Ain't No Mountain High Enough

[Soul Power]

My cover of the Tammi Terrel and Marvin Gaye version----Exercising my hook. I love this song so much. Please give me advice, tips, and critiques.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eMj7I8OKva8

[bass12]

My negative comment? It still sounds a bit stiff, as if you just need to play it more and think about it less - but that's just a matter of a little more time. Positives: you managed to catch some of the nuances of that line very nicely and you got Jamerson's one finger technique down! Great tone as well. Keep it up, and that IS a great song and a wonderful bass line. You get extra points for having good taste. Not at all the same vibe but check out Inner Life's version of the song.

[IxnayE2000]

Hey man, nice job. Maybe somebody who is much further along in their Jamerson studies will have criticism, but I don't have any. Sounds like you nailed it.

What kind of setup you have going on there? I'm starting to think that the foam mute is the most important part of the Jamerson sound, more than strings, bass, etc.

[Soul Power]

I'm using a spector euro neck thru with an old set of d'addario chromes, and a piece of microfiber cloth right in front of the bridge. Other than that I just plugged into my computer and started up garageband. Bridge pick up and treble are all the way down.

[Soul Power]

Originally Posted by bass12

My negative comment? It still sounds a bit stiff, as if you just need to play it more and think about it less - but that's just a matter of a little more time. Positives: you managed to catch some of the nuances of that line very nicely and you got Jamerson's one finger technique down! Great tone as well. Keep it up, and that IS a great song and a wonderful bass line. You get extra points for having good taste. Not at all the same vibe but check out Inner Life's version of the song.

Thank you for your honesty---all anyone involved with music is trying to do is trying to get better. I only started listening to motown a few months ago, and I only really started taking music seriously a year or two ago. What parts really jumped out as stiff to you (broken question mark button) In addition to this, it was only the first take. These all excuses, but i digress.

[joebeadg]

I liked it, very nice.

[MuzikMan]

Hey nice job man !!! I'm loving the hook and the groove you've going on. I don't hear a stiffness at all, but maybe I don't have golden ears.

[bass12]

Originally Posted by Soul Power

Thank you for your honesty---all anyone involved with music is trying to do is trying to get better. I only started listening to motown a few months ago, and I only really started taking music seriously a year or two ago. What parts really jumped out as stiff to you (broken question mark button) In addition to this, it was only the first take. These all excuses, but i digress.

I can't be specific right now (I have to get ready to go to work) but I think it's just a matter of your not having played for years and years! Really, you're doing well for the amount of time you've been playing. Just keep doing what you're doing - listening to great music and emulating it.

[Soul Power]

Originally Posted by bass12

I can't be specific right now (I have to get ready to go to work) but I think it's just a matter of your not having played for years and years! Really, you're doing well for the amount of time you've been playing. Just keep doing what you're doing - listening to great music and emulating it.

Thanks again, no problem I'm in no rush.

[Chrisk-K]

I'm using a spector euro neck thru with an old set of d'addario chromes, and a piece of microfiber cloth right in front of the bridge. Other than that I just plugged into my computer and started up garageband. Bridge pick up and treble are all the way down.

I'd use the P pickup instead of the bridge J pickup.

[Gecko 5]

Nice job indeed.
Great song

[Vakmere]

You got soul bro, keep on keepin on. BTW, only one finger on that hand or did it come with 4 and a thumb?

[Floyd Eye]

Your left hand seems a little uptight, but like Bass12 said, it's just because you haven't played the song a million times. I think you did a great job and I think you got the one finger thing down cold.

[woolysock]

I play that tune in my R&B band and must say you have done an absolutely excellent job nailing the Jamerson part. The only advice (suggestion) I can give is to modify your left hand technique a little, let the pressure off each string after each note, in order to make the notes a little more staccato (punchy). But this is a minor point. You've done a great job! Groove on...

[bassinplace]

Fine work. If you're looking for criticism, I guess I could say your syncopation may be a little bit weak in spots, but it's a minor quibble. Great job.

[MakiSupaStar]

Hats off dude. You nailed it as far as I'm concerned.

[lucas vigor]

I couldn't see anything wrong with it at all! Excellent job, and a really outstanding tone!

[RCCollins]

anyone who calls that stiff is being a super-stickler - I'm impressed by the old school tone you get out of that Spector!

[Beersurgeon]

Originally Posted by Vakmere

You got soul bro, keep on keepin on. BTW, only one finger on that hand or did it come with 4 and a thumb?

+1, trying using 2 fingers!!!

I've heard this song many times before but never heard the bass line until today. I think you did a great job and I can't help but close my eyes and smile to a Motown classic!! Your love of the music came across in the song!!!! Beautiful!

[DWBass]

Good job. Great playing. I still question why anyone would want to spend so much valuable learning time on a really bad playing technique! I mean we all love Jamerson and what he brought to the bass playing community but his technique was unique to him.