Every now and then, you scroll through YouTube and something just stops you.
Not because it’s loud. Not because it’s engineered to grab attention. But because someone sits down with an instrument and simply delivers.
That’s what happened here.
And at the same time, this marks a small first for GulleMan.com: this is the first YouTube Short I’m featuring. Usually, I lean toward full performances, longer pieces, things that have time to unfold. But in this case, a single minute is more than enough to get the point across.
Charles Berthoud plays bass.
And not just “well.”
In short: Charles Berthoud is next level
What you’re hearing is a level of technical control that’s hard to fully process on first listen. Tapping, rhythm, melody, percussive elements – all happening at once, all locked in, all intentional. It’s not flashy for the sake of being flashy. It’s structured, musical, and precise.
Yes, the skill level is obviously impressive.
But that’s not even the part that sticks with me the most.
What really gets me is the energy behind it. The sheer enthusiasm required to even get to a point where you can write and execute something like this. This isn’t something you casually pick up. This is time. Focus. Commitment. Obsession, if we’re being honest.
And you can see it.
I genuinely enjoy seeing younger musicians dive this deep into their craft. There’s something refreshing about that level of dedication, especially in a space that often rewards quick content over long-term development. This is the opposite of that.
Charles Berthoud sits, in my view, in a similar league to someone like Jacob Collier. Not stylistically – they’re very different – but in terms of mindset. Both have this intense understanding of their instrument combined with a clear desire to push boundaries.
The result is what you see here: short clips that feel almost too dense for their own format. You watch it once, then again, and each time you notice something new. A small detail. A rhythmic shift. A subtle articulation.
That’s a good sign.
And maybe that’s also why starting with a Short actually makes sense here.
A while ago, I probably would have dismissed this format. Too short. Too fragmented. Not “serious” enough. But that perspective doesn’t really hold up if someone can compress this much substance into under a minute.
This isn’t just a teaser. It stands on its own.
At the same time, it works as an entry point. You watch, you get curious, you dig deeper. That’s where the longer performances come in, where the full picture starts to unfold.
And if that journey starts with something like this, I’m absolutely fine with it.
What stays with me most is simple: respect. For the technical ability, yes. But more importantly for the work behind it. For the decision to go this far, and to put it out there.
So – thank you for the music.
About Charles Berthoud
Charles Berthoud is a UK-based bassist and content creator known for his highly technical solo bass performances. His work blends advanced tapping techniques, percussive playing, and melodic composition, pushing the boundaries of what a bass guitar can do. With a strong presence on YouTube, he has built a global audience around innovative and skill-driven musicianship.
References / further links
This YouTube Short
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/sR2cWEGIYJg
Charles’ YouTube Channel
https://www.youtube.com/@CharlesBerthoud
Charles’ Official Website
https://www.charlesberthoud.com
Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/charlesberthoud/
