Victor Wooten - "U Can't Hold No Grove"

[Rtdmn92]

Hey guys, this seemed to be the best forum to put this in (as opposed to "Tabs"), but we'll see if it gets moved.

So I've been playing "U Can't Hold No Groove" by Vic and the one thing I can't get down are the chords he plays during the little rise around 45 seconds into the song. All the tabs say something like:

--3--3-3-3-3-3--
--7--7-7-7-7-7--
--3--3-3-3-3-3--

I just have a hard time believing that he would use a chord that spans 5 frets in the lower register. If anybody plays it this way or another way and it sounds correct, please let me know. Thanks.

 

[sleeplessknight]

Hate to say it, but it looks like he DOES indeed do the stretch to make that chord. You don't get a really good shot until around 4:20 or so into the video, but it is there.

 

[Rtdmn92]

Haha ah well. I was afraid of that. Do you know of any tips on how to make that stretch? I've been working at it for a while and not getting anywhere...

 

[easyvision]

Have massive...massive hands. Or grow an extra finger.

I'd like to think I have fairly big hands and I struggle with that chord. All the best...please let me know if you get it! It'll give hope to the rest of us humans

 

[bassmasta94]

you could maybe try it octaves up, like after the 12th fret

 

[kamakiriad7]

Unfortunately the closest option, sonically, is to play it on the E,A, and D strings where the frets are closer together. Or you can do what I do, and play a slightly different chord:
--3--3-3-3-3-3--
--2--2-2-2-2-2--
--3--3-3-3-3-3--

you don't get that half-step dissonance, but it's pretty close.

 

[moyles]

you can play the chord with only two fingers. if you cant make the stretch you can play the third fret on the A string and the second fret on the G string. try not to hit the D string at all though, or mute it if you can. the open D doesnt sound good with it. that chord doensnt have as much power behind it, but it still sounds like the chord he uses.

 

[Demonator]

Victor is absolutely amazing. Good luck man.

 

[rarbass]

Yeah I found it hard to believe that he made that stretch too, but it turns out he does. I still have yet to play that properly.

 

[braydensharrar]

Do yourself a favor and play it right, make the stretch.

Bar the third fret and stretch with your little finger to the seventh.

It will get easier and easier every time you play it.

~B

 

[king_biscuit]

Do yourself a favor and play it right, make the stretch.

Bar the third fret and stretch with your little finger to the seventh.

It will get easier and easier every time you play it.

~B

This. It's not that hard. Try the correct bass line in Zeps Heartbreaker, it's much harder!

 

[champbassist]

Unfortunately the closest option, sonically, is to play it on the E,A, and D strings where the frets are closer together.

This.

 

[Danny Fox]

it's very do-able, just takes a bit of practice for the stretch

 

[Proton Lenny]

Not a difficult stretch at all. Playing five fret stretches really should be something that all bass players strive to do in all registers of the neck.

 

[champbassist]

Not a difficult stretch at all. Playing five fret stretches really should be something that all bass players strive to do in all registers of the neck.

Personally, I can do five fret stretches no problem. The problem here is that you need to bar the 3rd fret and then stretch. To do this cleanly may be physically near impossible for a small guy. I do agree that most players should be able to do it with practice.

 

[Skygoneblue]

A couple suggestions:

1. Don't think that your index finger (used to bar 3) needs to be perfectly flat on the fretboard. Even if you can nail this chord, your finger is going to be drastically angled, and you may even be fretting with the side of your finger at first. That's ok! That's why they say practice makes perfect - practice ISN'T perfect.

2. Maybe try it in pieces. Try hitting the 3-7 interval on the A-D strings first. Then, once you can hit that easily, work on fretting the 3 on the G as well. It's not a complicated chord, but you're asking all of your fingers to do something they're not comfortable with. Poco a poco might make it easier on you!

Good luck man!

 

[Rtdmn92]

I really appreciate all the replies. I think Im just going to work it making the stretch, as I've already begun to get it cleanly. Hopefully I can get it down by the 17th!

 

[Akshat]

this is one song i need to learn but i cant slap to save my life let alone double thump

 

[wideyes]

Yeah I found it hard to believe that he made that stretch too, but it turns out he does. I still have yet to play that properly.

And Vic has such small hands! Amazing.

 

[BooHead]

Have massive...massive hands. Or grow an extra finger.

I'd like to think I have fairly big hands and I struggle with that chord. All the best...please let me know if you get it! It'll give hope to the rest of us humans

That would help, but Wooten's hands are tiny. I met him after a flecktones show and I got to shake his hand and man were his hands stumpy.

He is absolutley a god.