How To Play Reggae Bass Like Aston Family Man Barrett
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- Опубликовано: 20 апр 2021
- In this tutorial Familyman completes the trilogy of the 3 players that were the biggest influence on my journey as a reggae bass player. Here we dissect the bass part from the live version of Positive Vibration. As usual we pick out the nuggets that make Fams the complete reggae genius to all of us reggae lovers that grew up on Bob Marley And The Wailers.
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This man is in another universe by himself,his style is his and only his alone. No one plays reggae bass like “Family Man” You simply cannot duplicate this genius.. The greatest ever..long live the bass!
Maan! Profound Sound!
man I am inspired , it is not by mistake that you are a professional bassist
RIP Aston "Family Man" Barrett 🙏🏿.
I definitely agree with you about Family Man, but I would have to include Earl "Flabba" Holt & Robbie Shakespeare among this list 💥💥💥
Love listening to Family Man plucking the bass lines in Bob Marley & The Wailers
My favourite bass player EVER....He literally shakes the floor...
👍👍👏👏👏👏
Those early Bob Marley And The Wailers. Aston low bottom was hypnotic.
Legendary bass player his basslines are SICK 🇬🇳
Mine too. So warm,melodic,groovy and creative.
I first started playing bass as a direct result of hearing and being inspired by Family Man on the Bob Marley & The Wailers albums. I saw him with Bob in concert five times in London during the Seventies. Later, sadly after Bob had passed, I was fortunate enough to meet Fams after a Wailers gig in Cambridge and he signed the back of my ticket. I was on cloud nine for days. He is the best! :-)
Aston & Carlton Barrett were the Best Bass & Drum Rhythm Section ..
Ever !!!🎶🎶🎶
The real genius is that he effortlessly blends roots bass rhythms with a question and answer lick construction that’s right out of the funk textbook all while supporting the chords and keeping the whole song feeling musical.
Of how many baselines today can say that you can still get the whole song and top line changes hooks etc in your head while just the bass and backing track plays?
He can shoot straight and funky or drop back to some kinky roots vibe at will. He’s doing his job in the band supporting the changes all while having a blast and experimenting too.
What a true legend.
Thanks for this breakdown so I can appreciate the work on a new level.
You Hit the nail on the head brother. So much Bootsy going on. I’m guessing if we look at the timeline and who would of been around as an influence, young fams must of been influenced by Bootsy and Jamerson.
@@donstrumental8905 Fams, like all his generation of Jamaican musicians, grew up on Motown and North American soul in general... I don't think he could escape Jamerson's influence, as no bassist of any relevance could up to today. In fact i remember an interview in which Fams quoted JJ, the Motown sound, and the fact that both of them were going for that upright bass sound.
Well said. When you learn Fams’ basslines, a new world opens before you.
"It wasn't until the late 90's and I was on tour with Freddie McGregor..." What a great way to start out a sentence! Legend.
Family Man & his brother are top shelf musicians.
Yep!!! Next level👊🏾
They Barrett bros are the real rhythm twins
@ RichardvBrown Yes. And their time feel together is so unique-Carly pushing, Family Man sometimes laying WAY back in that Family Man way ...
@@donstrumental8905 Carlton Barrett is my favorite drummer of all time in reggae music. Rest In Peace to him.
@@silajeep1 Even Sly Dunbar and Robbie Shakespeare were both influenced by Carlton Barrett and Aston ( Family Man) Barrett on bass and drums.
PLEASE DO A FAMILY MAN SERIES! This was such a great video, and he has so many iconic bass grooves. I'm amazed how many bassists sleep on Aston, and even drummers on Carlton. They are an irreplaceable rhythm section.
As I admitted, I slept on Fams for a long time. My whole world changed when i was woken up.
I met Oteil Burbridge at Virginia Tech in 2002(?) when he played a small club with his band the Peacemakers. I said "Hey man, Im learning bass. You got any tips?" He smiled real big and said "LISTEN TO FAMILYMAN." Roger that!
Great advice from Oteil👊🏾
Oteil is a master himself ☀️
Sent this to my boss/friend Junior Marvin. He loves this. Recognizes some of his guitar licks in there. Says he still plays along with Fams licks to this day and knows all of his tricks. Good work you’re doing bro. Blessings. 🔥🔥🔥
I got a thumbs up from a Wailer. What more could I ask for. Thanks for sending my man👊🏾
Oh my God! The two Barrett brothers were SIMPLY THE BEST together.
Due to circumstance I have switched from guitar in my rock band to bass. We have a reggae tune and that's why I'm watching. However, I am finding your video really helpful in general for whatever style the song we play. Thanks man.
I am glad that you could come round to Mr Aston Family Man Barrett, Because without him and his brother, Reggae would never be what it is today,And i know that some people
Will disagree,but that is ok for me.BOB wrote great songs, but their only a few Artist in the world you will hear their music without the voice and you can say what song it is.And
That is a talent and a gift by it self.
To have an identity on your instrument is more important than being a great player. There are many great players today but can you identify them when you hear them? Someone left a comment on the Flabba Holt video that Flabba wasn’t a great player. Even a deaf man can hear its Flabba. That’s what makes him one of the greatest.
I saw Bob Marley as a 17 year old in Sydney, best concert of my life still. There is so much that is interesting in Bob's music. It never gets old. I particularly find the bass intriguing and pretty special.
Man you are so right about family man. He’s really the ninja of reggae bass.
A legend
You have single handedly made me pick up my bass after a long time. Reggae baselines are the root of all my favourite music and sound system. Can't get enough of reggae bass
You're in the right place Ben and don't put that bass down again.
The only bass, reggae bass....but listen to Carlton on those cymbals...... awesome
RIP Man what a half of the duo. 😢
Fams thrived in the Wailers, the chord changes in the songs inspired him endlessly, it was a perfect match, all the musicians contributing something different all the time, not a regular type of reggae band, (If there is such a thing).The bass sounds melodic & free, laidback & in the groove, no wonder Miles Davis enjoyed the Family man sound..
Thats called improvisation, those unpredictable things like part 4 and the flat-ish notes at the beginning. Thanks Don! Family Man held the family together! And his brother was the hi hat master!
I come to realize in reggae bass is lead instrument.Doesn't mean loads of soloing or riffing,.Means everyone else is following You.Family Man is superb.
Spot on👊🏾
The music that heals the mind
For reggae loving bassists this video and this channel (and Glen Browne's Glen reggae bass lines) are priceless. I used to play in bands that did metal, classic rock, a little blues. Listened to a lot of jazz - Jaco, Stanley Clarke basslines. Then I heard Bob Marley and this song. First reggae song I ever heard. Fell in love. Tried to play the bassline and I couldnt get it right. Could play the fast Geddy Lee and Steve Harris stuff, but I couldnt play slow reggae songs with only two or three notes. Took me a long time to learn that less is more. The feel and riddim can be hard to play. Thanks Donstrumental!
Fams is the pinnacle, and "Positive Vibration" is a marvelous portal into his magic. The attack and feel ... the subtleties seemingly improvised, and the "weight" and deliberation given to certain notes and phrases ... his unique swing and fluid propulsion -- it all really sets him apart. I've often felt like Fams' "process" might have been to compose "straightforward" lines, and then begin to remove anything he felt was too generic, obvious, or "expected" in favor of rests or Carly-influenced triplets. The Carly influence is the finishing luxury that the others weren't afforded. Hail the Blessed Brothers, musicians who whose profound vibration was the sublime, deep "feel" itself.
Thank you, Don!
I didn’t realise how integral Carly’s influence was until I was making this video. We have a drummer in U.K ironically named Carl. He has played with the wailers a few times. He is Carly reincarnated and whenever I play with him he makes me play so differently.
@@donstrumental8905 That's a most fortunate connection! What more can a bassie ask for? Wait, let me do it: have you also found a new incarnation of the amazing Lloyd "Tin Leg" Adams?
My Ampeg V4B was played as backline by Familyman and a bunch of other reggae greats! Bought it from the owner of the company that provided backline and did production.
I’m a drummer, but Aston’s playing is sooo good!! I’ve recently picked up the bass because of him. Such groove, pocket, simplistic yet melodic bass arrangements. My top favorites he did with Bob Marley are ( Coming in from the cold, War, Crazy Bald head, I Shot The Sheriff, & countless more!) For anyone that wants to hear him and the whole band at their best IMO, check Bob Marley and The Wailers Live in Pittsburgh, PA 1980💯💯
Fams is amazing in babylon by bus, at the end of jamming he does this quick 16th note climb to the octave that is just so nice to hear, my favorite part of that version
Beautiful breakdown of a BIG bassline. Many thanks. So much nuance and feel to that one.
Also 'Babylon By Bus' is considered the best engineered live recording of reggae period, listen to the metronomic consistency of 'Heathen' and the power of those low F notes.
The timing in Heathen is next level. It was a toss up between Heathen and positive vibration for this video.
Babylon By Bus is my favourite Bob Marley album. It just grooves so solidly and Family Man's tone on it is awesome.
Babylon By Bus changed my life
I bought this album when it came out and , War was the track that grabbed me, but as time went on , Concrete Jungle became my favourite, the Bassline is played like it’s telling a story , it fits the song so well
@@donstrumental8905 And Punky Reggae Party.. Not a single hiccup..a testament to their discipline
I love the album "Babylon By Bus". I was lucky enough to discover this great album in high school and it remains a favorite.
Man I love your videos and how you break down the architecture of the basslines so accurately. Sweet sounding bass too. Great work....
I appreciate that!
Many blessings I. You illustrated why Family Man was the music director!
Word sound power
Love Knowledge Music
BASS!!!!!!
As a Jamaican American the bass and drum is always what my ear naturally keen to first before any other sound ...in music but especially on reggae music.
The trademark skank gets me first then i hear that famous bass and drum.
Absolutely nailed his tone and feel on this one. Just a little behind when he wants to be, but right in the pocket always. Been playing and teaching bass for years and this is the best tutorial on Barret I've seen. Suscribed without hesitation
Very interesting master class on a masterpiece, well done Don , I’m a lover of bass as a guitarist
I am sooooo grateful for this discovery!! Been listening to Bob Marley for more than 3 decades and never listened to this beauty!! Thank you so much!!!
I don’t even play bass but I love these tutorials. Brilliant job. Almost makes you want to start playing the instrument (but the guitar journey is still so long).
Bass is a good place to start
Learn both and the piano. It's worth it.
Yes yes yes bring it on
Awesome lesson Don!!! That bassline is wicked and so powerful... Fam really is a ninja you're right I've listened and played Bob Marley tunes for years, and every time I come back to them after some time off, I find something new I hadn't noticed earlier in the bassline... and I mean almost everytime :p Keep up this amazing channel!! Large up, Nathael
Thanks Nathael, Fams is that movie you have to watch again to see what you missed the first time.
That's one of the magic of Marley music: you listen over and over and you always discover new things, not only on the bass, but in each part and the mix itself, if you are also into production.
Bob Marley's music in in a class all his own, and Fams had a big role in it. That's why Lee Perry knew he had to let go his house riddim section when Bob asked: history had to be made.
A vibe that reached every corner of the earth.
Alston and Carleton played a huge part in Bob Marley sound, they were awesome.
Thank you for this, again! Deepest appreciation! I signed in two accounts to like it twice ;-)
I'm not a reggae player, just someone who plays bass and loves MUSIC, and so eventually diving into Family Man's playing on one of the first reggae albums I got growing up (Burnin') was intoxicating and expanding for me- that roots playing, subtle, supportive, and slightly dangerous and surprising underneath... so undeniably creative, so deeply connected and musical... love it, and all of the reggae grooves and players you are exploring and sharing. Excited to spend time there.
And-
In another comment, you mentioned not used to being out front, so you're still getting comfortable being featured on camera... well I have to add that one of the things I appreciate about your lessons is that you are more naturally focused on teaching us, (in a very economical yet thorough manner that also manages to serve all levels), than entertaining us or pumping us up, and that aspect seals the deal for me- *just* dropping the knowledge, exploring, explaining, and demonstrating so clearly is perfection for me!
Respect!
Thanks for the double likes thats a first for me👊🏾
Ive watched a few of your tuts now and each time im rocking my head and totally feeling it. You just cant beat a bit of reggae bass to feel it in your soul. Love your t-shirt too.
Thanks Phil. T shirts available soon👊🏾
The man’s bass lines are so hypnotic to me, especially on the Babylon By Bus Album! I listen to at least one track of the album everyday driving from job to job. Thanks so much for the tutorial!
loving these lessons..Masters of Time and Space...Charles Mingus would have loved Reggae..
He had time to love it, he died in 1979, but I am not sure he ever did.
Reggae never really penetrated USA and the jazz world, as Afro-Cuban or Brazilian music did, unfortunately.
The British jazz scene, tho, has a strong reggae presence, also because many black British are of Jamaican or West Indian descent.
Beufifully disected Don. Being a veteran guitarist myself in reggae and a huge Bob Marley fan I thought I knew that Bassline, but they way you broke it down makes me realise how great that Bassline is and that I didn't know it half as well as I thought. Nuff respect Don, Keep doing what you are doing. You are definitely the go to man when come to excuting reggae bass
Thanks Ivan, I thought I knew it until it came to making this video😀
LOL!!!!!
That bass makes my whole body vibrate. Just Marvellous. Thanks and praises!
Sweeeeet!!!! I don't play any instruments any more, played the recorder more than 50 plus years ago, and I love reggae music, but this was sweet to here all of this. Earned a sub immediately.....ill be back here again soon!
Excellent tutorial. Now I understand better how unique Family Man was. Thank you!
You're very welcome!
Another great vid Don. You have a really relaxed manor and that makes your tuition a cut above. You keep making these vids and I’ll certainly keep watching, excellent stuff, cheers.
I'm so excited
Yasssss!! I was searching for this !
As a Bob Marley fan, I can forgive you for seemingly dismissing Bob Marley and the Wailers, especially because of your age !
I grew up with Bob’s music, caught the bug from the “Burnin” album as a 12 year old in 1973.!
Aston Barrett is a virtuoso bass player! No cap!!!!!
A Beast of No Nation !
That band made music that would last for eternity!!!
Thanks for featuring Aston Francis Barrett!
An absolute genius and musical maestro!!
👊🏾🇳🇬👊🏾🇳🇬!
Great tutorial! It's all the little intricasies that make his playing so unique.
People underestimate it as much as they appreciate that I admire you ear for nailing it!!.🙌🏿
Thank you!
This video was sooooo well done. I have GOT to start listening to some reggae...
As a guitar player that recently started to practice the bass, I was looking for some insights on reggae bass and seems like a found just exactly what I was looking for! Those are some really nice videos! Very Insightful! Keep up the good work man!
Incredible, all the little rhythmic variations and the playfulness of being so late behind the beat & then on top of it etc. Great analysis, there’s lots here to practice, thanks
Ninja!!!
Bass Ninja ! I played a gig opening for the Wailers, talked to Fams, amazing ! There are also so many little ghost notes and 'dummy' figures in his playing. Check out a live recording of 'I Shot the Sheriff' where he completely flips the bridge by playing a triplet passage, such feel !
Fams was the most difficult to dissect of the 3. Still found stuff I never heard before while making this video. He’s a Ninja for real👊🏾
I think it is in live "in Santa Barbara".. Best rendition I heard on RUclips. I was shocked that he played it like that. I was never too crazy about shot the sheriff but after I heard that version I was mesmerised.
The LEGEND Aston Family Man Barrett-his infectious melodious bass put Bob's muzik over the top .
Thanks Don, your contribution is much appreciated.
Very welcome
DC, love the tutorials. Thanks for the insight and selfless information. One Love.
They say you can't explain what a groove feels like to someone, what it is to a bass player that is, but I think you showed me where to be in my head. No one has succeeded with that until now, so I gave up on bass a long time ago. Thank you man.
You make my dreams come true Don. this is awesome. love you man.
Wow, thanks
Thanks for this video... God bless family man... R.I.P Clarton barette 🙏
Classic tuition Don!
I just know EVERY Basshead was itching for the roundup and as per usual, you strung that together (no pun intended) beautifully.
Big up!! ✊🏿✊🏿🔥🔥🔥
Thank you. There are many other great bass players of reggae history but had to get these three in first. Look out for the rest of the legends in the near future. There are 2 players I think are technically the greatest to come out of Jamaica that I have not mentioned yet. I'll leave you guessing until I get to them. 👊🏾
Classic!!! Great bass line!!! Thanks Don!!!
There is so much in this video! From Glen Browne's channel, which is also amazing, to an in dept view of all that is going on in this song. I've been practicing your studio one basslines for a few weeks now (I'm new to playing bass). Also, you seem to be enjoying yourself more with each video which is great to see. Thank you!
Thanks Raymond. I’m so used to being at the back of the stage, putting myself upfront isn’t natural to me but gets easier with every video. Just happy that they are being received well. Keep practicing everyday and you’ll get there.
@@donstrumental8905 I can imagine that would be strange at first. Can't wait to see what you have in store for us! Thanks for the motivation!
Way before I started playing bass I always gravitated toward the bass player for Bob Marley when I was a kid and as I got older I found out about Family man. Awesome video bro.
Big ups Big ups!. I love your channel Bredda. Fam signed my bass twice, and his son also a crucial bass player too. Keep the fire burning King . Best Bassmon Channel I have sighted. Family Mon Gave "Rabbi" Shakespeare his first bass.✊🏾 I love your bass tones, I listen to your videos through the Studio Monitors. P.S. Carlton is beyond Chronic.... so crucial. Massive Massive RASPEX to you KING! I give Thanks for Your Jah works too seen.
Awesome, I’ve waited 40 years for this tutorial, thank you and Jah bless.
That late note is so amazing
Yes! Genius!
Hey man some times this happens when we have so much and so many greats to admire and to learn from .thank you didn’t missed all together.
Nice one mate! Your videos are awesome. For me, he's the best bass player that I ever heard. So much feeling for this beast. Greetings from Brazil ;)
I could listen to you all day Don. (speaking and playing). Thanks for another great lesson!
Wow, thanks!
Family Man is my favorite! I once took a picture with him and got his autograph after a "modern" Wailers performance in Nashville, TN.
Thank you for getting into the details of specific riddims and bassists. I was hearing a couple notes wrong on one of the Family Man lines, you straightened me out, thanks. Bought you a coffee...
We all play that line wrong. I've battled with it for years. Thanks for the support👊🏾
Been a bass player for a while but never knew how to play some of my favourite music (Reggae of course) like what I hear comin out of the best Reggae bassists around. Thanks for the breakdown man, much love, stay jammin.
Glad that you're finding the tutorials useful.
These lessons still blessing us - thank you Don!
Exellent Tutorial,,,,,great Vibes, great insights into the genius of the great reggae music, Big Up Family Barrett and Big Ups to Bob Marley & The Wailers. Big Honours & Majesty to all the Great Reggae Singers & Players of instrument. what a powerful and mystical music.
RESPECT BRETHREN. ONE OF MY FAVORITE BASELINES TO PLAY THOUGH I'M FAIRLY NEW TO THE BASS . 10 MONTHS TO BE EXACT. HOME TAUGHT TOO. JUST HAD TO MAKE A FEW LITTLE CHANGES. DON HEATHEN IS ON A NEXT LEVEL ON THIS ALBUM ( BABYLON BY BUS). ONE LOVE AND STAY SAFE FROM GUYANA.
Thank you, I used those exact words for Heathen, absolutely beautiful timing.👊🏾
@@donstrumental8905 yea man respect and keep up the good work and contents alive. one love
I've been following this series and have been enjoying it. Thanks for providing such fantastic and informative content!
Thank you Flavio
Don, I've been practicing for almost 2 years now and this is the first song with a distinct intro/chorus/verse I can play in full on the bass. All thanks to the very high quality tabs and the backing tracks you put together, still have a lot to clean up in my technique but this is a big milestone for me. Hope you are well, and maybe one day we'll see some new uploads on the Donstrumental channel. Cheers
I say the same. but this is my very first playing on bass and Im very grateful. Amazing.
Back in the day , around 1983 in the bronx, a fella with long dreads was blasting this out of a honda accord , and I was hooked! 💖💛💚 Positve Vibration -Irie ite
Thank you,son for your tutorial on the ever greatest bass player. Always felt there was not enough focus on his playing. Big up! Earnestly waiting for further things from you on the same man.
To be honest, I haven't noticed the little genius rhythmic shifts like that. I've been a bass player for a long time and only play some dubby stuff now and then, so I've never dived that deep into the playing of the brilliant reggae bassists. Great that you show the genius so clearly. Thanks for the absolutely great tutorial! ✌
Awesome presentation of bass on this great track from one of the best live compilations of all time. The unforgettable free spirit of the bass, by chance or intent, fills it with life.
Nice one Don.
You almost made me late for work when I saw you had put out another gem.
Haha sorry Nick and this one is a bit longer than usual too. Thanks for supporting👊🏾
You were spot on on the Carlton Barrett’s hi hats drumming!
An original Carlton trademark sound!
You, are, amazing ! It doesn't make the bassline easier , but you make it easy to follow and ,more important, to understand :)
RIP Family Man, the greatest ever!
Don, you have given me so much hope for the future. I was getting down on myself for not having enough funds to provide for my family (out of work musician). The Wailers music has always brought me to my senses. For the first time in a long time , (thanks to your guidance) I feel excited to be able to delve deeper into the music and enjoy the learning experience. God Bless Ya!
🔥💖🔥
Hey Shanie I was where you are this time last year, lost a lot of gigs BUT we're still here which means the gigs are only a bonus added to what we can achieve without them. (well thats my new view) If i can take anything positive from the past year it will be another pandemic will never catch me out again. Dig deep, you have the answers brother👊🏾
@@donstrumental8905 “Positive Vibration” “In the abundance of water only the fool is thirsty”
“Hit me with music”
“Rise oh falling fighter. Rise and take your stance again.”
Babylon By Bus.
It’s Truly Amazing! ✨💖✨
Thanks Don, your tone, dedication and attention to detail are inspiring! Great work 👍🏼🔆❤️
Reggae needs some nerdery on youtube, i'm happy to be that Nerd🧐
Vraiment didactique comme tutoriel!! Même nous,les amateurs, nous nous retrouvons dans la démarche! Merci beaucoup, surtout que j'aime beaucoup le jeu de familyman.
Thanks for all your work on this series, really awesome.
Family Man is on the same level as James Jamerson.
The real royalty of electric bass.
Great tutorial, as usual Don!
I think because of the era Jameson would of been a big influence. I hear Bootsy as well, would love to have the conversation with Fams to find out what his influences were.👊🏾
I can't thank u enough for this, my hero 🤛🤛🤛🤝
Was looking for somebody to teach me reggae, I found the best one ever. So simple with you and easy to catch-up.
Man, that odd rhythm in section 1, whew, I looove that feel!!
Thank you for a ninja level analysis and breakdown. And those backning drums and guitars were perfect too! Please do many more songs from the "Babylon by Bus" album!
Definitely a part 2 has to be done👊🏾
I'll be here for part 2. Thanks big dog!!
Don, u are very strategic in terms of illustrations. To me u are the worlds greatest reggae bass teacher, God bless.
So enjoying your channel I am mid 50s and it’s like a lightbulb has been turned on. He sits tight with his brothers kick drum. Keep up the superb work the explanation and theory are both bang on with excellent delivery which is 100% you. Great channel 👌
So NICE! Thank's Don for the Lesson and the channel!
My pleasure!