Simplest Jamerson bassline: where to start?

[lanark]

As the title says. I love JJ's style, but they're all so complex - every repeat seems to be different. So where would be a good entry point to plug in to the great man's style before buying the whole Shadows of Motown book / cd / dvd etc?

Edited September 3, 2010 by lanark

[mart]

[quote name='lanark' post='944304' date='Sep 3 2010, 10:22 AM']As the title says. I love JJ's style, but they're all so complex - every repeat seems to be different. So where would be a good entry point to plug in to the great man's style before buying the whole Shadows of Motown book / cd / dvd etc?[/quote]

You can't hurry love. That's about the only line of his that I can play start to finish. You just need to try and avoid thinking about Phil Collins!

[BottomEndian]

[quote name='mart' post='944333' date='Sep 3 2010, 10:49 AM']You just need to try and avoid thinking about Phil Collins![/quote]
But it helps to "keep the wolf from the door", so to speak.

Errr... back on topic, "Get Ready" is pretty straightforward.

[derrenleepoole]

Do a search on Youtube for a channel called [url="http://www.youtube.com/user/jamersonshook"]Jamersons Hook[/url]. This guy has the whole Jamerson vibe down to a tee, and has masses of videos playing loads of his lines. He's also really approachable and a nice guy. So maybe speak to him?

[matski]

Was 'Papa was a rolling stone' a Jamerson one? That's pretty simple.

[Bilbo]

Been preparing for a show and BottomEndian is right. Get Ready is a simple place to start, as is You Can't Hurry Love.

[BottomEndian]

The Isley Brothers' "This Old Heart of Mine (Is Weak for You)" has just come on at work, and that's another pretty simple one.

[ezbass]

Maybe Start with some Bob Babbitt instead as his lines were very JJ but had a more repetetive structure, Sign Sealed Delivered is a good one (I'm pretty sure this is BB). Born To Love Her is another fairly repetetive one (ish) but this time with JJ.

I do hope I've got my facts straight on this as I'm not keen of the heat a good flaming generates

Edited September 3, 2010 by ezbass

[chris_b]

To start try Can I Get A Witness by Marvin Gaye, Baby Love by The Supremes, Too Many Fish In The Sea by The Marvelettes, Money by Barratt Strong and Twist And Shout by The Isley Brothers.

Start at the beginning like James Jamerson did. He played bass for Motown for 15 years and for the first half he mostly played root and 5.

Edited September 3, 2010 by chris_b

[chris_b]

Also buy Standing In The Shadows Of Motown, book and DVD anyway.

Edit for spelling!

Edited September 3, 2010 by chris_b

[spike]

I'd suggest Heatwave and Ain't Too Proud To Beg as a couple more not too difficult ones

[chardbass]

My Girl?
Simple re chords and tempo. It's all about note lengths and articulation.

[Marvin]

[quote name='chardbass' post='944589' date='Sep 3 2010, 02:47 PM']My Girl?
Simple re chords and tempo. It's all about note lengths and articulation.[/quote]

I think that one shows that simplicity can be both effective and beautiful. I really like that line.

[anthomp]

Higher and higher

Jackie Wilson

[ezbass]

[quote name='chris_b' post='944475' date='Sep 3 2010, 12:59 PM']Also buy Standing In The Shaddows Of Motown, book and DVD anyway.[/quote]
+1 absolutely essential viewing and reading

[niceguyhomer]

I have a book on the RnB Masters that includes a cd and tabs of some classic basslines including some of Jamersons. Bit complex though.

What's Going On (Marvin Gaye) isn't too difficult and Heatwave is another one that's fairly straightforward.

[lanark]

Thanks for all the suggestions, guys. Every post just brings up a superb song. Wow - although I always kind of at heart prefer the grit and fire of Stax, the sheer consistant magic of Motown was unbelievable.

[Bikenbass]

"Standing In The Shadows Of Motown" is a definate must buy. My favourite to play, (or try in my case) is "It's The Same Old Song" by the Temptations, not overly difficult but satisfying.

Another benefit to the book is the absence of tablature, everything is in notation, forcing me to read music.

Edited September 4, 2010 by MSL