Hamm) but Billy gave me fresh insight, and also will help build hand dexterity (I've had several serious injuries to both hands over the years and need to keep up on that).
 
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#23
Les Fret said:
ok that would be cool! Thanks.
I did this reverse tapping in the 90's when bass tapping was at it's peek (Stuart Hamm and all) and I was really into that at that time. Tapping chords high on the neck with my left hand and playing lower bass lines with my right hand. A bit of a circus act to watch, but it sounds cool :).
Click to expand...

It tripped me out when I first heard Stu playing Lucy and Linus.
 
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#26
moon-bass said:
they said it may take about six weeks before they get the video to me, so hang tight :)

And I tried that way back in the day as well (also waaaaaaaay into Stu Hamm) but Billy gave me fresh insight, and also will help build hand dexterity (I've had several serious injuries to both hands over the years and need to keep up on that).
Click to expand...
I believe Billy suggested playing with his balls for dexterity in one of his videos (for real, no puns!) He couldn't hide his smirk saying It though. :smug:
Could be great If he forgot to mention, great to soothe your injury and improve dexterity. I can play with 3 balls without them touching eachother.
Screenshot_20230131_203131_Chrome.jpg
 
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#28
I've hung out with Billy (backstage after a show) and can attest- he's a really nice guy who truly appreciates his fans and loves to 'talk shop' about basses, amps, technique, etc.

One thing I think a lot of people don't realize about Bill is that when he's not playing blazing 32nd notes or doing two-handed tapped harmonics or insane neck bends, he's actually really great at laying down a simple eighth note groove. As a matter of fact, that's what he does most on record.

You should have asked him "what's a chromatic scale" lol!!!
 
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#30
Billy is the man. I've met him after shows a few times and he's super genuine and friendly. I've got an Attitude II and a Pearce but don't (and really can't) play like him. I still refer back to his old instructional videos all the time, and a lot of his foundational things (strap length, playing the pickup, etc.) are the core of my playing. I will totally pull the trigger on one of these master classes eventually.
 
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#32
moon-bass said:
It was amazing (I know I am using that word a lot, but hey, it fits) how quickly he was able to hone in on my playing. Literally seconds of watching me play he was giving me tips and feedback.
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Did he tell you what he told me? Along those exact lines? He said in just a few moments of conversation with a bassist, he can figure out where they are in their playing and how serious they are...just from conversation on the subject!
 
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#34
I'm definitely interested in one of these. He's very active on Facebook and Instagram and will respond and or react to your posts. I'm also interested in taking a lesson from Doug Wimbish since he lives the next state over from me in CT. He's actually from my home town and my aunt knows him from high school. Also, in PA, Bakithi Kumalo (Paul Simon's bassist) will do lessons too. He's one of my favorite fretless players and also just a very nice down to earth guy.
 
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#35
moon-bass said:
For Christmas this year my wife got me an all-expense paid trip to Nashville (I had to do the driving though) and a 1 hour private masterclass with the one and only Billy Sheehan.

He does them every once in awhile at Lane Music outside of Nashville. My session was Saturday - my wife and I drove from New Orleans to Nashville Thursday night then back home Sunday.

It was an absolutely incredible experience. I probably fanboyed a little too much, but hey, how often does one get to meet and spend time with their childhood idol?

Billy is a great guy and a wonderful human being. I can't stress this enough. He was humble, warm, and genuine. He made me feel comfortable right away, answered all of my questions, signed a few things and I learned an absolute ton. In the space of a little over an hour, we discussed three finger plucking and tapping techniques, finger economy of motion, multiple playing exercises, bass set up, stage presence, finger strength and dexterity, influences, songs and practice, left hand tapping, note even-ness, reverse tapping, moving up and down the strings (right hand), fret noise .. and more! He looked at my playing and gave me several observations that I put to immediate use (had to do with bunching up the fingers on my left hand at certain points, vibrato, and my light playing touch). There was more that I am forgetting about, but luckily the session was videoed.

He also answered all of my questions and peppered the session with stories and anecdotes. Finally, I got to play his pink Yamaha and The Wife.

I didn't get any phone pics, but I'll post some when they send some to me. All in all it was a great experience, and I am hoping to do another one down the road. I would highly recommend it. Oh, and plus it was pretty awesome when i got multiple compliments from Billy!
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Sounds like you packed a whole lot of awesome into one hour!
 
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#36
perfektspace6 said:
Sounds really cool OP. There are a surprising number of noted players that give lessons. Never inquired myself but I think Manring does them based on what he said at a performance a few years ago.
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Stu Hamm does as well - I've been meaning to hit him up at some point, but never had the time ..
 
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#37
QweziRider said:
Did he tell you what he told me? Along those exact lines? He said in just a few moments of conversation with a bassist, he can figure out where they are in their playing and how serious they are...just from conversation on the subject!
Click to expand...
Yup! Pretty much the exact same thing he told me - and also was like "I bet you are the same way too - you can tell who is full of poopie" :-)
 
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