Curious: How many can play "What's Going On" the way it was recorded?

[DWBass]

Honestly, I don't think the recording was all that complicated. It was common knowledge that basslines were written out. I'm also sure, JJ had carte blanche to adopt what he does to them. Lastly, I'm sure this was not a single take recording. I'd love to hear all the 'bad' or alternate takes.

[worxforme]

All that aside, it's on my to do list, but I haven't even worked on it yet.

[P. Aaron]

Originally Posted by mellowinman

I have a lot of trouble playing motown. I think part of it is they just have so many changes, and it's hard for me to memorize. I was trying to learn "Let's Stay Together," by Al Green (I believe it's Leroy Hodges on that bass track,) and I was just amazed how it sounded so easy, so simple, so smooth, and yet I had such a hard time learning it. I really do need to get back to working that one.

If I get it down, maybe I'll try something like this, but that does seem a bit daunting.

It helps if the drummer is attentive to the details too. Otherwise, a bassists job is always more difficult.

[mellowinman]

Originally Posted by prd004

This guy nails it live

Check out this video on YouTube:

http://youtu.be/RE7-2XWGNk4

That might be among the greatest videos in all of recorded history.

[Munjibunga]

Originally Posted by billgwx

I wonder if Jamerson would even play it the same way twice? He and Paul McCartney in particular play some really fantastic stuff off the top of their heads that I've never tried to duplicate exactly, because IMO that kind of playing has to come spontaneously from constant play, practice, and exposure to many different musical genres. Have heard myself play some pretty intricate stuff like theirs (in a P&W setting no less)--if I had to go back and play it note for note that would be an exercise in frustration.

Yeah, I doubt Jamerson ever played it the same way twice. The changes are pretty basic, so the rhythm and transitions are going to be in Jamerson's characteristic style. Learning the part would be more of an exercise in copying his style rather than playing exactly the same notes on that recording.

[NCD]

Supposedly it was done in one take, at least that's the impression Jack Ashford gives when he says: "he laid down and started playing this, no one could believe it."

Again, all we have to go on are the stories but they're pretty interesting, to be sure.

If I were learning this to play with a band I'd focus on the changes and take whatever short cuts my lousy technique demanded in order to keep the general feel. However, I'm just a guy at home who goofs off with a bass and feels that this line is what you might call the "Mona Lisa" of bass... and what painter doesn't want to be able to replicate the Mona Lisa perfectly, even if it's only at home in a bedroom with headphones on and no one listening?

This project is just for me... just for the way it feels when I get it right.

[qervo]

That's a good project for yourself . I get the same satisfaction when I try to play the entire MJ Off the Wall album. It's just one of my bucket list things.

[Bob Gross]

There's a good video of Marvin doing "What's Going On" live with James Jamerson playing with him on Youtube. One of the few videos of James playing..