Nathan Watts "Do I Do" Transcription

Dr. Cheese · #1 05-09-2010, 10:58 PM

The latest Bass Player features a complete (287 bar) transcription of Nathan Watts bassline for Stevie Wonder's "Do I Do." Has anyone played it all the way through yet?

My teacher suggests that we work it out. I know "Do I Do" from jamming alongwith it over the years. Learning it note for note should be a great eye opener.

**colcifer** · #2 05-09-2010, 11:13 PM

Love that line- learned it by ear a few years ago. If you don't have a problem with the legal and moral problems, please scan and post it here.

drnknmstr · #3 05-09-2010, 11:32 PM

The thing that pisses me off is that the transcription is written in B, but the fingeringers are in "C" because of the Eb tuning. Sight reading the line isn't really gonna be feasible in my opinion.

They did that a while ago with Bobby Watson's "Rock with You" bass line.

JimK · #4 05-10-2010, 05:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by colcifer

If you don't have a problem with the legal and moral problems, please scan and post it here.

Couple months ago(?), someone posted a link with some cool transcriptions. "Do I Do" was among those on thta site...and it looked very similar to BP's transcription.

Cannot recall the site/link...after I get home, I can check (if I remember).

JimK · #5 05-10-2010, 05:21 AM

http://www.arcellussykes.com/transcr...atts_doido.pdf

...found it.
Transcribed in "B", too, so not like BP's in that regard. BP's may have better articulations, too (hammer-ons, etc.).
Make sure you're not hitting the downbeat on "1"; there's a 1/16th rest on "`1"...so it's on the "e of 1".

Other cool stuff-
http://www.arcellussykes.com/archive.html

Bruce Lindfield · #6 05-10-2010, 05:29 AM

I remember reading the interview a few years ago where Nathan Watts explained how he tuned down a semi-tone for all the things he did with Stevie Wonder and it all made a lot more sense!

So - you can hear how he uses open strings to bounce off of line - a bit like Jamerson - and this helps you get the feeling of lines and to change positions smoothly and fluidly, rather than scrabbling about!

"Do I do" - is remarkable for how smooth the line is and I think this is due in big part to extensive use of open strings - it's much harder to get that fluid feel, with closed positions.

The other thing Nate explained was how tuning down his Musicman and adding a slight amount of overdrive, gave that distinctive sound on that line. So the whole approach is what makes the bass line do distinctive and so good!

JimK · #7 05-10-2010, 06:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bruce Lindfield

I remember reading the interview a few years ago where Nathan Watts explained how he tuned down a semi-tone for all the things he did with Stevie Wonder and it all made a lot more sense!

I never took stock...but it seemed as though a lot of Wonder's tunes are in a flat/sharp key. I'm just assuming the black keys are a better roadmap for someone who cannot see.

Quote:

"Do I Do" - is remarkable for how smooth the line is and I think this is due in big part to extensive use of open strings - it's much harder to get that fluid feel, with closed positions.

...and the endurance. I still haven't forgotten the time one of our best local Top-40 bands did the 10+ version. This was 20+ years ago. The drummer sang it...close your eyes & you woulda sworn it was Stevie...the bassist (known for playing Music Man Sting Rays) just killed it, too.

Bruce Lindfield · #8 05-10-2010, 07:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimK

I never took stock...but it seemed as though a lot of Wonder's tunes are in a flat/sharp key. I'm just assuming the black keys are a better roadmap for someone who cannot see..

I can see how "finding your place" would make more sense in keys where you have a sprinkling of black keys!

I remember doing a workshop with a great Jazz singer/pianist and he had transcribed the whole of "Do I Do" and many other Stevie tunes - he explained however, that the "bridge" deliberately moves through different keys so that Stevie can do those "glissandos" on the piano using all the white notes!! Then it comes back to the original flat key for the groove again!

davecheng · #9 05-10-2010, 07:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimK

I never took stock...but it seemed as though a lot of Wonder's tunes are in a flat/sharp key. I'm just assuming the black keys are a better roadmap for someone who cannot see.

I doubt favouring black keys have much to do with the lack of sight. Keys like Eb and Bb are long-favored for horn players. The majority of the non-classically trained gospel cats I know in this city favor keys like Eb and hate keys like G... Why? Maybe a traditional thing? I don't know. I do play some keys and I can tell you that in general, keys like Db are just more comfortable to sit on than C... the shapes of extended chords are more "natural"... if that makes any sense.

JimK · #10 05-10-2010, 08:27 AM

...yeah, I know.
I was just thinking as someone who is legally-blind without my contacts or glasses.

drnknmstr · #11 05-10-2010, 11:35 AM

Also Eb has a certain quality to than E. I know he wasn't thinking guitar, but many guitar based guys drop to Eb to help sing easier as well.

JimK · #12 05-10-2010, 02:52 PM

Yeah, I hate those guys...I played with one briefly in an "originals" band, I made sure every groove I came up with was in my "E", too.

pbass888 · #13 08-09-2010, 07:25 PM

i love big nate.
natural wonder version of do i do has a fat bass mix live. its a lil slower tempo but still grooves for this long hot texas summer. i think ill learn it and then post here. definitely hear the sustain and low end here. its amazing how ive heard this song at various tempos and nate makes it swing with little variations on it.

nice props for marcus by big nate in this youtube video...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nSkD1...eature=related
....
and finally for do i do he mentions his 79 sting ray tuned down half step no effects... which in itself is amazing. sounds so dirty.

Nate has given us a wonderful body of work to absorb and in my bass tree he is a direct decendant of jamerson and rainey.

monroe55 · #14 08-12-2010, 10:40 AM

Any one know the difference between the Do I Do versions that are recorded? I want to download the song for this transcription on the thread here. However, on itunes there's a 10 minute version and a @5 min version available. The 10 min version requires you to buy the "whole album only" if you want the song. Which one do I need? Dont say 10 min version.

()smoke() · #15 08-12-2010, 10:49 AM

yep, the 10-minute album-only version on itunes is indeed what you need for this one...it's worth it though, the extended version is beautiful and nate gets a lot of playing time in

Quote:

Originally Posted by monroe55

Any one know the difference between the Do I Do versions that are recorded. I want to download the song for this transcription on the thread here. However, on itunes there's a 10 minute version and a @5 min version available. The 10 min version requires you to buy the "whole album only" if you want the song. Which one do I need. Dont say 10 min version.

bassist502 · #16 08-14-2010, 01:16 PM

AH SOME SONG!!

pasta4lnch · #17 08-14-2010, 01:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimK

Other cool stuff-
http://www.arcellussykes.com/archive.html

cool site!

Darko74 · #18 08-21-2010, 05:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pasta4lnch

cool site!

I like it. great choice of songs transcribed

faulknersj · #19 08-21-2010, 05:40 AM

Do I Do is just such a classic and so fun to play! I would love to learn it note for note...I improv thru it whan we play it now. For the chorus run...'Do I Do' da da da da da da da da da da da da da da, what position do u guys play it in? I play it in 2 different positions and I'm still unsure which one I prefer.

**Pacman** · #20 08-21-2010, 06:51 AM

Played it tonight for a festival. Amazing to see a thousand Japanese people singing along, word for word...