BEG is one song the guitar player and I switch instruments on in my duo. We do a reggae version and I play "chink-ka-chick" on the guitar. He does justice to the bass line and is a better bassist than I am.
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Brown Eyed Girl
- Thread starter tycobb73
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- Oct 18, 2012
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I don't find it hard either. Perhaps the reason you are struggling is because you really don't like the song.
You've already put too much work into it. I've played this song in a whole bunch of bands and have never "learned" it - I just know the groove, the basic riffs, the vibe - and that little "solo" - I learned that bit just because it's so signature... the rest, I wing. Relax. It's just rock and roll.
Smooth_bass88
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Good...lotta songs like that. You know, you've heard it a million times but then you go to learn it and it's actually a great bassline. I applaud you for making it a point to learn it correctly. You know how many bands I've seen play that tune half-assed? You're on the path to good paying gigs.
Isn't the "solo" basically the same line as the rest of the song? There's an Em in there somewhere I always forget until its almost upon me. I agree its one of those songs that gets by on good intentions. The crowds that go for it are usually pretty sauced and as long as they get to "sha-la-la-la-la-ladidah" they're happy.
Hi,
Just for grins and giggles. It's not note-for-note but we make it our own.
BEG is at the 4 minute mark. Who else has this song to share here? I think it would be fun to hear how everyone plays it. C'mon, join the fun!
Thank you for your indulgence,
BassCliff
Nice! You made the most of it.
I don't care for that tune either, but good for you for trying to learn as much as you can from it for your own benefit and your listeners' as well. At the end of the process, you'll be able to play at least one song as well as as a guy who's good enough to get a gig with Van Morrison.
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buldog5151bass
Kibble, milkbones, and P Basses. And redheads.
I think the break is too short. I usually take a longer solo there (and I'm not usually not much of a soloist).
I tried out for a Ramones cover band. There's a lot there if one is going to play it like the record.
Ric5
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It's actually a pretty simple song ... You don't have to play it note for note ... just get the groove going. I used to put a slap bass solo in the middle.
Try playing it with a pick and palm mute.
What happens if the bassist recreates the tune with great accuracy and another band member doesn't?
You know, Ive heard that song countless times by cover bands, but I dont think I have ever heard the original recording,........but its not as bad as listening to some mo-mo chuff out "just a Gigolo" or " achey-breaky-heart" at a karaoke bar....do they even still do Karaoke?
Happens all the time here with the drummers. They show up, they fake it, they get paid.
Classic introvert/extrovert stuff here. Introverts are detail oriented, extroverts more likely to be the guys/gals who wing it. There's never going to be a unanimous consensus on this topic.
OP, if learning the song verbatim works for you, go for it.
You know, like everyone else in the western world, I've heard that song roughly a bajillion times, but I don't think I've ever truly paid attention to the bass line outside of the intro and the short breakdown. Until now. It's brilliant playing. I'm going to have to look out for Russ Savakus's other tracks and will definitely Highway 61 revisited a fresh listen. So thanks for that.
That said, although I respect your dedication to reproducing some really nice work note-for-note... like some of the other posters, I would focus on nailing the easily recognizable parts, and just making sure the rest of it grooves properly. After all, the chances that your vocalist sings exactly like Van Morrison (or even phrases similarly) are pretty slim.
