How to play like Phil Lesh?

[Hifiguy]

I feel that the best way to get close to Phil's style is to listen to and watch videos of live Dead. That way you can hear his style and see how he plays. Its a very melodic style and he never plays most of the songs the same way twice. Two good songs to listen to are "Eyes of the World" and "Help on the Way".

What gotmule? said x100.

I got into the Dead late in the game (early 1990s) and "Help On the Way" from One From the Vault was my entry point/gateway to Phil's style of playing.

He has a habit that is very hard to intentionally cop - he often sneaks back at the last possible moment to play a root while in the middle of doing something melodically tangential to but supportive of the main progression of a song without losing the unique pulse and line he was exploring.

I was only able to do it when I consciously stopped trying to do it and it opened up my own playing in fascinating new directions.

There has never been a more Zen bass guitarist than Phil.

 

[gai113]

the thing interesting is how much phils rhythm is displaced in all weird 16th note beats....

its like hes in the groove but all over the place within the groove.... pretty hard to replicate IMO

 

[thunderstation]

Apologies if you're here because you expected to find the answer, but I'm afraid I only have the question. (Maybe by the time you get here there will be some answers posted too.)

I've done a lot of searching around TB and elsewhere, and have found lots of discussions about Phil's equipment and tone, how much people do and don't like the Dead, and countless other topics -- but hardly anything about his playing style or technique. There is no shortage of general descriptors -- improvisational, stream-of-consciousness, "lead bass," etc. -- but I want to understand what it is exactly that he does, both theoretically and technically.

There must be folks out there who have studied Lesh's playing and/or been in GD cover bands where they've tried to cop at least some aspects of his style. I'd really like to hear about your experience and analysis. What kinds of specific musical ideas, themes, patterns, or techniques capture his unique approach. And how would one go about working on and practicing them?

Find Gerry Garcia and use lots & lots of acid - It certainly worked because nodody plays like Lesh

 

[saxdragon]

but the extreme mind f%&#'s they must have had when the music played them, and it really was effortless, and it became "one", all that good 'ol grateful dead sort of stuff, well, I can only imagine. That absolutely influenced Phil and everyone else's playing. I would wager that it had sort of a "chasing the dragon" effect on them. When they really nailed it, it just made them come back for more, musically. I would think those moments probably rank as some of the high points of his life, outside his family.

I think it would be safe to say that the reason I'm still playing at the age of 60 is that I keep chasing that feeling I got long ago when a disparate group of individuals would lock into something beyond themselves and become one through music. That sound, that feeling.

 

[dozicusmaximus]

I was never really into the Dead. I discovered I liked Live/Dead within the past year. I like what Phil is doing on that.
I was just listening to Eyes of the World.... and I got it! I had a couple waves of emotion rush through me, it was weird haha. I guess it kind of reminded me of when you jam with your band or some buddies, and it's really good. You forget your playing and kinda get lost in the moment.
Then I had an epiphany, I need to quit poundin around to the chugga chugga metal so much and try some new stuff.... and probably practice/learn more, so I can express myself better.
What the hell is happening to me? It's all your fault old thread.

 

[ChrisPbass]

the thing interesting is how much phils rhythm is displaced in all weird 16th note beats....

its like hes in the groove but all over the place within the groove.... pretty hard to replicate IMO

bill kreutzmann deserves credit as he laid/lays down such a groove that Phil can do just what you mention.

 

[winston]

bill kreutzmann deserves credit as he laid/lays down such a groove that Phil can do just what you mention.

With all due respect to Billy and his partner-in-flam Mickey Hart, I've always felt Phil (followed by Jerry and Bob) had the most solid rhythm in the Dead. Maybe it's from listening to too many bad audience tapes over the years, but I wouldn't set my watch to the Dead's drummers.

 

[MrLenny1]

Think outside of the bass box.

 

[dozicusmaximus]

Really diggin May 8 1977 show. It's kinda funky. Fat bass lines and Jerry is tearing it up.
Checkin out some stuff from 73-74 too. Like the jazzy stuff going on.

 

[allexcosta]

Play like you picked the bass up last week. That sums it up...

 

[Floridabwoy]

dozicusmaximus,

You want emotion, check out songs like Broke Down Palace, Ripple, Wharf Rat, Black Muddy River.

Play like you picked the bass up last week. That sums it up...

uncalled for.

FURTHUR on Saturday for me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Can't wait for some Phil/Bobby Wierd, John K, and Joe Russo!

 

[baileyboy]

Am I the only one having trouble taking Phil seriously after seeing him perform in his new bass? It looks like he is just along for the ride on that thing

It's a Ritter and cost something north of 10 grand. Fretboard has LED lighting. Not my cup of tea.

 

[Floridabwoy]

Love this pic.

 

[Floridabwoy]

It's a Ritter and cost something north of 10 grand. Fretboard has LED lighting. Not my cup of tea.

Hes back on the Modulus 6 string again now.

 

[dozicusmaximus]

dozicusmaximus,

You want emotion, check out songs like Broke Down Palace, Ripple, Wharf Rat, Black Muddy River.



uncalled for.

FURTHUR on Saturday for me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Can't wait for some Phil/Bobby Wierd, John K, and Joe Russo!

I'll get on that shortly. I know I have heard them. But I'll relisten.
I've been gettin down on this May 8 show, a couple times a day since Friday.

 

[allexcosta]

Why is this a great pic?

If I take a pic with my middle finger up and post it here is it gonna be a great pic as well? Or I'm gonna be banned from the forum?

 

[MistaMarko]

Anyone else see this? This is nuts. Official Jens Ritter page posted this picture:

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

 

[AlvarHanso]

I've always admired and enjoyed Lesh's playing and learned a few things about him in this thread; to be honest I really don't know much about him. It's interesting to me that one of my favorites with a unique style, John Entwistle, also began as a trumpet and French horn player before taking up the bass.

I think that's exactly what allowed them to approach the instrument in an unconventional way. I think that having odd drumbeats to play to also helped both realize the potential of the bass so much more than any of their rock predecessors had. And throw into the mix the two best rhythm guitarists out there, and it makes for some incredible basslines! They took existing standards and completely demolished them, whether it was old rockers like Summertime Blues or Not Fade Away or both giving new life to Good Lovin'. I find it especially interesting hear Lesh play Entwistle parts and McCartney parts and have a completely different take on them (as he does with the Phish songs he occasionally plays). Seeing Phil Thursday with Furthur, can't wait!

 

[asberrys]

No one mentioned "Touch of Grey"? I love the bassline(s) on that. Prolly one of my favorites. I think it is better than the other tunes mentioned in this thread. Wish he weren
't a pick player cause he really kicks a$$ with that pick!

 

[Hifiguy]

It's a Ritter and cost something north of 10 grand. Fretboard has LED lighting. Not my cup of tea.

That bass, and most Ritters IMO, look like instruments designed by advanced students at Hogwarts for their wizarding bands.