Robert "Bubby" Lewis Bass Demonstration 

Words to live by: "First you learn the instrument, then you learn the music, then you forget all that sh*t and just play." - Charlie Parker I enjoy your work, bro. Bless!

Thank you Bubby! "There is no wrong way to express yourself" No more need be said......I hear you. Thanks. Just had a moment....wanted to share :)

so basically you're not a bass player, you're a mind player. well played sir. how do you sing chromatically? thank you for raising the bar for all of us. new level to aspire to!

Bird. First, you master your instrument, then you master music, then you forget everything and just play.

Hi Bubby - I want to thank you for sharing; as several folks have said before me, your efforts here have sort of reawakened my interest in improving as a bassist, (by way of getting back in the habit of daily practice). I've played and gigged for many years but lost my sense of curiosity and passion for my instrument at some point. It's a new world out there with so many great generous musicians (like you) willing to share; just a mouse click away - not to mention all the awesome new gear. You seem like a great person; I'll try to pay it forward...

well i just practice as much as i can.. the main thing is you never wanna hurt yourself.. but you should always practice as much as you can meaning everyday if you can.. even if its just for an hour.. i touch my bass everyday even if i only have time for a few minutes..

8 years later and this video is still sick

thanks so much for the kind words dude.. i really appreciate it.. im just a regular guy.. i just like to play music lol.. nobody special.. just like to experiment and keep learning

You made this video eight years ago and still at 2020 it has and is still helping me grow.... God bless you sir!!!

My bass just ran in the room and asked me how come he doesn't sound like that. Awesome!

Bubby... thank you so much for this video. You give us the courage to play whatever we want. That's not easy, when your trying to be pleasing (to others). Thank you!

@StringTheoryMusic409 actually what i did was just learn where every note is on the fingerboard..not even focused on scales or modes yet.. then when im soloing i just think of what i wanna play and try to play it.. i dont get caught up in the theory.. learn the theory then forget it.. learn all the scales and modes then forget about them..that way when you play your completely free to just brainstorm and experiment ; )

@csuflasher man im still goin.. i just eat only meat veggies and fruit..no bread, pasta, rice, or sweets...i only drink water and tea.. i also eat cheese, peanuts and beans...i eat whenever i get hungry..its real easy..you dont have to starve yourself lol..i like to eat and this is the perfect way.. eat all the day if you want just like this and the weight comes off automatically lol..

actually no i didn't practice all that stuff.. lol i didn't transcribe either.. i didn't learn how to play by doing shout music.. thats just an exercise.. like i said in the vid.. i think of everything as singing.. so the key is to know your fingerboard.. the rest is up to you when it comes to what you play.. and what you hear..

@plee1906 thanks for the kind words dude.. i really appreciate it... lol neh im never gonna drop the Bubby ... my parents named me that as a nickname.. usually guys named Robert go by Bob or Bobby.. my parents said Bubby instead.. lol it doesn't matter what people call me.. my father used to call me Bubba lol.. thanks again dude.. we all learn from each other...

@dblrks yep thats basically the thing that will help in all areas when playing bass...if you know that fingerboard then nothing can hold you back "mentally".. the next challenge is trying to play everything you hear.. once you know the notes you know where everything is then you just gottta try and play it when you think of it...

@StringTheoryMusic409 i understand what you mean...man honestly I just learn where all the notes are on fingerboard and I dont think about the scale or modes necessarily I just focus on playing whatever you hear.. but it all depends on what works for you the best... i just sing the stuff in my head and try to play it at the same time...

@StringTheoryMusic409 i understand what you mean...man honestly I just learn where all the notes are on fingerboard and I dont think about the scale or modes necessarily I just focus on playing whatever you hear.. but it all depends on what works for you the best... i just sing the stuff in my head and try to play it at the same time...

Hello Robert, just got my first six string (from cocky Ken but dont tell anyone I said that). Im having problems keeping the strings im not using quiet. Now Adam Nitty has a video with the floating thumb technique to keep the strings quiet. Great technique but very hard to master. You keep your right hand thumb on the B string or pickup. Whats your technique to keep the strings youre not playing from ringing through? Thanks in advance.

thanks for the kind words man.. im not better than anybody lol.. the AG model is incredible you mos def get what you pay for.. you can always go with the MTD kingston models.. there is even a AG kingston model thats awesome...

@petitgary well man i honestly just dont think about it.. i just play... i just like to call it messin around lol.. ah man there are so many.. Shreya Ghoshal..Sonu Nigam.. just really any Bollywood music..

lol its all about being in the right place at the right time.. its just all about who you know.. im a regular person man.. nobody special.. lol.. i just play and thank GOD and all the rest comes

@RobertBubbyLewis Thanks Bubby that was helpful. I will give that a try before each practice and performance. I need to meet you in person one day to jam and exchange ideas. Too bad I am in Jamaica.

Hey Bubby, what are your favorite wood combinations for body, neck and fretboard on MTD's. I want to order an MTD 535 in the near future but cant try them first. But I really like the sound of your bass so that should give me a direction. Thanks.

This video is great man...your style and approach to playing is very unique. I've been playing for about 2 yrs self taught off youtube and of course playing in the church. But great video bro you need to put up more. Whats your Skype name???

One of the best influences in my life, keep on playing while I follow you. I wish I could have a shed with you and Justin Raines. God bless you and your talent!

HI Bubby... Great demonstation. I was just wondering whether you were using GK3B with any MIDI synth for that video..!! I've been playing bass for a bit more that 10 years now and bought a GR55 inspired seeing your demo of it with a neck-thru 5 string and still struggling to set it up and play. Lots of glitches in the Bass E and B strings. The bottome A,D,G are just ok. I've set the bridge distance accurately from the GK3B, Scale length, Each string's sensitivity but still no good results.

yo man, that was what I was looking for explanation-wise, as far as "being DETERMINED to play what you hear/feel"!!..... you's a deep cat bra, thank you, sick playin' too obviously..... when it comes down to it, you just gotta convince yourself you can play y'all..... p.s. tell snoop to go back to the 90s funk schnizzle.... kids think they like the club beat but I think they'd like the funk more :) Peace

hey hubby your the man.. Please post another VIDEO Like this.. Man your technique is ridiculous bro.. you have hadrien feraud speed and accuracy!!! Do you pluck very hard or soft? Does this matter? I'm trying to play that fast but can it be done with a soft or hard touch? It seems like you and hadrien are plucking really soft and barely touching the strings when your playing the super fast runs.. I would love some feedback about this.. thanks !

I started playing bass late..........at about 35 yrs old. I've been playing about 10 years now. I'm older but I look up to you! Keep doing what you do; you are great. One observation/question though........when are you gonna drop the "Bubby?" Among the bass players I know, you are WELL respected and everyone refers to you as Robert Lewis. You've dropped the "big hair" and the pick. Well, just a thought. Keep teaching!!! Guys like you help me become a better player.

hey bubby, i understand that u play what u hear but is this why u practice scales before to memorize the way they sound... i love ur phrasing and the notes you choose to phrase and make melodies... can u give me an idea of what u were hearing... Ex: dominant diminished, ab major, g melodic minor, lydian dominant, g mixolydian, g minor pentatonic... i am confused cuz u sound so great and i am trying to figure out what chords where u supper imposing or substituting... thanks again! God bless you.

@RobertBubbyLewis lol that bass maybe too thick and rich of tone for me ;), but I will take it. Those La bellas you got on sound very thuddy are they newish ones? I plan switching my flats to labella's cause i heard that labella's get better with age. Mine, however, get more mud and less thud with age so. Let me know what your opinion is on that, but awesome vid you hit a good point that a lot of people focus too much on the structure and not on feeling it. Learn it and forget it, God bless

just gotta always make sure you rest your hands and then stretch them before you play.. its just like working out at the gym. you never jump right into it.. gotta stretch

I have never heard a bass player solo like that. Almost like Mike Brecker. Dude I don't know anything about you but I hope you can write.get yourself a band with a killer bass player and just front it like a horn player might or Holdsworth does on guitar. That would make you sooo unique and if your tunes are good it would be really something different.

Hey Bubby, i have a basic understanding of modes and scales and find myself being trapped by the root scale all the time. Should i focus on learning the location of all the notes and their relationship to the root to get those awesome tonality's that you do or should i shed scales and modes to find them??

@petitgary man GOD is good.. all glory to him.. its just about tryin stuff man.. i aint playin nothin special..i just try things and hopefully they work out...

Nice video! I'm gonna do that shout bass line from now on while watching movies too! Practicing double thumb slap stuff been driving my fiancee nuts! Can I get an R2D2 wioooooooooooooo in the middle there. haha. When you comin' to Japan? I'll give you a tour of Akihabara where Anime lives!

Hmmm, let's see now...after watching this,I can either: A. Go practice...or...B. Toss my bass into the fireplace. Hmmm, decisions,decisions....Dude,you are Awesome! I'm going to make sure that I tell all of my students to watch this! Heck,I'm even tellin' my mom to watch this!

Bro!! You kill it. At 12:50 you start talking about "The chord that works on top of that chord and the chord that works on top of that chord" Can you give an easy example?? Like what are all the chords that fit on top of that "G Minor or whatever you want to call it" that you play in the video???

Great advice. i am no where near the skill level as you (on bass i may surpass you as a Jedi!) anywho!, i use patterns more than scales or modes. If i have a piece music in front of me i will find the basic groove and then make my own! Great work keep it up! LOve IT!

@RobertBubbyLewis lol what i new that was your ass when he did the show gose on for the MTV i think movie awards you was geting haha now eveetime he do something on tv i be like man that bass player nice the BET hip hop one i save that one that my fav one man good shit

@lsimpson yeah man it just all depends on what works for you... ill probably be back in a few months maybe.. i usually come to the UK pretty often..

just check out the MTD kingston website to see the different basses.. really awesome basses.. lol oh yeah man i love some star wars.. lol

@petitgary neh lol..man i dont even pay attention to the scale or theory.. i just play.. i try not to get tide up in the book theory..

Bubby, you are the man. So humble yet you're a top bass guy playing with some huge names. Anyway, why do you use the tapewound strings? Its kind of the opposite of what most people put on their MTD's.

Good advice final fantasy 7 did it for me im a lead player but im definitly thinking about crossing the bass path as well good musicianship man i wanna play like you now lol

Hey Bubby! I'm a huge fan of yours! I've just started playing bass (two months in)... God bless your gift man... Was it charlie parker that quoted "learn your theory and then forget it?

How do you determine when to play a rest stroke/free stroke technique with your right hand? As in when to keep your outer knuckle bent or just let your fingers bend back.

you are such a beast bro......and i know yu and my atl homie carlos was killin back when yu was with snoop....i hope to one day meet you man....keep leading the way

hey hubby keep posting videos like this man!! I have a question... I feel really overwhelmed with the amount of "music" out there to listen to.... any thoughts?

LOL! Right On. Hey, just attended a workshop featuring Gouche' here in Bama. Gonna put in a word that they call you next year. We'll see. Take care. Out!

hey bubby i just got an mtd bass but my warwick strap locks dont seem to fit, what strap locks would you recommend for an mtd bass? thanks ally

lol its called sense fretless.. killin tone.. its a lot of fun tones in the GT-10B pedal.. i use it all the time..

Hi Robert,Great,thanks for explaining how universal religion/relationships should be through music:) in 15 :19 minutes

@CirrusSmith man i just try to play what i feel.. whatever works for you i guess lol.. yes indeed.. GOD bless

your playing just devastates me but also is very inspiring - just awesome man, was great to meet you at bassacre

you have to show me how to do that raking technique you do. I see your right hand and how fast it slides. It's uncanny.

Is it kinda like how you can put an Em7 on a Cmag7 to make a Cmag9?? And then you can put a Gmag7 on an Em7 and so on??

@Gimjee i have 3 of the kingston models to.. CRB.. Heir and a Z model.. they sound incredible..

@steweDbass yeah dude..Joe Pass is awesome.. thanks for the kind words man..i really appreciate

@llutakeover its the Roland/BOSS GT-10B pedal.. thanks for the kind words... much appreciated ..

@777fabulous lol thanks for the kind words i really appreciate it...lol GOD bless you as well...

btw how do you practice playing outside??? can u name some indian bands and others that u listen too pretty please?...

Bro when you said video game music and named final fantasy I knew we thought the same!

@RobertBubbyLewis Thanks a lot, that really helps. Cant wait for your next video.

@futuredtownbassman lol love your profile pic man.. Hulk is my favorite...

This is so inspiring. Thanks Bubby!

This video is what I needed! Bro keep doing your thing man..what kind of pedal is that?

Hi Sir.. Sorry.. can you sharing how to solo with use the very very slow tempo sir..

Awesome! Who are some of your non bass influences? Your lines are so fluid! Crrrazy!

Doc did ever get your skype joint down yo like i need to get with you like asap!!!!

@TheKobe246 lol i really appreciate the kind words man... thank you

OMG doc i really like that chop 6:08....BTW im BruteBass22 from twitter.

@TheIrishOx lol yeah he one of the few... a chocolate bass lol..

Please tell me you're going to put some jazz fusion stuff on your solo album

@RobertBubbyLewis so ur saying you knw how all the notes sound on the bass?

nice vid man i hear what you are saying and i am working on my craft

Ha ha The only *wrong* way to express yourself is to sound like you don't know what you're doing

harmonic minor, melodic minor starting on the sixth degree of G minor?

Bruh if your hands aren't fast, then my hands are 'Forrest Gump-ish'

....This vid made so much sense that i talked back to by laptop....

u are one of my inspirations doc i play a 5 string bass im trying lol

i like your playing man

You sound great man! what pedal are you using during your solo ?

@DuxJerome no prob at all.. more to come soon...

@louisterrence lol its the GT-10B by Roland/Boss

Dude. I love you. (Don't take that the wrong way.)

Thank you Bubby. You are such an inspiration.

YES!! thanks Robert.. this is great man, exactly what I wanted to hear you say.. do more of these videos please!

@channelcjtv lol thanks for the kind words...

time for bass demonstration part 2! been almost a year!

Charlie Parker said to learn it all and then forget.

@nathanbossoh ...thank you for watching..

great lesson man!! post more please!! lol

@MrDerzu lol thanks for the kind words...

@aejay11 lol thanks for the kind words...

@alfredobass thanks for the kind words...

You keep getting better!! I love that chief.

thats what I'm talkin about! great stuff man

LOL..who's watching star wars in the background!!