Best first Jamerson line to learn

[bass12]

+1 on the Stax (and Atlantic) stuff. A lot of those lines are easier to play than Jamerson's lines, but they are classics just the same. Have a listen to Eddie Floyd's "Knock On Wood", Otis Redding's "(Sittin' On) The Dock Of The Bay", Wilson Pickett's "In The Midnight Hour", King Curtis' "Memphis Soul Stew" and Sam & Dave's "Soul Man" (all easy-to-find classics). I also think that anyone interested in R&B bass has to listen to Donny Hathaway's "Live" album featuring the great Willie Weeks (there are two live albums by D.H. - check out the one with "The Ghetto" and "Everything Is Everything" on it). Then, of course, there is J.B....

 

[bigtwnvin]

I can't get his bounce and timing with two fingers, I find myself naturally falling into his hook approach when I try to play his lines. Man, are they ever fun to play!

I started playing the bass around 1968 at age 17. I had a teacher that was "one funky cat". After he showed me around the instrument he gave me a pile of Motown produced albums- Temps, Supremes, Smokey, Tops etc. & said "Listen to this bass player he's on almost every tune". You guessed it Jamerson.
But the rhythm pushed by a bassist is only half good without a drummer that will play "with" you and can hear what you're trying to do and vice versa. Seems like everybody that kicks with Jamerson are like one unit. thats where the "bounce" is. Try it

 

[scatman]

1. Contract on Love by Stevie Wonder

2. Ain't too proud to beg, by Temptations

3. Goin' to a Go-Go, by the Miracles

4. My Girl, by Temptations

The first three are in set position. No shifting is required. My Girl has the two simplest notes in the history of music (G-C-C...G-C-C...G-C-C...G-C-C.....). There's a shift, but is so simple.

For open string beginners, start with Jr. Walker's Shake and Finger Pop! It's in set position, and there's a simple chromatic open A to C. The only problem with this song is that you'll do more dancin' than playin'! It is that funky!

 

[Bluejay]

This is one of Jamerson's best,
Check out this youTube Video. You can see it note for note. EXCELLENT!
The Four Tops/James Jamerson - 'Bernadette' (Bass playalong)

 

[Rodriguez]

Darlin' Dear by The Jackson Five. That will take your playing up a couple of notches.

 

[Double Agent]

Learning how to play What's Goin On made me a better bass player, and not necessarily because it's technical. It's rare to be able to say that about one song. I haven't tried Darlin' Dear yet, but I can tell from listening to it that it would take a lot of time in the woodshed. Also, I Want You Back is one of my favorite bass lines ever. It isn't Jamerson, but it's Motown and its funky.

Also, anything, and I mean ANYTHING, by Stevie Wonder. I don't know whether to credit the amazing Nate Watts or Stevie's left hand, but either way, that stuff is fun, groovy, and challenging (give Sir Duke a try).

 

[RBrownBass]

I'm almost certain that "Show And Tell" by Al Wilson is a Jamerson line. If not, it's still a good one to start with.

 

[T-MOST]

Try My Girl. It's probably the easiest.

 

[Fretless1!]

I'm almost certain that "Show And Tell" by Al Wilson is a Jamerson line. If not, it's still a good one to start with.

From what I can find, that's Dennis Parker. Fantastic bassline.

 

[T McClure]

I'd like to branch out my playing a bit, I've never played any funk or R&B music... I'm wondering what the best introduction to Jamerson would be in terms of learning a song. I have a decent ear but it's not perfect.

Thanks.

I know I’m digging up a very old thread, but I want to say thanks for all who replied in here. I bought this book a few months ago after letting a person on YouTube talk me into thinking it would be a big help to venture into a genre I’ve never played or even listen to much.

The book collected dust because I wasn’t really sure where to start with the songs being in no particular order and some looking very intimidating. But I found this thread from a search and have started into a few of the easier ones recommended above. This is fun!