Tal Wilkenfeld: Music, Guitar, Bass, Jeff Beck, Prince, and Leonard Cohen | Lex Fridman Podcast #408

Thanks for having me on the podcast Lex. So much fun chatting with you

If you haven't seen Jeff Beck Live at Ronnie Scott's, its a MUST-WATCH regardless of what kind of music you enjoy. Tal, Vinnie Colaiuta, and Jason Rebello back up some of Jeff's best live work ever captured on film. Joss Stone and Imogen Heap stop by for some guest vocal spots. The who's-who of music royalty are in the audience. The laughs, the smiles, the banter, the solos....its epic.

Here are the timestamps. Please check out our sponsors to support this podcast. Transcript: https://lexfridman.com/tal-wilkenfeld-transcript 0:00 - Introduction & sponsor mentions: - MasterClass: https://masterclass.com/lexpod to get 15% off - LMNT: https://drinkLMNT.com/lex to get free sample pack - Eight Sleep: https://eightsleep.com/lex to get special savings - Shopify: https://shopify.com/lex to get $1 per month trial 1:08 - Jeff Beck 10:00 - Confidence on stage 26:39 - Leonard Cohen 34:39 - Taxi Driver 46:00 - Songwriting 49:40 - How to learn and practice 1:08:10 - Slap vs Fingerstyle 1:14:33 - Davie504 1:18:53 - Prince 1:24:30 - Jimi Hendrix 1:26:44 - Mentorship 1:33:02 - Sad songs 1:39:00 - Tal performs Under The Sun (live) 1:44:16 - Tal performs Killing Me (live)

I already knew Tal was one of the most awesome bassists in the world. Didn’t realize until now that she’s also one of the most awesome human beings.

Tal auditioned for my band when she was about 17. She came into the room and we thought it was going to be rough because she looked like an out of place kid. And then she absolutely KILLED IT. We were all laughing after the first song finished because she blew away the 20 bass players who auditioned before her. We had a spec deal with a label so it was a 'join the band' type gig that didn't immediately pay. We offered her the gig but she needed to finish music school first and was really looking to make some needed money so she had to decline. We told her best of luck, keep at it and she'll get somewhere for sure. A few years later I saw her playing with Jeff Beck and texted the guy her brought her for the audition. I asked if he remembered if her name was Tal. He said yes. I said dude, she's playing with Jeff Beck. He said, well, we knew she was amazing. She was an amazing player, super nice and gracious. So happy for her.

Lex falls in love with the brightness known as Tal and there's nowhere for him to go.

LEX! If Tal asks you to wrestle, you say YES!

“If you’re not living on the edge, you’re taking up too much room “. Tal lives that.

iv had astroke and being a musician is therapy

She is a beautiful soul.