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Instructional video for fingerstyle funk bass with Rocco Prestia and Tower of Power Testimonials - Fingerstyle Funk with Francis Rocco Prestia III Produced & Directed by David Schaub |
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write a review
July 11, 2002
June 11, 2002 May 17, 2002
Reviewer: L. Frank
Los Angeles, CA United States
If you're interested in funk bass, this is the tape to get. It's comprehensive,
teaching basic to advanced techniques, all in a logical and easy to
understand fashion. The exercises are progressive, and with practice,
easy to master -- even for someone lacking natural chops like me.
Not only is Prestia a tremendous musician, more importantly, he's
a superb teacher. I have a lot of bass instruction tapes, and I can
tell you that this is one of the best. You're not learning someone
else's mannerisms; you're learning a fundamental approach to the bass.
You'll amaze your friends and you'll amaze yourself, and you'll save
a ton of money learning what would otherwise require dozens of private
lessons.
Reviewer: A 12-year old viewer
Funk with a capital 'F'. I couldn't belive this vidio when i first
saw it! The playing style made me nod my head streight away. I borrowed
it off a friend who has been progresing ever since he got it and
now i am. Im only 12 but i know that Tower of power have got it!
I think that bass playing is about funk and this vidio proves it!
Reviewer: Jeff Kuehn
Mill Valley, CA USA
I had the honor of meeting Rocco several years ago and tried to
pick his brain for the very material covered in this video. At the
time I don't think he thought much about it, he just "did it".
Somehow, the producers of this video were able to extract the information
I've been hungry for all these years. In a very contemplative fashion
Rocco talks about what he listens for in a drum track and how he
conceives his bass lines from the ground up. What I like is that
the material is not over-analyzed. There is more demonstration than
talk so you really see Rocco's artistic process in motion. It has
definitely changed my perspective of the instrument and its roll
in the rhythm section. This is an amazing piece of work - and a
wonderful tribute to one of my bass heroes!
May
17, 2002
Reviewer: Mark A. Ginnebaugh
San Francisco, CA United States
This is the best Rocco reference out there - bar none!
I am a Rocco fan from way back - but I had no idea that this video even
existed. I wish I would have known about this sooner! There is a ton of
classic Tower-of-Power material that Rocco uses to demonstrate how his
bass lines are constructed. Rocco demonstrates the foundation of each
bass line in the studio - which is often just a couple of notes. He continues
repeating the line against a rhythm track and elaborating a little bit
each time - giving you clear insight into how he comes up with the bass
lines that he does. Once the groove is established, the video cross-dissolves
to the same groove in a live performance with the band - very cool! I
have been trying for many years to emulate what I was hearing on those
classic TOP tracks. You have to see what he does to understand it, and
this video cleared up the mystery for me. It is definitely the most complete
and insightful video I have seen on Rocco's style - or any style for that
matter!