James Jamerson played with one finger, HOW?

megatron · #1 07-27-2003, 09:13 AM

We all know by now he played with one finger.How did he do it? Does anyone else play this way? Im curious as a newbie.

warwickben · #2 07-27-2003, 09:39 AM

i can play alomost any thing i can play with two fingers with one. i also use two fingers at the same time,started doing that because of black sabbath. if u have to use 3 fingers then do so, if u can do the same line with 2 better if u can do it with only one that even better.

Brendan · #3 07-27-2003, 09:46 AM

Raking, I'd imagine. That is, hitting more than one string on the upstroke; and simply developing his technique so that he could comfortably play with only one finger.

20db pad · #4 07-27-2003, 10:20 AM

I used to run into a guitarist years ago who worked with James on a Diana Ross tour. He remarked that raking was indeed a big part of it. He also said that JJ simply developed an unusually quick index finger because it was the way he had always done it, and his technique simply kept up with what he heard in his head. This basically reinforces what THE DEVIL'S SWISS MISS already said, with a few less degrees of separation.

I reason that Jamerson's right hand technique may have been a carryover from his upright technique. True to form, I was told that JJ's bass was almost impossible to play by today's standards because the high action didn't bother him since he was an upright player first.

Baofu · #5 07-27-2003, 02:05 PM

Yeah, if you want to know a little bit more about Jameson, I recomend seeing "Standing in the Shadows of Motown." As a musician, I found it quite interesting.

FungusHumungous · #6 07-27-2003, 07:59 PM

Quote:

i can play alomost any thing i can play with two fingers with one.

Tim Commerford said something very similar to this in his BP cover interview...
not to compare him to jamerson b/c I'm sure even timmy C.(who seems a bit cocky in his interview) took something from Him.

Dave Castelo · #7 07-27-2003, 08:11 PM

he also played bass laying down on the floor while drunk...

SITSOM is pretty cool

Nick Gann · #8 07-27-2003, 08:18 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Dave Castelo
he also played bass laying down on the floor while drunk...

SITSOM is pretty cool

Yeah, that was a funny story.

PollyBass · #9 07-27-2003, 08:47 PM

How? Listen to all of the songs carol kaye said she played on and you will know.

Tyler Hole · #10 07-27-2003, 09:51 PM

That would kill my finger having to do the work of 2 fingers...but I can play with one...just not as efficiently.

cassanova · #11 07-27-2003, 11:51 PM

Technique related

chadds · #12 07-31-2003, 05:56 AM

I'm from the old days. I had an Acoustic 360 new if that means anything. Jack Bruce used one finger in Cream. Listen to Crossroads on Wheels of Fire (Live). One finger was use was not uncommon.