How to play like Dusty Hill of ZZTop - Bass Habits - Ep 38 

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When Dusty was 13 his brother Rocky forced him to play bass so he could be in his band cuz they couldn’t find a bassist so we should thank his brother for all of this

I've played with Dusty. Jam session. I was sitting in on bass, because I brought a bass rig and there was nobody else playing bass in the club. Guy with a big bead pulled up on his Harley. Asked (very politely) if he could fill my shoes on the bass. Well, yes Mister Hill, please, be my guest! Could I play guitar with you? We jammed until well after closing time. Couple 3 years later I was working in a building near there, and the secretary said there was a scary looking guy hanging around in the lobby by the African Art gallery. Showed up on a Harley, had a big beard. Wasn't Dusty. It was Billy Gibbons. We talked about art, cars, motorcycles, yanno, guy shit. I really didn't want to mention that I played guitar, but I mentioned that I'd met Dusty at a bar a couple blocks away. Billy told me that Dusty thought I kicked ass. Wow. That was like, fuck. I impressed Dusty enough that he mentioned me to Billy and Billy remembered?

As always a great analysis. Some people say that Dusty Hill under-played and had a bass sound more fit for a band with two guitarists. I disagree with that, they haven't listened enough to ZZ Top. I recommend this video to those people. I learned how to play bass listening to ZZ Top and Dusty Hill proves that what sounds easy is often harder to play than it sounds. Rest In Peace, Joseph Michael "Dusty" Hill

"I solemly swear to play the root, the whole root, and nothing but the root, so help me Dusty Hill." and here what Dusty Hill said about his bass tone : Someone once asked me to describe my tone, and I said it was like farting in a trash can. What I meant is it’s raw, but you’ve got to have the tone in there.

Love ZZ Top. Dusty’s bass playing is tasteful and serves the song. It’s also loaded with groove.

Great video ! R.I.P. Texas Legend ! Dusty Hill 1949 - 2021

When my band was looking for a bass player, I was often asked “what kind of bass player are you looking for? What playing style?” Now, most hard rock bands of the time would have said Geddy Lee or Billy Sheehan or Steve Harris (A Steve Harris style bassist would ha e been killer too!) but I would respond with....Dusty Hill! Solid, in the pocket and played exactly what is needed. You know who else falls into the category of “under appreciated” bass player? Michael Anthony.

I got to see ZZ Top twice (first time was back in 2015 and the second time was 2018 with Lynyrd Skynyrd) and they’ve always been one of my favourite bands, Dusty was always such a critical part of the band and his death totally caught me off-guard so this is definitely a fitting tribute to a great musician that left us way too early (even at 72 years old) but I hope that the band’s guitar tech will continue to carry on Dusty’s legacy like the man himself wanted. RIP you blues rock icon, you will never be forgotten and thanks for everything you’ve done for us as musicians

Thanks for this video. Dusty brought 60+ years of playing music to the stage and even though the show will go on for ZZ Top it won’t be the same without him.

Dusty was truly one of a kind. He's sorely missed.

Also, you'll need an octave divider. He did get a lot closer to his live sound on the 'Rythmeen' album, after that some of the sounds on 'Mescalero' are brutal. More metal than blues.

Definitely my inspiration....RIP Dusty

Fantastic. Thanks for sharing this. He is the definition of a bass player. Keeps the bottom end and plays to the song.

Having been in a very short-lived ZZ Top tribute band, I learned how Dusty plays and some of his techniques have found their way into my own style now.

Bless you for doing this, Lad - it's Great. RIP Dusty Hill.

Thanks Paul, for honoring Dusty! I've been watching you since my journey of learning my bass. Keep bringing us your talent and teaching. THANK YOU!!!

Great explanation Paul!! Especially where you explain the differences between the album and live versions. Another example of uncomplicated but tasteful groove

Paul thank you for this brilliant video! Bravo! I was never particularly crazy about Dusty's bass sound in the scheme of great bass sounds but with this bluesy trio it does work. They knew what the hell they were doing!

Excellent band. Excellent video. Excellent tribute.

RIP Dusty. You will live on through the great music you made. It's been my pleasure to play bass and sing on many ZZ Top tunes throughout my musical life journey. Blow your top!

Really interesting and useful observation about the use of the upbeats and downbeats.

Was looking foward to this one!!

Paul Del Bello references the slap bass line from ‘Thug’ along with some other tracks from ‘Eliminator’. From what I have read, the bass on that album was played on a synthesizer, while the drums were supplied by a drum machine. Both were played by Terry Manning, the engineer/pseudo producer. It’s even a possibility that Billy Gibbons did the bass track on ‘Thug’. Neither Dusty nor Frank had much involvement in recording the album besides the early demos, if I’m not mistaken. At least that’s what David Blaine’s ‘Sharp Dressed Men’ biography states

Always great content! I

They were amazing live

Always underrated, drums and bass.

It's just amazing the complexity and artistry that Dusty brought to the band. You would never know that all that thick sound was produced by just these three guys with a guitar, a bass and a drum set.

Excellent review here Paul! Well done. You know Bass guitar sir and you explain the concepts so I can understand. I will hit that bell baby:)

This was the first l knew of his passing. Good to see him getting the love and respect.

I like how the heavy “Lovin, Touchin, Squeezin” bass intro in Journey sounds like the groove he mentioned with ZZ Top. It’s really funny to me how that came up cause I could see the same title as a ZZ song it would just be rowdy 😂

awesome Paul :)

What a great, informative video… thanks

Thank you so much!

great vid. rip dusty

1 of rock's TOP ever, bassists! Rock In Peace Mr. Hill! Y'all will be missed! \m/

Heck yes!

Dusty served the song and did exactly what was needed no more no less. He and Frank built the foundation that ZZ Top was built on. God bless you Dusty RIP we will miss you.

Good stuff.

i grew up in Houston and met Dusty a couple of times in the 80's at some charity softball games

Saw the Top with Jeff Beck a few years back. Very high impact show.

Exellent analisys...👏👏👏👏👌👌👌👊🤘

Im sure Dusty would have appreciated this. Great bass player. I was lucky enough to see ZZ Top live a few years ago. One of the best bands I've ever seen. There live sound was huge its still hard to see how only the rhree of them could make such a big beautiful sound. Dusty will be missed.

Sei sempre il migliore

Exellent video

"What would Dusty do?" I sometimes tell my guitar guru's in our Old Man Band when we're working bass parts for our songs. I like a slick bassline a lot but a deep pocket bass groove with the drummer is in my soul. RIP Dusty, I hope to see you in Heaven.

OH HELL YEAH, you nailed it and I knows....

Good vid.

Dusty has taught me that bass is the most important part of the band. He set the groove with the drummer and the guitar wails away on top of that foundation. Guitar can put on a great show but the Bass steals it. Bass sets the atmosphere along with the drums.

Wow..brotherman...you nailed it my son....very astood

Nice video bro

Enorme! Dusty

Steve ray vogan? 😂 I know that not what you said but that’s what I heard. In all seriousness, great video!!

It's sadly true that you don't appreciate someone until they're gone. The bass playing and sound on Cheap Sunglasses and Beer Drinkers/ Hell Raisers is fucking amazing.

I remember Dusty Hill played a Dean Z bass which I've been planning on getting one but guitar center wouldn't sell me one so I'm getting one on Ebay and probably going to pimp it out with stickers especially a ZZ Top sticker and a Pantera stickers.

If you want to imitate Dusty, lay down and stop breathing… He was one of a kind. Great solid player. He will be missed…

Funny you mentioned Lemmy. He said that if he had to be in another band other than Motorhead he would want to be in ZZ Top. Good video.

Man Dusty Hill's bass on the live show they did in Germany, was sounding more like a rythem guitar, sounded baddass

Master Of Sparks

Always insightful and educational. How about Ronnie Lane?

id love to see you do the "meat puppets" . the kircwood brothers are guitar gods!

Nice for nasty dogs and funky kings !! But you forgot the end of ‘I’m bad and nationwide’ ! Good tribute !

I remembered that my second bassline i ever learned was la grande.

Yo man, love your videos! Can you make one of Dave Edwardson from neurosis?

I use this song to do my HIT exercise, 333 minutes power set, you move at this beat, you will MELT THE FAT AWAY

The best example of Dusty's live sound on recording is the title track from Mescaleros

can u make one video of Les Claypool of Primus ?

Dusty had that feel to his playing that few bass players really get.

Yeah. Simplicity my ass. Full on talent if you ask me. Hell I was in Houston the day Dusty died. Heard about his passing on 97.1 which is a classic country station which pimps the " Juggs" way to much. Pimp them so much that I don't even listen anymore. But regardless I think a needed a minute of reverence. I grew up and learned to play from these guys. And honestly has anyone ever found it Ironic that Dusty Hill and Billy Gibbons had the beards but Frank Beard didn't? RIP Dusty Hill. What talent laid to rest and a true rock star.

Rest In Peace to a bass legend, hank hill relative and king of the low end Dusty Hill!

🍻🧙‍♂️🤘

I going to recommend a video on him a few weeks before he sadly passed away, but I kept forgetting

Great video Paul, thanks! Anyone know the song @1:50 ? Sounds super cool :D

You need to make one of these on Tommy Shannon from Double Trouble

The song is king play what is necessary to make the song stand out and as always sometimes less is more.

I did not read all the comments. Sorry if anyone else has already said this, But just the same it should be said -- Two things that were not mentioned in this video -- That laid back groove was helped along with some Crown Royal and never rushed Frank. Also, that tone was from his fat fat flat right forefinger. That finger flared out and was thick ! Look at the stills in this video at approximately forty seconds, one minute, and around four 0 two, then tell me my eyes are lying if you want. This is what happens when you thump a bass with more than fifty years of gigging behind that finger. God Bless Dusty , and if you get a chance to pour one out for him please do so. One of the reasons I brought up the Crown Royal is Paul Del Bello merch is purple and gold. I also learned on July 29th, that sadly, bottles of Crown no longer come in a velvet bag. It is some kind of purple denim or something else now.

Can someone solve a mistery for me. I'm not a bass player (yet) so there are some things I don't understand. What technique/effect is Dusty using after the first guitar solo in Gimme All Your Lovin? He does it every time they play it live so you can see it on any live video of the song. I thought it's a Flanger o Phaser pedal but he also start pluckin up the fretboard so maybe it's a technique. I watched almost every bass cover of this song and no one plays that part. It's been years since I watched'em play this song and I still can't know for shure, so thanks to anyone who can help me.

What is the song around 1:50 ?

I hear a bass synth in many song like the sharp dressed man. Nobody talks, is an effect or just a synth?

RIP Dusty, will miss you my brother.

Not only was Dusty a solid bassist, he was a great singer. More accomplished than Billy.

thank for posting. o wish live longer no worked.

Rest In Peace Dusty Hill, you will be mist 👍✌️

The Dust has settled......

It looks easy on paper. But it’s very difficult. Your time has to be perfect.

can you play the bass tab of « shaken to thé core »

Oh my! I thought I liked them!

just don't see how one could not like ZZ Top

Um, what pups do I use? What amp? What settings? You sorta forgot to tell us how to sound like Dusty Hill.

LEGENDE RIP RUHE IN FRIEDEN

RIP Dusty Hill

One Alan Lancaster would be cool

You make some damn good points (especially comparing The Dust to Lem) and this series is very informative but man did you lose me when you called him Stevie VoGun, it's Vaughan (pronounced Va ON)

Steve vay rogan?

Rip dusty.

Biliee Gibonz

Dusty came before Lemmy so who sounded like who?

I am a bass player always use my finger not a pick

RIP, you BMF.....

Actally, they have NOT played the same 3 chords, and, their style obviously HAS changed over the years.