The Breakdown: Slap Bass w/ Marcus Miller
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Published 2024-05-24
For this edition of The Breakdown, bass legend, composer, and producer Marcus Miller takes a group of three bassists at varying levels of experience through the process of learning his approach to the “slap” technique heard in much soul, funk, and contemporary jazz, and is a major part of his signature style. Using examples of famous songs that influenced him or he played on, Miller stresses the importance of technique, timekeeping, building a personal sound, and always telling a story.
Miller performed at SFJAZZ on March 15, 2024, with his band including trumpeter Russell Gunn, saxophonists Alex Han and Eric Marienthal, keyboardist Xavier Gordon, drummer Anwar Marshall, and iconic percussionist Darryl “Munyungo” Jackson. View a full-length video of their performance on-demand here: www.sfjazz.org/athome/on-demand/marcus-miller/
Among the greatest electric bassists in the history of the instrument, Marcus Miller is a jazz Renaissance man. A two-time GRAMMY-winning producer, arranger, keyboardist, bass clarinetist, and film composer, he was instrumental to Miles Davis’ resurgence in the 1980s and a collaborator with everyone from Dizzy Gillespie, Herbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter, and McCoy Tyner to Paul Simon, Aretha Franklin, and Luther Vandross.
A wildly prolific studio musician, Miller and his distinctive bass virtuosity have been heard on well over 500 sessions for a dizzying array of major artists, and as a bandleader, the Brooklyn native has found time to release 18 multifaceted albums, starting with his sparkling 1983 debut Suddenly. His soundtrack work spans decades, from 90s comedies including House Party, Eddie Murphy’s Boomerang, and Keenan Ivory Wayans’ A Low Down Dirty Shame to the Chris Rock television series Everybody Hates Chris and 2014’s About Last Night.
In 2012, Miller was named a UNESCO Artist for Peace, working to promote their Slave Route Project that contributes to a better understanding of the causes and consequences of the global slave trade.
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***SFJAZZ is a non-profit organization that presents year round jazz concerts, festivals and educational programs at the SFJAZZ Center in San Francisco, CA.
All Comments (21)
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1) Start telling stories, 2) Hear what you're playing, 3) Develop stuff, 4) Respect your ideas more. --- That last one hit me like a landslide.
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Who doesn't love Marcus?
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"If I keep talking and don't leave spaces, you develop a resistance to what I'm saying".
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I love the way the grown man was saying "yes sir" to Marcus. That's the way I was taught. It's an old fashioned way to show respect.
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They say that great performers don't make great teachers. Marcus: "Hold my beer!"
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11:20 „bass player: you are the drummer with tone“ ❤
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Living Legend! "They don't play all the notes. Just the good ones"
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That last solo lesson just opened up a whole new world
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When Miller stops Tiny at 18:20 and says "Respect your ideas more," that's some life wisdom. He even brings it back to Miles!
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This is something that you would pay to see in a Masterclass and we get it for FREE 🤗 fantastic stuff
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Dear Dr. MILLER, I actually met you in Detroit Mi at the Jazz Cafe, not only are you a great Musician and Bass player, but Great Teacher as well! Thanks for sharing your musical talent with the WORLD.
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Marcus Miller is not only a great player but a wonderful teacher as well. He taught the advanced to the beginners and the basics to the advanced. Always playing rhythm and phrasing from the blues. Master. Hope to one day play w a fraction of his musicianship.
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Messing with people's expectations - you play a lick, you play it again, people expect it, and you do something else. I've heard this advice a million times before but Marcus makes it make sense,.
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Wow! That was great. We (bassists/musicians) need more of this type of musical content, especially from someone of Marcus' status. Show us how it's done. Outstanding!❤💯🎵
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What I love about this lesson (in addition to technique and musicality) is the demonstration by Marcus Miller of how great musicians are both tough and generous. Tough and generous may seem contradictory. When synthesized, tough and generous yields greatness.
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Marcus Miller is so awesome!
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Marcus is the best one to teach slap to anyone...such talent and he conveys his knowledge well.
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Marcus Miller is the man and the last cat has some great chops. Was a great moment to see as well
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Looking at the thumbnail, I thought it was gonna be some random dude talking about Marcus's slap style, wow, what a surprise, turns out it is the LEGEND himself!!!
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Julian was getting the most valuable lesson for a beginner. Learn the roots and everything will follow.
