Moondance bass line

[Youngspanion]

I'm currently working in a new band and Van Morrison's "Moondance" is a song that we cover. The bass line is very busy and I'm struggling to uncover it note for note. Has anyone here unlocked this mystery? Any tips?

[tbirddad]

Here's a start:

http://www.how-to-play-bass.com/songs-moondance.html

then go back and really listen to the song and get it right.

[eyeballkid]

all i know is that one time I played an open mic with a band, and the solo guy after us asked me to "sit in" with him.. i reluctantly agree, and then he looks back at me and goes "Ok.. Moondance on three.... 1.. 2... ".
Most embarassing public experience EVER... well.. except for that wardrobe malfunction at yoga class.. but thats a whole different story!.

[Youngspanion]

Eyeball,
Thats funny.

[eyeballkid]

and both are totally true!

[dtw89]

Moondance - Bass Sheet Music

[LiquidMidnight]

Originally Posted by tbirddad

Here's a start:

How To Play Bass To Moondance

then go back and really listen to the song and get it right.

Excellent source! I haven't had to play this song in years, but I've always loved it.

[Febs]

Originally Posted by dtw89

Moondance - Bass Sheet Music

That's an arrangement for a jazz ensemble, not a transcription of the original bass line and not in the same key.

[hover]

I've played 10+ shows with Van Morrison's daughter. Moondance came up often in writeup promo for shows in the papers. It was only until the last show that I finally gave in, I'm not a fan of the song, hahaha.

And it's because of that bassline. No disrespect, classic song, but dang.

Crazy Love, Wild Night, Brown Eyed Girl.... Tupelo Honey? Fantastic.

[mccartneyman]

At least one generation of bassists learned it by listening to the recording. With the technology available today that enables you to slow down the track but stay in the same key, it's eminently doable.

[nysbob]

I played the song 35 years ago. It didn't seem particularly difficult - just a walking part and some kicks.

[Stumbo]

Have you tried an .mp3/.wav file with a slow downer program like the free Best Practice?

Best Practice has sliding bass/treble hi/low pass eq filters/controls that allow the user to isolate specific frequencies.

If you slow the tune down 50% and raise the pitch an octave, sometimes the bass is easier to hear.

BP also does loops and backing tracks(karaoke) style playbacks.