SMOOTH CRIMINAL on slap bass sounds INSANELY FUNKY

IG: @charles_berthoud

Original Song: Smooth Criminal by Michael Jackson

Special thanks to Zachary Brunetti, AhLun, Sugabeat, Colin Heberling, Timothy Gabrielson, Colter Fike, Cpt. Marley, Sid Stenersen, Turpid, DebisU, David Geschke, Dario Cimmino, Edward Quinn, Sebastián Labbé, James Ansell, Rob Nack, Michael Forrester, 949 Designs, slatibartfast24, Nil N, Kelly Henderson, 游鎰駿, Zachary Gidwitz, Joe Norsworthy, Štěpán Emmer, Michele Marletta and all my other Patrons and members!

[colinsmith]

Charles, im 72 l bought my Rickenbacker 4001 in 1969. I knew the great Chris Squire ( rip) when l worked for warner, elektra, atlantic. You are simply the best, most, incredible bass player l have ever heard in my long life. I would love to hear you play a solo on a Rickenbacker because of their unique sound. The basses that you play are totally awesome. You blow me away every week with the sounds you make with your extraordinary skill. Your avid fan in L.A. Cal Colin Smith

[thrlE]

I can't ever get over how insanely good that run sounds at 1:05. To the point that I wish the song was sung that way.

[redrooster]

As a bass player myself for 38 years, i must say, thank you for bringing awareness to us all, that we are more than riding a note as a metronome, and carrying our bands un-noticed, by pointing that out with every video you do. And i acknowledge that you are also much better than me in my years and are a whole ass percussion section on your own. If i was your father I'd cry in proudness.

[kashmm]

Your style really lends itself well to this song.

I can literally hear MJ being channeled with each note that you play. Thank you so much. Now try dancing like him <3.

[StryderFi]

After the poll, I've been waiting eagerly for this. His covers are great, but when he does a great cover of a great song, it's legendary.

[part]

Between 1:35 - 1:38 he played 100 notes 🤣🤣 that's was sick!!! Even he smiled because he nailed it to perfection!!

[cpm]

Hey Charles, I used to play bass and guitar about 20 years ago in a band at Uni, just discovered your videos and it has inspired me to go and get my old bass out of the attic and begin learning again! Keep up the great content!

[achilles]

there’s just something so mesmerizing about how “calm” your fingers are while playing. so many notes

[mihailmilev]

This is going down as one of my favorite pieces if music. The sound, the musicality, the musicianship, the absolute vibe and funkiness, everything. Not the original, this specific rendition.

[jaketaz]

The most impressive part to me is when the drums drop out and you keep playing, and then when the drums come back in you are still in perfect tempo

[makkane]

This is insane. I’ve never seen anyone incorporating so many different elements in one composition this way. It’s smooth as fuck pun intended.

[Seebeejeebees]

The slapping, the tapping, the smoothness of your style… I’ll be MAD if you don’t go down as one of the best bassists of our generation. Big ups, Charles, stay groovy!

[KnightOfAwesometon]

Call it a hunch, but I'm starting to think every song sounds insanely funky when played on slap bass. Either that or it's just the SHEER TALENT OF CHARLES.

Edit: Christ, lotta people getting pissy about the use of the word "talent", as if it somehow deminishes Charles skill...

[mikeg]

Unsurprisingly, the graph line showing viewer engagement is basically "yeah non stop" on this. Can't stop watching this fantastic arrangement, technical expertise, dexterity and above all, soul.

[HMSGT]

*Here's a brain that can coordinate that sort of activity, meanwhile I'm standing with the icebox door open trying to remember what I came in the kitchen looking for...* 😮‍💨🤦🤷😁

[jasonvoorhees]

I realize he's not the only awesome bass player out there, but whenever he covers a song, I feel like he's going "Here, let me show you how you SHOULD be playing that." 😂

[vipergamingyt]

Hey, I recently got Into Juilliard Pre College for viola! I'm hoping to start learning bass as I love the sound it makes. Currently struggling in music theory so still deciding if I want to start bass, as of NOW, worrying I'll be overwelmed. I love your videos and it was a awesome journey seeing your channel grow!

you've been a huge insiparation to me, sparking my passion to become better at my insturment.

[PeterMasalski]

Davie are you okay? Davie are you okay? are you okay Davie?

[stevenkirton]

I love how, as the playing gets more crazy, his smile grows and then by the end he is shredding and loving it

[MLHunt]

That was already such a funky line and you just increased the funk factor at least 10x, which I wouldn't have thought remotely possible. Amazing.