R&B/Neo-Soul Bass Techniques?

[JimmyM]

Learn about the boogaloo. It's a very busy style of bass playing that was often used in the soul genre. Wilson Pickett's "Funky Broadway," King Curtis' "Memphis Soul Stew," and Archie Bell and the Drells' "Tighten Up (Pts. 1 and 2)" are some popular examples of the boogaloo in soul music of the 60's.

 

[riding]

Thanks for the recommendations, JimmyM; I'm familiar with Tighten Up...the bass guitar is definitely busy, as you say.

Memphis Soul Stew...good stuff right there!
YouTube - ‪King Curtis "Memphis Soul Stew"‬‏

Is there a preferred program for slowing down a song? Preferably free or programs that aren't trials?

 

[aguacateojos]

Alright, now I have a question! I've been watching a live DVD of RH Factor and am struck by how huge Reggie Washington's sound is - and from what I can tell he's playing a four-string bass. Check out these two videos... the first one has a great shot of his bass at 2:20:

‪Roy Hargrove & The RH-factor-I stay 2003‬‏ - YouTube

‪Roy Hargrove & The RH-factor-Juicy 2003‬‏ - YouTube

So, how does he get such a huge, low sound out of that? Has he dropped the tuning to B-E-A-D? Help me work this out!

 

[stflbn]

YouTube - ‪Rev.Chubby Love‬‏

IMHO Great great GREAT tone here... love it!

 

[riding]

Know it's been a while since the last post in this thread, but any other good ideas/comments/suggestions/videos on good R&B/Neo-soul bass techniques or just prime examples that help define the sound? Thanks.

 

[diglo]

Go listen to some J Dilla, Voodoo by D'Angelo was heavily influenced by by his beat making. D'Angelo even said the the 1st 2 Slum Village albums where the soundtrack to his time recording Voodoo.

The laid back choppy feel from neo-soul & hip hop is directly derived from J Dilla's beatmaking.

On talkbass almost no one knows about J Dilla but he is one of the most important figures in the past 20 years IMO.

RIP Dilla.

Most definitely! That's who I hear when I'm playing. "How would Dilla do it?" Neo is a feeling, not a set way to do. Everything doesn't have to be busy or correct. I had a cat tell me, on keys, when u play this chord you go to this chord next. But, I wasn't feeling that chord and played what I wanted too. That's the Soul part.

 

[Starrchild]

Go listen to some J Dilla, Voodoo by D'Angelo was heavily influenced by by his beat making. D'Angelo even said the the 1st 2 Slum Village albums where the soundtrack to his time recording Voodoo.

The laid back choppy feel from neo-soul & hip hop is directly derived from J Dilla's beatmaking.

On talkbass almost no one knows about J Dilla but he is one of the most important figures in the past 20 years IMO.


RIP Dilla.

Dig this.

 

[bottomzone]

As has already been said, you need to spend some time doing some serious listening. This guy does a great job with these Jill Scott tunes:




A Groove is a Terrible Thing to Waste!

 

[Shakin-Slim]

Go listen to some J Dilla, Voodoo by D'Angelo was heavily influenced by by his beat making. D'Angelo even said the the 1st 2 Slum Village albums where the soundtrack to his time recording Voodoo.

The laid back choppy feel from neo-soul & hip hop is directly derived from J Dilla's beatmaking.

On talkbass almost no one knows about J Dilla but he is one of the most important figures in the past 20 years IMO.


RIP Dilla.

+1 on alla that!

Dilla revolutionised R&B/hip hop/soul feel.