Smooth Criminal bassline

[Chipsonfire]

So I've been working on learning the main riff in Smooth Criminal by Michael Jackson, but there are 2 notes that I'm really unsure about. From what I can tell, it starts with A A, (two ascending notes) B B, A#/Bb B C C, B C B G, A. I can't seem to exactly hit those two notes after the initial A A. What are they? I looked up tabs, but all of them tell me the two notes are both G, and that doesn't sound right at all . Also, if you see anything wrong in what I have there, please tell me. Thanks

[Depth_Charge]

I have been learning that song this week as well

I play the intro riff like this, seems to work for me:

AA. AAAAGABB, ABCC, CCBG, A.

Hope that helps you some.

[TheBassBetween]

Originally Posted by Depth_Charge

I have been learning that song this week as well

I play the intro riff like this, seems to work for me:

AA. AAAAGABB, ABCC, CCBG, A.

Hope that helps you some.

That looks right.

[Depth_Charge]

Ooops - I probably should have added that I'm learning the riff to jam with the cover done by Alien Ant Farm! I just really love the chorus

[Chipsonfire]

Originally Posted by Depth_Charge

Ooops - I probably should have added that I'm learning the riff to jam with the cover done by Alien Ant Farm! I just really love the chorus

OK that makes a little more sense. What you wrote down sounds way off from the Michael Jackson version, but its sounds pretty close to the Alien Ant Farm version (because they use so much distortion). If you listen to the MJ version, you'll see what I mean. I used some software to slow down and remove treble from it and can clearly hear a lot more distinct notes. Thanks for the reply, though

[magnusdeus123]

Originally Posted by Depth_Charge

I have been learning that song this week as well

I play the intro riff like this, seems to work for me:

AA. AAAAGABB, ABCC, CCBG, A.

Hope that helps you some.

I came up with that exact same riff when I was practicing this song a week ago... . I think that is the accurate one....and it works on both , the AAF version as well as the classic .

I dint use tabs though....{--"} . Ear training is the best.....

[Chipsonfire]

Originally Posted by magnusdeus123

I came up with that exact same riff when I was practicing this song a week ago... . I think that is the accurate one....and it works on both , the AAF version as well as the classic .

I dint use tabs though....{--"} . Ear training is the best.....

I went back and listened to it again with the bass up and the treble down, and indeed this seems to be correct. The way he plays it makes it sound like another note when it really isn't Thanks for the help!

[stuart clayton]

There's a transcription of the Alien Ant Farm version on my website: www.stuartclayton.com. Go to the media page, it's on there.

Hope that helps,

Stu

[Chipsonfire]

EXCELLENT! Thanks a lot