Le freak!

[Pbassred]

What's going on in the lick that kicks off the song. I can work out the notes - not hard. E, A, an octave and back to E.

What was the technique/ fretting? I've run out of fingers.

[Finger Blister]

*tab deleted due to lack of interest - over 24 hour limit*

[heath_the_great]

we are talking about chic here arent we?
the intro is G to A

G|--------|--------|--------|--------|
D|--------|--------|--------|-----7--|
A|--------|--------|--------|--------|
E|--3--5--|--3--5--|--3--5--|-3/5--5|
1 3 1 3 1 3 1 3 1
do you want the verse as well?

[CJK84]

Very cool line!

Wish I could play it.

[Joe P]

Originally Posted by Finger Blister

*tab deleted due to lack of interest - over 24 hour limit*

WHAT??! Hey - no-fair; I have a day job, ya know!

I can get away with visiting TB at work, but I think if I actually started bringing a bass to my desk, some folks might not believe I'm giving 110% for the company, you know?

I can't simply alt-tab a five-string BASS off of my lap, and turn it into a report for my boss - but I CAN alt-tab TB instantly into a word processor or spreadsheet.

Joe

[Alvaro Martín Gómez A.]

Hi, pbassred.

Some time ago, I transcribed (and played) Le Freak's bassline. I did it using Finale, but I can convert it to a Word document and send it to you if interested (or maybe it's better to post it as an attachment?). Please let me know.

If you're talking about the lick at 0:33, try playing the open E and hammering the string on the fifth fret to get the A (no plucking here) and then play the octave at seventh fret - D string.

Hope this helps.

[Pbassred]

I tried it - failed - went away and played for a reggae band for a while. Now I'm back.

and then play the octave at seventh fret - D string.

Its this E that gives me the problem. Is that a pluck or a thumb slap when you play a octave like that?

[oldfclefer]

Can't help with the tab, just wanted to say that there were a lot of great bass lines coming out of that group.

[JimK]

It's been awhile; IIRC, try this for the that little fill into the 1st verse-
Rhythm-
l(1)---(2)--a3e&_4_&_l1 etc

Notes-
l(1)---(2)--EAaE_G_G#_lA etc

Both "E"s are OPEN
"A" is played at the 5th fret/E-string
"a" is played at the 7th fret/D-string
"G" = 3rd fret/E-string
"G#" = 4th fret/E-string

[Alvaro Martín Gómez A.]

Originally Posted by Pbassred

I tried it - failed - went away and played for a reggae band for a while. Now I'm back.


Its this E that gives me the problem. Is that a pluck or a thumb slap when you play a octave like that?

Notice that the sounding note is an A, not an E. No "tricks" here. Just make sure that when you play the upper A, the lower is still ringing. I mean, no gaps between these two notes. That octave must sound the most legato possible. I still can post my transcription if you want.

Originally Posted by JimK

Notes-
l(1)---(2)--EAaE_G_G#_lA etc

Hey, Jim, with all my respect I can tell you that the notes are l(1)---(2)--EAaE_F#_G_lA. I've just listened and re-listened the recording at any point this fill is played and I'm 500% sure about it.

[Pbassred]

Yes quite right. My typo. That note is an octave "A". However the question was - Slap it or pluck it?. Not the rest of the piece. Just that note.

[Alvaro Martín Gómez A.]

Originally Posted by Pbassred

Slap it or pluck it?

Pluck it. The whole piece is played like that.

[Pbassred]

Doh!

I was trying to slap my way through it. For weeks. Trying to make it sound better than fingers. Thank you. My misery is over.

[JimK]

Originally Posted by Alvaro Martín Gómez A.

Hey, Jim, with all my respect I can tell you that the notes are l(1)---(2)--EAaE_F#_G_lA. I've just listened and re-listened the recording at any point this fill is played and I'm 500% sure about it.

Doh...missed it by an inch! Doing it from memory while sitting in front of the compooter; guess I played it 'wrong' way back when. Oh, well.
Thanks!