Bernard Edwards - The Bassist for Chic

markjazzbassist · #1 04-03-2006, 04:14 PM

I just picked up one of chic's records the other day and HOT DANG, Bernard is one funky dude. The record is C'est Chic, and man all the lines are grooving and tasty. I'm a big fan of Jamiroquai and i can see where they get there sound from, they sound like a newer version of chic.

This thread is dedicated to Bernard and his funky self. Please comment on his playing on other albums or whatnot. And, what amps and basses and other gear does he use?

Keep on funkin'

MysticMichael · #2 04-03-2006, 04:27 PM

Yup. Bernard Edwards, Verdine White, Bootsy Collins & Larry Graham are The Four Horsemen of Funk...

MM

bassteban · #3 04-03-2006, 05:30 PM

I'm a 42-year-old white guy who listens to the old school R&B station for the aforementioned dudes, amongst others.

Woodchuck · #4 04-03-2006, 05:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MysticMichael

Yup. Bernard Edwards, Verdine White, Bootsy Collins & Larry Graham are The Four Horsemen of Funk...

MM

Uh, Louis Johnson would like a word with you.

Dr. Cheese · #5 04-03-2006, 07:17 PM

Markjazzbassist, I hope I'm not telling you something you already know, but Bernard Edwards is deceased. He mainly used P-basses and letter Stingrays, but he liked to pose with a B.C. Rich. Marcus Miller has a good story on his website about that.

Woodchuck, I could go with Bernard being one of the four horsemen of funk. I love louis Johnson, but no one was funkier and smoother than Bernard Edwards. When I was early twenties, I listened to him more than any other bassist
at that time. If I hadn't come up during the slap era, I probably would have patterned my playing exactly after his style.

JAUQO III-X · #6 04-03-2006, 07:35 PM

When I first started playing Bass I was into Bernard Edwards(like a crack head

) pulse,feel,groove,smoothness and how his tone sounded so great in the mix just as much as I was into Louis Satterfield,James Jamerson and Chuck Rainey and he was a very talented Producer as well.

If you want to check out a killer live record check out Chic live at Budokan.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...=glance&n=5174

MysticMichael · #7 04-04-2006, 01:00 AM

Then again, Rick James was also a player...

MM

Woodchuck · #8 04-04-2006, 05:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr. Cheese

Woodchuck, I could go with Bernard being one of the four horsemen of funk. I love louis Johnson, but no one was funkier and smoother than Bernard Edwards. When I was early twenties, I listened to him more than any other bassist
at that time. If I hadn't come up during the slap era, I probably would have patterned my playing exactly after his style.

Oh, I agree! I practically worshipped the man! I just wanted to figure out a way to put Thunder Thumbs on Mt. Funkmore!

jerry · #9 04-04-2006, 08:24 AM

I played in Disco bands back in the day and learning Bernard Edwards lines was pure joy! One of the greats!! Bernard could also rock and was a great producer, you could always hear the bass up in the mix on any Bernard Edwards production.

Tripper · #10 04-04-2006, 10:42 AM

I'm another Bernard Edwards junkie - I love his playing.

Just wanted to chime in.

I know John Taylor (from Duran Duran and Power Station) was an obsessive fan of him as well.

Tripper

Funkzfly · #11 04-04-2006, 01:55 PM

Awesome player, shame he died so young.

**Vorago** · #12 04-04-2006, 01:57 PM

Dude, I tried playing Everybody Dance this afternoon

**Vorago** · #13 04-04-2006, 01:58 PM

Dude, I tried playing Everybody Dance this afternoon

That's some crazy string skipping disco groove! Shees.

RHFusillo · #14 04-04-2006, 01:59 PM

I love that man's tone!

**bassybill** · #15 04-04-2006, 02:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vorago

Dude, I tried playing Everybody Dance this afternoon

That's some crazy string skipping disco groove! Shees.

My band cover "Everybody Dance" and , of course, "Good Times". I used to play "My Forbidden Lover" and "Le Freak" with a different band way back. All great lines to learn and fun to play - I think MFL would be the favourite of these four. "My Feet Keep Dancin'" is also kind of fun, too. Bernard was a top bassist, he's listed right there in my TB profile as one of my influences. That 70's and 80's disco/soul/funk material is very much my kind of stuff.

Woodchuck · #16 04-04-2006, 04:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassybill

I used to play "My Forbidden Lover"

You lucky SOB!! This is my fave BY FAR!!!

**bassybill** · #17 04-04-2006, 05:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Woodchuck

You lucky SOB!! This is my fave BY FAR!!!

I think I still have the dots somewhere if you'd like to me scan them for you? Warning - it was transcribed by our guitarist and needed some work before I managed to get the Bernie magic working as it should!

Woodchuck · #18 04-04-2006, 05:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassybill

I think I still have the dots somewhere if you'd like to me scan them for you? Warning - it was transcribed by our guitarist and needed some work before I managed to get the Bernie magic working as it should!

I'm cool. I eared it about 3 years ago. It took me about 30 minutes to learn that song!

markjazzbassist · #19 04-04-2006, 05:13 PM

sounds good. I am happy you guys have been digging bernard. The other night i put on le freak and started copping his lines. Man, chic is just so groovy, you can't help but dance around while you're playing it

keep it coming

**bassybill** · #20 04-04-2006, 05:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Woodchuck

I'm cool. I eared it about 3 years ago. It took me about 30 minutes to learn that song!

Good work, my man! 30 minutes makes you a fast learner in my book for some of those licks.