HELP ME PLEASE!!!!

[Nuage420]

I'm a new bassist and I found a local Blues Jam that is held once a month. I have never played in front of anyone before and I'm fairly nervous. I have been in contact with the bassist for the backing band of the event and he sent me a copy of them playing King Bee. He basically said to play a twelve bar blues with the open E open A then 7/6/5 on the E. When I play along though, the open A just doesn't sound right. I switched it to the A on the 5th fret of the E and it sounds much better. My issue though, I can play a better riff than what he sent me but I'm not to the point that I can hear it on the track. If anyone would be willing to help I can email you the track. I had asked him if he could tell me the riff he plays but his answer was that he just keeps it simple because he sings on that track. I'm trying not to be "that guy" and keep bugging him before I ever even meet him, but I would like to have my chops down when I show up and show them I'm excited and willing to learn.

 

[Deathblade Eric]

I'm a new bassist and I found a local Blues Jam that is held once a month. I have never played in front of anyone before and I'm fairly nervous. I have been in contact with the bassist for the backing band of the event and he sent me a copy of them playing King Bee. He basically said to play a twelve bar blues with the open E open A then 7/6/5 on the E. When I play along though, the open A just doesn't sound right. I switched it to the A on the 5th fret of the E and it sounds much better. My issue though, I can play a better riff than what he sent me but I'm not to the point that I can hear it on the track. If anyone would be willing to help I can email you the track. I had asked him if he could tell me the riff he plays but his answer was that he just keeps it simple because he sings on that track. I'm trying not to be "that guy" and keep bugging him before I ever even meet him, but I would like to have my chops down when I show up and show them I'm excited and willing to learn.

This is one of those tunes that get played a lot, & can have interesting variations - look up the Frank Marino version as an example.

Drop me a PM & I'll gladly have a listen to the track.

Pete.

 

[Nuage420]

Thank You!

 

[the harp unstrung]

KNOCK 'Em DEAD, KID!!!

 

[Deathblade Eric]

When I play along though, the open A just doesn't sound right. I switched it to the A on the 5th fret of the E and it sounds much better.

If it sounds off-pitch that suggests there's something wrong with the nut on your A string. If the string is bearing against the back edge of the slot it'll throw the open tuning out. Check it against a good tuner first though before laying about it with a file.

For the benefit of others, I did a bit of digging & found a fair bit of YouTube footage of the band. So, for reference (& suggestions) here's their take on 'King Bee' with some pretty epic drunk dancing



Given that it's a considerably different take on the usual interpretation, I reckon that there isn't a busting lot that fits apart from what the bass player is doing - 1/b3 - much more than that will start to get in the way & sound a mess.

Sometimes it's our lot as bassists to just lay it down, keep it simple & drive it home.

That said, there's always more than one way to skin a cat, so what does the panel think?

 

[Nuage420]

LMAO, the MOST EPIC AIR HARMONICA EVER