"I Want you Back"...who's playing this song?

[51PRI]

I've been working on the bass line for The Jackson 5's "I Want you Back.' What a cool bass line. Who plays this, and, do you (have to) use a pick or can you play it with your fingers, too?

 

[4SG]

Wilton Felder. I don't use a pick on this tune.

 

[bherman]

Wilton Felder. I don't use a pick on this tune.

I used to play it in a band, I'm fingerstyle only. Took a while to learn it to the level where I could play it smoothly.

 

[51PRI]

I used to play it in a band, I'm fingerstyle only. Took a while to learn it to the level where I could play it smoothly.

In my mind I feel it's in a way cheating to use a pick, like I don't have the talent necessary to play a part, or a song, with my fingers, but then I think of the great bass players who exclusively used a pick.

 

[WI Short Scaler]

We play this. Goes over well. This is one of only a couple songs that I play with fingers as I originally learned it.

 

[bherman]

In my mind I feel it's in a way cheating to use a pick, like I don't have the talent necessary to play a part, or a song, with my fingers, but then I think of the great bass players who exclusively used a pick.

well in my case I suck at using a pick so no option

 

[silky smoove]

I play it in multiple bands in multiple keys. Some keys are easier for nailing the bass lick during the verses than others. The bridge part is always a good "let's see if the bassist did their homework" moment.

 

[2cooltoolz]

I have played this, but it's been a while. It's one of those where a day or two heads up would be preferred.

 

[john_g]

I suggested this song to my band, we havent added it yet but I we do at some point. I play it with my fingers, feels more natural to me.

 

[Bunk McNulty]

In my mind I feel it's in a way cheating to use a pick, like I don't have the talent necessary to play a part, or a song, with my fingers, but then I think of the great bass players who exclusively used a pick.

Jeez, don't worry about it. it's a fun line to play. Whatever it takes to get it done, OK?

 

[51PRI]

Jeez, don't worry about it. Whatever it takes to get it done, OK?

Sure, I agree. Thanks. We already play one song that I'm using a pick on because I was struggling to play it with my fingers.

 

[DaveParker39]

Wilton Felder.
Not long ago I had to learn this one. It feels impossible but it's not.
Some people say he used fingers. It sounds like a pick to me on the recording. I play it with a pick because it doesn't sound right to me with fingers.

Here's the first clip I made where I got through all of it.

 

[Matt O]

Do yourself a favor and learn this bass line in first position. Every single video tutorial out there will have you all over the neck in every position, and none of them sound right. Trust me, once it clicks, it's easier, it flows and sounds better in first. Also, I can pretty much guarantee that's how Wilton played it, being a deep Jazz multi-instrumentalist / session cat. He's playing with fingers flats and a mute on a 50's single coil Precision.

Have fun.

 

[Bringindafunk]

My current cover band played it until our singer left late last year. It's just a bit out of the new singers range so we dropped it. It's a lot of fun to play and a real crowd pleaser. I played it with my fingers.

 

[Pings Bass]

You don't have to play it just like the MJ version, the song itself is strong enough to shine through any decent arrangement. I'm partial to this cover (Tony Succar ft. Tito Nieves):

 

[bass12]

In my mind I feel it's in a way cheating to use a pick, like I don't have the talent necessary to play a part, or a song, with my fingers, but then I think of the great bass players who exclusively used a pick.

I can't play with a pick, so to me it wouldn't be cheating. I'm not sure it was played with a pick anyway, but I don't think it matters. Whatever sounds right to you will probably work fine.

 

[HardNHeavy]

fingers only...was just jammin to this the otherday....the bridge part is a bit tricky but only lasts a few bars....fun,fun.

 

[BassFishingInAmerica]

Those dead strings work so well for this song. I play it with a pick.

 

[Doug Parent]

I've been working on the bass line for The Jackson 5's "I Want you Back.' What a cool bass line. Who plays this, and, do you (have to) use a pick or can you play it with your fingers, too?

I should learn it while using a plectrum. Seems that was the original FWIW. Fingers though.

 

[brianrost]

I had to learn this bizarro cover of the Postal Service's "Such Great Heights" retrofitted to the J5 song. I hated the Postal Service, but this was actually fun to play.



Then our vocalist decided she wanted to ditch this arrangement and do a reggae verion based on the original I didn't take it too well after the time I spent transcribing it and then learning it.

I should learn it while using a plectrum. Seems that was the original FWIW.

I think Wilton always used a pick.