How Sledgehammer Changed the History of Bass FOREVER

Tony Levin is arguably the greatest studio bassist of all time – but how well do you really know his work with Peter Gabriel?

In today’s video we take an in-depth look into his slick fretless fills, his ‘funk fingers’, and other well-guarded secrets from Peter Gabriel’s groundbreaking hit single, Sledgehammer – complete with note-for-note transcriptions and a free PDF workbook.

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Video Breakdown:

00:00 - Introduction to Tony Levin's Bass Line in 'Sledgehammer'
00:39 - The Unique Elements of Tony Levin's Bass Line
01:09 - Breaking Down the Sound and Technique
02:23 - Playing the Bass Line with the Right Feel
03:00 - Swung 16th Note Pick Technique
03:54 - The Phrasing and Notes of the Bass Line
05:12 - Exploring the Verse and Intro Sections
06:05 - Playing in the Low Register with an Octave Pedal
06:56 - Analyzing the Chorus and the Use of Space
09:04 - The Story of Funk Fingers
10:26 - Tony Levin's Use of Funk Fingers
11:24 - Summary and Additional Resources

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[mattsun]

Back in 2000 about i think i was studio bassist playing only hitsong covers and soundalikes. Sledgehammer came along and I then emailed Tony Levin through his management to ask about exactly this. Can you imagine the thrill i got when he personally wrote me back? Giving me all these secrets.. So nice of him

[grizelda]

Seriously, there’s not much in this world cooler than Tony Levin.

For learning how to swing with a pick Carol Kaye is a master!

[Notsram]

Tony's work with King Crimson changed my life.
Absolutely a genius musician.

[AnthonyWilliams-otyk]

When I first heard Sledgehammer, the unusually funky bass line instantly made my neck snap my head around! And those horns and Peter’s screams. Truly a groundbreaking song.

[thechosenone]

OMG, Scott this has to be one of the most entertaining videos you've done on SBL. Sledgehammer is one of my all time favorite songs, and it drives my wife absolutely crazy. I've never attempted to learn to play this but now I will. I can't wait to see the look on her face when she walks in and sees and hears me playing Sledgehammer!!! It's going to be EPIC!!!!

A million thank yous for this one Scott!!!

[LordEradicus]

Funk fingers...I never knew that. Whenever I played along with "Big Time, " I just used to thumbslap that passage on a largely open E-string...😄

[MikeKobb]

Y'all, this format of video, where we get to see both of you play the lines and the nuances in how you are each approaching it -- these are GOLD. Please make as many of these as travel and other considerations permit. Also, fretless F fiver? 😍

[montraix]

I was a drummer in my high school jazz band in 1980, and our band would actually tour and do gigs, so when we needed to fill some time I’d have this huge drum solo. During the drum solo our bass player came over with his Precision, out of nowhere, leaned it at. 30 degree angle towards me and I did a funk bass solo with my drum sticks on the bass!!! He actually did the left hand, including intermittent muting, and I just played with my sticks. It sounded awesome!!!!

Needless to say, for the rest of that year, the bass became part of my drum solos.

And yes, now I am a bass player, I have 2 Warwick GPS Corvette basses, a 4 string, a 5, and a fretless, all $$. Also play Fender Precisions

[djmikio]

During ABWH tour in 89 we were backstage and Tony just literally just had sawed-off drumsticks taped to his fingers. He said that he had to play Chris Squires parts on the classic Yes jams and he wasn't able to get an attack that was as sharp and percussive as Squires with his normal technique. Cool to see that this evolved into a finished piece of gear!

[EricMorello]

Ah, Funk fingers, Jazz hands' lesser known cousin.

[AlfieGoodrich]

Seeing Gabriel at Earls Court on the ‘So’ tour as a teenager was life changing for me. So good.

[Quicksilver_Cookie]

This is one of my absolute favorite bass sounds ever. It's got the punch and attack of a bass, but then this polyphonic depth of a synth bass thanks to that octave and chorus. It's just so good.

[pythagorasaurusrex]

Nearly 40 years passed since Sledgehammer came out, but still such a great piece! And.. yeah, I still love to play it on my bass from time to time. The bass is a real challenge to play with all this tiny little fills and alterations in between the main line. I never get it right and there is always something new to discover in there. So much fun!
Great video, dudes!

[inatehex]

It sounds very synthy to my ears. Who knew? Great breakdown. I am absolutely loving your recent videos. The great chemistry between you guys makes it really fun to watch.

[tumbleweedtumbleweed]

My favorite part of this is the Mike Lull bass. He was a super nice guy who helped me a lot back in the day

[acb]

The attack from the pick with a bit of palm mute. Stopping the note makes your ear look for the decay but its all gone and the next note blends so well.
Levin is top three for me.

[podchauffe]

Did anyone read Tony's book Beyond the Bass Clef? It is very informative and so hilarious! A must-read for every bass player. Although I'm not, I still totally enjoyed it and got it signed by the man himself when he was in our town with Larry and Jerry

[AndyA]

The Peter Gabriel Secret World tour is fantastic, must watch . Manu Katche is amazing.

[stevenrankin]

Loved everything about this! Papa Bear, Tony Levin is an absolute bass god. He possesses so much awareness of where the bass sits in the arrangement. It's always a treat. Thank you for sharing this with us.

[willemniehorster]

I saw Peter Gabriel's first tour ever with Levin on bass back in the early 80's. Also first time I saw a chapmanstick. I also saw him with Crimson playing the LP Discipline. I've seen them many times.