Victor Wooten’s 2016 commencement speech for the University of Vermont’s Rubenstein School was a celebratory address delivered to graduates. Throughout the speech, he uses comedy and anecdotes to remind the audience of important principles to carry into the future.

He begins with a quote from his mother, reminding the audience that the world needs good people and encouraging them to construct their lives in ways that do good by the world. He then observes that the only reason bad things seem bad is because most of the world is good. From there, he moves into ideas about differences between people, telling the audience to see these differences as blessings rather than curses. Drawing on his experiences in a band, he describes how the leader treated everyone as equals and trusted in each musician’s skill. He concludes with a simple point: “Carpe Diem”—to live your life making the most of the present and give little thought to worrying about the future.

What makes this speech particularly compelling is that throughout these talking points, Wooten demonstrates mastery of the bass guitar by playing while he speaks. He employs precise techniques including thump and pluck, tapping, hammer-ons, and slap bass—all of which require significant concentration and skill. The simultaneous performance transforms the speech into a unique demonstration of the very principles he advocates: trusting your abilities and living fully in the present moment.

Victor Lemonte Wooten is an American bassist who played as a founding memeber of Bela Fleck and the Flecktones. He is known to bassists around the world as one of the greatest bass players if not the best bass player of all time. He has been a recipient of five Grammy awards and continues to play and instruct future musicians still to this day.

This speech was given as a commencement speech for graduates of the University of Vermont Rubenstein School.