Victor Wooten dropping knowledge

[LadyLoveStingRay5]

as he plays Michael Leagues Pbass.

 

[Dr. Cheese]

as he plays Michael Leagues Pbass.

Victor Wooten is telling the truth, but musicians will remember both him and Allan Holdsworth because they were virtuosos. I probably would have said have the discipline to sink into a groove and not try to change for the sake of ego.

 

[keyboardguy]

That was inspiring

 

[kesslari]

Beyond inspiring, well worth a listen. It's not what most people expect from Victor.
He's a great human being as well as a bad@ss funky groovin' virtuoso mofo.

 

[DWBass]

Victor Wooten is telling the truth, but musicians will remember both him and Allan Holdsworth because they were virtuosos. I probably would have said have the discipline to sink into a groove and not try to change for the sake of ego.

I wish more musicians would understand that. I've been in many bands over the years and they all want me to be the 'funky' guy when all I'm trying to do is play simple and what the song needs or most times 'just like the record'. But it's ironic coming from a Victor Wooten though. I'm more inclined to follow a Nathan East or Will Lee type of player who have been uber successful over 40 years playing on thousands of recordings.

 

[bass12]

“Listen to the record”. Yes, listen to the record Vic. The bass only plays the line that busily during the breakdown and right at the end. Anyway, it’s sad that some people need to be told this stuff (Michael League looking like this is the deepest thing he’s ever heard anyone say) but apparently a lot of people do. I talked to two band leaders recently about my playing style and the first thing both of them said was “you understand the role of the bass”. Boy, you’d think that would be a given...

 

[DWBass]

Michael League shouldn't be shocked. He plays extremely simple. Not flashy at all. Simple and solid.

 

[Dr. Cheese]

I wish more musicians would understand that. I've been in many bands over the years and they all want me to be the 'funky' guy when all I'm trying to do is play simple and what the song needs or most times 'just like the record'. But it's ironic coming from a Victor Wooten though. I'm more inclined to follow a Nathan East or Will Lee type of player who have been uber successful over 40 years playing on thousands of recordings.

I agree that it would mean more coming from someone like Nathan East or Will Lee, because both are very accomplished sideman who have mastered the art of sound great while playing simply. At the same time, both are capable of playing as complexly as anybody when that is needed. Once, again I believe Victor Wooten is super sincere, and he essentially telling bassists that the odds are that they cannot build the sort of career that he has had as a featured soloist.

 

[kesslari]

Also, I think Michael L's response is in part coming out of the opening, where it seems as though Victor is making light of him for playing simply... and then turns it all around.

 

[Dr. Cheese]

Michael League shouldn't be shocked. He plays extremely simple. Not flashy at all. Simple and solid.

The thing about a Michael League is that he plays what the song calls for only. A fair amount of Snarky Puppy music is intricate. I think a good parallel for Michael League are the great Charles Mingus bands where Mingus was the lead composer.