Billy seems like the kind of guy that'd use his day off to help you move a couch

I love how he straight up says it doesn't matter how you use your right hand; 1, 2, 3 fingers, a pick, etc; more bass players need to be less judgmental like this dude.

He's the Bob Ross of bass. I feel better about myself when I hear him.

what's really cool about Billy is that he is not afraid to admit that he is committing mistakes in the middle of his teaching. this shows how humble this guy is, even though his abilities and musicality is WAY up there. props to you sir!

I'm gonna start playing with an electric drill now, thanks Billy

"Well within anyone's grasp to play it". Gotta love Billy

Very, very underrated bass player. Absolutely one of the best

This guy is so chill. If only everyone would be like that.

I love this dude so much! How positive and goodhearted can a person be?

I'm from Buffalo and remember the many times I stood 10 feet from Billy and the great band Talas and watched the master at work. When you see a musician who has total mastery of his instrument it was mind-blowing!

I'm 51 now. I was 16 when I started following him. What I like is his saying "don't worry about my number of fingers, you can use a violin bow or a drill"!! There are no words to describe how much I respect this guy.

Very helpful. You're not just a great bassist, you're a great bass teacher. A sensei.

I love how personable and instructive he is.

What an absolute dude. How can someone be so good at something and still remain that humble... amazing.

I've heard so many people criticize this man for not doing slap pop funk type solos live . Hey I'm sure he can but at a Rock show his shredding is really impressive. Besides he has incredible in the pocket groove .

So glad I found this! only been playing 3 months, happily (naturally) been using my third finger whilst picking. Then came across another lesson saying you must only use two finger alternate picking. This man is fabulous, you can use whatever you like as long as it sounds good and it works. Thanks so much now I can get back onto my practise.

I've been playing Guitar for about 13 years and I just got my first Bass the other day. It is so much fun learning how to play something similar yet very different. Billy has always been on my radar even though I didn't play Bass before. I think thats from being a Paul Gilbert fan.

He's such a great guy, happy to share in such a relaxed and gentlemanly way.

I've always loved that Billy is an absolute shredder but somehow manages to seem to have zero ego about music. Very impressive. I've seen a few lessons with him too, always a great teacher.

FINALLY a comprehensive video about the 3 finger method. Pity I just found it now where I have the technique down and had to figure it out by myself. Wish I had seen this years ago. Respect to Billy, he's a legend

I love that he says hes not playing well and he sounds better than anything ive ever done. Seems like such a genuinely cool guy

I met Billy a few years before this video, it was at NAMM, and he was so great to spend a few minutes chatting, and if I remember correctly, he gave me some strings and swag, and I’ve never forgot it. This few minutes made me choose to stick with 4 string, when seemingly everyone was moving to multiple string bass. He could do almost anything he wanted to musically with 4 strings, I’ve not felt the need for more strings since. Thanks Billy for the inspiration!

legend bassist

How cool is this dude? No ego or pretentiousness. Dig it.

I am pretty sure billy has had a secret click installed somewhere in his body, he's no robot but his timing is like an atomic clock, just loove listening to his playing, and he's such a mellow guy.

"Hey Billy, it's Jack here. Can you come help me move a couch on Saturday?" "Sure Jack. What time do you need me?" Humble, humble guy for someone so ridiculously talented.

Seen Billy many times live with various bands , always a joy to watch the master at work. World’s best bass player and a great songwriter / performer too. If you love bass or consummate musicians , treat yourself and see him live !!

That's the sweetest Yamaha bass ever.

Three finger quadruplets instead of triplets, yikes! And Steve Harris does triplets with two fingers, like Geddy used to, now Geddy does it all with one finger ! Billy's the man, enthusiastic like he's 20 something.

Thanks, Billy, for your very thorough and articulate explanations. I particularly appreciate your in-depth approach to the mechanics of playing.

There's a Niacin tune, where he, almost the entire tune, is doing this crazy Rocco Prestia staccato attack. The tune MOVES, and Billy does it effortlessly.

Met Billy a couple of times, he is one of the finest human beings to walk this planet! let alone musician, his theory is amazing and in-depth!!

one of the best ever...

I don't think I've ever heard the lower strings of a bass sound that clean when being played that fast.

even as a shred guitarist I always find this kinda stuff valuable information :)

The BASS's MASTER ITSELF... Thank you Sir William

I like the fact that even the great mr sheehan makes mistakes and it gets left in...we all make mistakes, just except it...GREAT VIDEO

This Man Is The Real Fuckin Deal Who Is Always Cool And Always Seems To Be Engaging!! Qualities That A Lot Of Times Seems To Elude Musicians.

Love the way Billy plays. I seen him play live when he was with David Lee Roth and played with Steve Vai. It was awesome.

Hes so down to earth

You’re a legend billy

Pretty cool video. I realize this post is pretty old but, I love how Billy says use your own technique. I start with my third finger and go to my first finger. Never thought about four fingers. Thanks Billy.

How SICK is that Bass though? Is it partially scalloped? That's just too freaking cool!

That was awsome..!! I alredy started practicing. My conratulations for your open mind right hand technic statement.

One of the best...

Great teaching in the video. Awesome approach and attitude. One complaint, the editor cuts away to the left hand way too much for a video on right hand technique.

You have no idea how fascinated i am by this. 😀 Been sitting here practicing that this whole time watching

Genio Billy!!! Gracias por tu enseñanza maestro.

I wonder if Metallica ever thought about Billy after Burton died?

👊 Exactly! There's is NO "right way" to play the bass

Fuck 4 fingers I play with a electric drill, always!

thats a muhfuggin beast of a workout. im a guitar player, but i realy enjoy playing bass. and i use my fingers, and a pick, but i want to toss the pick and train my fingers on the right hand cuz i like how it sounds and it looks cool. im practicing billys technique, and lets just say its going to take awhile!

Don't play any instrument but I love electrified rock and jazz music. I've watched this video three times, it's so damned interesting.

Billys was the furst and only instructional video i ever got when i was 14 in the laste 80's and its taken.me a long tjme but i wouldn't change the three forbthe two again whats weird is i had to go back to masteringkng the two in.my adulthood in order to improve my overall accuracy with the three... not sure why but u had to spend significant time re workimg the two

I can't even think that fast

i really liked this video and your approach. thank you

He explains things like my eye doctor.

Being a bass player (and starting on bass), when I use a pick on a guitar, I noticed I alternate pick ascending, and economy pick descending. I must have got it from finger playing on a bass because of how you sort of "brush back" with your fingers. after 25+ years, it's very hard to unlearn, but as Billy says (I think I can call him Billy, I don't think he'll mind), maybe if it works I should just go with it.

man, gotta love the net where a top player (and helluva nice guy) like billy will do a lesson for you... i wish i had had this advantage when i was a kid and starting out!

I saw Billy play at a celebrity type jam night in Beverly Hills years back. Ray Luzier was on drums and that Bumblefoot guy on guitar. To be honest, the other two played pretty much as I expected them to; flashy and lots of chops, speed etc. Billy, on the other hand, really surprised me with his musicality and melodic approach. Sure, he took an occasional few bars to burn, but overall he was very tasteful and grooving. I was really impressed.

Next episode: Billy Shehan's wrong hand technique ...

2:15 but BASSically

I like the way he totally sheds that piece and says "it's all within anyone's grasp to play that" 💀

Thanks B that was helpful I also play lefty on a right hand bass & I left the strings were they were. I have been doing this since day 1, 8 years now I wanted a new & way different approach applying this will be tricky but doable. :) drumming for 35 years

I love that little cat on the bass 🥺🥺

What a nice guy!

If Billy Sheehan says it’s ok to play Bass with a pick, then it’s good enough for me.

You took earl Scruggs to the bass. Bravo!

At 9:30 it's Rush's Xanadu scale.... Geddy plays a real similar run in Xanadu.

What a awesome player, so kick back

That's the end of Xanadu by Rush

The most important hint is at 1:28 : "the middle finger has to work twice as hard". This is probably the greatest obstacle in 3 finger technique.

The one and only god of bass

Such a nice guy

you can play with one finger. james jamerson: thanks.

Great bass man... Was visiting faculty at MI when I was there... Can’t believe he doesn’t know what a 1/4 note is (his words).

He plays a bass guitar whose company also makes motorcycles

i like having a bridge pickup on my pj bass to play around the bridge with less buzzing and i only use the P pickup

Thanks dude... You f'n rawk..

I like how he starts off saying there is no wrong way as long as you achieve the result you're after. I use 3 fingers, sometimes even 4; but it's not like him at all... I tend to mix up the finger being used, somewhat randomly based on what is comfortable for me.

Great video. Thanks for your generosity and time. One question: Why are some frets scalloped?

thank you, ... that was really nice

Cool dude!

I don't even play bass but when I do I use 3 fingers.

I never think of bass as instrument needing this kind of speed and rapid fire notation. But each to his own 🙏

I Love You Billy

Interesting how much raised his pickups are. The strings are almosy resting on the pickups, that sure do helps a lot to play fast

I didn`t play bass any better after watching this but I did start choking my chicken with three fingers.

Old, but gold...i'm practicing exactly this...i can't play with four Fingers, because my right pinky is defective!

Like many tuition videos, you are missing a lot of detail here. String guage,how close to the bridge, length of finger travel etc

"BASSically, thats the BASSics of it"

FIRST FROM 2020!!!

Jameson played with one finger as did Bruce lots of the time I believe.

XAAAAN - AAAAA -DUUUUU. :) Is it really from that, or was that part of the song just Rush incorporating a simple scale in a cool way?

Remember to stretch your hand before playing. Billy has a very large palm, larger than the standard size. Therefore, his technique is unique and non-standard. Do not hurt your muscles, and if it doesn’t work out, just take a pick, it’s more rational.

Awsome 👍

Still looks young

Is he just plucking with 3 fingers?

I like this guy!!! Amazing bass player.. but I will def use my electric drill 😺

Wow, he seems to be a really handsome guy