chuck_stones Posted January 30, 2011 Share Posted January 30, 2011 Hi guys, For years I've been listening to the amazing bassline for this track, and I just can't even begin to get my head round it. Does anyone know how to play it, or have any ideas on where to start? In particular it's the pre-chorus and chorus that has me completely struggling; It moves so fast! [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XsSoDsxB7Yo"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XsSoDsxB7Yo[/url] Cheers, Oli Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BottomE Posted January 30, 2011 Share Posted January 30, 2011 [quote name='chuck_stones' post='1108198' date='Jan 30 2011, 03:01 PM']Hi guys, For years I've been listening to the amazing bassline for this track, and I just can't even begin to get my head round it. Does anyone know how to play it, or have any ideas on where to start? In particular it's the pre-chorus and chorus that has me completely struggling; It moves so fast! [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XsSoDsxB7Yo"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XsSoDsxB7Yo[/url] Cheers, Oli[/quote] Hi, firstly let me congratulate you on your impeccable taste. For me too, this track is a classic. I have done a version of this which is ALL BASS (chords melody and bass line) except for drums and organ. The first bit it about the timing (aint it always). Listen to the spacing of the notes - i know its fast but it has a distinctive phrasing which makes it work. The notes over the chord changes on the intro and subsequent verses are based around: Ab | G | B | C Start there. Whilst the notes are on the root there is an important chromatic run from the G to the B. The chorus is another matter... Have fun Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chuck_stones Posted January 30, 2011 Author Share Posted January 30, 2011 [quote name='BottomE' post='1108211' date='Jan 30 2011, 03:11 PM']Hi, firstly let me congratulate you on your impeccable taste. For me too, this track is a classic. I have done a version of this which is ALL BASS (chords melody and bass line) except for drums and organ. The first bit it about the timing (aint it always). Listen to the spacing of the notes - i know its fast but it has a distinctive phrasing which makes it work. The notes over the chord changes on the intro and subsequent verses are based around: Ab | G | B | C Start there. Whilst the notes are on the root there is an important chromatic run from the G to the B. The chorus is another matter... Have fun[/quote] Hehe, thanks! I'm just glad I've actually found someone who knows the song, let alone likes it too. Anyone I've mentioned it to just looks at me blankly. I'd managed to figure out the timing of the notes and progression of the intro but that's about as far as I've got Out of interest, do you think that this is played on the record with fingers of a pick? From the sound, I'm assuming it's fingers but hot damn they're fast fingers if it is, especially over the chorus. Cheers for your input BottomE! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BottomE Posted January 30, 2011 Share Posted January 30, 2011 [quote name='chuck_stones' post='1108773' date='Jan 30 2011, 10:09 PM']Hehe, thanks! I'm just glad I've actually found someone who knows the song, let alone likes it too. Anyone I've mentioned it to just looks at me blankly.[/quote] +1 Anyone who is/was into Northen Soul will know the song as it was a classic on the dancefloors of Wigan apparently. I am gonna revisit the recording and try and remember to jot down some chords that fit the chorus for you. And also just rembering the little riff at the end of the lyrics - "and the night begins to..." Great stuff Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beedster Posted January 31, 2011 Share Posted January 31, 2011 Ah, the song that got me into playing bass, I even started a thread about that very thing about two years ago. We've played it, but it's hard. I think it's one of those songs that needs two things, a focus on getting the feel of the bass part as opposed to getting it note perfect, and a bloody tight band. It's a song that's driven by the bass part so you have be prepared to lead from the front. I'll have a good listen to it tomorrow and get back to you with anything I can remember C Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gary mac Posted January 31, 2011 Share Posted January 31, 2011 Always loved this song and Northern Soul generally, but would never admit it to all my rock mates back in the day. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kirky Posted January 31, 2011 Share Posted January 31, 2011 Another fan here. Great part and a great sound. I've never tried to play it. The tricky bit (not sure if its the second part of the verse or the first part of the chorus - you know which bit I mean) sounds very Jamerson-like to me. Oh What a Night is another great bass line with a killer ascending run at the end of the middle 8. Listening to them both on the bus now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chuck_stones Posted January 31, 2011 Author Share Posted January 31, 2011 Yeah It's a cracking tune and one of the first songs I heard that really brought the bass to my attention. It's fair to say it was one of, if not the song that got me into playing. Beedster I reckon you're right, a super tight band would be crucial for this one. Kirby I know exactly the bit you mean, very Jamerson like, lots of chromatic runs/licks over the chord progression. Really awesome bit of playing. I'll get there one day Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beedster Posted January 31, 2011 Share Posted January 31, 2011 [quote name='chuck_stones' post='1109165' date='Jan 31 2011, 10:33 AM']Beedster I reckon you're right, a super tight band would be crucial for this one.[/quote] And a pretty quick set of bass playing fingers! My original thread here, probably not much use [url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=14725&hl="]http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=14725&hl=[/url] Good luck C Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BottomE Posted January 31, 2011 Share Posted January 31, 2011 [quote name='Beedster' post='1109173' date='Jan 31 2011, 10:39 AM']And a pretty quick set of bass playing fingers! My original thread here, probably not much use [url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=14725&hl="]http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=14725&hl=[/url] Good luck C[/quote] indeed we pulled out of doing this in the end as the drummer couldn't cope with the incredibly fast double bass drum parts. btw - anyone notice the slight hiss on the recording when the bass comes in? Lovely stuff. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HMX Posted January 31, 2011 Share Posted January 31, 2011 Nothing too constructive here, but fantastic song! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HMX Posted January 31, 2011 Share Posted January 31, 2011 Nothing too constructive here, but fantastic song! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jcater Posted February 1, 2011 Share Posted February 1, 2011 Doing this in my current band - Bunny Lane and the Diversions. Will scrawl some notes on the other sections as the verse has been dealt with above and post them this week. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lojo Posted February 1, 2011 Share Posted February 1, 2011 (edited) Love northern soul and its associated music, this track is brill You don't see much of it as bass clips, there was a good one of the MPVs Turnin my heartbeat up, I think by the jammerson hook guy, or someone like him A bit off topic I know, but only just Good luck with the tune, I might have a go myself later Edited February 1, 2011 by lojo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chuck_stones Posted February 1, 2011 Author Share Posted February 1, 2011 (edited) Cheers for all the input guys @jcater if you could that would be awesome, I've got the verse down It's the next section that's the killer @Iojo - definitely give it a go, the more the merrier at this party Yeah, jamersonshook on YouTube has some great soul bassline covers, his Jamerson attempts are very good. Slightly off topic, but on the subject of amazing bass lines has anyone heard the Chuck Rainey line on Marlena Shaw's cover of 'Feel like makin' love'? Now that is some super tasty bass playing. That's one for the list for sure!: [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bzUrjmYM53g"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bzUrjmYM53g[/url] Edited February 2, 2011 by chuck_stones Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nick Posted February 1, 2011 Share Posted February 1, 2011 [quote name='Beedster' post='1108926' date='Jan 31 2011, 12:13 AM']Ah, the song that got me into playing bass, I even started a thread about that very thing about two years ago. We've played it, but it's hard. I think it's one of those songs that needs two things, a focus on getting the feel of the bass part as opposed to getting it note perfect, and a bloody tight band. It's a song that's driven by the bass part so you have be prepared to lead from the front. I'll have a good listen to it tomorrow and get back to you with anything I can remember C[/quote] Its a classic - love this song. Beedster's comments above are bang-on; you just gotta go for it & let rip each time that part kicks in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jcater Posted February 4, 2011 Share Posted February 4, 2011 After the verse the chords are Fminor /// Bb /// G /// Cminor /// repeated 4 times - I play fairly fast over this using root third, (flatened third on Fmin & Cmin) 5th and octave. This will give you the feel of the original whilst not being note perfect The chorus is Ab AbAb AbAb G F Eb F F G BbBb Bb G F G repeated three times D string 6 66 66 5 88 8 A string 8 6 8 8 10 10 8 10 hope this helps jeff Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jcater Posted February 4, 2011 Share Posted February 4, 2011 Sorry the tab bit went out of line 6 66 66 |5 .......|........88|8..........| ............| 8 6 8| 8 10....|..10 8 10| Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ed P Posted July 3, 2018 Share Posted July 3, 2018 I think this will help: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5KQLv1Gl_BI 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevie Posted July 3, 2018 Share Posted July 3, 2018 Does anyone have a transcription? I quite fancy a go at that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stewblack Posted October 24, 2019 Share Posted October 24, 2019 On 03/07/2018 at 17:49, stevie said: Does anyone have a transcription? I quite fancy a go at that. Working on it now Stevie. Should be done by sometime next week. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevie Posted October 25, 2019 Share Posted October 25, 2019 Thanks Stew. Not the easiest of transcriptions I'd say. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stewblack Posted October 25, 2019 Share Posted October 25, 2019 I have some weird flu virus which makes thinking more challenging than usual. This slows my already rudimentary transcription skills below useful levels. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stewblack Posted November 6, 2019 Share Posted November 6, 2019 Stevie - I've made it to the first chorus! I don't suppose you fancy getting it in installments? You could be learning the song and checking my work as you go. Just a thought. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stewblack Posted November 13, 2019 Share Posted November 13, 2019 (edited) @stevie Not sure if it's perfect but I think it's pretty close. If I revise it I'll let you know https://drive.google.com/file/d/1XqCLPbExOmZPepVca8bRTQVDMjEf0NmV/view?usp=sharing and here is an mp3 of the bass line played at half speed on what sounds a bit like a cello! https://drive.google.com/file/d/12YMiU_nkQzbzFnJqrBfx9i9chpya3WVZ/view?usp=sharing Edited November 13, 2019 by stewblack Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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