Bass Lines I Can't Play ...

[Sarah_J]

There are LOTS, but there are some amazingly brilliant bass lines that I so want to be able to play, but just can't because they are too difficult for me.

1. I Got A Name - Jim Croce ( bass played by Bob Babitt)
2. Hold On - Ian Gomm ( bass played by Herbie Flowers)
3. I Want You Back - The Jackson 5 (bass played by Wilton Felder)

There are others, but these spring immediately to mind. What bass lines do you want to be able to play, but just can't ?

 

[St. Louis Scot]

I just learned I Want You Back, Ain't No Mountain High Enough, and Sir Duke in the last month, because I thought I couldn't.

While I typically focus more on scales, modes, and arpeggios than learning standards, now you've got me wanting to learn the other two on your list!

 

[Sarah_J]

Sir Duke! That's an unbelievably complicated.... Another of Babbitt's bass lines I think! Whilst I think of it, Stevie Wonder's 'For Once In My Life' is another that I would love to play buteo ably never will.

 

[Sarah_J]

Apologies for unintelligible typing....damn iPad!

 

[KPJ]

Sir Duke! That's an unbelievably complicated.... Another of Babbitt's bass lines I think! Whilst I think of it, Stevie Wonder's 'For Once In My Life' is another that I would love to play buteo ably never will.

Nathan Watts!

http://thebasscase.com/2012/06/20/sir-duke-by-nathan-watts-full-transcription/

 

[JoseNeville]

Nathan Watts!

http://thebasscase.com/2012/06/20/sir-duke-by-nathan-watts-full-transcription/

Really nice, I have work to do!!!!!!!!

 

[RED J]

Interesting so many Motown lines are mentioned here. I think for me what's more frustrating to me than just not being able to play it is coming close but not being able to nail it. Anything by Watts, e.g. "Sir Duke" is a challenge. Another one is "I was made to love her" Jamerson on Stevie's tune. To play either clean and articulate at the bpm they are recorded at results in tangled fingers or not quite there timing. I've checked out you tube covers of these too and there are very few that come close. Usually young guys with long fingers. Oh well, we can't all be Marlowe DK I guess.

 

[Ewo]

In the last week I was breaking a sweat getting the bass part to Chris Brown's Fine China under my fingers... Finally got it to groove at a jam with some funk-oriented friends.

Cool line, the way it outlines minor 9 chords.

 

[Sarah_J]

My mistake; don't know why I thought Babbitt played on Sir Duke.
It's true that Motown does seem to proliferate here; I think that just shows how fabulously talented those guys were. So clever and innovative. I am totally in awe of people who can do what they did.

 

[Midfour]

I tend to write lines a can't play. Good way to grow, I guess.

 

[flatfender]

Cupid's Dead by Extreme.

I'm learning it for my own enjoyment but Pat Badger did a wicked job following Nuno on his lead.

Here's a youtube link for a cover by a good bassist:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vFN4Tu5yUN8

 

[Rockin Mike]

Hit Me With Your Rhythm Stick by Ian Dury and the Blockheads is a real right hand workout. I can't play it fingerstyle and it doesn't sound right with a pick.

 

[rojo412]

"I Want You Back" is such a fantastic bassline to play. It's not too hard to work out and when you do have it, it makes such a great warmup riff. Lots of stretching and a great groove.

 

[nortonrider]

I used to think that I'd never get Thorazine Shuffle down until I did.
Then it was Southbound Pachyderm.

Now it is Linus and Lucy (two hand tapping).
I don't think that it is impossible however, it's just gonna take more effort.
I'll nail it too - eventually.

 

[oldrocker]

I used to think that I'd never get Thorazine Shuffle down until I did.
Then it was Southbound Pachyderm.

Now it is Linus and Lucy (two hand tapping).
I don't think that it is impossible however, it's just gonna take more effort.
I'll nail it too - eventually.

Thorazine Shuffle nice !! - I don't think I've heard played right since Allen Woody passed away. I've given it a go a couple of times but never gotten it up to speed.

 

[basscooker]

JS bach, prelude solo cello or whatever it's called. you've heard it. i have the music and transcription.... just not the chops! GRRRR more practice.....

 

[Tampabass]

if you think those are tricky, check out Jaco's version of "Donna Lee"

 

[huckleberry1]

YYZ- I'll get it eventually. I've got a Finale program & Trillian total bass module so if nothing else I'll hopefully outsmart it. If I can play Rhyme of the Ancient Mariner, I should be able to get it.

 

[stratovani]

Hemispheres. 18 1/2 minutes of pure Geddy goodness! So much going on, so tough to nail!

 

[Faith Nicole]

I can't play any. I'm still working on three finger open string thumping in time with a metronome

*sigh*