Thundercat Breaks Down His Favorite Bass Lines | Under the Influences | Pitchfork

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  • Опубликовано: 1 апр 2020
  • Songwriter and bass connoisseur Thundercat takes an in-depth look at some of his favorite bass lines of all time. From Cream's "Sunshine of Your Love" to The Brothers Johnson's "Strawberry Letter 23," Thundercat breaks down just what makes them so spectacular.
    Thundercat's new album "It Is What It Is" is out April 3rd.
    Featuring:
    D'Angelo - Lady
    The System - You Are in My System
    Bernard Wright - Haboglabotribin
    Cream - Sunshine of Your Love
    Graham Central Station - Hair
    Herbie Hancock - Chameleon
    Jaco Pastorius - Portrait of Tracy
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    Thundercat Breaks Down His Favorite Bass Lines | Under the Influences | Pitchfork
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Комментарии • 3,8 тыс.

  • @upmysleeves3
    @upmysleeves3 4 года назад +3385

    "There's a fine line between funky and ... disaster." 😂

    • @cody181818
      @cody181818 4 года назад +29

      I scrolled down and read your comment at the same time he said it lol.

    • @velvetarcade6017
      @velvetarcade6017 4 года назад +7

      It’s so fkn true tho

    • @thesuncollective1475
      @thesuncollective1475 4 года назад +2

      Yeah how cool is that..he nailed it

    • @jeremystig98
      @jeremystig98 4 года назад +2

      Most these guys that do slap bass are a disaster in my opinion.

    • @osirishill23
      @osirishill23 4 года назад

      ashleyfayeee literally read this comment as he was saying this lol

  • @theofficiallobst6592
    @theofficiallobst6592 4 года назад +3702

    Thundercat: touches bass
    Subtitles: *[funky music]*

    • @33bb33bb
      @33bb33bb 3 года назад +19

      Subtitles know exactly wtf going on LETS GOO!!!
      #SKYELOUISE

    • @NSUScooter
      @NSUScooter 3 года назад +4

      I love love love this comment

    • @andreasmoll_0924
      @andreasmoll_0924 2 года назад

      What demon has got him to paint his nails?

    • @oryzae2937
      @oryzae2937 2 года назад +2

      @@andreasmoll_0924 ????

    • @trojanostar
      @trojanostar 2 года назад

      @@andreasmoll_0924 yeah right? AND all the stuff in his hair. There Is something there.

  • @aaronguzmanaj
    @aaronguzmanaj 3 года назад +890

    As a musician, i found his in depth knowledge of bass lines motivating. I love how he talks about the overall structure of the song and not just how dope the bass line is. Really cool stuff honestly

    • @whyjnot420
      @whyjnot420 7 месяцев назад +1

      I have always said that most proficient is not always the best. For whatever reason my goto example is Gene Krupa with drums. (He was very proficient, but there are a bunch with a better grasp on the technical aspects than he had, yet Gene Krupa always knew just what to play.)
      Honestly I think this is one of the first things anyone who thinks they love music needs to learn before they can actually love it.

    • @LokiBeckonswow
      @LokiBeckonswow 5 месяцев назад +1

      well said, we need more thundercat vids like this

  • @ktmtxt
    @ktmtxt 3 года назад +3190

    00:37 D'Angelo - Lady
    02:40 The System - You are in my system
    03:58 Bernard Wright - Haboglabotribin
    04:04 Marcus Miller
    05:35 The Brothers Johnson - Strawberry Letter 23
    08:00 CREAM - Sunshine of your love (Jack Bruce)
    08:27 808 frequency
    09:41 Graham Central Station - Hair (Larry Graham)
    11:31 Herbie Hancock - Chameleon (Herbie and Paul Jackson)
    12:36 Jaco Pastorius - Portrait of Tracy

    • @udkc
      @udkc 3 года назад +16

      Thank you so much 🙏🏻😍

    • @SELAHPAUSE
      @SELAHPAUSE 3 года назад +11

      Love the break down of strawberry letter 22, hair and chameleon

    • @randomuser2455
      @randomuser2455 3 года назад +2

      Just what I was looking for. Thanks

    • @tweedyboy57
      @tweedyboy57 3 года назад +19

      Louis Johnson is playing the ORIGINAL bass line created by SHUGGIE OTIS who WROTE the song...dig deeper.

    • @nicolasrodriguezdelpozo4012
      @nicolasrodriguezdelpozo4012 3 года назад +11

      04:04 Marcus Miller Sample in Snoop Dog - "G'z And Hustlaz"

  • @mikesemie5028
    @mikesemie5028 4 года назад +3496

    “If your feel sucks you just suck” - Thundercat

    • @mr.enigma4475
      @mr.enigma4475 4 года назад +190

      Feel is real. The reliance on being technical alone has produced more automatons than artists.

    • @kiwasamuels463
      @kiwasamuels463 4 года назад +7

      Absolutely true!

    • @shlapleps3306
      @shlapleps3306 4 года назад

      Michael Seminatore Amen

    • @ram-4
      @ram-4 4 года назад +5

      It’s true, though.

    • @GypsyConspiracy
      @GypsyConspiracy 4 года назад

      Facts.

  • @gabrielsabode
    @gabrielsabode 3 года назад +10696

    thundercat's favorite basslines: 3 notes, 2 bars
    thundercat's basslines: とてもたくさんのメモ

    • @andy_aka_andee
      @andy_aka_andee 3 года назад +100

      For real😂

    • @leavewe
      @leavewe 3 года назад +152

      that's... not how you say notes in japanese

    • @brazil9944
      @brazil9944 3 года назад +657

      @@leavewe the joke 😥🥵🥵😡🥵🤬😔🥺😩🤫😟

    • @leavewe
      @leavewe 3 года назад +100

      @@brazil9944 the 'joke' is they used google translate? ok

    • @FumoSequence
      @FumoSequence 3 года назад +71

      @@leavewe yes

  • @anxietyprimev6983
    @anxietyprimev6983 3 года назад +3849

    My dude plays bass, is a fan of Evangelion, and literally goes by the name "Thundercat". I think I just found a new idol.

    • @Yeezus_2
      @Yeezus_2 2 года назад +117

      All of his songs abt DBZ are super funny

    • @sj_leee4995
      @sj_leee4995 2 года назад +179

      @@Yeezus_2 Baby girl, how do I look in my durag

    • @LucadiCaro
      @LucadiCaro Год назад +52

      and played for 10+ years on Suicidal Tendencies

    • @Rude_Boi
      @Rude_Boi Год назад +1

      Don't idolize men

    • @susagean2080
      @susagean2080 Год назад +14

      @Michael Sanchez-Fouchécourt Never Gonna Catch Me is just a powerhouse of talent. Flying Louts as the producer, Kendrick Lamar on vocals, and Thundercat on bass. Same with More, but with Anderson Paak on vocals. It’s really the same song, but different ways of telling it.

  • @lefthandpathmedia5958
    @lefthandpathmedia5958 Год назад +311

    I come here often to watch him play Portrait like it's no big deal. This dude is a LEGEND.

    • @lu6460
      @lu6460 Год назад +6

      Just came back again after hearing it in my playlist. Just insane talent

    • @mtheora5956
      @mtheora5956 Год назад +1

      "I didn't want to pick up the bass..." heh, everyone else wants it!

  • @birth0fserpents
    @birth0fserpents 4 года назад +4706

    seeing tcat on the 4 string is more surreal than what he's wearing

    • @michabigulak19
      @michabigulak19 4 года назад +11

      Some more ;) ruclips.net/video/jxhMI8Y3Pyg/видео.html

    • @andreiadipaolo3238
      @andreiadipaolo3238 4 года назад +5

      four string shocking

    • @Starlightskipper
      @Starlightskipper 4 года назад +1

      Or his tapestry of tattoos

    • @arekhautaluoma4276
      @arekhautaluoma4276 4 года назад +22

      busts out Jaco...shocking to some, but not shocking to some :0 ;)

    • @JosePineda-jn8jk
      @JosePineda-jn8jk 4 года назад

      That’s what I was gonna say! But much less coherently lol

  • @mrdrummer218
    @mrdrummer218 4 года назад +2204

    That's what I like: musicians talking about their influences and letting them explain why they like certain songs and how it influenced their view on music.

    • @LunaticTheCat
      @LunaticTheCat 3 года назад +23

      I was actually just thinking about how the song Amad by Duke Ellington ended up unintentionally shaping the way I make and compose music. When I was a trombone player in my colleges jazz band I got to play the solo at the end of Amad and it ended up changing everything. This solo was unlike most other solos in jazz band, as it was a solo over just one chord droning in the rhythm section. Because I didn't have to think about chord changes I was able to solo in a completely medatative state, allowing my subconscious and emotion to guide the what I was playing. Now years latter as a music producer most the music I produce has a lot of repeated groovin' drones while subtly changing things here and there. I actually just recently made the connection that the reason I compose music like this is because of the experience I had playing Amad.

    • @Mannydude96
      @Mannydude96 2 года назад +7

      @@LunaticTheCat unironic
      Cool story brother 💪

    • @JunkBondTrader
      @JunkBondTrader 2 года назад +11

      I like this: Commenters commenting on the videos they liked and explaining why they liked them.

  • @yawnsmuh3734
    @yawnsmuh3734 Год назад +272

    As a new bassist this video is eye opening

    • @DJradishmantis
      @DJradishmantis Год назад +31

      You've stumbled upon gold, and more importantly, you realize that having experts curate some of your listening is important. Try out some of the simpler lines in this video (the Herbie Hancock and Cream ones especially), you'll benefit for sure.

    • @tofusrvng
      @tofusrvng 3 месяца назад +1

      as a pretty experienced bassist its still eye opening. i love this guy

  • @tetrasoundlab5323
    @tetrasoundlab5323 3 года назад +646

    Cream wrote Sunshine of your love while jamming right after going to a Jimmy Hendrix concert. That line is pure Hendrix....

    • @estebanb7166
      @estebanb7166 2 года назад +9

      What did Hendrix write that sounds similar? Just curious.

    • @notapplicable328
      @notapplicable328 2 года назад +83

      @@estebanb7166 inspiration doesn’t mean copying

    • @johnnolcox8768
      @johnnolcox8768 2 года назад +10

      Jimi did a cover of this song, its the other way around.

    • @notapplicable328
      @notapplicable328 2 года назад +42

      @@johnnolcox8768 am aware doesn’t mean he didn’t influence the writing of it.

    • @mesobococacola
      @mesobococacola 2 года назад +3

      @@estebanb7166 Fire

  • @TiagoLageira
    @TiagoLageira 4 года назад +7951

    When your customizable character enters a cutscene

    • @stoutlager6325
      @stoutlager6325 3 года назад +26

      god damnit

    • @MastaPiff414
      @MastaPiff414 3 года назад +22

      This made me laugh, thx! I'm in the youtube process of becoming a Thundercat fan via RUclips as I type this, apparently I've been under quite a large rock for waay too long! Really cool watching him play Jaco even just for a sec.

    • @Newspeak.
      @Newspeak. 3 года назад +10

      MastaPiff414 I wish I could hear thundercat again for the first time.

    • @MastaPiff414
      @MastaPiff414 3 года назад +3

      @@Newspeak. Yeah... No doing that but try watching some live stuff if you haven't yet! Watching a talented cat like Thundercat makes it feel fresh, the next best thing! (See what I did there? Ugh, nevermind! LoL) I was blown away with his skills on the bass! Seen him do a really good long solo on this song live somewhere on youtube!

    • @rashidkopar6297
      @rashidkopar6297 3 года назад +2

      Ahhh this gold‼😂🏅

  • @y2dungur
    @y2dungur 4 года назад +8736

    I think he's basically Rick James that got high on anime instead of cocaine...

    • @drewwallace3632
      @drewwallace3632 4 года назад +184

      y2dungur Na he’s way more bootsy than Rick

    • @cyberworld9000
      @cyberworld9000 4 года назад +71

      You mean DMT lol

    • @woOOui
      @woOOui 4 года назад +56

      Y'all bass-jits are so far off it's laughable. Bootsy was THE Player of the year, and Rick was friends with Charlie Murphy. Thundercat is a musician with style. NO COMPARISON!

    • @shdyrhahdyj4172
      @shdyrhahdyj4172 4 года назад +28

      No coke no bitches no Rick James

    • @SianaRepmad
      @SianaRepmad 4 года назад

      y2dungur yyyyeeesssss

  • @OGReggieRegg
    @OGReggieRegg 2 года назад +295

    Thundercat is a true student of music. I respect his art alot more now

    • @fueu2617
      @fueu2617 5 месяцев назад

      check this out, if you play bass this will blow ya mind ;) ruclips.net/video/zhVgbZdMdb0/видео.htmlsi=ZOsJGg5_C5cIRgnk

  • @Nick-ry4mk
    @Nick-ry4mk 3 года назад +479

    Wow, it's so unbelievable to see someone else play Portrait of Tracy, but if anyone was going to do it, Thundercat's the man!

    • @johnmclaughlin9823
      @johnmclaughlin9823 3 года назад +33

      He busted that out with such ease. Much respect
      - guitar player

    • @deepestpurple13
      @deepestpurple13 3 года назад +19

      On a precision bass nonetheless!

    • @macgyvermind
      @macgyvermind 2 года назад +6

      A lot of rappers and singers, have sampled that bassline.

    • @Palpitacje
      @Palpitacje Год назад +12

      What's unbelievable about it? At that point, there have been hundreds if not thousands of people covering it, including teenagers. It's not some unachievable feat of virtuosity by today's standards.

    • @wisegamer706
      @wisegamer706 Год назад +30

      @@Palpitacje do you wake up seething every day?

  • @rekterscale583
    @rekterscale583 4 года назад +4731

    Thundercat looking like a straight up anime character here

    • @goddamndog
      @goddamndog 4 года назад +109

      literally been for like 2 years now lmao

    • @kaguth
      @kaguth 4 года назад +118

      Pretty soon he will literally be animated.

    • @AlexandreDuqueque
      @AlexandreDuqueque 4 года назад +31

      Literally his goals

    • @ooooooHOLYCOW
      @ooooooHOLYCOW 4 года назад +51

      @@AlexandreDuqueque he's a singer in Carole and Tuesday

    • @archivehans
      @archivehans 4 года назад +16

      thundercats jojo ref when?

  • @zr2700
    @zr2700 4 года назад +1803

    The way he describes the bass as being a mix of rhythm, melody and harmony is actually spot on. The bass - whether it’s a double bass, a bass guitar, or key bass - is such a unique instrument and role. It really is the glue that brings everything else together.

    • @ZENSIBLE
      @ZENSIBLE 4 года назад

      It's not "His" 😂 🤣 😂 🤣 😂

    • @zr2700
      @zr2700 4 года назад +27

      @@ZENSIBLE what are you saying?

    • @alexhoward1884
      @alexhoward1884 4 года назад +29

      "is actually spot on" thanks for confirming that Thundercat knows what he's talking about. It isn't like he is a highly regarded professional bassist that has played with legends and toured internationally. Lol.

    • @zr2700
      @zr2700 4 года назад +60

      @@alexhoward1884 I know right? :) I just really liked the way he put it, that's all. He obviously has a great knowledge and understanding of the instrument

    • @meguilla
      @meguilla 4 года назад +24

      ZENSIBLE Maybe if you use more emojis people will understand what you’re trying to say...

  • @Alex88302
    @Alex88302 Год назад +584

    I've never really been into the crazy technical bass style, I'm more of a 'crank it up to 10 and play 5 notes' punk bass type guy but every time I see jazz and funk bass broken down like this I just get tremendous respect for it. Always dug thundercat, super rad bass player and overall cool dude.

  • @YaBoiDoi
    @YaBoiDoi Год назад +159

    Thundercat is a piece of art that came to life in the physical world

  • @henryfullmer9609
    @henryfullmer9609 4 года назад +3569

    “D’Angelo’s self titled album... Brown Sugar” 😂

    • @cerebro813
      @cerebro813 4 года назад +86

      Yeah, I peeped that, too 😂

    • @raphthaturtle9698
      @raphthaturtle9698 4 года назад +19

      Henry Fullmer album title is right but he missed on it being self titled.

    • @youaintasbadasyouthink
      @youaintasbadasyouthink 4 года назад +159

      @@raphthaturtle9698 that was part of the joke.

    • @kleann
      @kleann 4 года назад +2

      Spectrum UK lmao

    • @teemad
      @teemad 4 года назад +1

      LOL

  • @MrZachgonz
    @MrZachgonz 4 года назад +1215

    I took a chance seeing his set at Coachella, never even hearing of him before and just going to see him simply because I liked his name. It ended up being one of my favorites of the weekend.

    • @johnnyc.3261
      @johnnyc.3261 2 года назад

      🤦‍♂️

    • @Yeezus_2
      @Yeezus_2 2 года назад +34

      @@johnnyc.3261 huh

    • @vannjunkin8041
      @vannjunkin8041 2 года назад +8

      Hes the real deal

    • @broncotrolly
      @broncotrolly 2 года назад +1

      I started rolling a cig after the haboglanotrob song started lol. It was nice to hear thunder confirm

    • @Pixelkip
      @Pixelkip Год назад +1

      U gotta see him at a venue bro

  • @liambritt7806
    @liambritt7806 3 года назад +207

    CONGRATULATIONS TO THUNDERCAT ON HIS 1ST GRAMMY!! 🔥🔥🔥

    • @Harlem139Convent1
      @Harlem139Convent1 Год назад +9

      That was his second fam, he won in 2016 for these walls!!

  • @sapphirejaxxgh8639
    @sapphirejaxxgh8639 3 года назад +110

    Luther Vandross " Never too Much " has a particularly wonderful bass line. Listen to it when ya can.

    • @SG-qx1fg
      @SG-qx1fg 3 года назад +16

      Marcus Miller!

  • @diegoguillen7322
    @diegoguillen7322 3 года назад +1373

    This is pretty much a bass masterclass.

  • @jojijojo3566
    @jojijojo3566 4 года назад +327

    I love the way he talks about music

  • @Sam-wp7gw
    @Sam-wp7gw 3 года назад +96

    His signature bass is so enormous that when he holds a regular 4 string P bass it looks like a guitar

  • @blackjesus804
    @blackjesus804 2 года назад +118

    Thundercat sounds like Questlove breaking down music. I would love to hear them play together.

    • @cal91bck
      @cal91bck 11 месяцев назад +1

      Hope ?uest sees this....pweeeeeeease

  • @TenThumbsProductions
    @TenThumbsProductions 4 года назад +7221

    "If your feel sucks, you just sucks." So true. That's why all musicians should dance as much as possible too.

    • @thisislenard
      @thisislenard 4 года назад +43

      Love this comment bro!

    • @suhaib168
      @suhaib168 4 года назад +297

      This. It shocks me how many musicians can't/ won't dance.

    • @Aveofficialtone
      @Aveofficialtone 4 года назад +109

      Not for black metal

    • @Fabio9x
      @Fabio9x 4 года назад +10

      @@Aveofficialtone LOL

    • @JaesadaSrisuk
      @JaesadaSrisuk 4 года назад +278

      TØNE Moshing is dance, all movement accompanying movement is dance. Your grandmother’s shoulder shimmy and clap in her chair at a family wedding is dance. It’s all dance!

  • @talkingmudcrab718
    @talkingmudcrab718 4 года назад +202

    Dude is a musician's musician. Definitely one of my favorites. It's a real treat to hear him talk shop instead of the dumb stuff most videos have him talking about.

    • @Babynate1000
      @Babynate1000 4 года назад +10

      I have been to three of his concerts and this is first time I've heard him speak on his music

  • @GirlNamedNino
    @GirlNamedNino 2 года назад +132

    Your next practice Setlist is as follows:
    1. “Lady” D’Angelo (Raphael Saadiq on bass)
    2. “You Are In My System” - The System (David Frank moug bass)
    3. “Havoglabotribin” Bernard Wright (Marcus Miller on bass)
    4. “Strawberry Letter 23” The Brothers Johnson (Lewis Johnson on bass)
    5. “Sunshine of Your Love”- Cream (Jack Bruce)
    6. “Hair” - Graham Central Station (Larry Graham)
    7. “Chameleon”- Herbie Hancock ( Herbie on synth bass doubled by Paul Jackson on e bass)
    8. “Portrait of Tracy”- Jaco Pastorius (Jaco on bass 🙌🏼)

    • @fourstarshit
      @fourstarshit 10 месяцев назад +4

      name one person whos practice routine involves portrait of tracy😭

  • @eknight101
    @eknight101 2 года назад +301

    i've been playing bass for 20 years and it took me 17 of those 20 years to learn that groove is all about timing, space, articulation, and feel, not about how many notes you can play.

    • @brunsomarrr
      @brunsomarrr 2 года назад +26

      Way ahead of you. I've committed to learning zero notes, and so far, I can play them perfectly. 😎

    • @Pixelkip
      @Pixelkip Год назад +7

      Once I’m 50 I’ll be there then xD

  • @mjtonn
    @mjtonn 4 года назад +866

    Take a moment and listen to this man. He is incredibly articulate and descriptive. He has, at times, a profound vocabulary to express what he senses in music. It's refreshing to hear his thoughts. And at the same time, he is really relatable, very down to earth. I don't even listen to his music, but I watched this video.

    • @shawnm3839
      @shawnm3839 4 года назад +7

      I believe you should look at the definition of articulate.

    • @123eldest
      @123eldest 4 года назад +3

      Amazing what you can do when you prepare/have a script, though he sounds pretty normal.

    • @noova02
      @noova02 4 года назад +12

      @@123eldest yeah, being able to write down your thoughts really let's you find the best way to convey all those golden thoughts trapped deep down in your mind. When you can get that point across in a just a few words, you sound so very wise. That's why I love to write things down before I say them

    • @niamays5903
      @niamays5903 4 года назад +19

      Michael I’m frustrated that this comment is so far below all the comments about what he looks like. I agree that he’s really insightful in his analysis.

    • @lobeydobeyshu1248
      @lobeydobeyshu1248 4 года назад +3

      You should listen to his music if you haven't yet. He has a sound that's quite catchy.

  • @velocityJE
    @velocityJE 4 года назад +592

    On the fly he just recreates a Jaco bassline. This dude's an amazing bassist, much respect

    • @dietrichnelsonsr4796
      @dietrichnelsonsr4796 3 года назад +4

      With ease🤦🏾‍♂️

    • @utd4theleagueutd4theleague17
      @utd4theleagueutd4theleague17 3 года назад +42

      pretty sure he's played it a thousand times before.....

    • @kikodasneves1
      @kikodasneves1 3 года назад +16

      He just knew how to play the song already

    • @awilsonarchive
      @awilsonarchive 3 года назад +8

      That’s not on the fly! But superb still!

    • @thumbthump
      @thumbthump 2 года назад +4

      Serious bass players know how to play "Portrait of Tracy". It's a rite of passage and a must learn.

  • @missongbird
    @missongbird 2 года назад +11

    Man I wish my dad was still here. My dad used to play bass, I know would have loved Thundercat. R.I.P Daddy💖🙏

  • @jer9683
    @jer9683 2 года назад +33

    Thundercat: i chose all of these bass lines bc theyre simple
    Jaco Pastorius: *laughs in fretless jazz*

  • @cabofalcone
    @cabofalcone 4 года назад +1188

    0:37 D'ANGELO - Lady (1995)
    2:37 THE SYSTEM - You Are In My System (1982)
    3:57 BERNARD WRIGHT - Haboglabotribin (1981)
    5:33 THE BROTHERS JOHNSON - Strawberry Letter 23 (1977)
    8:00 CREAM - Sunshine Of Your Love (1967)
    9:40 GRAHAM CENTRAL STATION - Hair (1974)
    11:30 HERBIE HANCOCK - Chameleon (1973)
    12:36 JACO PASTORIUS - Portrait Of Tracy (1976)

    • @bigojordo
      @bigojordo 4 года назад +8

      thank you

    • @puppperoni
      @puppperoni 4 года назад +2

      Thanks!

    • @vanessac.1981
      @vanessac.1981 4 года назад +8

      literally what i was in the comments for ty

    • @PhillipRemaker
      @PhillipRemaker 4 года назад +2

      Also Snoop Dogg samples the Bernard Wright bass in Gz And Hustlas.

    • @tojiroh
      @tojiroh 4 года назад +1

      Papa Bless!

  • @Jakelaven
    @Jakelaven 4 года назад +6709

    This guy is a poser. He didn't even mention Thundercat's "Them Changes".

    • @ned5466
      @ned5466 4 года назад +260

      That song was truly iconic

    • @erikku4739
      @erikku4739 4 года назад +198

      you gotta play
      Friendzone
      Them Changes
      Show you the way
      in that order to experience greatness

    • @ooferrell
      @ooferrell 4 года назад +153

      Yeah its almost as if he doesnt know who he is...such a joke.

    • @abanustrickland368
      @abanustrickland368 4 года назад +102

      That bass line took my virginity

    • @thesuncollective1475
      @thesuncollective1475 4 года назад +8

      @@erikku4739 Friend Zone is hilarious

  • @DropsOfDestruction
    @DropsOfDestruction 3 года назад +15

    What portrait of tracy does to people is is amazing. This man says "woah" because it's almost impossible to put into words what that song means to you. That'll touch a little part of your soul that's ever present but seldom acknowledged.

  • @fingerdancer1721
    @fingerdancer1721 3 года назад +13

    Watching him play Jaco like that is what dreams are made of. Fkn phenomenal.

  • @Cobobrob123
    @Cobobrob123 4 года назад +247

    There's something so dope about watching some speak who really knows their craft

    • @g.l.8319
      @g.l.8319 4 года назад +7

      Yeah man, it’s glorious

  • @dennismcmurray436
    @dennismcmurray436 4 года назад +379

    I would totally sit and watch a Masterclass by Thundercat. Hearing him talk about music is something else

  • @Brennenm97
    @Brennenm97 2 года назад +21

    His music IQ is so unreal.... amazingly talented

  • @johnnynephrite6147
    @johnnynephrite6147 Год назад +30

    a bassline is like the line a surfer carves on a wave as it pushes the rider along.

  • @KingTaichi
    @KingTaichi 4 года назад +2619

    Thundercat looks like he is ready to pilot a Eva.

    • @raneanubis
      @raneanubis 4 года назад +224

      Let's hope he doesn't have a 2- episode metaphysical breakdown

    • @diazdiomedes9102
      @diazdiomedes9102 4 года назад +71

      A man of culture right here

    • @IronMan-tk8uc
      @IronMan-tk8uc 4 года назад +73

      All right, I thought I was crazy when I saw the A-10 clips for the Evangelion pilots in his head.

    • @2triggered2comment55
      @2triggered2comment55 4 года назад +13

      @@IronMan-tk8uc it's nerdy af. Furry level nerd.

    • @Metamere
      @Metamere 4 года назад +26

      At least he's not wearing a plug suit.

  • @n0d0yuna
    @n0d0yuna 4 года назад +378

    My boi thundercat out here rockin the eva pilot headset

    • @Therealryuh20
      @Therealryuh20 4 года назад +9

      And your rocking a JP Ahonen profile pic. Your well cultured too.

    • @n0d0yuna
      @n0d0yuna 4 года назад +8

      @@Therealryuh20 "Ah, i see you're a man of culture as well."

    • @b3at2
      @b3at2 4 года назад +2

      How come one one talks about his weight lose and how much healthier he looks now?

  • @ghostindamachine
    @ghostindamachine 2 года назад +17

    Man, discovered Thundercat today and super impressed by how skillful he is

  • @Its_stupid_cupid
    @Its_stupid_cupid 3 года назад +8

    I love the way he knows the music so well his head movements are in time with it.

  • @Triekki
    @Triekki 4 года назад +260

    Hearing Thundercat talk about Jaco made my day.

    • @ShonTolliverMusic
      @ShonTolliverMusic 4 года назад +2

      That was special wasn't it.

    • @shwilly
      @shwilly 4 года назад +5

      Not to mention cover a snippet of one of his most beautiful songs

    • @Triekki
      @Triekki 4 года назад +2

      @@shwilly I remember practicing Portrait of Tracy for hours when I played bass back in high school. He makes it look effortless.

    • @TravisHansenForPresident
      @TravisHansenForPresident 4 года назад +11

      The way he explained harmonics and ‘false’ harmonics was so refreshingly accurate and accessible. I’m always impressed at a knowledgeable person’s ability to explain things in a way that a simple listener can understand. Humble and descriptive, sans any pretense or unnecessary jargon

    • @SmallEyez
      @SmallEyez 4 года назад

      @@TravisHansenForPresident BARS

  • @palmiras100
    @palmiras100 4 года назад +440

    Here's the deal: that musical sensibility goes hand in hand with a really sharp mind. This is how he hears (and feels) what he plays and why, I think, he can be so clear about how it works. Amazing.

    • @carmineingaldi47
      @carmineingaldi47 4 года назад +20

      That' s exactly the difference between a guy playin' an instrument and a musician

    • @Raptormonkey
      @Raptormonkey 2 года назад

      Good way too say a lot without saying anything at all 🤡

  • @zbnmth
    @zbnmth 3 года назад +45

    Just a quick shout out to Shuggie Otis, the artist behind the original Strawberry Letter 23. Thanks, Thundercat, for introducing me to Jaco Pastorius. He is very moving.

  • @SunnyBear
    @SunnyBear 3 года назад +24

    Never heard of this dude before but I LOVE the way he talks about music.

  • @banfield1368
    @banfield1368 4 года назад +127

    I never thought I’d see the day Thundercat plays Portrait of Tracy

  • @smileybone3010
    @smileybone3010 4 года назад +628

    I have no clue who he is, but definitely one of the most pleasantly articulate people I've listened to. He makes me feel like I understand the bass even though I absolutely know nothing about it. I bet he'd be an excellent teacher of any subject.

    • @mikeshaver-miller745
      @mikeshaver-miller745 3 года назад +19

      He started off in Suicidal Tendencies (they did the song “Institutionalized” that you might have heard in one of the Tony Hawk games as a cover) in the 2000’s, and started his own thing just grooving after that.

    • @chikinonfrydai
      @chikinonfrydai 2 года назад +2

      @@mikeshaver-miller745 wait i thought metallica’s current bassist was the bassist for suicidal tendencies

    • @mikeshaver-miller745
      @mikeshaver-miller745 2 года назад +1

      @@chikinonfrydai I would not know; he DEFINITELY did a solo project though.

    • @croulantroulant3082
      @croulantroulant3082 Год назад +14

      @@mikeshaver-miller745 Suicidal had a LOT of different bassists, guitarists and drummers over the years....Mike Muir is probably the only original member left.

    • @shahirmonsuruddin6555
      @shahirmonsuruddin6555 Год назад +10

      @@chikinonfrydai Rob Trujillo of Metallica was the Suicidal Tendencies in the early 90s. Thundercat was their bassist in the 2000s, for about a decade.

  • @wisewumman
    @wisewumman 3 года назад +7

    OMG, bass lines that blew my mind back in the day--he caught almost all of 'em. Blessings, brother!

  • @cronosmx
    @cronosmx 3 года назад +8

    Great interview and bass lines selection. Gotta also love the editing and animations. So on point.

  • @lupash
    @lupash 3 года назад +7612

    he's playing jaco like nothing and y'all focusing on what he looks like.

    • @nickchurch4102
      @nickchurch4102 3 года назад +456

      Fr people are so weird

    • @fixedfocusfilm3068
      @fixedfocusfilm3068 3 года назад +343

      Real. Talk. But that type of ability/genius often goes overlooked...

    • @stinkywizzleteats662
      @stinkywizzleteats662 3 года назад +345

      Easy way to see if people like music for it's art form, or use it as a social accessory to add depth to their shallow lives.

    • @bluetrane65
      @bluetrane65 3 года назад +248

      @14:57 that sigh as he's listening to Jaco is everything

    • @benjaminhertoghs187
      @benjaminhertoghs187 3 года назад +7

      Thank you

  • @enzozimmerman3259
    @enzozimmerman3259 4 года назад +82

    Give me a thundercat masterclass now

    • @MindlessKarlie
      @MindlessKarlie 4 года назад +2

      Enzo Zimmerman was thinking the same thing! And a Raphael Saadiq class

  • @modernmusicstudio303
    @modernmusicstudio303 3 года назад +10

    Wow, holy CraB, he just oozes authenticity. And his playing is epic, yet so natural and smooth. Great Video. Thank you!!!

  • @nickelpasta
    @nickelpasta 3 года назад +14

    I saw him front row at Red Rocks a couple years ago and it blew my mind, a true legend!

  • @FearTheBeardJP
    @FearTheBeardJP 4 года назад +236

    “If your feel sucks, then you suck” truth.

  • @melaniefayemusic
    @melaniefayemusic 4 года назад +3713

    never knew larry graham was drakes uncle. kind of blew my mind

    • @edenbeats.8569
      @edenbeats.8569 4 года назад +57

      ay love your playing!

    • @jaymatic23
      @jaymatic23 4 года назад +169

      Compared to LG Drake is an embarrassment. Larry is everything

    • @gssong7111
      @gssong7111 4 года назад +102

      Drake is terrible, sorry Larry.

    • @agungandy836
      @agungandy836 4 года назад +5

      What? For real?

    • @carrotheart4384
      @carrotheart4384 4 года назад +2

      Ily

  • @lifeiswhatyoumakeit4546
    @lifeiswhatyoumakeit4546 3 года назад +11

    He explained so well and picked great songs!

  • @sackman1886
    @sackman1886 2 года назад +21

    This is so great. I’ve played bass in a lot of different styles, but ultimately it was all of these types of songs that made me pick up the bass while all of my friends were getting guitars. Gimme that funk, that fell, that groove. It’s so much fun. I love playing stuff that gets people moving.

  • @Greasyheels
    @Greasyheels 4 года назад +1704

    If you told me this was Rick James son I would totally believe you

  • @cvhannes
    @cvhannes 4 года назад +86

    Thundercats is by far one of the most grounded musicians out there right now. Can't wait to see what the future holds

    • @DustinTheDickShow
      @DustinTheDickShow 4 года назад +5

      Hannes Åström a new album... tomorrow!

    • @wr9192
      @wr9192 4 года назад +1

      The future holds disease and death now. 🎉🦠🤢🎈❤️💨💨💨💨💨💨

    • @Sami-vw5iz
      @Sami-vw5iz 4 года назад

      Quarantine

    • @yxnggod9444
      @yxnggod9444 4 года назад

      Went to his last show before everything shut down. He’s amazing

  • @kaykay-hv2de
    @kaykay-hv2de 3 года назад +19

    This guy needs to become a teacher! He explained everything so so well ❤

  • @TacoCrisma
    @TacoCrisma 2 года назад +144

    Jaco is on his own level. He still can’t be touched. I love how thunder cat paid him some massive respect here. Talent gone too soon.

    • @uraniumcranium2613
      @uraniumcranium2613 Год назад +2

      Jaco was okay, many modern players like Gary Willis and Victor Wooten have it over him though.

    • @TacoCrisma
      @TacoCrisma Год назад +27

      @@uraniumcranium2613 disagree, technically possibly more proficient but they do not have the writing and arranging ability Jaco does

    • @unc1589
      @unc1589 Год назад

      Jaco was a guitar player.
      Bass got rules that can only be stretched but never broken.

    • @RiveBassCovers
      @RiveBassCovers Год назад +11

      @@uraniumcranium2613 Jaco walked so Víctor Wooten and all these other modern bassists could run. Even Sting himself said that Jaco completely changed bass all around

    • @RiveBassCovers
      @RiveBassCovers Год назад +6

      @@unc1589 since when does music have rules? 🤣🤣🤣

  • @tuskedbeast
    @tuskedbeast 4 года назад +272

    Notice the graphics person passed on trying to transcribe the Jaco piece :D

    • @VeryScaryBiscuits
      @VeryScaryBiscuits 4 года назад +1

      lol didnt notice

    • @J_Lag
      @J_Lag 4 года назад

      Yeah pretty cool, thought my screen was wet or fogged up.

    • @muitosabao
      @muitosabao 4 года назад +13

      "i'm not payed enough for this!"

    • @shawnm3839
      @shawnm3839 4 года назад

      Jaco was garbage.

    • @hermit8244
      @hermit8244 4 года назад +6

      @@shawnm3839 How could you be so brave? /s

  • @BeejBarrett
    @BeejBarrett 4 года назад +161

    Totally authentic, articulate, and wise approach to an intimate look into his bass and song writing in general. Love it.

  • @Orneryone
    @Orneryone 2 года назад +9

    LOVE seeing Chameleon on here. That whole Headhunters album made me want to play bass. THat album has some of the slickest basslines ever!!

  • @LincolnGTX
    @LincolnGTX 2 года назад +17

    Been playing bass for almost 20 years and now I see how much more I have to learn... Thudercat is a pure legend!

  • @anthonyanderson4203
    @anthonyanderson4203 4 года назад +151

    The knowledge and passion is high. I listened to an interview with Michael League and it left me feeling the way this did, like I was listening to the words of a person deeply invested in music/art.

    • @Anael272
      @Anael272 4 года назад

      Accurate! You see the happiness on the person's face talking about music, that's beautiful!

    • @mohamedkamara7056
      @mohamedkamara7056 3 года назад

      You remember the interview ?

  • @tonybp
    @tonybp 4 года назад +209

    Nothing simple about a so called-simple bass line... to nail it in time, to make it groove and to always have those notes in the pocket, not as a easy as some would think.

    • @chowmane9584
      @chowmane9584 4 года назад +5

      Its simple compared to other basslines tho

    • @timluyten8660
      @timluyten8660 4 года назад +20

      It might be simple, but that does not mean it has to be easy. That's probably why he likes it so much

    • @bcdrummer1962
      @bcdrummer1962 4 года назад

      @@chowmane9584 Is it?

    • @santapoca
      @santapoca 4 года назад +1

      @@timluyten8660 I like this phrasing and will be using it in the future lmao

    • @CRUASSANFAN
      @CRUASSANFAN 4 года назад +1

      It is tho, just a couple of notes played in a rhythm and repeated couple of times

  • @1patula
    @1patula 5 месяцев назад +1

    Man thank you so much for highlighting this cat Johnson for me!!! I just followed few of his collaborations and if seems that his is on many many of my favourite tunes!!! I didn’t even knew it was him, and know I know why I loved these songs;))) absolutely fabulous, the guy is my new role model and idol!

  • @gaberayback
    @gaberayback 11 месяцев назад +3

    I love how excited he looks explaining that Jaco bassline. The twinkle in his eye just makes me so happy

  • @CMD125
    @CMD125 4 года назад +38

    The moment when you start explaining how hard a Jaco Pastorius song is to play, and then you play it flawlessly.

  • @nakiamuteka
    @nakiamuteka 3 года назад +211

    I just realised SWV may have sampled Portrait of Tracy for their song Rain.

    • @ellacole249
      @ellacole249 3 года назад +4

      Same!

    • @andyevans9145
      @andyevans9145 3 года назад +4

      Just blew my mind

    • @javimiami92
      @javimiami92 3 года назад +35

      May? They DID. Also, so did Chingy and Tyrese with “pullin me back”.

    • @andrescen7577
      @andrescen7577 3 года назад +18

      They DID sample Portrait Of Tracy

    • @theoni4026
      @theoni4026 3 года назад +6

      @@andrescen7577 I was wondering why that sounded so familiar. my dad played SWV all the time and I know he never listened to Jaco

  • @robertbernstein7811
    @robertbernstein7811 2 года назад

    Thank you Pitchfork and Thundercat!!! Brilliant - I enjoyed the insights and learned A LOT!

  • @herFLYness79
    @herFLYness79 3 года назад +4

    I wish he was my instructor, I could listen to him talk all day! Love Thundercat! One of my favorite musicians! 💜

  • @dylanlegarda3533
    @dylanlegarda3533 4 года назад +247

    SWV sampled that Jaco Pastorius song in 'Rain'. And then Kanye's Sunday Service did a cover of that SWV song on their album that came out last year. All versions are amazing.

    • @blake1143
      @blake1143 4 года назад +6

      I love rain so much!

    • @dansta23
      @dansta23 4 года назад +11

      Also chingy & Tyrese pulling me back

    • @phsycomaniac
      @phsycomaniac 4 года назад +6

      EL-P sampled it on pigeon by cannibal ox. Pretty sick song

    • @Woahbro69420
      @Woahbro69420 4 года назад

      Who's SWV? I've never heard of him

    • @dylanlegarda3533
      @dylanlegarda3533 4 года назад +6

      @@Woahbro69420 Sisters With Voices! One of their most well known songs is 'Weak', which was also covered by Sunday Service lmfao

  • @CubensisRecords
    @CubensisRecords 4 года назад +70

    Music is going in the right direction with this cat and so many other artists right now.

  • @Jalchmey
    @Jalchmey 2 года назад +2

    This video was amazing!!
    The editing was great as well 🤩

  • @dannybellinger2827
    @dannybellinger2827 3 года назад

    Thank you. That was an amazing class session.

  • @iancampbell1411
    @iancampbell1411 4 года назад +164

    YO HE GOT THE REI AYANAMI INTERFACE HEADSET

    • @girrafinha8598
      @girrafinha8598 4 года назад +2

      oMG YES I WAS ABOUT TO COMMENT THAT

    • @SirQu94
      @SirQu94 4 года назад

      And look awesome

    • @hilaryread4245
      @hilaryread4245 4 года назад

      I was wondering what they were, thanks for teaching me something new!

    • @juansantiagomusic5551
      @juansantiagomusic5551 4 года назад

      Ian Campbell it’s an interface??

  • @dylanhaji101
    @dylanhaji101 4 года назад +240

    You can hear all these records in his playing that’s crazy

    • @Nathan-nj4lj
      @Nathan-nj4lj 4 года назад +3

      One of my favorite things about music is hearing the artist’s influence come through their playing without “biting” the original sound. So amazing.

    • @anniefrank5163
      @anniefrank5163 4 года назад

      That's how influence works, genius.

    • @bobdylanlovr69
      @bobdylanlovr69 4 года назад +5

      Annie Frank Why you gotta be negative man. Especially on a thundercat video

    • @austinhaywood24
      @austinhaywood24 4 года назад

      forreal!

  • @diva70smusic
    @diva70smusic 3 года назад +9

    Hearing Thundercat talking about my musical legends makes me smile. He sounds like my nephews when auntie pulls out her LPs and gives musical lessons. I get the biggest kick when hours later they are still dusting off albums and just chilling. While I have most of the music on CDs and in my digital library, it is not the same vibe.

  • @thefumexxl
    @thefumexxl 2 года назад +3

    The way he explained the role of the bass in songs just unlocked a level of understanding i've never had or considered. It's something i've picked up on lightly without understanding it over the years, but that just straight up made it clear to me.

  • @jacpod2046
    @jacpod2046 4 года назад +198

    I'm not very familiar with him except a few songs, but he is probably the coolest guy I've ever seen

    • @oatman6178
      @oatman6178 4 года назад +4

      @rocket grunt they're not cat ears. They're these things Pilots wear in the anime Neon Genesis: Evangelion

    • @bobdylanlovr69
      @bobdylanlovr69 4 года назад +5

      rocket grunt Who cares if it's wack. This guy is a living legend. There's few as good as him, he can afford to be a little wacky.

    • @wes.9353
      @wes.9353 4 года назад +2

      @rocket grunt homie your channel name is based on pokemon, you can't say anything about cat ears

    • @shaunsolo88
      @shaunsolo88 4 года назад

      If you like how Thundercat looks you should check out his friend Kamasai Washington.

    • @Skelliiie
      @Skelliiie 4 года назад

      @rocket grunt who cares what he wears? What does that have to do with his influence as a musician? (I personally like his fit)

  • @SamDeville
    @SamDeville 4 года назад +26

    Man, I could listen to Thundercat talk about music all day.

  • @bronxkies
    @bronxkies Год назад +2

    Really enjoyed his break down of Portrait of Tracy. Gained a new appreciation for Jaco, thunder at and the bass.

  • @Robert-ck7nm
    @Robert-ck7nm 2 года назад +7

    Thundercat has taste. Love his appreciation for players who get to the heart of it, and understand that's transcendent.

  • @kelseywarren7020
    @kelseywarren7020 4 года назад +171

    Finally somebody gives props to "You're In My System". The electrobass is killin on that track. Thundercat rules on all levels.

  • @gstephenson9442
    @gstephenson9442 4 года назад +264

    Picks up random P bass, plays Portrait of Tracy... somehow it still sounds like Thundercat

    • @ooferrell
      @ooferrell 4 года назад +11

      Gotta play that jaco man!!!!

    • @lietkynes81
      @lietkynes81 4 года назад +8

      And he does it well! Not easy to play Jaco.

    • @uubuuh
      @uubuuh 4 года назад +2

      I think P bass pickup placement is on the node of some of those harmonics. J bass bridge pickup can get the higher ones. In case anyone's wondering why the harmonics didn't punch for the artist here, I think that's part of it.

    • @grillman7170
      @grillman7170 4 года назад

      @@uubuuh Also no Compressor probably. Jaco most likely recorded with at least a studio compressor.

  • @tonyf5869
    @tonyf5869 Год назад

    Hearing him deconstruct Strawberry Letter 23 was a treat. Gave me some new things to think about and listen for and I've listened to that song over and over. Thanks for this video.

  • @drugrugg
    @drugrugg Год назад +1

    always knew there was a reason i love thundercat so much! dudes got legendary taste

  • @fireemblemistrash75
    @fireemblemistrash75 4 года назад +427

    My man here a weeb, a bassist, and a funk artist.
    I found my god incarnate

    • @josemariareyes3448
      @josemariareyes3448 4 года назад +1

      Fire Emblem Is Trash LoL Amen

    • @peterbrooke7146
      @peterbrooke7146 4 года назад

      Yes

    • @markwelford6069
      @markwelford6069 4 года назад

      He really is somebody I've come to love and admire lately for these reasons. Funk is my favorite kind of music, bass is the epitome of Funk music because you may need a nice bassline if you wanna create a good Funk song. Bootsy Collins is my favorite bassist ever and a nice bassline is bone-chilling to me. I'm also an anime-head but that takes a backseat to my love for music, Funk music specifically.

  • @reubeniii7344
    @reubeniii7344 4 года назад +37

    Jaco Pastorius - Portrait Of Tracy... the foundation of SWV’s “Rain” song. Wow! Mind-blown!

    • @nightangel3578
      @nightangel3578 4 года назад +2

      I legit never knew and I've been listening to "Rain" since the 90s.

    • @rivermana
      @rivermana 4 года назад

      mate I was like....this is rain!

    • @stevenramsey7947
      @stevenramsey7947 4 года назад

      thank you! I couldn't quite put my finger on where i heard it before

  • @StottMikel
    @StottMikel 3 года назад +11

    "Fine line between funky and disaster." truer words have never been spoken.

  • @pumpSHO
    @pumpSHO 3 года назад +6

    This interview got me into Jaco Pastorius, thank you