Learning Sledgehammer... in Peter Gabriel's studio

Hey, so this lesson's a bit different...

In fact... very different.

Namely because you're about to see inside Peter Gabriel's studio (we've been shooting a brand new course there with someone suuuuper cool - you'll find out who in the new vid).

Not only are you going see inside Peter's studio (it's AMAZING by the way), I also thought it'd be fun to break down and deconstruct the bass line from one of his greatest hits, Sledgehammer...

There's a tonne of cool stuff that you can learn (and apply) from this bass line... but most of all, there's an extra awesome bass fill that every bass player should know in there too!

As always, see you in the shed...

Scott :)

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[gatekeeper]

I absolutely love Tony Levins' playing. I always think he's overlooked as one of the very best and most creative innovators of our time.

[requintueur]

Nolly Nolly Nolly Nolly Nolly Nolly Nolly Nolly Nolly Nolly Nolly Nolly Nolly Nolly Nolly Nolly Nolly Nolly Nolly Nolly Nolly Nolly Nolly Nolly Nolly ❤❤

[wazerkus-]

I was 14 the first time I stumbled across King crimson play "People".. saying it changed my prospective and enthusiasm is an understatement. Next week at band practice there I was with some sawed off wooden drum sticks taped to my fingers, I thought I was going to be cheeky suprise my mentor who was the drummers dad and in his own right.. an absolute monster bass player. Sam walks in the room and says to me "Alright kiddo, you've got the funk fingers going on, we should get you some 3/4 pvc pipe". I respond.. " I think Tony uses wood, I saw in the live video".. Sam responds.. "He uses 3/4 pvc pipe... he told me himself... over a cup of coffee in New York several years ago". Enough said.. I was in home depot the next day lol Funny little story I'll never forget.

[arwynkim]

It's obviously hard to teach, but the other thing that sets this track apart is Tony's GROOVE. Gabriel's one of the best, but he's never been known for writing super-funky tracks. This is a really notable and welcome exception.

[ThomasLuongo]

Scott, this is one of my favorite lines from one of my top 3 bassists, personally (Geddy Lee and Jeff Berlin), and this lesson is off the charts valuable. Thank you for it. Simply one of the best I've seen from you.

[Mr.Goldbar]

When I see Nolly I click without thinking twice!

[IPFreelly]

I'm starting to think that being bald makes you better at bass

[bwmedina]

Been listening to "So" pretty solidly for the past week and my new Stingray Special just arrived yesterday. Couldn't be more timely!

[JamesMoore-uncu]

The key to Tony's playing, seems to be the breaks/notes he DOESN'T play, which adds to the vibe of the track. Of course, his tone on this record was outstanding and definitely served the track, vs. dominating it. But just imagine the track with someone dancing all over it vs. playing it for the groove itself? Stunning.

[jdssurf]

Peter and his band are the soundtrack to my life, I can’t imagine getting to be there, no joke.

[gringochucha]

Man, Tony is one of the best.

Anyone who hasn't already should check out the two Bozzio Levin Stevens albums. Tony is like the glue bringing everything together. Such an amazing player.

[ia]

Such an amazing bassline, Tony Levin for the win there, Peter's got such a KILLER groove in this song. Still, not ONE mention on this being a FRETLESS bass song? Seems like honestly the biggest detail of the entire track, the octave is just frosting. I just can't believe there wasn't more emphasis put on the fact that this is a fretless track through and through and requires a different approach to playing and Tony's vibratos. Cool breakdown, bummed you didn't play the other parts of the song though. Even for the "all you do is call me" part, he heads back down to the low notes for a quick effective low-end lick then back to the major riff.

[Generalbas]

please do more of these types of videos where you take a bassline and break down how we can improvise over it, fantastic.

[StenSturesKanal]

The first concert I went to was Peter Gabriel's back to front tour and Tony Levin is still the most powerful bassist I've ever heard.

[ggr]

Im a frustrated Bass player. I havent been near my bass for years. But i do really enjoy your channel and lessons. Sometimes, im able to follow what is being said :)

[michael]

Quite a pharaonic setting! Pop/rock musicians have constructed their Valley of the Kings tombs right in the open terrestrial immortality.

[Charlyfromthenuclearcity]

Damn this track is well produced !
The bass is just there in your face, still leaving a lot of room for the vocals and drums. Great !

[rafaschola]

Hey I am a classical violinist, I will start to play the bass as hobby and let me tell you, I love your videos. Thanks a lot for sharing your passion. Awesome stuff ❤️

[jonki]

Tony Levin bass work on sledgehammer is outstanding. Plus the video from Aardmann (Morph, Chicken run, Wallace and Gromit) is fantastic.

[janjurk]

Hi Scott, thanks for breaking down the harmonics of this song. Been playing this for years, always amazed about the weird yet beautiful flavour of tonality. This is one of my favourites, also for the spot on, laid back appearing groove.