greghagger Posted September 16, 2023 Share Posted September 16, 2023 I'm always on the lookout for interesting bass lines and bass players that are new to me. I've done this since I first picked up the bass around 35 years ago and now I'm also doing this to pass these gems on to everyone else. Jackson Browne has always been a favourite songwriter of mine but up to now I've haven't transcribed any of the bass lines from his songs, in fact I wasn't even sure who played bass on his records. 'The Pretender' is one of Jackson Browne's most well-known hits and after spending a few confusing hours researching this song, it became clear that the wrong bass player was credited on it! It also turns out that one of my P-basses is a signature model from the actual bassist who did record this track. The bass line from The Pretender is a useful lesson in when to lay down a basic bass groove and when to fill the space with a busier and more melodic line. The two bass fills in this bass line are beautifully crafted and one of them just runs on when you think it's finished. Find out more in my latest YouTube lesson and pick up the free bass line transcription (notation & Tab) below the video. Enjoy! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ezbass Posted September 16, 2023 Share Posted September 16, 2023 Cracking tune, in fact, the whole album is superb. The crediting of Lee Sklar (IIRC) rather than Bob Glaub is an amusing anecdote. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greghagger Posted September 16, 2023 Author Share Posted September 16, 2023 8 minutes ago, ezbass said: Cracking tune, in fact, the whole album is superb. The crediting of Lee Sklar (IIRC) rather than Bob Glaub is an amusing anecdote. Confused me for a while there!! Thought I was transcribing Sklar! 😂 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ezbass Posted September 16, 2023 Share Posted September 16, 2023 3 minutes ago, greghagger said: Confused me for a while there!! Thought I was transcribing Sklar! 😂 Never a bad thing. That era had so many great session players, Jackson was spoilt for choice, the personnel on that album alone reads like a who’s who. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Pretender_(album) 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greghagger Posted October 9, 2023 Author Share Posted October 9, 2023 On 16/09/2023 at 14:21, ezbass said: Never a bad thing. That era had so many great session players, Jackson was spoilt for choice, the personnel on that album alone reads like a who’s who. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Pretender_(album) Incredible line-up. I’m currently researching a lesson on Doctor My Eyes. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.