Thank You so much Mr. Long, I'm 72 and I appreciate You and Reggie Parker sharing the Wisdom that God has given you Guys, Musicians Young and Old please listen to these Gentleman, Thank You Mr. Long for talking about Tone and to find Tone, we need to understand EQing the instrument and amp! People Record yourself and go back and listen! Especially on these Sunday Morning Praise Teams, you have so much going on, until your congregation is actually confused, Thanks again Mr. Long keep spreading your knowledge and Wisdom we all need to.hear it!
30 years ago I started doing club dates in NYC. I was a chops guy. Met a drummer that went to Berkeley. He schooled me. My mantra to this day: “ its all about the groove son, not the chops”
One of the best lessons I ever learned was that these basses are SIMPLE, they don't need every pedal and EQ in the world. Just give it a touch of whatever you love and do the rest on the bass. These amps are POWERFUL, let the amp do the work and do the rest with technique
All I can say is right on, the message is perfectly clear that the bass and drums are foundational instruments that gives people that foot stopping vibration that moves and grooves. Thank you for sharing this musical wisdom. Old school for life.
Thank you, Johnny thank you I’m 72 man and I miss 19:42 that old school grove That’s why a lot of the gospel nowadays is tough for me play keep on playing the funk I need go back and get me a good P bass
I feel you my brother but, I feel like this talk was for the younger players rather they want to hear it or not. The RUclips "Run Kings" have forgotten about groove, feel, space and learning to play in the pocket as an accompaniment instrument....and when you are given room or asked to solo THEN, you knock 'em out! (if you've put in the time to learn what modes work best with the chord changes!) Johnny, I'm Ol' Skool like you, been playin bass only -for over 40 years. I play for my church but, I also play secular gigs, God has given me the gift of adaptability - different styles ain't no problem but it all begins with LISTENING. I really hope other cats will watch this video and turn their younger students on to it. You should get T-shirts made sayin' "BASS TONE MATTERS" , hope no one steals it from you 🙂. Love you my brother, God Bless!
I’ve been called a simple bass player ,,, a bass player that you can hit in the head with a brick but stays on the groove during a song which is a compliment an a put down at the same time !!!
You mention Bootsy and James Brown. Lots of Bootsy interviews reflect your message in this video. When Bootsy started out with JB they had a little talk. Bootsy was playing all kinds of crazy stuff. JB said to tone it back some and take him back to the One. History wrote itself after that. I think your message is well put and reflects a repeating theme throughout the ages. Youth with energy and hunger rushes forward leaving basic important things behind that seasoned folks can take their time and easily pickup as they go a reasonable pace. Thanks for the video. Love the bass.
A BIG AMEN brother! So glad you had this conversation!! You hit upon SO many golden nuggets of truth. I really like what you had to say about tone as well (tone off-bass/tone on-treble), today everything is high treble and mid-range...it's like having another rhythm guitar. For me, I play with the tone off (bass on) with flatwounds on a Fender 4-string Jazz bass! I love that old sound! It brings balance to the sound of the music and it adds a much needed "murky-ness". Peace out my man! 🙂❤
Johnny, that is true! All respect to the new cats, they are expanding in new and different heights but there is nothing like locking in a groove and keeping there! We did a show in Youngstown where my band played MR. Wiggles by P-Funk and I played the same bassline for over 25 minutes! The audience danced the whole time! We even dropped out the vocals and let the groove go! It was spiritual!
I remember seeing You in church playing a four string and that groove was tight and right. Which proves what your saying about how many string you actually "need"
I know I’m leaving a lot of comments on here but this is something I feel needs to be addressed for the survival of a true bass player that plays for the ensemble. One dude that does this perfectly, holds down a bassline and also knows how to fill space, Justin Raines. He is probably the best I’ve ever heard because he has mastered pocket playing and knows exactly how to place runs/develop parts all the while still blending right into the pocket
Mohini Dey & Tal Wilkenfield have hella pocket even tho they have chops. I feel like the blend is cool, but ain't nothing like Da FUNK. Prince n Rick taught me alot. So glad I lived onnmy 70s n 80s stuff.
Johnny you’re speaking a lot of facts, I think this is helping me to rethink what I’m doing on the bass ! And by the way that bass sounds incredible . I love the point you made about other musicians getting in way while someone else is soloing, excellent point !
Brother Johnny and Hootie droppin gems you young kats!, “one note could save the world “ luv ya brother!! Such a great video!! This was needed, I need this reminder myself
Soo true.. Give me the funk. Lakeside, Cameo, Confunkshun, Slave, Sunn. I'm 58 and this is what I grew up on. I do play Gospel also; and that dude that played bass with Fred Hammond (Fitzgerald), Live in Las Vegas, put gospel on another level. I do stay in my lane(most of the time), but with that old school funk, Yes I keep it simple. Great advise bruh.
Johnny I'm 39 and I'm in total agreement with you. I may be a bit younger then you but I still feel you're absolutely right about this. I've been influenced by Salsa Latin bass playing from the 60's thru the 90's and that's what it was all about as well pocket playing and groove.
Wise words, Mr. Long. As a bass player in 2 funk bands, I make a point of staying in my lane. I only go crazy if the band decided that's what they want and leave a space for me to do so. I shy away from solos and only slap if the slap sound fits the tune. That don't mean I cant do it. I'm well schooled and I can slap like a mofo, but that's not what makes an audience happy. They want to feel the beat in their bones and some nice harmonies on top of that. Not one guy just throwing out a million notes every song. As I always say: the bass is just an extension of the drum kit. If the drummer played fills all the time, we would start shouting at him.
Us old guys couldn't cheat and speed it up electronically without changing the pitch. But nowadays, so many of the guys on the internet use a video editor to speed their licks up to impossible speed without changing the pitch, but they don't have any groove. Back in the day, the bassplayers let it breathe.
Yup you're a 💯percent correct. Today's bass players are technically great but lack the fundamental groove necessary to make you tap your feet. Great talk...
Great job Johnny, thank you for saying what had to be said. Today on RUclips there are a lot of players (beast) who have chops but lack solid bass-playing skills when playing in a combo. Chops can not compete with tight drum and bass groove-playing. If you can't get the crowd to rock their head and pop their fingers as demoed you're not locking. Less is more.
I do agree with you, there is a style of playing I call “RUclips” playing or a “RUclips” bass line. People do want to hear that stuff on RUclips for 45 seconds of a bassline clip.. but in a real playing situation it may not fit in the ensemble the whole time. The art of holding down a solid bass line is starting to get lost. But one thing I respect that I saw players doing when I was growing up in the gig world 20 years ago: holding down the bassline like their life depended on it and when it was time at the end of the song or even in a part of the song totally unexpected would do an awesome run or part the solo bass players where doing at the time. And make it fit perfectly with the ensemble. I’m seeing people playing these gigs as half solo bassists now, and that is started to become the norm even to a lot of the audience members because now the regular person is watching all of these shorts and video clips, expecting you to play like that too for half the song
Couldn’t agree with this more Johnny I’m a 24-year-old Tenor Sax player, been watching you a long time. The same goes for us horns, A lot of the trend nowadays seems to play all this flashy stuff especially in funk when it’s really about that groove and leaning into the bass. young cats need to play the MELODY and hits and just the shimmer on top and save it for the solo 🤘
So cool to go to a show and zoom in on a bass player that has superman chops but keeps it simple and grooving, be it funk metal or country 🤘 Ego gets in the way of live music sometimes 😅
I have two Fenders (Both 62 Reissues) and a MusicMan SUB. All four string. A so-called gospel player told me, around 2005, "Stop playing beat up Fenders!" Well, 15 years later, the pandemic rolls around and Fender has a record 2020. All my basses double in value. With all that said, if people had a sense of groove, things would be good.
I have noticed that over the last few years, my playing has become less busy/flashy and more groove oriented. And I've gotten better at listening to the rest of the band. Maybe I'm finally learning something, maybe its the multiple injuries making it harder to do flashy things.
I just read your post I’ve been playing my home studio over the past year producing music tracks just having fun. And I have noticed the same thing happen, my bass playing became more simplistic and solid. More Concerned with good tone, good time, and good touch. A great foundation leaves room for the rest of the song to come through. It’s like a music muscle 💪 the more you work out your music muscle, the stronger you get.
And don’t get me wrong it’s very fun to play like that and even practice like that to songs and tracks at home and explore your creativity but it is an extremely fine art nowadays to hold down a proper bassline in a live situation or recording, it’s a very hard thing to do that most players don’t even hear anymore because it’s so rare, it’s not being ingrained into them so they don’t know how to truly identify a true solid bassline from start to finish
you’re so right Johnny, this generation is tryna impress others on social media with the flashiest techniques to gain likes, and we’ve lost the sense for a good groove
I feel you Johnny. I’m 32 and I don’t play all crazy. I keep it simple, in the pocket and throw in a little razzle dazzle here and there. You right, errybody just wanna impress and get likes.
I tend to feel a bit self-conscious because my bass lines tend to be very simple, but man, do they groove. I often think less is more and don't need to fill a song with as many notes and chords as possible.
Yes, I can understand the message to let go of The "INTEGRITY" The "CULTURES" And not get lost in The "FAKE! FUSION! MUSIC!" or "LACK THERE OF " "TOO MUCH SHOUTA KAH KAH" and not Enough 🙌🏿SHOUT HALLELUJAH🙌🏿 👍🏿🍷🍞🍷 👑🦍👑 💯✌🏿💯
Not 10 mins ago, everyone knew every phone number of anyone they needed to call. But then we trained our brains to depend on contacts. A guitar or bass player could tune from 1 given note until they became dependent on tuners. Players could keep time until they became dependent on click tracks. And people who wanted to become musicians learned to play instruments rather than searching thru someone else's sample packs and drum loops while pretending to make real music. Technology is wonderful but just remember that AI is knocking on the door of those who fake it and pretend. And if we don't get back to actually learning to play and understand real instruments, then like that ability to remember phone numbers and tune by ear, those skills we be gone forever.
i understand what your saying cause im 56 im a drummer/bass player since i grew up in the late sixties i went through the funk error.Basicly your saying these younger bass player can play there asses off but they have no pocket.Do they know what a pocket is?Its the ONE!The ONE puts you in the pocket.In the pocket if you have a little room then you add a little but always come back to your pocket.When i played drums i played with some versitile bass players.They all brung something different.I had one was super funky but he didnt have no pocket because he knew how good he was and let you know it.I had one was a straight up and down pocket player R.I.P him.He told go where i wanted to go he got me .Saying what ever i did when i came back he was still in the pocket.Timeing and pocket playing was everthing to him.He was older than me.If i came back in a little off time he always gave me that look and said!I still here the rest is up to you.Showing off only speed you up away from your bass player.
I'm cool with cats tuning down if it works for them. I don't do it because I play so many different types of gigs and I often have to read music. I'm not good enough to transpose on the fly like that so I stick to standard tuning but to each its own.
Brother, this video is long over due for us old heads. This ain't no shade thrown on this generation of incredible bassist and drummers, but, there's so much going on today, and ESPECIALLY in the church... There's a reason why all the clubs and the bands playing in them play music from the 70's.
Mr. long, how do you get so many bass guitars to play in your videos? I really need a good bass, but I can't afford one right now due to financial reasons. Thanks for all the funny videos. God bless you.
Yo Johnny I am 69, Days of People Choice, 21st Century, Positve Sounds, Lock Stock and Barrel, Weekend Affair. Ihad this exact conversation 3 times this week. This the best video I have seen you do yet. Takecare
I remember when I first started playing in my church I put a lot of pressure on myself because I didn't do a lot of runs and rightfully so. I was even ready for it so I stayed in the pocket a lot. So much that a church member ask me how come I never do solos. 😮😊
Its cray because im 26 and my rythem is naturally like what you say modern rythem turning into so i will take notice of what your saying, less is more thankyou brother
Yeah 👍🏼 Look at mononeon he’s funky, disciplined and creative. Young cat playing with Bootsy , George Clinton, Steve Arrington etc. he understands funk. Fo sho !!!
Crazy watching people teach funk on guitar.And they are struggling trying to strum funk. You can watch old interviews they'd tell you how important staying in the pocket. Just watched a video of the Bride's of Funkenstein 2011 and the band sounded better than the original. 🤘🏾🤘🏾🤘🏾
Larry Graham played the entire song "dance to the music" playing primarily 1 note. "G" BTW, if that strap behind your head should come up missing... I had nothing to do with it!!!
Lol 😂😂 Johnny I was talking to a young musican about the pocket he didn't understand it so I explained to him when I7 I played with older musicans doing cold sweat James Brown and I was feeling myself and started doing runs and the band leader stoped the music and look at me and said young man if wants to get paid stay in the pocket and stop the runs so I know what you are talking
I never liked speed bass... Mohini Dey type stuff... Who needs it? Definitely not me.. I play simple, and I'm proud. I keep a rhythmic, hypnotic pulse... repeating. That's it... Maybe some slides and slurs, and occasional pops to keep it interesting but that's it. No fast runs or fills. And I never solo
Young Cats just want to prove that they can play. Unfortunately they have no concept of what’s musical anymore. Everyone in the band is soloing from the start of the song to the finish.
Thanks Johnny it had to be said I mentioned Rick James to a young Kat and he said who is that and laughed, they think because they can slap in E they doing something Lol
Oh wow we were just saying the same thing these RUclips social media players do not know how to play in a group we hired many musicians off of RUclips and Instagram and when they got in the rehearsal they were lost and everybody jumped on me about why did I bring these people in we even let one do a show with us and it was a complete embarrassment it's the same thing with today's so-called music producers who are in actuality just cut and paste nerds the reality is our art form and our craft is going down the drain even though you tried to Mentor whoever you can when you tell them the real deal they get mad and don't want to listen just like you said
We're bass players, stay in the pocket. Play what the song needs instead of trying to out performing your band mates. If soloing is your thing, play another instrument or plan accordingly with the band so they hold the pocket at that time.
![Seungmin "그렇게, 천천히, 우리(As we are)" | [Stray Kids : SKZ-PLAYER]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/kAzmhLHePqU/mqdefault.jpg)
![I.N "HALLUCINATION" | [Stray Kids : SKZ-PLAYER]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/n5B5q1Hwt_U/mqdefault.jpg)
Thank You so much Mr. Long, I'm 72 and I appreciate You and Reggie Parker sharing the Wisdom that God has given you Guys, Musicians Young and Old please listen to these Gentleman, Thank You Mr. Long for talking about Tone and to find Tone, we need to understand EQing the instrument and amp! People Record yourself and go back and listen! Especially on these Sunday Morning Praise Teams, you have so much going on, until your congregation is actually confused, Thanks again Mr. Long keep spreading your knowledge and Wisdom we all need to.hear it!
30 years ago I started doing club dates in NYC. I was a chops guy. Met a drummer that went to Berkeley. He schooled me. My mantra to this day: “ its all about the groove son, not the chops”
One of the best lessons I ever learned was that these basses are SIMPLE, they don't need every pedal and EQ in the world. Just give it a touch of whatever you love and do the rest on the bass. These amps are POWERFUL, let the amp do the work and do the rest with technique
Amen brother. Everyone wants to be Jaco, but I still want to be Duck Dunn!
All I can say is right on, the message is perfectly clear that the bass and drums are foundational instruments that gives people that foot stopping vibration that moves and grooves. Thank you for sharing this musical wisdom. Old school for life.
Thnx for your wisdom. Bass groove is where its at.
Thank you, Johnny thank you I’m 72 man and I miss 19:42 that old school grove That’s why a lot of the gospel nowadays is tough for me play keep on playing the funk I need go back and get me a good P bass
I feel you my brother but, I feel like this talk was for the younger players rather they want to hear it or not. The RUclips "Run Kings" have forgotten about groove, feel, space and learning to play in the pocket as an accompaniment instrument....and when you are given room or asked to solo THEN, you knock 'em out! (if you've put in the time to learn what modes work best with the chord changes!) Johnny, I'm Ol' Skool like you, been playin bass only -for over 40 years. I play for my church but, I also play secular gigs, God has given me the gift of adaptability - different styles ain't no problem but it all begins with LISTENING. I really hope other cats will watch this video and turn their younger students on to it. You should get T-shirts made sayin' "BASS TONE MATTERS" , hope no one steals it from you 🙂. Love you my brother, God Bless!
I’ve been called a simple bass player ,,, a bass player that you can hit in the head with a brick but stays on the groove during a song which is a compliment an a put down at the same time !!!
You mention Bootsy and James Brown. Lots of Bootsy interviews reflect your message in this video. When Bootsy started out with JB they had a little talk. Bootsy was playing all kinds of crazy stuff. JB said to tone it back some and take him back to the One. History wrote itself after that. I think your message is well put and reflects a repeating theme throughout the ages. Youth with energy and hunger rushes forward leaving basic important things behind that seasoned folks can take their time and easily pickup as they go a reasonable pace. Thanks for the video. Love the bass.
A BIG AMEN brother! So glad you had this conversation!! You hit upon SO many golden nuggets of truth. I really like what you had to say about tone as well (tone off-bass/tone on-treble), today everything is high treble and mid-range...it's like having another rhythm guitar. For me, I play with the tone off (bass on) with flatwounds on a Fender 4-string Jazz bass! I love that old sound! It brings balance to the sound of the music and it adds a much needed "murky-ness". Peace out my man! 🙂❤
Johnny, that is true! All respect to the new cats, they are expanding in new and different heights but there is nothing like locking in a groove and keeping there! We did a show in Youngstown where my band played MR. Wiggles by P-Funk and I played the same bassline for over 25 minutes! The audience danced the whole time! We even dropped out the vocals and let the groove go! It was spiritual!
I remember seeing You in church playing a four string and that groove was tight and right. Which proves what your saying about how many string you actually "need"
Ain’t that the truth! I miss that ole 4 string P-Bass sound from the early 90s.
I know I’m leaving a lot of comments on here but this is something I feel needs to be addressed for the survival of a true bass player that plays for the ensemble. One dude that does this perfectly, holds down a bassline and also knows how to fill space, Justin Raines. He is probably the best I’ve ever heard because he has mastered pocket playing and knows exactly how to place runs/develop parts all the while still blending right into the pocket
Your two cents has a great exchange rate Johnny, Thanks!
I miss those days ❤ Lets Bring the Funk Back on Track King!
Mohini Dey & Tal Wilkenfield have hella pocket even tho they have chops. I feel like the blend is cool, but ain't nothing like Da FUNK. Prince n Rick taught me alot. So glad I lived onnmy 70s n 80s stuff.
Johnny you’re speaking a lot of facts, I think this is helping me to rethink what I’m doing on the bass ! And by the way that bass sounds incredible . I love the point you made about other musicians getting in way while someone else is soloing, excellent point !
Brother Johnny and Hootie droppin gems you young kats!, “one note could save the world “ luv ya brother!! Such a great video!! This was needed, I need this reminder myself
Soo true.. Give me the funk. Lakeside, Cameo, Confunkshun, Slave, Sunn. I'm 58 and this is what I grew up on. I do play Gospel also; and that dude that played bass with Fred Hammond (Fitzgerald), Live in Las Vegas, put gospel on another level. I do stay in my lane(most of the time), but with that old school funk, Yes I keep it simple. Great advise bruh.
Thank you Mr. Long you are so right!
Some serious bass wisdom here. Thanks for sharing the important words.
Johnny I'm 39 and I'm in total agreement with you. I may be a bit younger then you but I still feel you're absolutely right about this. I've been influenced by Salsa Latin bass playing from the 60's thru the 90's and that's what it was all about as well pocket playing and groove.
Wise words, Mr. Long. As a bass player in 2 funk bands, I make a point of staying in my lane. I only go crazy if the band decided that's what they want and leave a space for me to do so. I shy away from solos and only slap if the slap sound fits the tune. That don't mean I cant do it. I'm well schooled and I can slap like a mofo, but that's not what makes an audience happy. They want to feel the beat in their bones and some nice harmonies on top of that. Not one guy just throwing out a million notes every song. As I always say: the bass is just an extension of the drum kit. If the drummer played fills all the time, we would start shouting at him.
Johnny Lee, i feel you on many points, been running my bass passive lately and LOVE it.
Thanks for this video bro! You took it back to my day man. Young players need this, no doubt.
Us old guys couldn't cheat and speed it up electronically without changing the pitch.
But nowadays, so many of the guys on the internet use a video editor to speed their licks up to impossible speed without changing the pitch, but they don't have any groove.
Back in the day, the bassplayers let it breathe.
Yup you're a 💯percent correct. Today's bass players are technically great but lack the fundamental groove necessary to make you tap your feet. Great talk...
Great job Johnny, thank you for saying what had to be said. Today on RUclips there are a lot of players (beast) who have chops but lack solid bass-playing skills when playing in a combo.
Chops can not compete with tight drum and bass groove-playing. If you can't get the crowd to rock their head and pop their fingers as demoed you're not locking. Less is more.
One Nation Under a GROOVE...Im gonna always tap into my "old soul" element. Chops are cool, pocket gets me PAID.
I do agree with you, there is a style of playing I call “RUclips” playing or a “RUclips” bass line. People do want to hear that stuff on RUclips for 45 seconds of a bassline clip.. but in a real playing situation it may not fit in the ensemble the whole time. The art of holding down a solid bass line is starting to get lost. But one thing I respect that I saw players doing when I was growing up in the gig world 20 years ago: holding down the bassline like their life depended on it and when it was time at the end of the song or even in a part of the song totally unexpected would do an awesome run or part the solo bass players where doing at the time. And make it fit perfectly with the ensemble. I’m seeing people playing these gigs as half solo bassists now, and that is started to become the norm even to a lot of the audience members because now the regular person is watching all of these shorts and video clips, expecting you to play like that too for half the song
Couldn’t agree with this more Johnny I’m a 24-year-old Tenor Sax player, been watching you a long time. The same goes for us horns, A lot of the trend nowadays seems to play all this flashy stuff especially in funk when it’s really about that groove and leaning into the bass. young cats need to play the MELODY and hits and just the shimmer on top and save it for the solo 🤘
Yeah Johnny,
Speak on it bro.
Thank you so much!
So cool to go to a show and zoom in on a bass player that has superman chops but keeps it simple and grooving, be it funk metal or country 🤘
Ego gets in the way of live music sometimes 😅
That jazz sounds INSANE.
I have two Fenders (Both 62 Reissues) and a MusicMan SUB. All four string. A so-called gospel player told me, around 2005, "Stop playing beat up Fenders!" Well, 15 years later, the pandemic rolls around and Fender has a record 2020. All my basses double in value. With all that said, if people had a sense of groove, things would be good.
I have noticed that over the last few years, my playing has become less busy/flashy and more groove oriented. And I've gotten better at listening to the rest of the band. Maybe I'm finally learning something, maybe its the multiple injuries making it harder to do flashy things.
I've had bands tell me not to play any extra riffs or accents . I always tell them " don't worry " I'm old school .
I just read your post
I’ve been playing my home studio over the past year producing music tracks just having fun. And I have noticed the same thing happen, my bass playing became more simplistic and solid. More Concerned with good tone, good time, and good touch. A great foundation leaves room for the rest of the song to come through. It’s like a music muscle 💪 the more you work out your music muscle, the stronger you get.
I think Johnny,,is saying Let it Breath,,,on the bass,,was my understanding,,Thank you Mr Long!
Less = more
🕺
And don’t get me wrong it’s very fun to play like that and even practice like that to songs and tracks at home and explore your creativity but it is an extremely fine art nowadays to hold down a proper bassline in a live situation or recording, it’s a very hard thing to do that most players don’t even hear anymore because it’s so rare, it’s not being ingrained into them so they don’t know how to truly identify a true solid bassline from start to finish
you’re so right Johnny, this generation is tryna impress others on social media with the flashiest techniques to gain likes, and we’ve lost the sense for a good groove
Bass players are supposed to play bass
I feel you Johnny. I’m 32 and I don’t play all crazy. I keep it simple, in the pocket and throw in a little razzle dazzle here and there. You right, errybody just wanna impress and get likes.
I tend to feel a bit self-conscious because my bass lines tend to be very simple, but man, do they groove. I often think less is more and don't need to fill a song with as many notes and chords as possible.
Thanks for the talk. So True. Amazing chops out there much better than i can do, But! NO SouL.
Yes, I can understand the message to let go of The "INTEGRITY" The "CULTURES" And not get lost in The "FAKE! FUSION! MUSIC!" or "LACK THERE OF " "TOO MUCH SHOUTA KAH KAH" and not Enough 🙌🏿SHOUT HALLELUJAH🙌🏿 👍🏿🍷🍞🍷 👑🦍👑 💯✌🏿💯
Love this man!
Not 10 mins ago, everyone knew every phone number of anyone they needed to call. But then we trained our brains to depend on contacts. A guitar or bass player could tune from 1 given note until they became dependent on tuners. Players could keep time until they became dependent on click tracks. And people who wanted to become musicians learned to play instruments rather than searching thru someone else's sample packs and drum loops while pretending to make real music. Technology is wonderful but just remember that AI is knocking on the door of those who fake it and pretend. And if we don't get back to actually learning to play and understand real instruments, then like that ability to remember phone numbers and tune by ear, those skills we be gone forever.
Love your content Johnny. Keep them coming OG👍🏻
Good bass warm sounds no words .sir just good things
i understand what your saying cause im 56 im a drummer/bass player since i grew up in the late sixties i went through the funk error.Basicly your saying these younger bass player can play there asses off but they have no pocket.Do they know what a pocket is?Its the ONE!The ONE puts you in the pocket.In the pocket if you have a little room then you add a little but always come back to your pocket.When i played drums i played with some versitile bass players.They all brung something different.I had one was super funky but he didnt have no pocket because he knew how good he was and let you know it.I had one was a straight up and down pocket player R.I.P him.He told go where i wanted to go he got me .Saying what ever i did when i came back he was still in the pocket.Timeing and pocket playing was everthing to him.He was older than me.If i came back in a little off time he always gave me that look and said!I still here the rest is up to you.Showing off only speed you up away from your bass player.
4 string is the way to go. Your preaching
3:43 nuff said 🔥💯 ...an listen at that bass🤤🤤🤤
I'm cool with cats tuning down if it works for them. I don't do it because I play so many different types of gigs and I often have to read music. I'm not good enough to transpose on the fly like that so I stick to standard tuning but to each its own.
Brother, this video is long over due for us old heads. This ain't no shade thrown on this generation of incredible bassist and drummers, but, there's so much going on today, and ESPECIALLY in the church...
There's a reason why all the clubs and the bands playing in them play music from the 70's.
Nailed it! Simple goes a long way. Example -everyday people. Sly/ Family stone👍👇
Bravo Johnny, i thought it was just me.
Well said Sir....
I miss the real tone too Johnny. The state of music today is sad. That spirit is gone.
Mr. long, how do you get so many bass guitars to play in your videos? I really need a good bass, but I can't afford one right now due to financial reasons. Thanks for all the funny videos. God bless you.
You are so right.
Yo Johnny I am 69, Days of People Choice, 21st Century, Positve Sounds, Lock Stock and Barrel, Weekend Affair. Ihad this exact conversation 3 times this week. This the best video I have seen you do yet. Takecare
I remember when I first started playing in my church I put a lot of pressure on myself because I didn't do a lot of runs and rightfully so. I was even ready for it so I stayed in the pocket a lot. So much that a church member ask me how come I never do solos. 😮😊
Funk was always one the one count!
Its cray because im 26 and my rythem is naturally like what you say modern rythem turning into so i will take notice of what your saying, less is more thankyou brother
Yeah 👍🏼
Look at mononeon he’s funky, disciplined and creative. Young cat playing with Bootsy , George Clinton, Steve Arrington etc. he understands funk. Fo sho !!!
I really appreciate you for saying this.
......... everybody want to be Jaco........
A great bass line is usually something a non-musical person can sing with his mouth
Its like Stanley Clarke said, its all technique now..Wheres the music?
Crazy watching people teach funk on guitar.And they are struggling trying to strum funk.
You can watch old interviews they'd tell you how important staying in the pocket.
Just watched a video of the Bride's of Funkenstein 2011 and the band sounded better than the original. 🤘🏾🤘🏾🤘🏾
Hey Johnny check out "peak a groove" by Parliament. The real old school funk bass... a mean alembic groove.
Thank God.....I'm not the only one thinking this. Slap clap clickity-clack is not Funk. Thanks Johnny
Larry Graham played the entire song "dance to the music" playing primarily 1 note. "G" BTW, if that strap behind your head should come up missing... I had nothing to do with it!!!
Yes Sir..... LESS IS MORE
U R Right!!!
Lol 😂😂 Johnny I was talking to a young musican about the pocket he didn't understand it so I explained to him when I7 I played with older musicans doing cold sweat James Brown and I was feeling myself and started doing runs and the band leader stoped the music and look at me and said young man if wants to get paid stay in the pocket and stop the runs so I know what you are talking
very true
they been playing with there instrument by them self to much. 🤣😂🤣😂.
I never liked speed bass... Mohini Dey type stuff... Who needs it? Definitely not me.. I play simple, and I'm proud. I keep a rhythmic, hypnotic pulse... repeating. That's it... Maybe some slides and slurs, and occasional pops to keep it interesting but that's it. No fast runs or fills. And I never solo
Im with you. Coming from a bass player. You have to be the glue between rhythm and melody. I like the K.I.S.S. Method, keep it simple stupid
Young Cats just want to prove that they can play. Unfortunately they have no concept of what’s musical anymore. Everyone in the band is soloing from the start of the song to the finish.
15 minutes please. We want da funk✌🏾
VERY GOOD VIDEO, I HEARD YOU, BUT DON'T TELL HOODIE 😅, UNFORTUNATELY,AFTER THE FUNK was Stolen from us,it has Never Been the Same❤😂😂
Sage wisdom
Thank You.
You were in the navy?
Much appreciated
100% truth spoken stick to the 4 not 4million'th beats per sec
Thank you how're you doing well I hope
Pocket!
Thanks Johnny it had to be said I mentioned Rick James to a young Kat and he said who is that and laughed, they think because they can slap in E they doing something Lol
ill be 50 friday and i couldnt agree more i cant read music dont know much theory but i know fubk is GROOVE not speed💯💯💯💯💯
Word
Lol!!!!
WORD
Oh wow we were just saying the same thing these RUclips social media players do not know how to play in a group we hired many musicians off of RUclips and Instagram and when they got in the rehearsal they were lost and everybody jumped on me about why did I bring these people in we even let one do a show with us and it was a complete embarrassment it's the same thing with today's so-called music producers who are in actuality just cut and paste nerds the reality is our art form and our craft is going down the drain even though you tried to Mentor whoever you can when you tell them the real deal they get mad and don't want to listen just like you said
We're bass players, stay in the pocket. Play what the song needs instead of trying to out performing your band mates. If soloing is your thing, play another instrument or plan accordingly with the band so they hold the pocket at that time.
Give tone or leave me alone 😭 ShataKa
Getting off your chest