meshell ndegeocello clinic at berklee

[Guitfiddlejase]

Is that Fuze???!!!

[airbrush504]

she is groovy ! ! !

[RockSchooled]

WOW!

[bfleury1]

She is soo freaking awesome!

[Fjord76]

making records= making movies (you can cheat by stopping and correct some mistake)

playing live= theatre (you can't cheat!!!)

Great vid,thanks for posting

Peace out.

[AleekahTV]

niceeee.

[TheBbrown920]

I have been listening to this video almost daily because this song grooves so hard. Anyone know what song this is??? Please let me know! Thanks.

[chicslt]

@TheBbrown920 Check out "Dead Nigga Blvd." from her album "Cookie: The Anthropological Mixtape".

[DivineWindOfTheSnow]

I seriously want her hat.

[Moog168]

I want Me'Shell's shirt!!!!!

[titourias]

Oh my god!.. that ot a hell of a clinic!.. Meshell has Dana Hawkings on drums, and My favorite player Bryan Baker just in the back, not to mention Dave who is just at Meshell's order.

[EyeWearMySunglasses]

im straight but I think she is sooooooo YUM! and talented.... of course lol

[tawni77]

I CAN'T WAIT TO TAKE LESSONS TO LEARN TO PLAY BASS

[roddytoddy]

Hey Vernon, Bass player in the blue shirt... I was just giving you props because you weren't getting in her way.. You were letting her do her thing and giving tasteful support. I was thinking that's the only way to play it cause she was playing some funk. No need to step on that..

[meles2541]

shes fukn mad as bro..... :D

[junglejim88]

Good instruction but this 'less is more' is basic/fundamental right? The demo was great but when they tried 'opening it up' pretty mutch everyone on stage lost it. ... perhaps the pressure of being watched in a teaching setting i dunno. But jams can take a little while to gel sometimes. The guitarists should have kept to and expanded on what they were doing to begin with.

[kapdrums]

@junglejim88 sorry but i dont hear anyone losing anything!:)

[neogeo1880]

whos the guitarist?????

[blurp]

@neogeo1880 David 'Fuze' Fiuczynski

Check out his band Screaming Headless Torsos

[XXX38]

I never really got into her, even after seeing her live, until I started playing bass.  Then I sort of starting "getting" her. After seeing this and the things she said about live vs. studio, I'm very much enjoying her more and more as an artist!

[ColeeLocks]

Why is she so damn sexy?! I wish this video were longer, I could groove to this for hours upon hours....

[whatnotdm]

Every base player starting out should watch this Youtube video. You can learn to read music, but this is what its all about!

[inuyashaspet]

@whatnotdm sorry. too busy watching victor wooten's Quadruple-Tapping-Fancy-Plus-T­wo techniques

[Fjord76]

LOL it's exactly that :D

[jloch85]

remember folks it's B-A-S-E not B-A-S-S

[maconki1]

Funk!!!!!

[IslandSticky]

this is the instrumental track for Dead Nigga Blvd offa her album Cookie: The Anthropological Mixtape.. thought I recognized this groove...

[EyeWearMySunglasses]

she is sooo sexy

[PAF149]

WTF???!!! damn girl your not CLEAR on anything!!!! outta all of the bass clinics that i've been to THIS 1- is THEE WORST I'VE E.V.E.R.SEEN! And u know something, those musicians KNOW that ur not really explaining jack shit! Damn! That Fender vintage is just 'there'-girl and u have on Miles Davis' t-shirt on 2?! Shit-remember what he said back in da day-->>'You can tell if a musician 'got it', just by the way he/she is carrying their instrument while playing.Your N.O.T. showing CONTROL!!!damn!!

[bluebanshee3]

i'm not a musician (but am passionate about what i hear.) i think she's saying when she's live, she starts out with the basics and lets everything expand out from there--more on an improvisational basis with what's happening with the instrumentals.

when she has to go into a studio, everything has to be "patched together" beforehand, more planned in advance--it seems to that what's she's saying anyway.

she comes from so many different traditions, but i think that's essential jazz.

[lokijordan]

I would agree with your observation/analysis. I'd also add that when you are dealing with studio recording time, that the more you know about the arrangements going into a recording seeion, the less time you squander; the less money you spend/waste moving toward the music you want to record. Live performance is where you can jam and play. Studio time is not for jamming unless you are filthy rich and/or jamming in your won studio.

[mugwaii2008]

I dont understand a thing shes saying..... and this is a Kerklee clinic.....???

I dont doubt MeShell is a great musician, but Berklee should get great musicians that can teach.....!!!

[MaggotBrain10]

What don't you understand?

[HammondB200]

3:50 jup meshell, your just doing the opposite of what you just said before, that's to much. all the percussive shit, that's the job of the drummer

[kabustard]

clinics are often like this. She's really not saying anything new. just some esoteric analogies and a few contradictions.

[shaydrums]

He did ask her to demonstrate what the groove would sound like if they opened it up, she doesn't usually play so much

[rotelfan2000]

the groove is the foundation, the rest goes on top. of course, things can always sound busy with 2 bassists and 2 guitarists too. sounded pretty good for an impromptu jam to me

[DcMbass]

if the groove is about stripping away all of the clutter and just laying it down in the pocket, then why does this tune get soooo busy?

[misterhop666]

because the fooundation is so well laid that the electric guitarists have so much to play.

[MUSICALCHIMP]

Also because they start feeling it. Meshell picks up and everyone just starts to click, and so people start doing what they feel.

[adeart7]

people get carried away

[GlenKirkhamMusic]

Ones a 6 string, ones a 12 string

[fasteez]

12 strings fretless (probably) on top

7 fretted below

fuze is a crazy cat

[sweetbutdaring]

What's the point of a double headed guitar? Dont get it.

[mzerylovescompanyMLC]

my band is opening for her in DC on June 12th at the 930 club. Mzery Loves Company the anti all girl band, come check us out.

[amaro55]

which music is this?

[motorcityska6TD]

Man! She gets around on that fingerboard like nobody's business!

[delitemyheart]

Love the drum kit in this video. Its a Yamaha Oak Custom. Awesome sound...I have one myself.

Me'shell is definately one of the grooviest bass players ever! I just loooove all her bass Lines!

[shari53379]

this is so delicious!!!!

[neden39]

Yeah !!! so gooooooood !!!

[bertisevil333]

interesting, can anyone tell what thedouble nech guitar is ?

[basser11]

that´s dave fiuczynski

[millamartin]

Uhm a smith bass!

[bigchip68]

Damn! The video cuts off right when she was feelin' it! Is there a full version circulating somewhere?

[NanaMozell]

Music in its purest form before the voice was introduced there was music.....

[MatuArt]

Teach! Ache'

[acanawuppazz]

I saw her perform last nite in Portland, Oregon. Her voice is like velvet and she's on the bass. Got to say hello to her as she went on stage. I am so sprung.

[fuzzypieman]

What song are they playing...I saw them play this somewhere else but i don't know what is called....(i really want to learn it)

[fuzzypieman]

Dead nigga blvd..thats the song D.N.B

[gaaand]

its called dead nigga boulevard!!!

[Blackears]

omg i fell in love

[aockid]

shes a monster at bass i wanna be just like her

[7KHENSU]

At the top of my list, top five at least, sensual, full of passion

and introspection of her deep love, lust and identity----was fortunate to meet

her very briefly, a few sentences, felt her heat--warm yet

defiant---wish I had developed musically so I could connect on a deeper level....Peace

[ChairoSaber]

I love this whats the name of the song thier playing. that bass is just killer, the drumming is awesome and the guitar part is sweet when played by the instructor, the kid in the back was good butt off on timing a bit.

[capocchiate]

ahahahah

[Bmoredrum]

Ladies and Gents, Dana Hawkins on drums..

[Paardekut]

How she's filling those gaps in between notes by moving her hand along the neck, that's the groove thing.

Next to Jaco she's my favourite bassplayer.

The rest can all go home, with their technical shite.

[IiiioooiiiI]

WTF???????!!!!LMFAO!>>>>CHECK OUT -PERCY JONES AND STANLEY CLARKE!!!there was NOTHING TECHNICAL ABOUT WHAT SHE DID ON THE NECK!!guez.....!

[FlowJazz]

The guitarist in the background is a good soloist but he is sometime out of the pocket, which is crucial for a guitar player ... Meshell is crazy

[ILOVEAGroove]

OHH!! BABY IT's surely ALL ABOUT THE GROOVe. ONELOVe. 2all

[thatlooper]

eh.. she doesnt listen to her own advice too straight away she starts over playing! the other bass player was way better! sounds like her groove would sound good without a drummer or if he was playin somethin simple but its way too busy. it fits near the end when it starts to build tho thats pretty cool.

[jssskateboards]

Me'shell grooves harder than anyone

[whatnotdm]

Meshell, thanks for the best advise as a bass player... If you ever tour, please, please don't forget us here in Portland, Maine!

[gianni737]

That is some seriously great musicianship right there.

[jarrettkid346]

Miles passed away in 1991. Her first album came out in 1993. It's such a tragedy that they never got to jam.

Also, she gives out some great advice about how stripping away elements makes it groove harder. Think about Herbie's "Chameleon" where the string overdub comes on for a number of bars, then off, then on, then off. Tension and release. That's what it's all about.

[breakfastwizard]

MeShell is so dam groovy....

miles davis said, less is more...

MeShell just puts this concept into practise...

music really is about the groove, and the feeling we get from it....

[whatnotdm]

Ive taken lessons for a long time - but what Meshell said makes it all work.

[ssnatcherss]

i liked the groove better before she started playing...

[Indensity]

your right...but it wasnt her fauIt I think because the 2nd guitarist was out of the pocket. the bald headed cat was crushin

[ssnatcherss]

Yeah, good point.

[Dihaymon]

GaryNull you are stupid! Shut up. She is the bomb. She trying to give others a shot.. Duh. She can play, just not the limelight person. Listen to her other tracks before you speak. Silly!

[GaryNull]

I never said "she couldn't play".

My comments had nothing to do with her

playing in particular.

They were general. Learn to read.

[Dihaymon]

Okay!!! I will give you the benefit of the doudt. I can read you. I email back and you replied. So, I take it. You should understand. You answered back. Right. So are you the one who can't read.... Are we both can. What are you talking about?

[themacq]

Where's the rest?!! They were just starting to get into it!

[sisaul]

damn when was she here? so mad i missed this

[bowiemott]

She is right. A talented musician can strip it down and it will always sound good. Its those with less ability who always want to play busy to try to cover up their lack of groove and timing. There are lots of guys who like to slap/pop/tap but that's all they do and its usually out of time. Plus they can't walk or play melodically.

[melissblissers]

bald

[GaryNull]

So she's saying "keep it simple".

I disagree. It's not too hard to "sound good" just playing the "safe notes".

My approach: KEEP PLAYING UNTIL IT SOUNDS GOOD

I like Jeff Berlins playing. He uses some interesting notes, and a lot of them.

He can pull off, but most bass players can't.

[weedkiller10]

True, i agree, although with the rhythm section, sometimes people just need the simple stuff, and sometimes the best grooves ever are from pretty simple pieces, i mean grooves that actually make you wanna dance or move your head.

[godswiph]

ask any of the masters how they feel about simplicity: chick corea, bach, bob marley, keith jarrett... especially the improvisers.... ESPECIALLY after you learn how to do ANYTHING on your instrument... the real mastery is learning the effectiveness of simple ideas.

[GaryNull]

Some of the most classic bass lines just use the basic 4 notes (E G A B, in Em for example).

Billie Jean, Another on bites the dust, Money by Pink Floyd etc.

I just get tired of hearing a bass player keep playing the flat seven over and over because they can't think of anything else.

It's a "safe" note, and safe can be boring.

[funk7000]

She does say that "it's always open for any interpretation and to be able to open up." What she is talking about is the importance of foundation and keeping it in the pocket, as well as being able to know when to give each other space. These are probably the most important key points in music and playing with other musicians.

[GaryNull]

She and others can talk all they want.

It's either you can or can't play.

That is why there are so few true

excellent musicians.

[MUN7001]

i funkin agree, alot of bass today is too damn unfunky. You can barely hear it, because its always on the same note.

[Classicrock515]

what is the clip?

[verrnon1]

im one of the players. im the bassist in the blue shirt

[MrPan222]

You got very cool groove buddy,keep on)))

How is Meshelle,just tell.)Has she opened your eyes on anything?)

[chuck1318]

@verrnon1 Man I started playin serious way too late...Im 27...Im takin serious lessons...but I see myself gettin where I wanna be by my 30's ...thats cool...bu yall were gettin in bro

[BibsyP]

@verrnon1 Is that so?

[leonobr]

the jam at the end just blows me away... she is amazing, the players are amazing :D

thanks for sharing this!

[choppzilla74]

the groove he is playing is from the record.his pocket is actually on the money.

[r3ality1]

Meshell kills. Man, she has such a great feel.

[johnielsen08]

Does Bryan Baker sound a lot like Wayne Krantz to anyone else? Whether or not he does, everyone sounds awesome here

[liennto]

hey we are lucky that we have these resources to listen to pro's speak like this. shut up, listen, learn.

[theskystretchesblue]

When Meshell picks up the bass and plays the first line, that second note that she hits in that first line is perfection in motion, because with that one note, she made me hear something totally fresh and big!

[jamoj928]

yea meshell's phrasing is ridiculous on this groove jus beautiful placement

[Slangfunk]

Brian Baker ,the best guitarist !!!!!!!

[fadermaster]

Records are just a sketch. I try to tell vocalist to stop learning from records and start going to see people perform. Especially soul singers. They learn soul from Marvin gay, Etta james, Donny Hathaway and when you hear them sing they sing the same riffs over and over again. I try to tell em "Marvin, Donny, and Etta don't sing the same riffs over and over again. "Go to a black church to hear some soul singing of today". Meshell is dope. I have almost all her records.

[TURKISHRONDO]

man, thats great i love when musicians just get together and share the craft...so pure its a shame i wasnt there for that clinic

[LLroomtempJ]

sounds like the soloing guitar player didn't catch the whole thing that me'shell was saying about "taking away". Am the only person that felt like there was way too much going on in that groove? I also figured that when she started sustaining her bass notes that people woulda changed it up...it didn't happen, but what can i say? All them berklee cats on stage are still killin their instruments. esp dana.

[TexasTornado187]

No...Your, not the only one. sometimes little

is much!. Although he is an excellent player.

Most unseasoned musicians have a tendency

to get a bit over Zealous with thier playing.

However I do love his fusion runs, very fluid

and sweet!!!.

[gschmittmusic]

yup...that guitarist was bothering me, too.

[obscurity87]

that boy that plays the electric guitar is finneee who is he???

[DrShrinker]

Dave Fiuzynski is the Prison Break-looking guy with the doubleneck. Bryan Baker is the dude in the blue sleeveless.

[stdan72]

Good example of overeducated drummer simply not having it.

[DrShrinker]

Elaborate...

[groovebassist]

I've seen this drummer playing on videos before and while he has great grooves and such I think his groove is a little to over the top here and he could've kept it simpler and made it sound better. I couldnt see Meshell having someone like him touring with her at all.

[JBoogs37]

Lol but Dana did tour with her the whole summer of 2006. Trust me, he handled the gig very well!

[GQ8789]

wat in tha hell r u talkin about....dana wasn't doin nuttin flashly, he held the pocket well, tha bass players mash n keep shit cool.......SHUT UP!

[Moog167]

Wow a lot of people seem to disagree with you groovebassist....My reason for disagreeing with you is because Dana can groove and the drummer before Dana (Chris "Daddy" Dave) was just as crazy!

[groovebassist]

Ok I didn't say he couldnt groove! I said i just didn't dig the groove here but after listening to it now all this time later I dig it. I know dana can play...I have a bunch of stuff with him on it a that I dig alot.

[tacsavory]

good information she gives, so talented.

[kapdrums]

Man,it stops just when they start cookin'it reeeeeeeeeeally good!:( who has the rest of this?????????does anybody know the musicians?i mean except meshell and fuze...

[holygroove2]

I agree whole heartedly. I wish it could go on for even 1 more minute... just to hear where they go!

[chulamia]

More!!!!

[tinam315]

Now I know this is my cuz Vern! Hi honey! You look good!

[ownpwnry]

it's from dead nigga boulevard off of Cookie. That whole album is just one fantastic song after another... Me'shell is definitely a force to be reckoned with.

[Luqman311]

yea, what song is this groove from?!

[DrShrinker]

Incredible. Is there anymore footage from this clinic????????

[GQ8789]

DO U KNOW HOW Many times I Played this Back!!!

The Groove is ...I can't explain tha feelin!

[ownpwnry]

I sincerely both envy and pity any bass player that shares a stage with Meshell...

[ThirdEye1913]

I "heart" her- she is such a phenomenal musical talent! This is what I want to hear when I ask for good music- more artists need to step up to the plate. Not only that, but more consumers need to step up to the register and make artists like her richer instead of some of these other idiotic "artists".

[atlantabrookyngal]

TRUE THAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[chulamia]

amen on that!

[swil279]

You are so fine and funky Meshell, will you marry me? Civil Union is legal in my country lol!

[ccierav]

i could listen FOREVER

[chadbull]

Ah Damn just when I was getting into it

[tareco1]

I love Meshell's voice...a little androgin like Tanita Tikaran ...

[tinam315]

Vernon Parson! You See Him! My Little Cousin Playing tha' Bass! Vern Vern In The House Representing For The Munnerlyn Clan! Go Vernon!

[thatsmypeanuts]

she is an unbelievable badass

[Piankhi1]

Just GENIOUS!!!

[dmlled]

yoohoo. Fuze there

[canvoodoo]

awsome

[wantwb]

that sista is badddd as hell, would follow her to he ends of the earth just to hear a single chord!!!

[Jbuster245]

What a gift!!!

[GaryStanionis]

Meshell Big Up to you! I pray Blessings over your life!! Much Love, Big"G"

[Phehello]

i bet she is the best female instrumentalist i have ever heard. will never miss her show...

[Soul74]

Why distinguish between female and male? I think she's better than a lot of male artists.

[Phehello]

true that! but she is still a fantastic FEMALE/WOMAN singer/musician/instrumentalis­t - she is better than many men & women still...

[JCGM34]

Genial!!!

Funk femenino

[ladylamars]

Someone please post more MeShell!!!

[lylemolzan]

whAT happened to the AOL Meshell studio sessions that used to be on here???? please post them again!!!!

[natesot]

now this is music not studio driven pop rap crap. musisions playing. nice!

[lisaalexsis]

damn she's fine...and prolific. luv meshell.

[torpedoboy4]

Dana and Chris Dave.  Meshell only jams with the best.

[crizriz420]

I played with Dana in the Drums and Bass ensemble 05'. He's a killer.

[syse07]

Dana Hawkins is one of the best drummers ive heard

[Poulet39]

Oh mr fuze :)

Who is the drummer and where is gene lake ?

[Moog167]

The drummer is Dana Hawkins he's from Baltimore and he attends Berklee

[basilcruncher]

one of the greatest talents around....