I Shoulda Loved Ya

[funkygospel]

Does anyone have any tabs, tips, or techniques for Randy Jackson's bassline in Narada Michael Walden's "I Shoulda Loved Ya"?

Any help is appreciated.

[Bobbo 77"]

funkygospel,
That's a very cool choice of tune, and very FUNKY!
I get a very good work-out doing that one, which is a good excercise in muting, in a Rocco style of way, where you lift up with the left hand, while plucking with the right. That's how I attempt to play it. T.M. Stevens' playing and groove on that tune is fantastic. Lot's of attitude!
Also, you can youtube the title of the song, and see some Cat's how they play the tune. Good luck!
Bobbo 77'

[lowerclef]

I would transcribe the line fully, then work on it slowly. Doesn't sound like there's any fancy techniques being employed, but man, what a KILLER line! It grooves so hard!

Had never heard this tune before but glad I am hip to it. I looked up the song on allmusic.com, and T.M. Stevens is given the bass credit there. He and Randy are both fine players, so it doesn't matter, but I thought that was interesting.

[Scalestein]

I am in the same boat as lowerclef. Never heard the tune but it is groovy as hell. What type of bass is he playing that gets that awesome laid-back growly tone? I'm in love

[JimK]

Something for you to try-
(a very BASIC idea of what's being played. IIRC)

Rhythm
l1_&_2_&_3---(4)-&al1-&a2-&a-3_&a4_&al

Notes-
C_C#_D_E_F---(4)-fflG-ggG-ggG-ggG-ggl

C = 3rd fret/A-string
C# = 4th fret/A-string
D = 5th fret/A-string

E = OPEN String
F = 1st fret/E-string
f = 3rd fret/D-string
G = 3rd fret/E-string
g = 5th fret/D-string

If you notice, the 2nd bar is a popular Disco figure...LOW Root is on the 1/8th note played w/ 2ea 1/16th notes on the octave. Check out Chic's Bernard Edwards as someone who could play these sorta figures all night long.
You can also invert this figure for practice sake-
1e-a2e-a3e-a4e-a
Two LOW notes on the "1" and "e" with the octave on the "a".


As mentioned, "I Shoulda Loved Ya" is T.M. Stevens.
Randy Jackson played on a couple of similar Narada Micahel Walden's hits called "The Real Thing" & "Tonight, I'm Alright".
"The Real Thing" is more of a workout than "I Shoulda Loved Ya"!

...IMO.

[JAUQO III-X]

T.M. Stevens also co wrote I Shoulda Loved Ya.

[bassybill]

Awesome bassline - one of my own faves from that period.

[bassybill]

I transcribed the bass part for this tune (most of it) just yesterday, so I'm adding it here. This is about 95% accurate, I believe, up as far as the end of the bass solo (after that, it pretty much just repeats). But I haven't included ghost notes, you'll have to add those to taste in order to cop the feel. Still, any reading bassist wanting to learn/play this tune should find this quite useful, I hope.

YouTube - ‪Narada Michael Walden - I Shoulda Loved Ya (1979)‬‏

http://www.billygreen.pwp.blueyonder...s%20Guitar.pdf