7 Reasons Cliff Burton F***ing ROCKS (+Bass Lesson Tips)
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Published 2020-09-18
How did Cliff Burton become a metal bass hero? Hereâs my take on Metallicaâs legendary former bassist, plus tips to level up your own playing.
Sheet music + bass tab for all the Cliff riffs I played - www.noteflight.com/scores/view/a396c614f3a39d48651âŠ
What really freaked me out when I first heard Cliff was when heâd shred his bass like a lead guitar - so first weâll break down part of his solo on âOrionâ. Iâll show you 3 guitarist-style tricks Cliff uses to make that solo shred hard.
Then weâll talk influences, metal legends like Steve Harris, Geezer Butler, and Lemmy Kilmister had a big impact on Cliff, and you can see that influence directly in the bass line examples weâll check out.
Cliff was also majorly influenced by listening to Johann Sebastian Bach and other baroque composers. Iâll break down exactly how that influence showed up in his playing - and how it didnât. (nobody ever talks about this!)
As any fan knows, Cliff wrote super creative bass lines that transcending the plodding root note style of other rock and metal bands. Weâll look at his line on âJump In The Fire,â compared to Rob McGovneyâs original bass line, to see this in action.
Cliffâs bass tone kept evolving through the three Metallica albums he played on - Iâll show you how Cliffâs tone compared to other metal bassists of the same era by playing back to back isolated bass lines from Steve Harris, Tom Araya, David Ellefson, and Frank Bello. (these are so cool to hear)
How do you keep up with James Hetfieldâs legendary downpicking speed? Cliff had a trick up his sleeve that made it doable - youâll probably be surprised how simple it is, and how well it works in a full band mix.
Cliff Burton played with Metallica from 1983 to 1986 - just under three years - and weâre still feeling the impact of his legacy over 30 years later.
His life ended abruptly on September 27, 1986 in a tragic tour bus accident.
It was a huge loss to his family, friends, and fans.
But the music lives on, and I have a feeling weâll be talking about Cliff for many more years. So thanks Cliff, we love you, and rest in peace!
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#CliffBurton #Metallica #metalbasslesson #CliffEmAll
All Comments (21)
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Who should I feature in the next player profile? đž Timestamps for this lesson: 0:00 - âDo You All Know Cliff Burton?â 0:40 - #1: Shredder 1:47 - Cliffâs Guitar Tricks 4:33 - #2: Next Level Metal 7:25 - #3: Baroque Fiend 10:48 - #4: Creative 12:27 - #5: Evolving Tone (+tone comparisons) 15:00 - #6: Speed Demon 16:38 - #7: Massive Legac
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Bach: âCliffâs going to love this.â
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"Cliff never got to play orion live" I'm crying đ„
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When Cliff died, my teenager Dad heard about it from a Radio. He just simply walked into his room, locked the door and rest of the day you could hear only Orion playing on repeat. When I came to the picture my dad's first priority was for me to understand what an genius Cliff was and by the age of 3 I was able to use our LP player so, that the needle went straight to Orion or Call of Ktulu. That year I got my first Metallica T-shirt and after 24 years since it was bought, I still have it. In the last decade the thing we've spoken most is Cliff (we rarely call each other). We accidentally bought "To live is to Die"-book for each other the christmas the year it came out too. Next year when he turns 50, my present for him will be simply to play Orion.
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Can you imagine how music would sound right now if Cliff and Randy Rhoads were still with us? Both pioneers, both still inspiring.
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Cliff was the reason I play bass. May he live always in music
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Cliff's bass playing was just the icing on the cake. His main strength was his compositional skills. Took thrash metal from a niche to a juggernaut. Totally irreplaceable after all these years.
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That solo from "Orion" gives me chills every single time. What an amazing piece of music!
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Cliff died when I was 11. I had been playing bass about 3 years at that point. I was obsessed with trying to learn his basslines. It took me a good 6 months to fully realize I was never going to hear him make new music again. I was as gutted as I've ever been about anyone passing away. Fantastic player. Hugely inspirational.
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Bach: "I guess you guys aren't ready for that, yet. But your kids are gonna love it."
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Ever scared of thunder? Don't worry, that's just Mr Burton and Mr Kilmister jamming together. Rest in peace, Legends
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Cliff Burton is literally the reason I picked up a bass. I'll never forget the first time I heard Pulling Teeth, my jaw literally DROPPED.
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Cliff was one of if not the best musician in music and life in general. RIP Cliff. We will remember you.
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Im a simple man. I see a Cliff video, I click a Cliff video.
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So sad that we never got to see Cliff's further evolution. Would also be interesting to see where Metallica would be now if he was still alive
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To this very day I choke up when I think of such a brilliant young man having his life cut short by tragedy that wasn't of his doing. I am no musician at all, just a fan. I was 2 days short of my 15th birthday when Cliff passed and 36 years later it still affects me emotionally to just wonder how much more he would've accomplished if nothing had happened on that tragic night. I own a bootleg concert recording of his last concert. It cost me $65 in 1992 to buy the CD's, but, I have them. Long Live Cliff! Heaven is a much better place with him there!
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Censoring profanity with young Hetfieldâs âWOW!â genuinely cracked me up đ
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My favourite bass teacher talking about my favourite bassist! \m/
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THE best bass instructor - if anyone is considering lessons, Josh's Beginner to badass is da best one ive ever done. Great vid too. Cheers
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Cliff's loss is still felt today. Those of us who were among those original Metallica fans witnessed the change in the band musically and attitude-wise when they lost Cliff. He was, in my humble opinion, the greatest bass player ever. Such a brilliant technician.
