Can't be Satisfied

ricobasso · #1 01-31-2007, 06:06 AM

Sorry if this is not strictly bluegrass or rockabilly but is does concern slap bass.

Does anyone know how Willy Dixon gets that hiccuping du-du-de-ca-ta sound on the Muddy Water's tracks 'can't be satisfied' and 'you're gonna miss me'? It's not a triple like I've ever heard........

ctxbass · #2 02-01-2007, 10:50 AM

It is actually Ernest "Big" Crawford playing bass on those tracks, recorded in 1948.

ricobasso · #3 02-02-2007, 02:21 AM

Is that right? How'd you find that out? What about those slap breaks; are they double handed or what?

TimoMetzemakers · #4 02-02-2007, 04:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ricobasso

What about those slap breaks; are they double handed or what?

I'm not sure if this is what you're talking about, but in those songs, Big Crawford uses a device that was also popular with guys like Wellman Braud, Milt Hinton, etc. Basically, he plays a steady flow of eighths, but in groups of threes: one note and two slaps (except on beat 4). The rhythmic displacement creates the "hiccuping" feeling. I've attached a picture that hopefully explains what I mean.

Timo

ctxbass · #5 02-02-2007, 10:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ricobasso

Is that right? How'd you find that out?

Liner notes, "The Aristocrat of the Blues" the Best of Aristocrat Records, Chess 50th Anniversary Collection.

Sorry, I can't help with the slap.

ricobasso · #6 02-03-2007, 10:28 AM

Here are the clips

. A sound is worth a thousand words...

I don't think it ties in with the 3 over 4 in the dots. I don't know why but it sounds double handed to me

It's really nice to hear from all you folks out there. Thanks for the help.

TimoMetzemakers · #7 02-03-2007, 03:12 PM

OK, well, I hear what I described above, but with two slaps omitted. The basic accentuation is still the same: open G's on 1, (and of 2) and 4 plus some slaps thrown in to propel the line along. It's very simple to play this with one hand, so I don't know about any double handed stuff...

Again, a picture to clarify what I mean:

ricobasso · #8 02-09-2007, 06:24 AM

Thanks for that. I have a bg gig this week, so haven't been playing the DB much and haven't really given your suggestion a good try out. Excuses, excuses.... I know.

Maybe it is a case of less is more, but it sounds like there is more going on in the ghost note/half slap department. I'll get back to on this but don't hold your breath....

Chris Rhoades · #9 02-10-2007, 04:45 PM

its done with one hand.