Help with Suzie Q

[Axolotl Bass]

I'm an old dog tryin to learn new tricks. It ain't very graceful...that's for sure.

But I'm tryin to learn the bass line for CCR's Suzie Q. The only starting place I have is a tab from one of the many tab repositories on the web:

Creedence Clearwater Revival - Susie Q

Studio Version. To be played with fingers full of funk.

(part 1) Oh, Susie Q... 5x
G---||---------------------9-----7-------------||
D---||*-----------------------9-----9--7------*||
A---||*--7--7--------5--7-----------------10--*||
E---||---------7--7----------------------------||

(part 2) baby I love you, Susie Q
G---------------------------------------|
D---7--7--------7--5--0--5/9--7---------|
A---------7--7-------------------10--9--|
E---------------------------------------|

(part 1) 5x
G---||---------------------9-----7-------------||
D---||*-----------------------9-----9--7------*||
A---||*--7--7--------5--7-----------------10--*||
E---||---------7--7----------------------------||

(variation of part 1)
G---------------------9-----7-----7--9--|
D------------------------9-----9--------|
A---7--7--------5--7--------------------|
E---------7--7--------------------------|

(another variation of part 1)
G------------------------------------|
D------------------------------------|
A---7--7--------5--7-----------5--7--|
E---------7--7--------4--5--7--------|

NOTES: I have transcribed the core of the bassline for this song. The song is essentially made up of parts 1 and 2 of my transcription. Stu Cook makes many variations on these 2 parts within the song (he is a damn fine bassist). I have given you 2 of the variations he makes of part 1 so you can get an idea of what goes on during the song. I did not bother giving you all the variations because: 1. it would take too much time, 2. it would take many pages of tab to cover them all, and 3. you should focus more energy on creating your own variations to
give the song your own personal twist...after all, you are not Stu Cook,
you are yourself.

Ok... that's what I have to work with. When I try to play it and put the tab into a relationship between the song, There seems to be a mental block of some sort. I can't equate the tab with the music and when I try to play the tab alone, it doesn't seem to correspond to my mental image of the song.

Bottom line: I'm confused. I'd appreciate any insight anyone could provide.

[HollowBassman]

I'm not sure if this helps, but I've bolded and underlined the downbeats. I find that this helps sometimes when learning a new song.

Creedence Clearwater Revival - Susie Q

Studio Version. To be played with fingers full of funk.

(part 1) Oh, Susie Q... 5x
G---||---------------------9-----7-------------||
D---||*-----------------------9-----9--7------*||
A---||*--7--7--------5--7-----------------10--*||
E---||---------7--7----------------------------||

(part 2) baby I love you, Susie Q
G---------------------------------------|
D---7--7--------7--5--0--5/9--7---------|
A---------7--7-------------------10--9--|
E---------------------------------------|

(part 1) 5x
G---||---------------------9-----7-------------||
D---||*-----------------------9-----9--7------*||
A---||*--7--7--------5--7-----------------10--*||
E---||---------7--7----------------------------||

(variation of part 1)
G---------------------9-----7-----7--9--|
D------------------------9-----9--------|
A---7--7--------5--7--------------------|
E---------7--7--------------------------|

(another variation of part 1)
G------------------------------------|
D------------------------------------|
A---7--7--------5--7-----------5--7--|
E---------7--7--------4--5-*-7--------|
(^On this last variation, the 4th beat(*) is actually between the "5" and the "7".)

[seanm]

This is how I play it:

G---||---------------------9-----7-------------||
D---||*-----------------------9-----9--7--5--*||
A---||*--7--7-----5--5--7-------------------*||
E---||---------7-------------------------------||

By moving down to the 5 on the D string, rather than 10 on the A string, you have your hand in position to play the first part.

[The Golden Boy]

Originally Posted by Axolotl Bass

I can't equate the tab with the music and when I try to play the tab alone, it doesn't seem to correspond to my mental image of the song.

Bottom line: I'm confused. I'd appreciate any insight anyone could provide.

Are you playing along with the song or just trying to run it through just looking at the tab?

If you're just doing it from memory of the song- try listening while playing along and matching the recording with the tab.

I suck at tab- I'm better at figuring stuff out by ear, and if I absolutely need it, tab to figure out the parts I'm not hearing right.

[Axolotl Bass]

Thanks to everyone who responded so far. I should have explained that I AM attempting to play along with the song, not just play from the tab alone. I can usually get an idea of where my fingers need to be from the tab, but I really need to hear the music for it to make any sense.

I also appreciate the highlighted downbeats...and the thought of using the D5 instead of the A10 for the G never occurred to me. It makes a lot more sense this way. I spose I know what I'll be going a good part of today.

I'll report on the progress when I have some to report.

[oldrocker]

Ian't there A A C B on the beats during that part 2 ?

[seanm]

Originally Posted by oldrocker

Ian't there A A C B on the beats during that part 2 ?

Yes, but not every time.

[oldrocker]

Originally Posted by seanm

This is how I play it:

G---||---------------------9-----7-------------||
D---||*-----------------------9-----9--7--5--*||
A---||*--7--7-----5--5--7-------------------*||
E---||---------7-------------------------------||

By moving down to the 5 on the D string, rather than 10 on the A string, you have your hand in position to play the first part.

I like how you play this, How do you play the part 2 - A A C B part?

Thanks

[seanm]

Originally Posted by oldrocker

I like how you play this, How do you play the part 2 - A A C B part?

Thanks

I'm too lazy to tab it out, so I will describe it I play the A on D7 and then I usually slide up to C at D10 and play the B at D9. You then have to shift back down. I like this way because the slide sounds cool

For variation I sometimes play the A on D7 then C/B on G5/G4. It is actually slightly easier since you are closer to being in position.

[Munjibunga]

The name of my first band back in the late '70s was Axolotl.

[Axolotl Bass]

Originally Posted by Munjibunga

The name of my first band back in the late '70s was Axolotl.

Good taste in names.

I'm makin some progress with SQ. I think I'm getting the mental picture of how the parts fit together. I don't know if other folks do this, but I need to have a mental image of how the music is shaped. When I get that in place it then becomes more of a mechanical/muscle memory thing. At least that's how I envision it today. Ask me a year from now and I may have a completely different answer.

[oldrocker]

Originally Posted by seanm

I'm too lazy to tab it out, so I will describe it I play the A on D7 and then I usually slide up to C at D10 and play the B at D9. You then have to shift back down. I like this way because the slide sounds cool

For variation I sometimes play the A on D7 then C/B on G5/G4. It is actually slightly easier since you are closer to being in position.

If anyone is still interested, as I evolve my bassline on this, I find this works well for the A - C - B part:


A - - - - - - - - C - - - B
|------------------|----------------|
|-7---7---7--------|-------9---7-5--|
|-----------10-7---|--7-10----------|
|----------------8-|----------------|