Double Bass Need some help on "If I Ain't Got You" by Alicia Keys

[Bassing around]

Hey guys,

So our lead singer in our school's pop band decided to do If I Ain't Got You by Alicia Keys, and the teacher-in-charge decided that it'll be an awesome acoustic bass duet with the vocal.

Problem is, I have no idea what to do! Can anyone of you help me out here? I have a rehearsal in 4 days, and things are looking bleak.

PM me if you're willing to help, and I can send you a copy of the score. Maybe if you could look through it, and PM me back with some guidance, that would be awesome. Or if you could maybe do a quick recording and send it to me, that would be amazing!

Again, this is acoustic bass and vocals only, so I'd really appreciate it if any jazz bassist or anyone who knows their stuff to respond to my plea.

Thank you!

 

[Beginner Bass]

The intro is C / Bm7 / Am7 / G
Then bass comes in C / Bm7 / Am7 / G

It's a I vi ii V progression on the verses (G - Em - Am7 - D7 - G - G#dim7 - Am7 - D7)

Pre-Chorus is GMaj7 - Am7 - Bm7 - Am7

Chorus is CMaj7 - Bm7 - Am7 - GMaj7

Those are the chords. The piece is in 3/4.
The thing to me that seems to make the harmony function is the root motion, so make sure the root's always there on the changes. Fit arpeggioes when you can, but make sure it fits the feel.

 

[Marcus Johnson]

I think this thread needs some pics of Alicia Keys.

Oh wait, never mind... she's prolly just an old lady to you guys. PS BB's changes look good, I just played this last week.

 

[Bassing around]

Hey,

Thanks for the suggestions. The thing that is troubling me is how to play it with only bass and vocals, and not make it too "loose". =/

Haha, Marcus, I was about to affix a baby photo with a tag-line =P Too bad I've no idea how to put it into the message instead of a stupid link,
Totally kills the effect.

Btw, did you play it as a duet? If you did, any recordings? hahaha

 

[Beginner Bass]

10ths could work well. They do a decent job of oulining chords. But on the D7, make sure you get the 7th in also.

 

[Marcus Johnson]

Bassing, no, I did it with a five piece band. But on that particular song, I probably wouldn't change too much in a bass voice duo. Beginner's suggestions for tenths and sevenths are a great idea, as long as you can do it and still keep the pulse.