stefBclef Posted November 16, 2014 Share Posted November 16, 2014 Hey guys I am covering Superstition by Stevie Wonder - the recording is in Eb, and I was wondering how I should go about playing this using my 4 string. Bear in mind that the low Eb is must for this bass line I thought of 2 options (apart from playing the song in E): 1. De-tune my bass - all 4 strings a semitone. 2. De-tune just my E string and then try and learn the line like this. In this case should I de tune the E string to D or Eb? Are there any other options or is there a preferred method out there? Thanks!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ambient Posted November 16, 2014 Share Posted November 16, 2014 (edited) We just played this at uni last week, the intro, first verse and first chorus, on bass, then had to play the rest on synth bass. I play a 6, so had no problem, those on a 4 string either tuned the whole bass down a semi-tone, so they still had the 4th tuning, others just tuned the E to Eb. It's up to whatever you feel comfortable with. Edited November 17, 2014 by ambient Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PTB Posted November 16, 2014 Share Posted November 16, 2014 (edited) According to an interview I read in Bass Player, Nathan Watts, Stevie's long time bassist, tunes his whole bass down a semi tone. Personally, I would use a 5 to get round that issue but I appreciate that may not be an option for you. Edited November 16, 2014 by PTB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ambient Posted November 16, 2014 Share Posted November 16, 2014 I have a transcription if you want it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dad3353 Posted November 16, 2014 Share Posted November 16, 2014 (edited) I'd play the Eb at the octave, unless I had a 'spare' bass tuned down a semi-tone just for the one song. Edited November 16, 2014 by Dad3353 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
obbm Posted November 17, 2014 Share Posted November 17, 2014 Everyone I know plays it in E. I use a detuner to drop the E string down to D for the low bass riff. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dand666 Posted November 17, 2014 Share Posted November 17, 2014 Just get the rest of the band to play it in E? Easier for everyone, especially in a live situation. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ambient Posted November 17, 2014 Share Posted November 17, 2014 (edited) Bear in mind that there's a low Db in there, in the original riff, so even in E you'd want to tune down to get that. Edited November 17, 2014 by ambient Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stefBclef Posted November 17, 2014 Author Share Posted November 17, 2014 Thanks so much everybody. Yes please ambient, if you could send me a transcription that would be great Ill PM you now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hooch Posted November 21, 2014 Share Posted November 21, 2014 (edited) [quote name='ambient' timestamp='1416235941' post='2608142'] Bear in mind that there's a low Db in there, in the original riff, so even in E you'd want to tune down to get that. [/quote] This. A fiver is very useful for this track. Plus playing this in E is pratical for guitar & bass players, I'm not sure the lead singer will agree though Edited November 21, 2014 by Hooch Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mykesbass Posted November 23, 2014 Share Posted November 23, 2014 [quote name='dand666' timestamp='1416234761' post='2608129'] Just get the rest of the band to play it in E? Easier for everyone, especially in a live situation. [/quote] The horns will love you for that Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TKenrick Posted November 24, 2014 Share Posted November 24, 2014 I keep my bass in standard tuning and use an octave pedal in order to try and get close to the synth sound of the original (I can't be bothered to take my synth to gigs for 1 tune...). Chaka Khan's 'Ain't Nobody' is another function tune that gets called a lot and (to my ears, at least) works better with the octave pedal treatment. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dand666 Posted November 25, 2014 Share Posted November 25, 2014 [quote name='Mykesbass' timestamp='1416782448' post='2613608'] The horns will love you for that [/quote] Just a 5 piece so no problems with that. With the Db I just play the Octave and no one is any the wiser. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FuNkShUi Posted November 25, 2014 Share Posted November 25, 2014 [quote name='obbm' timestamp='1416183255' post='2607803'] Everyone I know plays it in E. [/quote] Yup, thats what we do Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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