Wont get fooled again

[Biglump]

This board seems to be out in the desert and I'm obvoiusly asking wrong questions, but...

Can anyone suggests buildng blocks towards 'Wont get fooled again' please.

It's probably my stage in bass playing, but I can't get through the tab, nor realte the sections to the tune.

So are there any songs that contain the building blocks, phrases, etc. that would build up the foundation please?

Many thanks.
(The) Biglump

[ras52]

Search for the isolated bass track on YouTube, that may help...

[HazBeen]

+1 to the above. It pretty much will help you understand note for note.

[mep]

The isolated track has recently be discussed

[font="Calibri"][size="3"][color="#000000"]http://basschat.co.uk/topic/285531-the-ox-isolated-bass-track-video-wont-get-fooled-again/page__p__3066429__hl__fooled__fromsearch__1#entry3066429[/color][/size][/font]

[chris_b]

Just play along with the track as many times as it takes.

It will get easier and quicker over time.

[JTUK]

The part is not a very disciplined part .... so pick up a few key sections and riff it to death.

You'll not likely find one version the same as the other anyway so as long as you stay in key, you'll be fine.

Oh.. and as is good practice, IMO.. avoid open strings as much as poss

[Cosmo Valdemar]

[quote name='JTUK' timestamp='1465846084' post='3071574']
Oh.. and as is good practice, IMO.. avoid open strings as much as poss
[/quote]

Why is this good practice? Serious question.

[ambient]

I've got a transcription, standard notation though. Is that any use ?

[JTUK]

[quote name='Cosmo Valdemar' timestamp='1465907878' post='3071976']
Why is this good practice? Serious question.
[/quote]

Good practice not to be a slave to playing open strings as that wont transpose very well.
If you play fretted, key shifts are just another position on the neck around the same shape.
For this song, most will play in the original key but if you cover a lot of music then other keys come into play.

You've heard the one about how to shut up a gtr..?? give him a horn key...
Same would apply to bass..

[Cosmo Valdemar]

[quote name='JTUK' timestamp='1466339843' post='3075038']
Good practice not to be a slave to playing open strings as that wont transpose very well.
If you play fretted, key shifts are just another position on the neck around the same shape.
For this song, most will play in the original key but if you cover a lot of music then other keys come into play.

You've heard the one about how to shut up a gtr..?? give him a horn key...
Same would apply to bass..
[/quote]

Fair enough. I've never really thought about it like that.
I've always played WGFA in the original key of A and as per the version above use lots of open strings - there are a few pull offs onto open strings which give the line a certain swagger. I imagine the line would stiffen up if played elsewhere on the neck.

[chris_b]

I play it in A but don't use open strings.

There's no significant reason. I just don't use open strings that often in any number. Never have.

[b7l4s]

I feel for the OP - I had to learn this in a hurry after joining my current band, and it is our usual opener... so kind of had to be passable! I recall looking at various attempts to transcribe it and being thoroughly confused...

However, on closer inspection, the chord sequence is actually quite simple, and I did work out the main sections one by one using a combination of tabs, YouTube vids and isolated bass tracks. I’ve since refined my version over the last couple of years and can manage a convincing (enough) version all of my very own that no one has ever complained about – so Biglump, it can be done – and I am in no way making out I'm the reincarnation of the Ox!

FWIW - my thoughts on getting this learned would be…[list=1]
[*]The signature (opening, whatever) bass part that comes up a few times through the song you can completely get away with keeping simple, but once you are comfortable with the whole song there are countless ways to vamp it up with octaves and passing notes – just make sure you are solid with the timing (and the audience sees you make dramatic moves right up and down the neck with all the flair and panache you can muster by playing the octaves on the same string as the root)… It is what John would have wanted!
[*]The verses you can base around a very simple riff of your choosing – just keep it moving so it sounds like you are working your butt off. Not too many repeated notes in the phrasing - there are loads of ideas on tab sites and YT. I’ve tried to include one below that is straight out of the top google result for the tab. To this day I often still use this as the 'seed' riff for exploring the verse.
[*]The high register descending riff in the chorus is worth getting right. The guys in my band were overjoyed that they could hear that for the first time ever from a bass player (and they had been through a few before finding just the right kind of idiot for their brand of rock).
[*]The bridge and solo sections (in my version) are really quite basic - you are potentially doing a lot throughout the rest of the track, so let the guitar have its moment and concentrate on supporting the groove - and don't feel guilty about it. It also makes learning that section quick and easy... embellish it later at your leisure if you want.
[*]As mentioned above by JTUK, there is no one right way of doing this unless you are trying to make a carbon copy of the album cut. Of course your timing etc. matters - as with the bass on most any song - but IMO this is one piece better served with the right attitude than with sterile precision. Once you have the basics down you can have fun with this, and I hope you do!
[/list]

Verse riff:
[font=courier new,courier,monospace]|G|------2---|---------------|-------2---|-------0-----0/12--|
|D|----------|-0-1-2-0-------|-----------|-0-1-2----0--------|
|A|-0--0---0-|---------3-0---|-0--0----0-|-------------------|
|E|----------|-------------3-|-----------|-------------------|[/font]


Obviously everyone will probably pile in now with why this is all wrong – but whatever – advice is free, but your mileage may vary. I hope you get this track down to YOUR satisfaction.

Edit: font for tab...

Edited June 29, 2016 by b7l4s

[JapanAxe]

[quote name='Meddle' timestamp='1467321477' post='3082898']
As for open strings I feel this is a bit of a hangover from the classical world. When I took violin lessons I was taught to shy away from open strings as they have a different timbre. I've also read that this attitude is way more prevalent in European (and ex-European) bassists than with those in the US. I suppose it depends on whether you treat the open strings as a crutch or not.
[/quote]

James Jamerson used open strings to provide descending chromatic approach notes while playing in 'flat' keys. Although it's good not to become dependent upon open strings, that doesn't mean you can't or shouldn't use them when they're available.

Edited August 19, 2016 by JapanAxe

[ras52]

[quote name='JapanAxe' timestamp='1467458947' post='3083815']
James Jamerson used open strings to provide descending chromatic approach nights while playing in 'flat' keys. Although it's good not to become dependent upon open strings, that doesn't mean you can't or shouldn't use them when they're available.
[/quote]

I was thinking the same thing! (Although I'd say ascending approach notes, e.g. an open D going up to E flat...) If it's good enough for Jameson...

Also something like She's Lost Control without open strings would be... interesting.

[The-Ox]

Interesting! I use open strings a lot, especially in WGFA. Even in normal basslines I use them even where they wouldn't make musical sense, just to fatten up a line.

But I guess whatever you're most comfortable with goes

[JTUK]

[quote name='The-Ox' timestamp='1467748621' post='3085949']
Interesting! I use open strings a lot, especially in WGFA. Even in normal basslines I use them even where they wouldn't make musical sense, just to fatten up a line.

But I guess whatever you're most comfortable with goes
[/quote]

Apart from the 'New constitution' bit which works with an open D..and the bottom E I don't think you need open strings on this song.
The point about good practice is a general point, but as regards JE he uses open strings so much it defines his style.
When you go to play with other bands who might need to play 'down' a bit open strings becomes a BIG compromise. IMO.

[JapanAxe]

Well would you believe it! I've just been given this to learn for a band I will be working with. Fortunately I have been given a partial transcription, with main riffs in notation, and then 'FILL' for a bar, followed by [i]sim[/i]. Basically I need to memorise key sections, and I can improvise beyond that, much as your man did on the original.

[6feet7]

I can't remember which bassist from which metal band said this, but the gist of his playing was to use as many open strings as possible. That way he could stand with one foot on a monitor, left arm in the air pointing at the audience whilst still playing root notes. Has served me well for many years (no good for wgfa though, I'm afraid

[andytoad]

[quote name='6feet7' timestamp='1471698879' post='3115168']
I can't remember which bassist from which metal band said this, but the gist of his playing was to use as many open strings as possible. That way he could stand with one foot on a monitor, left arm in the air pointing at the audience whilst still playing root notes. Has served me well for many years (no good for wgfa though, I'm afraid
[/quote]

Love it!!

[spacey]

Who often tuned the guitar a tone flat when recording, so things like My generation were played in A but came out in G on the record, the guitar riff is an open A with the G added the same chord.
Yet JE, just adapted what he played to suit, as players went he was not bothered what others did, he did his own thing and his way.

[Cosmo Valdemar]

[quote name='spacey' timestamp='1471776814' post='3115732']
Who often tuned the guitar a tone flat when recording, so things like My generation were played in A but came out in G on the record, the guitar riff is an open A with the G added the same chord.
[/quote]

Don't think they did... My Generation was originally recorded in G but played in A live from the late 60s onward, probably for ease. They would sometimes change keys live to make the song easier to play - Sparks from Tommy is another example - the big descending bass riff in the second part was always played in E live, like the opening riff, wheras on record it's in C#. Probably to make Townshend's complex chords a bit easier to pull off after a bottle of brandy.

[JapanAxe]

To me, Townshend, Moon and Entwistle played as 3 soloists, but somehow the chemistry worked. I had a first run through last night with the band, and the approach of signature riff + ad-lib improv seems to work.

[Biglump]

[quote name='ambient' timestamp='1466203520' post='3074188']
I've got a transcription, standard notation though. Is that any use ?
[/quote]
Oh yes please. I'm trying to learn to read whilst stuck indoors.
And thanks to all the posters for the rest of the ideas too.

[ambient]

[quote name='Biglump' timestamp='1472301113' post='3120161']
Oh yes please. I'm trying to learn to read whilst stuck indoors.
And thanks to all the posters for the rest of the ideas too.
[/quote]

Here, hopefully you'll be able to see it OK.

Let me know if you can't, and I'll see if I can scan them and email it to you.

[attachment=226534:unnamed-2.jpg]

[attachment=226535:unnamed.jpg]

Edited August 27, 2016 by ambient

[JapanAxe]

Yoink!