Love it. I got fired from my first job back in 1992 because I called out to go see Primus open for U2. It was totally worth it. And yes I took off right after Primus was done. Who wants to see U2? Not me that's for sure.
A comment I once read someone make about Claypool that has stuck with me is that his playing has an absolutely incredible economy of motion. The video touched on some elements of it, but it's like he makes twice as many sounds while his hands are doing half as much.
Martinie and Claypool are two of my favorites. Incredible musicians that push the envelope of excellence. I got a chance to meet Martinie a couple years ago and he is as cool as you'd expect and has such a passion for creation of sound and innovative thinking. I was "supposed" to also meet Les last year at the Rush: Tribute To Kings tour but just my luck that the world got bitch slapped by the pandemic and put the brakes on that adventure. But my tickets are waiting in the wings still hoping that meeting will become a reality in the near future. Cheers!
Yes, Les Claypool is one of a kind on his technique and sound. The cool thing about Primus is that they sound heavy but not with the lower tones, as for "standard" metal. It's a really cool percussive, funky metal mashup. I can now name these techniques Les uses thanks to your video! Good job
Great breakdown of his technique. The Flamenco-technique is actually more of a full hand strum, he got it from Stanley Clarke, one of his prime - see what I did there? - influences. Clarke and especially Abe Laboriel did use the flamenco strum, where you rake across the strings with all fingers, alongside the FH strum extensively however. The way actual flamenco guitarists do it is called rasgueado and that's next level shit...
Y’know a lot of people never really take into account, Les Claypool is like 6’3”. His hands are friggin huge, and at least his Carl Thompson 4 is short scale. Im not discounting his skill in anyway, but it is a factor in ease of play that I can attest to. I’m 5’9.5” and some stuff that Les does seem impossible or is a hella workout for my hands, simply because they are a lot smaller than Les’. Other songs take absolutely no effort, like Lacquer Head. I actually learned it just from watching the music video and just trying to imitate what he does. Now if I set everything up right, I can make my basses sound just like his. Some would say it doesn’t really matter how physically large someone is, but there are some things I just can’t do well because my hands just aren’t big enough, or my bass isn’t small enough. The intro to Puddin’ Taine comes to mind. Very difficult for me to get right because I can’t just rest my middle finger on the B, the fretboard is just too wide, I have to lift between each note to somewhat get the desired effect. Jerry was a Racecar Driver is also another one for the left hand. People say to use my pinky more, but I was blessed with tiny pinkies, so that really isn’t an option for anything but octaves and some chords. For Tommy the Cat, instead of using my middle finger for the octave in the main riff, I have to use my pinky because my hands are just not big enough. After years of almost daily practice of that song, I still cannot even come remotely close to even RUclips covers, let alone Les himself. My hands get tired and start cramping right around the first chorus.
Mmhmm, can confirm. Even being 6ft alot of his bass lines are pretty hard on a 34 inch scale bass. I remember trying some fender that was short scale and my god, what a ease it gave me. For now I will just exercise my fretting hand :/
@@darraghtate440 Name one Mayer song that is impossible without large hands. I'm not saying you're wrong, I'm genuinely curious. I've learned a lot of Mayer songs off Continuum and have had no trouble. PS: My main guitar has a John Mayer signature Fender neck. Modeled after the 63
@@ikigai47 Neon is the most obvious example. The bass notes are all with the thumb hanging over the neck, I can't even get my hands in the correct position to play 8 - x - 8 - 5 - 6 - x with the thumb on the 8th fret of the low E string (which is tuned town to C). I'm certain there's plenty more, but I haven't done a very deep dive.
As an aspiring bassist, I’ve always loved Les Claypool’s tone and technique, but I’d never heard it broken down like this. I saw a cover someone did on a dingwall of John the Fisherman, so I could really see that combined flamenco and slap style. Well done here 👏 👏 👏
A big part of that tone is him and his hands himself. He plays a Fender Jazz, you can tell it is Les, he plays that weird steel bayou bass thing and you hear his tone.
Les claypool: *sneezes* Andrew: that was siiiick!! *camera zooms in and out 3 times* Andrew: that was like my fAvOrItE sneeze! Les claypool: *leaves* Andrew: whoa! CrAaAaZy!
FYI a LOT of good bassist also do some flamenco on the side. I've studied right hand flamenco technique a bit and it's so essential to getting cool sounds out of a bass. I also play a classical guitar as my 6 string primary and when I took a workshop with Stephane Wrembel (gypsy jazz), he kept picking me as accompaniment because I was playing fingerstyle with those flamenco stabs in place of the percussive hits of la pompe (the basic stroke of manouche). Anyway, not surprising to learn Les has brought that stuff into his playing! A charangista I know, when I asked him about his right hand technique, said 'whatever works'. He had dozens of styles packed in, but didn't really use any of them. They just trained his hand to do what was needed, when he needed it!
One really cool place that chord stab right hand technique pops up is the intro to Aces High by Iron Maiden. Not sure how Harris plays it, but I use 100% the flamenco-based move you show here!
Les claypool is one of my favorite musician, own everything he's ever put on vinyl(even sausage and oysterhead). Just recently defretted my 6 string so I can play more songs like Mary the ice cube, I'm also getting a 4 string bass made by Carl thompson just like Les' walnut bass
I saw Oysterhead at Bonnaroo, and good lord were they incredible. There is very little that Les Claypool has been a part of that I don't totally love. I even read his novel. It wasn't life changing the way my first Primus album was (Sailing the Seas of Cheese) but it was a fun, easy read.
Damn dude. Well done. I've always been blown away by Les's work on Lacquerhead, and you described it brilliantly. I haven't watched any of your other videos, but you strike me as an excellent teacher. Breaking down every little part, then putting it together. I haven't played bass in years, but you're making me want to get back at it. Just wanted to say - really great video, mate.
Saw Primus at ozzfest 99, les claypool and frog brigade in my hometown FrogTown, Angels Camp, Ca (what Les named the band after, in 2000. Primus with Mastodon't in 2019. And saw Primus open for Slayer 11/30/19, Slayer's final show.
As a bass player, I always respected Les and knew he was a G.O.A.T. Never really went out of my way to listen to Primus. (John the fishermen used to annoy me. Blasphemous in hindsight, I know) However, fairly recently, Primus came on my Playlist. For the first time, something clicked. Now I'm obsessing over them. The music, the videos, their stage presence, and most importantly, les Claypools utter mastery of his instrument. I've needed motivation recently. I just never thought Les would be there for me. But he wouldn't help if there weren't people who could eloquently explain his technique because his written music doesn't translate at all.
Great video. Les is also a major influence to me. In fact, after Primus' only show ever in Brazil, I managed to get into the backstage area, asked Les to autograph my arm and tattoed over it, right under my F claff tattoo. One of the proudest moments of my life
I remember bringing a copy of Fizzle Fry over to my buddies place about 91-92. My tape trader friend gave it to me, and I had it well before most. I was like.. I don’t know what this is.. I kind of like it..do you like it? My buddy was like.. like it! And then we proceeded to wear it out. Later we had an epic pilgrimage to see the Sailing the Seas Tour. Easily one of the best shows I’ve ever been to.
I had a 5 sting fretless Carl Thompson …. He came to Ward Brodt music store in Madison Wi quite a long time ago and did a clinic …. I was hooked … had him make me a similar rainbow style to Les’ 6 string from the SSOC era ….. took 3.5 years , and almost $5k when it finally arrived …. It was epic…. Couldn’t even come close to playing it to its potential …. But it was my pride and joy for decades…. Unfortunately I had to sell it to a collector and store owner up in northern Wi… son was born, divorce, you know….. life happened… still regret it heavily to this day.. Carl completed it on his wife’s birthday … so the serial number was 3-3-97 I think ….. I’m gonna go cry now …..
Nice vid! Les was really inspiring when I started to play bass about 20 years ago. Les is Hendrix of bass. Real superstar that shines as a lead of the band. Unique person and bassist.
It’s interesting how intimidated people are towards learning Primus stuff. I starting climbing that hill back in 2017 and what I tell people is just learn one song. Get one piece of the puzzle and it’ll unlock chorus’s, versus or other individual parts of other songs. First song I learned was American life. Got that strum down, then I could notice that strum every time it ever came up in another song. You learn another song like To Defy cause you hear the strum and that unlocks slap and some right hand tapping. Now you got 2 pieces of the puzzle. Then all of a sudden you’re playing Duo De Twang stuff or songs from his solo albums. It’s definitely a lot of fun to start slapping other songs in the style of Les. Mastodons Chimes at Midnight is a badass one to slap or the last part of Megadeth’s Wake up Dead. You get a lot of fun party tricks down this path.
I love les claypool, and I don't know a thing about playing any kind of instrument, but I appreciate your break down of his technique, I learned so much!! Thank you!!
I have decided to have 3 children.. In order have bass battles against each other using Primus techniques. That is how legit this channel is! Thank you bass player Steve Jobs.
I can’t stop watching this video, thank you so much for making this! I did not know about Les Claypool until now. I feel like I should have known because I’m a bassist as well. His skills are immaculate.
Les Claypool & Victor Wooten literally shaped my bass playing forever. I was 16 years old when I first was made aware of their presence. Great video, my dude. Awesome video!
I'm incredibly new to bass, and instrument playing in general. Kinda just messing around with things I'd like to learn in the long run, slap being a huge one (mostly thanks to Primus). The left hand hammer thing honestly explained dead notes better to me than anything I'd come across so far so, like, thank you. Excellent video that I'll be coming back to many times in the future! The bit of Lacquer Head is super fun from what I've tried after watching this and I will get down to the other techniques shown down the road! You got my sub and my support, chief!
Saw the primus 3d tour. They sent out sound wave specialists to every show prior and set up their own sound systems for those specific spaces. Life changing experience.
EXCEPTIONAL VIDEO!! you have helped me understand what exactly is happening when les plays. ive got my own technique to mimic it but its weak compared to seeing you show the real process
Hey man, been playing Claypools stuff for years. This was a good vid, touched on a lot of stuff, wish i wouldve had this starting out, took me FOREVER to figure it out all by myself. Great job though
Tbh, I read text on the thumbnail as “How to slap Les Claypool like” and my brain autocompleted it to be “How to slap Les Claypool like a professional.” It was a strange and magical 2 seconds before I realized my mistake.
In case you're wondering how to really get the most out of your slap. Don't bother with russian slap fight videos, they just use brawn over brain. Check out the skinny middle eastern dudes that wind their arm 300 degrees back before unleashing a god damn skyrim spike door trap of a slap into your noggin. It's all technique and execution it's just something else. ruclips.net/video/AXO4RS4s7iU/видео.html pictured is a 180 degree wind up. I'll allow you to extrapolate what adding another 120 degrees would do. It may not be professional but it is most likely the pinnacle of technique. Then just start lifting weights so you can put some meat into it like the russians.
Primus is the heaviest band I've ever seen live. More than morbid angel and pantera and sepultura put together. Great breakdown. First video I've seen of yours. Subbed.
@@FatLadyKiller Are you kidding? Primus is proundly heavy, but they're not direct about it. They just haunt you for a while. Larry was one of the founders of Death Metal after all, when he was in Possessed back in the early 80's. After tBlihat Les and Ler were in Blind Illusion together before they spawned Primus. They go for an abstract sort of horror, kind of like the movie _Synecdoche, New York._ It just kind of haunts you for a while until you actually think about it and understand how abjectly terrifying it is. I would argue that a song like "Jilly's on Smack" is waaaaaay heavier than something like "Arise" because it's far more plausible, personal, and persistent. It doesn't just jump out and punch you in the face. Instead, it lurks in the shadows and ruins your life while you're not looking.
Thank you so much for this lesson! I was having trouble with playing Lacquer Head and I didn't even touch My Name is Mud. But since I finally know how to do the left hand technique I am having so much fun playing Lacquer Head and I'm starting to learn My name is Mud!!
I've seen Primus many times. Oysterhead, The Flying Frog Brigade, and Bucket of Bernie Brains. I saw Primus with Helmet, and got my nose broken in the pit (NOT a willing participant) during "Jerry Was a Racecar Driver" (GO! *CRACK!!*). Les Claypool is, has been, and always will be my Main Bass Hero.
I kind of hate Bass InFlUeNcErS (you know, those who are only in the business of showing off their chops and endorsements) but your channel is sweet man, you're a great, GREAT teacher!
Thinking about picking up the bass, I've always played guitar and mingled with harmonica which I love, and I realized just now that...I need your bass man! Looks awesome
Your bass tone was amazing, you got another sub!! Could you do an analysis like this one of Chris Squire, Tony Levin, Mike Rutherford... Prog rock bassist in general?
fun fact: les claypool was actually a banjo player, and the "flaminco style" strumming is actually called a frail, its widley used in old time music. also if you watch duo detwang live shows with his son cage, you can see that his dad actually taught him to frail on the banjo.
Really great video, man! I'm a big Primus fan since Antipop came out (I was 17 and playing bass at the time), but you're the one who really make me understand how it works. I 'member looking at tabs at the time and I was like: "mmhh, doesn't sound as intended..." Thanks!
I just found your V.Wooten video 2 days ago, and now this one. I’m glad I became aware of you and your videos. I just subscribed to your channel and looking forward to looking at your other contents.
I love these series. I used to be really closed minded about a lot of players, it pains me to say it but I did with Les, maybe it was closeted envy. XD he’s awesome great content thank you man.
Sadly Les doesnt play his Carl Thompsons much anymore. Partly because one; "they are so dang valuable its scary to take them on the road, and two; I am kinda doing my own thing with the Pachyderms now" as he told me the last time we chatted about it. Another thing, his "Tone" is a tricky subject. Depending on the "Era" you are refering to you would be suprised at how different his gear was and how much his gear changes in those periods. He literally has gear A.D.D. and constantly changes things around amps, cabs, effects, pick ups, etc and goes back and forth. Which really begs the real question; What is the secret to Les Claypools "Tone" .... Its Les Claypool.
@@3three3three3three For sure. The Pachys are all pretty much set up the same electronics wise. They are fine Basses in their own right, but I have a personsl bias in favor of the Thompsons. The black one was inspired by the Geddy Lee Signature J Bass from Fender....but in the Pachy style.
@@JangoMike i didn't know that it was inspired by the ged signature. cool fact, makes perfect sense. that bass seemed to have a much less twangy voice than the other pachys, but you're probably right and it was just whatever amp setup he was on at the time. infinite variables there i guess. nothing beats a Thompson at the end of the day anyway
@@3three3three3three I think around the time he started using the black Pachy he had switched BACK to his PreAmp and PA amp set up with Mesa Subway cabs. For a period he had gone back to the Mesa D800 head, but then got A.D.D and went back to his weird preamp/amp set up. Depending on the Venue, he will go straight to the board from the amp. Yes the Thompsons are like nothing else on Earth. I have had the pleasure of owning several over the years (and some Basses from his most esteemed appretices) new and vintage. I wish Les would go back to them, or sell me some of his CTs....lol.... ive got tons of vids on my channel featuring ny CTs and CT family of Basses if you wanna peep it out! Cheers 😎🎵🎸🎶🎵🎣
@@JangoMike Les is currently playing vintage Ampeg SVTs heads through Mesa Neodymium cabs. The newest Koa Pachaderm Bass sounds amazing. Check out this set-up at Alive at Pachyderm Station.
I may be a bass player for 12 years. I may be a huge Primus fan. I may love playing slap bass. But I only clicked on this video for the font from the movie "Slap Shot" in the thumbnail.
Love it. I got fired from my first job back in 1992 because I called out to go see Primus open for U2. It was totally worth it. And yes I took off right after Primus was done. Who wants to see U2? Not me that's for sure.
thoroughly based
hell yeah brother
I would have left early as well.
LmaooooooOOoOo
Based as hell, bro.
I'm 41 years old. I don't remember learning to walk, but I'm pretty sure it was just like this.
I've seen Primus live 3 times and I'm only 22. Les is a god!
Twice at 17
You're livin right, man 🤘
4 times and I'm 20!
I'm tryin to get tickets for a show in June by my place i can almost guarantee its gonna rock
I saw Primus in 94 at Lollapalooza, Along with Alice in chains and Stone Temple Pilots. Before everyone started dying.
A comment I once read someone make about Claypool that has stuck with me is that his playing has an absolutely incredible economy of motion.
The video touched on some elements of it, but it's like he makes twice as many sounds while his hands are doing half as much.
Ryan Martinie would be an excellent second part, they have similar approach
Martinie is a God tier bassist. so incredibly good that it's absurd and often ridiculous.
@@BootsORiley indeed
BrBrDeng intesifies
Yeah he’s great, too good for mudvayne lol
Martinie and Claypool are two of my favorites. Incredible musicians that push the envelope of excellence. I got a chance to meet Martinie a couple years ago and he is as cool as you'd expect and has such a passion for creation of sound and innovative thinking. I was "supposed" to also meet Les last year at the Rush: Tribute To Kings tour but just my luck that the world got bitch slapped by the pandemic and put the brakes on that adventure. But my tickets are waiting in the wings still hoping that meeting will become a reality in the near future. Cheers!
Yes, Les Claypool is one of a kind on his technique and sound. The cool thing about Primus is that they sound heavy but not with the lower tones, as for "standard" metal. It's a really cool percussive, funky metal mashup. I can now name these techniques Les uses thanks to your video! Good job
Lacquer head is class, you do it justice. Bravo
I don't play bass but I still thoroughly enjoyed watching this. Your setup, editing, technique and presentation are brilliant. Awesome work my guy.
Great breakdown of his technique. The Flamenco-technique is actually more of a full hand strum, he got it from Stanley Clarke, one of his prime - see what I did there? - influences. Clarke and especially Abe Laboriel did use the flamenco strum, where you rake across the strings with all fingers, alongside the FH strum extensively however. The way actual flamenco guitarists do it is called rasgueado and that's next level shit...
Y’know a lot of people never really take into account, Les Claypool is like 6’3”. His hands are friggin huge, and at least his Carl Thompson 4 is short scale. Im not discounting his skill in anyway, but it is a factor in ease of play that I can attest to. I’m 5’9.5” and some stuff that Les does seem impossible or is a hella workout for my hands, simply because they are a lot smaller than Les’. Other songs take absolutely no effort, like Lacquer Head. I actually learned it just from watching the music video and just trying to imitate what he does. Now if I set everything up right, I can make my basses sound just like his.
Some would say it doesn’t really matter how physically large someone is, but there are some things I just can’t do well because my hands just aren’t big enough, or my bass isn’t small enough. The intro to Puddin’ Taine comes to mind. Very difficult for me to get right because I can’t just rest my middle finger on the B, the fretboard is just too wide, I have to lift between each note to somewhat get the desired effect. Jerry was a Racecar Driver is also another one for the left hand. People say to use my pinky more, but I was blessed with tiny pinkies, so that really isn’t an option for anything but octaves and some chords. For Tommy the Cat, instead of using my middle finger for the octave in the main riff, I have to use my pinky because my hands are just not big enough. After years of almost daily practice of that song, I still cannot even come remotely close to even RUclips covers, let alone Les himself. My hands get tired and start cramping right around the first chorus.
Bro, same. Hand size, finger length and width plays a huge part.
Good shout, it's an important factor. A similar situation is John Mayer, who's also 6'3 and plays stuff that is impossible without large hands.
Mmhmm, can confirm. Even being 6ft alot of his bass lines are pretty hard on a 34 inch scale bass. I remember trying some fender that was short scale and my god, what a ease it gave me. For now I will just exercise my fretting hand :/
@@darraghtate440 Name one Mayer song that is impossible without large hands. I'm not saying you're wrong, I'm genuinely curious. I've learned a lot of Mayer songs off Continuum and have had no trouble. PS: My main guitar has a John Mayer signature Fender neck. Modeled after the 63
@@ikigai47 Neon is the most obvious example. The bass notes are all with the thumb hanging over the neck, I can't even get my hands in the correct position to play 8 - x - 8 - 5 - 6 - x with the thumb on the 8th fret of the low E string (which is tuned town to C).
I'm certain there's plenty more, but I haven't done a very deep dive.
This was a great video. Les also has an amazing economy of motion. He will play a million notes but his hands barely move. It's so clean.
As an aspiring bassist, I’ve always loved Les Claypool’s tone and technique, but I’d never heard it broken down like this. I saw a cover someone did on a dingwall of John the Fisherman, so I could really see that combined flamenco and slap style. Well done here 👏 👏 👏
A big part of that tone is him and his hands himself. He plays a Fender Jazz, you can tell it is Les, he plays that weird steel bayou bass thing and you hear his tone.
Reddit brought me here and Im not disappointed, keep it up man
Les claypool: *sneezes*
Andrew: that was siiiick!!
*camera zooms in and out 3 times*
Andrew: that was like my fAvOrItE sneeze!
Les claypool: *leaves*
Andrew: whoa! CrAaAaZy!
FYI a LOT of good bassist also do some flamenco on the side. I've studied right hand flamenco technique a bit and it's so essential to getting cool sounds out of a bass. I also play a classical guitar as my 6 string primary and when I took a workshop with Stephane Wrembel (gypsy jazz), he kept picking me as accompaniment because I was playing fingerstyle with those flamenco stabs in place of the percussive hits of la pompe (the basic stroke of manouche).
Anyway, not surprising to learn Les has brought that stuff into his playing! A charangista I know, when I asked him about his right hand technique, said 'whatever works'. He had dozens of styles packed in, but didn't really use any of them. They just trained his hand to do what was needed, when he needed it!
One really cool place that chord stab right hand technique pops up is the intro to Aces High by Iron Maiden. Not sure how Harris plays it, but I use 100% the flamenco-based move you show here!
I've been playing bass for over 40 years, this is by far the single best Claypool technique video I've ever seen, by miles
Thanks a lot!!!🤘
Les claypool is one of my favorite musician, own everything he's ever put on vinyl(even sausage and oysterhead). Just recently defretted my 6 string so I can play more songs like Mary the ice cube, I'm also getting a 4 string bass made by Carl thompson just like Les' walnut bass
Whats your ETA on it? When did you order?
I saw Oysterhead at Bonnaroo, and good lord were they incredible. There is very little that Les Claypool has been a part of that I don't totally love. I even read his novel. It wasn't life changing the way my first Primus album was (Sailing the Seas of Cheese) but it was a fun, easy read.
How much $$ does a custom order Carl Thompson go for? Damn
Damn dude. Well done. I've always been blown away by Les's work on Lacquerhead, and you described it brilliantly. I haven't watched any of your other videos, but you strike me as an excellent teacher. Breaking down every little part, then putting it together. I haven't played bass in years, but you're making me want to get back at it. Just wanted to say - really great video, mate.
Thank you Stephen for the amazing compliment. I truly appreciate it!
@@BassFreedom how much primus is possible with a 4 string? I'm a beginner, obviously.
@@electricfil Absolutely! I learned tons of Primus on my 4 string and I had one for 10 years before I got a 5 string!
@@BassFreedom sweet! Thank you. You're videos are great. I just subscribed. ✌
Saw Primus at ozzfest 99, les claypool and frog brigade in my hometown FrogTown, Angels Camp, Ca (what Les named the band after, in 2000. Primus with Mastodon't in 2019. And saw Primus open for Slayer 11/30/19, Slayer's final show.
Im 75 i saw primus with my son in 2014 i have loved them eversince and have gone to see them live twice
As a bass player, I always respected Les and knew he was a G.O.A.T. Never really went out of my way to listen to Primus. (John the fishermen used to annoy me. Blasphemous in hindsight, I know) However, fairly recently, Primus came on my Playlist. For the first time, something clicked. Now I'm obsessing over them. The music, the videos, their stage presence, and most importantly, les Claypools utter mastery of his instrument. I've needed motivation recently. I just never thought Les would be there for me. But he wouldn't help if there weren't people who could eloquently explain his technique because his written music doesn't translate at all.
Great video. Les is also a major influence to me. In fact, after Primus' only show ever in Brazil, I managed to get into the backstage area, asked Les to autograph my arm and tattoed over it, right under my F claff tattoo. One of the proudest moments of my life
Primus was one of the tightest live bands I've ever experienced. Class act.
I remember bringing a copy of Fizzle Fry over to my buddies place about 91-92. My tape trader friend gave it to me, and I had it well before most. I was like.. I don’t know what this is.. I kind of like it..do you like it? My buddy was like.. like it! And then we proceeded to wear it out. Later we had an epic pilgrimage to see the Sailing the Seas Tour. Easily one of the best shows I’ve ever been to.
frizzle fry was amazing, I had a copy on green vinyl back in the early 90's and thats how I learned to play bass...
No one compares to Les, but this is good. Apart from retiring his old 4 string CT bass, his style comes off like nothing ever heard before.
I had a 5 sting fretless Carl Thompson …. He came to Ward Brodt music store in Madison Wi quite a long time ago and did a clinic …. I was hooked … had him make me a similar rainbow style to Les’ 6 string from the SSOC era ….. took 3.5 years , and almost $5k when it finally arrived …. It was epic…. Couldn’t even come close to playing it to its potential …. But it was my pride and joy for decades…. Unfortunately I had to sell it to a collector and store owner up in northern Wi… son was born, divorce, you know….. life happened… still regret it heavily to this day.. Carl completed it on his wife’s birthday … so the serial number was 3-3-97 I think ….. I’m gonna go cry now …..
I don't even play bass and this video was great, good vid 👍
Nice vid! Les was really inspiring when I started to play bass about 20 years ago.
Les is Hendrix of bass. Real superstar that shines as a lead of the band. Unique person and bassist.
It’s interesting how intimidated people are towards learning Primus stuff. I starting climbing that hill back in 2017 and what I tell people is just learn one song. Get one piece of the puzzle and it’ll unlock chorus’s, versus or other individual parts of other songs. First song I learned was American life. Got that strum down, then I could notice that strum every time it ever came up in another song. You learn another song like To Defy cause you hear the strum and that unlocks slap and some right hand tapping. Now you got 2 pieces of the puzzle. Then all of a sudden you’re playing Duo De Twang stuff or songs from his solo albums. It’s definitely a lot of fun to start slapping other songs in the style of Les. Mastodons Chimes at Midnight is a badass one to slap or the last part of Megadeth’s Wake up Dead. You get a lot of fun party tricks down this path.
this is true. learning it this way gave me more colors to paint with in my own songwriting and jamming
I love les claypool, and I don't know a thing about playing any kind of instrument, but I appreciate your break down of his technique, I learned so much!! Thank you!!
I have decided to have 3 children.. In order have bass battles against each other using Primus techniques. That is how legit this channel is!
Thank you bass player Steve Jobs.
Saw Claypool live in 92 Lolipalooza... I was in a band on 3rd stage
I can’t stop watching this video, thank you so much for making this! I did not know about Les Claypool until now. I feel like I should have known because I’m a bassist as well. His skills are immaculate.
Les Claypool & Victor Wooten literally shaped my bass playing forever. I was 16 years old when I first was made aware of their presence. Great video, my dude. Awesome video!
I'm incredibly new to bass, and instrument playing in general. Kinda just messing around with things I'd like to learn in the long run, slap being a huge one (mostly thanks to Primus). The left hand hammer thing honestly explained dead notes better to me than anything I'd come across so far so, like, thank you. Excellent video that I'll be coming back to many times in the future! The bit of Lacquer Head is super fun from what I've tried after watching this and I will get down to the other techniques shown down the road! You got my sub and my support, chief!
Welcome to the bass world! Thank you!!!
Super straight-forward stuff man. I love how percussive and melodic pool is on the bass
Great tutorial
My dad took me to primus in 2018 missoula, montana. Completely amazed and we where is the front row.. awesome time
Brings back memories of being stoned in the 1990's. Thanks!!
It would be cool to see a breakdown on Clay Gober’s technique
Saw the primus 3d tour. They sent out sound wave specialists to every show prior and set up their own sound systems for those specific spaces. Life changing experience.
EXCEPTIONAL VIDEO!! you have helped me understand what exactly is happening when les plays.
ive got my own technique to mimic it but its weak compared to seeing you show the real process
That left hand technique is Mark King's and that flamenco strum is Stanley Clarke's technique. Gotta give credit where it's due
yep and I believe that in interviews, les claypool has always given credit to both of them. stanley clarke is amazing, ahead of his time.
I read in the german Gitarre und Bass Magazin that Les never heard the Name Mark King.
And he gave Clarke tribute in covering silly putty
The left hand muting technique is also used by Larry Graham. I would rather think Claypool got it from him.
I juuuust bought my own first bass today! Loved your vid ! You broke it down perfect. Let’s just say it’s kept me busy all day and night hahahah
I saw Les at Bonnaroo 2008. What a show! The guy has so much stage presence and talent. I don't know how he does it.
You are a God! Great lesson, thanks.
Been a huge primus fan since I was like 7, so around 30 years now.
saw primus live inSLC not too long ago, hes one of like, five inspirations of my bass playing! wish i was half as coordinated XD
thanks, that was really entertaning ;)
Solid sequential teaching and playing. Nice dude
Hey man, been playing Claypools stuff for years. This was a good vid, touched on a lot of stuff, wish i wouldve had this starting out, took me FOREVER to figure it out all by myself. Great job though
It is said through tales of old, that Les Claypool sometimes turns his back to the audience, as to not melt the faces of those in the front row.
Would love to see a video like this for P-Nut.
I love P-Nut hes the reason I started playing bass hes amazing
he seems very les clay pool inspired, and i respect that. the wooden bass he has as well as the facial hair and everything
Part 2? More in depth? Awesome video and the best one covering I have seen.
Tbh, I read text on the thumbnail as “How to slap Les Claypool like” and my brain autocompleted it to be “How to slap Les Claypool like a professional.”
It was a strange and magical 2 seconds before I realized my mistake.
well that's definitely not something I'd recommend you attempt if you're an amateur!
Well... are you sure it really was a mistake ?!? 😜
LOL
😂... don't you dare!
In case you're wondering how to really get the most out of your slap. Don't bother with russian slap fight videos, they just use brawn over brain. Check out the skinny middle eastern dudes that wind their arm 300 degrees back before unleashing a god damn skyrim spike door trap of a slap into your noggin. It's all technique and execution it's just something else.
ruclips.net/video/AXO4RS4s7iU/видео.html
pictured is a 180 degree wind up. I'll allow you to extrapolate what adding another 120 degrees would do. It may not be professional but it is most likely the pinnacle of technique. Then just start lifting weights so you can put some meat into it like the russians.
Great playing and tips, subbed
A ótima qualidade do equipamento é imprescindível.
Great video. > Important fact for the faithful: Les calls it "Thump'n and pluck'n" and rejects the term "slap."
I've always loved Primus, esp during the 90s. Tim's my favorite drummer. They came to Portland, OR and tickets were almost $300.
Primus is the heaviest band I've ever seen live.
More than morbid angel and pantera and sepultura put together.
Great breakdown.
First video I've seen of yours. Subbed.
I love all of the bands you mentioned, primus is amazing but on no planet are they heavier than Pantera or sepeltura
bro Primus is not heavier than Pantera stop reachiiing
@@FatLadyKiller Are you kidding? Primus is proundly heavy, but they're not direct about it. They just haunt you for a while. Larry was one of the founders of Death Metal after all, when he was in Possessed back in the early 80's. After tBlihat Les and Ler were in Blind Illusion together before they spawned Primus.
They go for an abstract sort of horror, kind of like the movie _Synecdoche, New York._ It just kind of haunts you for a while until you actually think about it and understand how abjectly terrifying it is. I would argue that a song like "Jilly's on Smack" is waaaaaay heavier than something like "Arise" because it's far more plausible, personal, and persistent. It doesn't just jump out and punch you in the face. Instead, it lurks in the shadows and ruins your life while you're not looking.
I don't even play bass I just love primus.
Great video.
Thank you so much for this lesson! I was having trouble with playing Lacquer Head and I didn't even touch My Name is Mud. But since I finally know how to do the left hand technique I am having so much fun playing Lacquer Head and I'm starting to learn My name is Mud!!
I've seen Primus many times. Oysterhead, The Flying Frog Brigade, and Bucket of Bernie Brains. I saw Primus with Helmet, and got my nose broken in the pit (NOT a willing participant) during "Jerry Was a Racecar Driver" (GO! *CRACK!!*). Les Claypool is, has been, and always will be my Main Bass Hero.
Amazing breakdown - total game changer 🌞🎶🙏
I kind of hate Bass InFlUeNcErS (you know, those who are only in the business of showing off their chops and endorsements) but your channel is sweet man, you're a great, GREAT teacher!
Seen them twice and im 15, one of the best bands ever
This video deserves more views.
Really great breakdown, I wish I had this way back when trying to learn a lot of these techniques
You too can play just like les claypool the bass GOD, just by watching this 8minute video!!!
This is such a great technique breakdown! Thanks!!!
Les is a fucking beast on bass. Honestly one of the greatest out there
Thinking about picking up the bass, I've always played guitar and mingled with harmonica which I love, and I realized just now that...I need your bass man! Looks awesome
Awesome lesson..thank you..
Ty for this brotha I've always been so intrigued by Les's technique
Ok I know that is an Ibanez SR series, but I can't tell if it is a 1905 or a 5005. I love it! Great video man.
Hi very good video, Les Claypool is my main influence as Bass player....a phenomenal musician.
atheist!!!!!
@@michaela2279 Hi, i precise, i'm not the Atheist bass player, i'm just a fan of the band...only a pseudo. Great channel 🤘
Your bass tone was amazing, you got another sub!! Could you do an analysis like this one of Chris Squire, Tony Levin, Mike Rutherford... Prog rock bassist in general?
Thanks for the recommendations!
fun fact: les claypool was actually a banjo player, and the "flaminco style" strumming is actually called a frail, its widley used in old time music. also if you watch duo detwang live shows with his son cage, you can see that his dad actually taught him to frail on the banjo.
Damnit, I'm even playing air bass wrong on American life!
I dont even play bass, just normal guitar, but i was still really interested by this. I kinda want to start learning bass too.
i’ve seen Primus live more times than i can remember
well done video.. thanks for posting
Really great video, man! I'm a big Primus fan since Antipop came out (I was 17 and playing bass at the time), but you're the one who really make me understand how it works. I 'member looking at tabs at the time and I was like: "mmhh, doesn't sound as intended..."
Thanks!
Can you cover clay gober he is really amazing at triple pops and hybrid picking
i love this kind of videos pls do more
I just found your V.Wooten video 2 days ago, and now this one. I’m glad I became aware of you and your videos. I just subscribed to your channel and looking forward to looking at your other contents.
Thanks so much Warren! Just getting started! I appreciate it.
Dude you are an awesome teacher! Thank you for breaking this down
Great video man, I don't see much praise and breakdown for his technique ! Nice work, glad it matches what I figured out!
There is no such thing as too much primus 🤘🏻🤘🏻 I've seen them live as well. Les has inspired me to do slap
Thanks, easy to follow video, great breakdown!
yes man ,you made my day!Thanks for this!
Dudes the greatest of all time
2:38 "We're gonna play all Dead Notes. I'm gonna slap with my right hand and then i'm gonna take my left hand and call it L."
His right hand is Kira
Thank you very much for making this.
Very cool. Good job man. Love Les too. Seen them 4 times and have incorporated some of his techniques into my own playing as well.
I love these series. I used to be really closed minded about a lot of players, it pains me to say it but I did with Les, maybe it was closeted envy. XD he’s awesome great content thank you man.
Sadly Les doesnt play his Carl Thompsons much anymore. Partly because one; "they are so dang valuable its scary to take them on the road, and two; I am kinda doing my own thing with the Pachyderms now" as he told me the last time we chatted about it. Another thing, his "Tone" is a tricky subject. Depending on the "Era" you are refering to you would be suprised at how different his gear was and how much his gear changes in those periods. He literally has gear A.D.D. and constantly changes things around amps, cabs, effects, pick ups, etc and goes back and forth. Which really begs the real question; What is the secret to Les Claypools "Tone" .... Its Les Claypool.
remember when he was using that black pachyderm in 2017? sounded absolutely massive
@@3three3three3three For sure. The Pachys are all pretty much set up the same electronics wise. They are fine Basses in their own right, but I have a personsl bias in favor of the Thompsons. The black one was inspired by the Geddy Lee Signature J Bass from Fender....but in the Pachy style.
@@JangoMike i didn't know that it was inspired by the ged signature. cool fact, makes perfect sense. that bass seemed to have a much less twangy voice than the other pachys, but you're probably right and it was just whatever amp setup he was on at the time. infinite variables there i guess. nothing beats a Thompson at the end of the day anyway
@@3three3three3three I think around the time he started using the black Pachy he had switched BACK to his PreAmp and PA amp set up with Mesa Subway cabs. For a period he had gone back to the Mesa D800 head, but then got A.D.D and went back to his weird preamp/amp set up. Depending on the Venue, he will go straight to the board from the amp. Yes the Thompsons are like nothing else on Earth. I have had the pleasure of owning several over the years (and some Basses from his most esteemed appretices) new and vintage. I wish Les would go back to them, or sell me some of his CTs....lol.... ive got tons of vids on my channel featuring ny CTs and CT family of Basses if you wanna peep it out! Cheers 😎🎵🎸🎶🎵🎣
@@JangoMike Les is currently playing vintage Ampeg SVTs heads through Mesa Neodymium cabs. The newest Koa Pachaderm Bass sounds amazing. Check out this set-up at Alive at Pachyderm Station.
I may be a bass player for 12 years.
I may be a huge Primus fan.
I may love playing slap bass.
But I only clicked on this video for the font from the movie "Slap Shot" in the thumbnail.