This week I’m sitting down to Talk Bass Guitar with the awesome player and wonderful human being, Todd Johnson.
Todd Johnson – Innovating & Educating Bass Guitar
Todd is both a bass innovator and hugely popular bass educator. He’s a popular jazz bass performer as both sideman and solo artist and has developed a wonderful style of playing both chords and bass lines simultaneously on his 6 string bass.
Many of you might also know him through his use of the Floating Thumb technique which he developed from his studies with Gary Willis and now teaches in a very systemised and accessible way alongside all of his other educational methods.
So let’s sit down with Todd and get into some Talking Bass!
Really nice guy. Some great advice.
I love the floating thumb technique – even on a 4-string bass. I think that Mark briefly introduces this technique in his beginner course. So, I started using it.
A couple of months ago, I decided to find a teacher for in-person, real time lessons. Immediately, the teacher noticed my floating thumb and has been trying to get me to only anchor my thumb on the pickup or the E string.
This is a bit frustrating as I now have to sometimes deal with open strings ringing out. I think I will have to try and explain this to my teacher. Not sure if he’ll listen though (he’s more of a guitarist).
This was JUST amazing! I watched Todd’s Mentor Lesson on SBL today where he covered a “Blues for Basie” transcription of Ray Brown’s walking bass lines, and I just couldn’t get enough – so I found this video interview. Mark, you said “8.5 lbs” 4 times! LOL! And the first time – your expression at 37:25 – priceless. :-) Yes, I’m 61 and I refuse to play any bass weighing over 8 lbs. My two Yamaha basses (TRBX204 and TRBX174) each weigh 7 lbs 12 oz. and they’re both inexpensive, 34″ scale. The 4 string 33″ scale Muckleroy bass that Todd showed us is an amazing 6 lbs 13 oz!!! Wow! And my hands are the same size as Todd’s. Sure would be nice! Anyway, what a great Interview with SO much covered in-depth! Thanks!