Primus - American Life Lesson

[gqfiend]

Holy shit. Thanks for sharing your talents. Great vid!

[chpsoh]

what kind of bass is that? looks nice man

[dabajabaza111]

Are you raking more than one string at a time in this? Not counted muted ones. The way I play it I just slap the individual strings as they're played but I raked the chords. Are there any two strings played at the same time during the main riff?

[Mrdionoz]

Mate, this is a bloody great vid well done! passed on to my bassist!

[mystique1721]

dude great playing and all, but it would be veeerryy helpful if you could actually slow down your hand movements (especially the right hand) and show us what's going on at the "microscopic" level, so to speak. cuz for someone to lear this song, it has to be started with slow practice. and your right hand looks so smooth and flows really well at that speed, but it doesn't help us to understand what it's really doing at a slow speed, so we can also learn this.

[Ambulanceo]

Great video! I can now play the song very sloppily, but it sounds a lot better than the way I used to play it cleaner.

[shalommeodedff7]

thx man you made learn that song in 5 min

[chjohnst]

What gauge strings are you using?

[DMBassNVox]

the neck on that bass looks TINY!

[toomuch2517]

I also find it easier to transition to the high B flat at the end of the phrase with the third finger instead of the pinkie of the left hand. It's a geat warm-up/hand work out. Keeping your right thumb on the A string is crucial.

Great vid.

[munichbassa]

arrrrrr....i missed the b-flat!!! thanks mate! i knew i were wrong, i thought that this higher note would appear miraculously thru the open g-string or something...

thats another f**** A+ for you from munich!

greetings, have a great year!

[RiptheFlesh420]

Its all about the short scales. Thats the trick. Having a short scale with a smaller diameter between the frets and the strings. Nice I needed that kind of, the way i played it was missing something.

[Noslrackire]

Is it possible for you to zoom into your hand and slow down a little bit so I can see what you're doing? I downloaded a powertab for this song, but I cant seem to do the "rake" and get such a clear sound out of the 0-3-5 hammer on. Thanks! :P

[LaughingatpainUSAway]

"Primus: American Life Lesson" i like the title of this vid

[csxtrainwreck]

Why don't you use your thumb for the bottom string?

[JF0urnier]

What kind of bass is that?

and nice video, it helped a lot more then tabs for some reason

[ElegyForTheMasses]

Good tutorial, thanks!

[jzama85]

thank you for sharing!

[patman0455]

Wow... Awesome! I can listen to that riff all day long. Now let's see someone cover Larry Lelonde's guitar part.

[bigdaddytorr1]

Shweeeeet....thanks dude

[ghostoffelakuti]

Good job dude..

[dblynch80]

Your ridiculous! I can listen to this all day love it!

[lEMGl]

I think its done on the 1st fret and the 3rd fret of the D G strings. For the statue of liberty part. No I'm pretty sure it is.. Any who check out my vid on American life.

[javieravl]

thats kind of hard:|

[johnelgray4]

dude you make it look so easy, like you have Les' liquid fingers. i have been practicingpracticingpracticing and it's getting there but i need probly a few more weeks. awesome demo and thank you.

[poopnugget24]

@johnelgray4 Dude, this song is easy...

[ps3fanforever]

@poopnugget24 Yes! Compared to Lacquer Head.

[poopnugget24]

@ps3fanforever dude.... all his songs are easy as fuck... except like Welcome to This World......

[kesson12]

@poopnugget24 I just watched the only 'eye catching" video you have uploaded, shit quality, and for all i know, you're just miming over the music. I'm a guitarist, & have done a fair share of bass playing in my time, and as far as im concerned, Les's playing techniques arent all "easy". Untill you play all of his songs, with proper quality, and show me somehow, then I might believe you that :all his songs are easy as fuck".

Ps. you're a fucking nerd.

[poopnugget24]

@kesson12 i think someone needs a nap

i had never said my video was "eye catching" as you would put it, and if you don't want to believe that i actually did play it thats your problem. Have you ever put up a video of you attempting this song at all? No? Well alright then. Now until you put up videos proving you've even picked up a guitar in your life, i suggest you shut up before you make yourself look more like a pre-pubescent 12 year old with mood swings.

In other words, haters gonna hate.

[prad131313]

what bass is that. You have the bass. I will call it the bass. I am 100% jealous of you. ):

[halfjaw77]

I can't get the strumming in rhythm while doing the triplets. Every time I'm doing the triplets my right hand wants to follow my left hand's rhythm when it's not supposed to.

How can I keep my strumming hand in rhythm?

[crayZtaco7]

thank you for posting this video. you are a very talented musician.

KEEP ROCKIN

[MrGruap]

thanks a lot !!!

Now i understand this riff

[Judaspanther]

@thabassist95 Just pop the open D, sounds the same to me and it's easy

[Nitro487]

i like your goatee.

[DiceEsque]

I do it a bit different. The bridge part im freeting the d# with the open G. and the part where you bring it up to the a# i play it with the open G rather than the 5th.

[grissas]

great video its right but i cant seem to keep the sound of the hammering on and pulling-off the D F and G on the D string consistent

it gets quieter after the pull-off

its so hard

[Hedomaniac]

Great video, Mark. I've been trying to figure this bassline out for a while, and you broke it down really well.

[kingpin191]

Hey, no problem.  If you have any other questions just feel free to ask.

[GarrettSharpnack]

one of the coolest basslines ever for sure

[kingpin191]

You're supposed to hit the open G, its part of the chord that he strums. Your left hand should mute the G partially as you do the triplet so that way it doesn't ring out to much, at least that's how i play it, but it's up to you. Just practice you'll get the hang of it. Good luck.

[TranscendedHero]

yep, all hammer ons

[TranscendedHero]

i don't get raking, other than that i have it down. someone please explain

[aaronzaragoza24]

its a different way of playing chords. or playing more than one string at the some time... Most people use the THUMB BRUSH.. but some people do the rake technique.. i prefer raking.. its fast and it opens up more of a field to music to play

[BluntRip]

thanks dude

[Mosin54r]

Great step by step breakdown! I was checking it out to see if I missed anything ..and guess what? I did! the subtle Bb/G type chord got me! I always did just a pull off at the Bb to open G back to a fretted G. Its always helpful to have such a great reference. That bass looks like a lot of fun to play! your tone is bad ass!

[meh351]

very helpful thanks

[Numlocq]

I already know how to play this so why am I watching it? lol. Meh, cool song. I have respect for those who play Primus

[munky6933]

flamenco is awsome on bass!

[kmfdmbigfan]

....these are not the right tabs dude its much more complicated than that

[simonejp91]

how do u figure lol, just because its a simple bass line doesnt mean it cant be correct... if u really thought primus sucks u would know that this is exacly how les plays it... check it out live... PRIMUS SUCKS!!! and your cool

[Marianobass]

man, which scale is that bass??????? to small, I want it, easy to play.

very nice

[66drummer]

Very nicely done!

And you got to the second part (statue of liberty part) just as I was thinking, "wonder if he'll do that..."

Awesome!

[krustkore]

nice vid..thank you

[aworldofpayne]

Awesome!!! you even use Claypool's strum style!

[BJZnRPZ]

MAK you are very good. You sound just like les. what you think the best bass player is, doesn't have to be one maybe best three.

[BJZnRPZ]

BASS PLAYERS ARE ALWAYS UNDERATED IN A BAND. LES CLAYPOOL WAS ONE OF THE FIRST BASS FRONTMAN TO MAKE BASS SOUND BEAUTIFUL... WHO DO YOU THINK THE BEST BASS PLAYER OF ALL TIME IS? i'll check him out if i don't know him.

[jjames05]

that A string reference point is helpful. thank you.

[snidleywinterbottom]

easier than i thought

thanks a lot man : ]

[makibajo2]

Check the description for an update on the delay pedal.

[carcassdom]

c o o l!!!! south park ki etsi!

[darrenandsarah123]

Dude you make this sound really good but Claypool uses a delay pedal for this song. watch any video of him playing it.

[makibajo2]

I've seen him do it with and without the delay, but since you mentioned it, I'll ask him next time we talk.

[darrenandsarah123]

Or maybe in your lesson you could just say,"Sometimes he uses a delay pedal on this."

[anangryfrenchpastry2]

... you talk to him?

friggin awesome

[FEZFULANO]

@makibajo2 you talk to him?..or is this just sarcasm?

[bowelrock]

@darrenandsarah123 this may be a year old but no..... Les never used a delay until maybe a couple years ago.

[xAirsoftAust23x]

all i have to say is DAMN!!!!!

[LesPaul3865]

dude this is unreal. sooo good!

[biblicalkid7]

oh never mind bro! I got it just took some time working out each part individually! thanks for this video tutorial!

[biblicalkid7]

Dam is this timing incredibly hard are is it just me!?!

[redvsbluefanman]

This is you in the video?

MAN I NEED SOME HELP; I've been playin' bass for a little while now but I feel as though I've taught myself about as much as I possibly can, I really need some advice and help popping/slapping/muting.

[onprcntr]

F'n A That was great you don't babble like a lot of other posters you have a new subscriber

[Shinsen88]

Thanks, man! Your tutorials are always extremely helpful.

[chopsboss]

are his fingernails long on his right hand front two?

[makibajo2]

Actually, my fingernails are quite short all the time, because I bite them constantly, nervous habit.

[BritaniaRuleAgain]

what kind of bass is that your using?

[kermitsnap]

its a custom

[bassman7890]

an 'eshenbaugh' look them up on the internet there made by him!!!

[cpahitman1]

Yes, same here. Good Job on the lesson btw. Fingernails don't really have much to do with flamenko playing (finger strumming). More of the angle where your slapping or the power.

[peachy901]

thats looks like a fodera bass

even thought its a carl thompson!

Crazy

[Flakkyflakky]

Nah, he makes his own.

[aaronzaragoza24]

where's your head going. hahahaaa. cool video. that song never gets old

[llllliiii]

which maker's bass are you using? I m a bit into it, actually.

sound, looks, pretty cool.

[ahhnikitaa]

how the hell do you move your fingers that fast?? i got it down, but i cant do it for too long cuz my fingers cant go that fast for a long period of time... errrr!!

[SENIORTACO101]

hahaha it turns out that ive been playin this song wrong for about 5 years. lifes a bitch like that. great vid by the way. very helpful.

[clappingfish]

thank you this rules

[refrescow]

you can play got the life from korn???

[xaioxaio11]

is it tuned up or down cause I'm doing the raking rite and hitting the rite frets but it doesn't sound a thing like it,

[enginebottle]

havin trouble mutin the a string. does it matter what gage strings you use? thanks anyways

[Konner]

What bass is that your playing? I love it

[winterdiscontenter]

les is god and you are his prophet... keep filling the gap between heaven and earth

[Screwhammmer]

THANKS!

[xman682]

hey this was really great...but could you post the part of the song at the end where it picks up a little? basically the last riff of the song

Thanks

[MageMayu]

Very helpful.

I could already do the left hand thing from playing guitar, but the right hand part of the lesson really cleared things up for me. Thanks again!

[Whiteblooded]

Hmm...this lesson really isn't all that clear, I think you need to play it very slowly so we can actually see what you're doing. I have no idea what you're doing with the G string at the end of the riff... It sounds like you should pull off it? I'm really not sure though.

Thanks anyway... Vids like these really help me out.

[xpresso2]

are you letting the g string ring or not? thanks for the vid, it helped me a lot

[Antkiller123]

dude not gonna lie,

 you are the man

[bemo13175]

Impressive work, friend.

[bemo13175]

Tubacody, you're a douchebag.

[yoyoyo329]

lol

[ElQuesoDiablo]

Very impressive triplets. There's no way I can hit that.

[desimaltall]

when he strum up and down, why isnt he touching the G-string?

[jimsan71]

Outstanding my friend. This one has baffled me for a long time making me think that Mr Claypool was using a rather muted delay which I couldn't seem to find.You've made it look easy and sound great and finally i've nailed it. Cheers.

[Monton85]

Did your fingers bleed when you flamenco strummed?

[makibajo2]

No, my fingers have never bled.

[thewhitestkidyoukno]

the neck seems thin...did you make this bass?

[makibajo2]

I did, it's based on the older 60's jazz basses with the slightly narrower neck. it's an option.

[thewhitestkidyoukno]

your bass is very beutiful. i was thinking of making a bass this summer, but i have no idea where to start. do you have any sugggestions

[makibajo2]

start with a piece of paper and a vertical straight line. This line will be the centerline of the instrument. put two horozontal lines close to the top and bottom of this line, so it forms something like a very tall capital "I" these are your nut and bridge. Measure halfway between these two lines. That point is the position of the 24th fret. Let me know when you've done that.

[thewhitestkidyoukno]

sorry to reply kinda late....ive been busy....so far i have what u told me to do now where do i go?

[Samaflame]

Is that a custom bass of yours? Cause it's ver impressive I must say.

[lesvegas5]

spot on.. w00t .

[666forsakenangel666]

listen to fucking victor wooten he's a crazzzzzzzzzzzzyyyyyyyyyyy nigga

[jetfuelwell]

hi, i'm using a 4string bass but i can't mute the G string and it constantly sounds. PLease give me some advice.

[toaldingham]

thanks!

[Lasyke]

waht kinda bass u got dude it looks and sounds pretty nice, i got a peavey milestone mark four...custom set by myself

[ledzeppelinnut]

solid technique, nice work man

[makibajo2]

Thanks, right back atcha.

[bobbyflay]

i like your facial hair.

[bobbyflay]

youre good at bass, really good. ive been working on this song, i hae small hands and its somewhat hard to move my left hand fingers that fast

[Nosdormu]

might be cause im usin a 5string, but i can't mute E string while playing both with my left hand. i mean i can't curl my left hand around the neck to mute with thumb and finger frets at the same time D: can you gimme some advice?

[HaggardEffect]

I got the same problem with my 5 stringer. Fact is the song and it's technique was written on a four. Unless someone else has some suggestions.

[peteole]

yeah i got it spot on a 5 string what you do is you can mute the low b with your thumb, and when you strum, your strumming hand has to be sure to mute both the E and the A strings, its trickier, but possible just keep going at it

[crissreznor]

wow this is great. u helpped me out alot. i cant wait to show off to my pals

[Kangarupe]

i have a really hard time keeping different time between the fretting and strumming hands...

[d0ntharshmymell0w]

thanks for these man, i wouldnt have gotten american life or lacquerhead right without your videos

[OALman]

hey thanks man! years years of guessing how to do it exactly, and this sounds really good! What's your bass? and how about the tuning? cheers

[makibajo2]

I make these basses, and the tuning is standard E-G.

[xxxlxt]

Well Done!!!!

Sounds great man

[makibajo2]

I will, thanks!

[IIVeGGiEII]

these videos are so good and helpful man. Keep it up!!

[thewhitestkidyoukno]

hey your vids are sweet.... is that a custom bass the neck looks soooooo thin and ive never seen a body like that!!!

[DarthMalachi]

Excellent lesson.  The lesson on "Lacquer Head" was awesome too!!

[willdabeast77]

do you have a myspace? you are bad ass!

[EvilDead19]

Thanks for your lesson ^^

[hedekbass]

Thank you so much, I would have never gotten it without your help!

[BigOleBill]

evan sucks

[barret707]

hopefully man cvuse your playing is top notch nice work could you maybe tell me what pickups you have o your bass there

[makibajo2]

This bass has Seymour Duncan Antiquity II vintage vibe jazz 4 string pups.

[UltraWalla]

for the main riff, do you rake the d and g strings only and let them ring out? or do you mute the g as well?

[makibajo2]

I'm letting the D and G both ring during the rake.

[barret707]

pretty sweet sound but you so uptight chillax

[makibajo2]

yeah, i noticed that on this video. It was my first video lesson. I hope in my later ones I am considerably more chilled.

[justinjak13]

great lesson, very precise, sounds great, thanks alot man

[Jack458111]

that bass sounds awesome by the way

[maynardjk13]

im having trouble with the rake motion at the start, particularly when you have to do the hammer ons.

[liquifiedinsanity]

hell yea american life is one of my all time favorite primus songs and i intend on studying this video till i have it down lol

[vivian40222]

Primus is the shit I gotta few songs down but I always wanted to learn American Life. Thanks dude. Ibanez works good. I got a sr500.

[Hinge57]

yeah well its hard to figure out what the hell les is doing /w his hands in the fist place.

[Hinge57]

man, laquer head and american life are like the 2 hardest songs to learn(on a 4-string anyway) b/c there is a lot of specific technique. I think pudding time would be a good lesson also if you have time.

[Jack458111]

theyre actually really easy, just fuckin practice

[sickdiggitydog]

Vids or it didn't happen.

[Jack458111]

we cant all afford ibooks

[bassman127isafaggot]

So iBooks take video now? How about that...

-.-

[Jack458111]

you're a jackass

[sickdiggitydog]

Yeah...

Video camera = video. iBook = computer!

[pyroh]

awesome i cud never understand the online tabbing

[flypaper666]

Thanks a lot! Your instructional videos on how play really help, i was kind of stuck on a lot of these songs, but thanks to you i can play them easily. Don't you make your own bass guitars?

[makibajo2]

I do, but I make a deliberate point not to talk about it in the lesson videos because that's not their purpose. I may do a vid where I just talk about the basses, but there are other lesson vids I want to do 1st.

[Punkmetaller]

how bout greet the sacred cow?

[dannymazz1108]

What kind of bass are u using? O ya thank for the video i was screwing up bad on the rake part of the song

[dannymazz1108]

What kind of bass are u using?

[vitorfray]

Yeah, "Is it luck?" is awesome, would you teach us? ^^

[makibajo2]

Is it luck is a weird one, because he is pushing down on his tremolo bar and slapping at the same time, so it will never sound quite right without the trem.

[Twonez]

This helps a lot for me, actually, being a bass player and Primus fan myself.

[LukasForbister]

i guess we just gotta talk to les eh. man i wish

[c0d3h4x0r]

I think you're a little off on the main riff. I learned this song by ear and by watching Les in concert, and as far as I can tell there's no hammer-on up to the 3rd on the high G-string during the main riff -- it's strictly o on the D-string.