James Jamerson - An appreciation

[IamGroot]

The three people that influenced my bass playing technique the most are Jaco, James and Bach. "Standing in the Shadows" was the second bass book I bought and I spent years frittering my time on it, where an instructor and practice focus would have yielded much quicker results.

Some people say you need a Precision with old flats and a mute to sound like Diego.

Personally, I think that is secondary. The essence of James to me is in his note choice and syncopated 16ths. Even if you were playing a pick on a Ric with Rotosounds, the uniqueness of his beatiful lines would shine through.

Try this.

At a metronome setting of 40 bpm, place every note dead on for "Whats Going On" or " I Heard It Through the Grapevine". Id get it perfect at 40, before cranking up the tempo.

James is my go to for reading trickiy 16ths.

Fyi, i play James OFPF. My OFPF fingering technique evolved to play what he did with 124.

Your thoughts on James?

 

[CallMeAl]

Just got the book, but my gig/rehearsal schedule has been so busy I haven't spent much time with it. I did sight read "Get Ready" (easy eighths) and it put a big smile on my face.

I love James, but not really sure why I ordered the book. My main focus has been walking jazz, I have heaps of transcription to work through. Just felt like a book i should have on my shelf. Maybe it was bombing the surprise tune of "heard it through the grapevine" at an audition last year.

FWIW I have the P bass, but I'll be keeping my rounds and pearl PG, thank you very much

 

[LadyLoveStingRay5]

One of the best and one of my favorites. Master of groove. Very melodic and soulful player.

 

[kesslari]

Love to play Jamerson lines. That is that.

 

[jellymax]

father of the electric bass, he was an American innovator. as important as
Hendrix.
Unsung hero as he was heard world-wide yet nobody knew his name

 

[Wisebass]

Hi IamGroot

Your thoughts on James?

I like his way to groove. Soul and funk would not be the same without him!

I change my strings more often. And I clean my bass (from time to time)


greetings

Wise(b)ass

 

[JRA]

Your thoughts on James?

cool cat. really musical.

 

[IamGroot]

Hi IamGroot



I like his way to groove. Soul and funk would not be the same without him!

I change my strings more often. And I clean my bass (from time to time)


greetings

Wise(b)ass

I drink less.

 

[jerry]

One of my favorites from his L.A. period:

 

[LeFunk Machine]

Now and then, I keep finding new songs that He played on and I'm always amazed by it. RIP Goat James. I don't know if you know these 2 songs, but Wow.

 

[CallMeAl]

Latest project

Good gravy these tunes are fun to play!

 

[matti777]

Like many I think he is the greatest bass player of all (and I don't usually go for the greatest this that or the other thing threads) considering his bass lines and the era. I've been fooling around with the bass for 20 years (started late in life) and I cannot replicate the feel in some of his lines and I see few that can....that fall back and pull forward feel.

 

[MartinzeBassman]

One of my favorite bass players and one of the greatest. He's common knowledge for every bass player and one that everyone interested in bass should study.

 

[brocco]

The one and only period.