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Not Impressed with wooten's tone

#83
groovenut57 said:
Is Victor Wooten technically brilliant and out of this world? YES!
Does he inspire me musically to want to play like him? Not in the least. Why? Simply because I'm here to learn to PLAY BASS!
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If you think the only inspiring thing about Vic is his bass playing, I've got to ask if you've ever really listened to him speak or read his book.

Here is an instructional video of his in parts. I can't speak for anyone else, but I think I learned the most from the parts when he's not playing.

 
#85
Is this his solo tone, or his really low walking bass tone?

I remember watching a piece on BET Jazz ("Studio Time"? I don't remember), and he was playing the bassline. I just remember it being a fantastic walking piece, and I was blown away by his tone - it was very bassy and cut through the mix incredibly well.

I've never seen him live, and I don't remember which bass he used, so it's possible it was another bass with heavier strings, or it could have been a pedal of some sort.
 
#86
Victor Wooten's tone is not for everyone. I have seen him live twice, once at a clinic and once with Bela Fleck. I prefered his tone at the Bela Fleck concert more, because it was more a supporting tone. The tone he used at his clinic was more to stand out, as he had Anthony Wellington playing with him.

Take a listen to his tone here. I find this to be a great sound, maybe it's a bit different from what you are used to with his tone.



On a slightly off topic note... his video "The Groove Workshop" is one of the most amazing things I have ever seen. It changed the way I view bass playing and music as a whole. In fact, I let our worship leader watch the video and he thought it was so incredible that we had the worship team watch portions of it. His philosophy on music is outstanding. I highly recommend buying that video.
 
#87
Clark Dark said:
maybe one valid point here, e.g. when I started to learn bass my teacher told me "all the money is between the first and ninth frets"
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I've thought about this a little, and it occurs to me that a teacher giving that type of advice to a student can't really be compared to an advanced, dedicated pro player like Wooten. (no disrespect to the ability of the student: but what vic does is working for him, he makes a living, and has secured a position in the upper echelon of electric bass)

I think there is some "danger" in jumping into solo territory or fast, flashy licks too soon in the development process.

Plus I've wondered about this too, over the years:
musicians tend to need something to both inspire them and enforce a certain discipline during practice.

Sometimes I've found that I'll latch onto a "one-sided" view (such as "playing with a pick is a cop out") and internalize that as a mantra, to inspire me to keep practicing or to incorporate regimens into my practice.

But when communicated to others in the contexts of these types of discusssions, the context shifts...

So I could have a mantra that states: "I have no desire to play like Vic" and apply that to my practice routine to keep me more focused on a specific, more fundamental goal.

I wonder if sometimes our little "mantras" get confused for hangups and narrow mindedness? :confused:
 
#89
wade_b said:
I've thought about this a little, and it occurs to me that a teacher giving that type of advice to a student can't really be compared to an advanced, dedicated pro player like Wooten. (no disrespect to the ability of the student: but what vic does is working for him, he makes a living, and has secured a position in the upper echelon of electric bass)

I think there is some "danger" in jumping into solo territory or fast, flashy licks too soon in the development process.

Plus I've wondered about this too, over the years:
musicians tend to need something to both inspire them and enforce a certain discipline during practice.

Sometimes I've found that I'll latch onto a "one-sided" view (such as "playing with a pick is a cop out") and internalize that as a mantra, to inspire me to keep practicing or to incorporate regimens into my practice.

But when communicated to others in the contexts of these types of discusssions, the context shifts...

So I could have a mantra that states: "I have no desire to play like Vic" and apply that to my practice routine to keep me more focused on a specific, more fundamental goal.

I wonder if sometimes our little "mantras" get confused for hangups and narrow mindedness? :confused:
Click to expand...

I have been told Ron Carter doesn't let his students play outside of first position for the first couple of years of lessons. That says something to me about playing the low end of your instrument
 
#92
I say it depends on the album/recording. on Palmystery and Soul Circus he sounded awesome but it was a little lacking on A Show of Hands. I have yet to see him live so I can't speak for that but the live vids I've seen/heard of him on youtube sounded good so I can only assume it would sound even better in person.

But, like so many others have said, he has his tone because he likes his tone and that's just about all that matters.
 
#93
To me, he is successful.. his style and his sound are attracting people to see it his way. While I am not a huge fan, I do very much appreciate the work he has put into developing himself as a player. I like my tone much better, but it suits to what I play. I am sure if I was playing progressive/fusion/jazz like he is, I would hear the reason why he dialed up the tone that he is using... as every individual bass player should be doing. :)
 
#95
FunkMetalBass said:
Is this his solo tone, or his really low walking bass tone?

I remember watching a piece on BET Jazz ("Studio Time"? I don't remember), and he was playing the bassline. I just remember it being a fantastic walking piece, and I was blown away by his tone - it was very bassy and cut through the mix incredibly well.
Click to expand...

Here's an open question - do any of you honestly think Vic has one "set and forget" tone?

Listen to the song "Tribute" on the album Soul Circus if you want to hear what I'm getting at.

FunkMetalBass said:
I've never seen him live, and I don't remember which bass he used, so it's possible it was another bass with heavier strings, or it could have been a pedal of some sort.
Click to expand...

Victor does not need another bass, gauge of strings, or any effects pedals to achieve a bassy tone. And neither does anyone else.

John Wentzien said:
Does "Flight of the Cosmic Hippo" have enough low-end for anybody?
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Good pick.
 
#96
I've met Vic and seen many interviews with him and if he isn't one of the nicest, most genuine guys on the planet I don't know who is. About his tone/ thats totally subjective. More importantly it works for him. So, to each his own, Vic is still one of the best ever to pick up the instrument regardless.
 
#97
Victor Wooten is one of the few bass players that I really admire BUT I DON'T try to steal every lick from. Victor is unique.

From what I have seen, how generous he is with sharing his bass knowledge instead of hoarding it, and how down to earth he is - he is an admirable role model for all bass players.
 
#99
Im highly impressed with him. Hes a great player and he has done one of the hardest things to do as a musician.
He made his own sig sound. Nobody can take it from him. I respect all your opinions though. :)
 
#100
I'll admit, I'm not a big fan of his tone either (Give me Willie Weeks or give me death!), but a thread dedicated to this is sort of on par with "Anybody Else Think Jaco is Overrated?" Other than getting a few people to agree with you and getting a whole bunch of other people riled up, what's the point?
 

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