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Bass Lessons - Page 16

Bass Transcription: Phil Upchurch’s Bass Line on “Misty” by Donny Hathaway
Transcriptions

Bass Transcription: Phil Upchurch’s Bass Line on “Misty” by Donny Hathaway

Phil Upchurch has played on over two hundred albums, and is highly regarded for his guitar work. He is less well-known as a bass player, but he’s contributed some excellent work as well. Check out Tim Fletcher’s transcription and analysis of Upchurch’s line on Donny Hathaway’s “Misty”

Vertical Soloing: Using Minor Pentatonic on Five Chord Types
Vertical Soloing

Vertical Soloing: Using Minor Pentatonic on Five Chord Types

In this lesson, Lorin Cohen illustrates how to use one minor pentatonic scale over five chord types. In this case, using the B minor pentatonic scale to play over a progression. This illustrates what Lorin calls a “vertical” approach to soloing, where we create lines that move swiftly up and across the fingerboard.

Bass Transcription: Dave Hope’s Bass Line on “Carry on Wayward Son” by Kansas
Transcriptions

Bass Transcription: Dave Hope’s Bass Line on “Carry on Wayward Son” by Kansas

This is the second entry of the Tim Fletcher's “Unsung US Bassists” series, with his transcription and analysis for Dave Hope’s bass line on “Carry on Wayward Son” by Kansas.

Bass Transcription: Doug Haywood’s Bass Line on “Late for the Sky” by Jackson Browne
Transcriptions

Bass Transcription: Doug Haywood’s Bass Line on “Late for the Sky” by Jackson Browne

We’re thrilled to welcome back Tim Fletcher, who is starting a new bass transcription series on the “Unsung US Bassists.” Tim is kicking things off with his transcription and analysis of Doug Haywood’s bass line on “Late for the Sky” by Jackson Browne.

Bass Lick Series: A7 Bass Line with Harmonics (and More)
Bass Lick Series

Bass Lick Series: A7 Bass Line with Harmonics (and More)

In this new bass lick lesson, we’re going to combine harmonics and double stops with a Mixolydian scale fill. First, I’ll play it at full tempo, then around the 1-minute mark, I cover it slowly for you to follow along. Be sure to grab the backing drum track for playing along at full speed.

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Bass Transcription: Noel Redding’s Bass Line on “Come On (Part One)” by The Jimi Hendrix Experience
Transcriptions

Bass Transcription: Noel Redding’s Bass Line on “Come On (Part One)” by The Jimi Hendrix Experience

With producer and mentor Chas Chandler in control, and holed up in Olympic Studios in London, the early sessions for the album had been relatively straightforward, and the band had recorded basic versions of “Crosstown Traffic” and “All Along the Watchtower” before setting off on their early ’68 North American tour. On a break from their schedule, a short recording...

Creative Bass Lines: Using the Melodic Minor Scale To Navigate on a Minor ii-V-i Chord Progression
Creative Bass Lines

Creative Bass Lines: Using the Melodic Minor Scale To Navigate on a Minor ii-V-i Chord Progression

Welcome back to another column, and today we’re diving further into jazz-related harmony with a look at starting to get inside two of the most useful modes from the melodic minor scale. The full line is demonstrated right after the opening title credits, with a little backing groove, and then during the video, I dissect and explain it for you....

Talking Technique: Optimize Your Octaves with a Killer Bass Riff
Talking Technique

Talking Technique: Optimize Your Octaves with a Killer Bass Riff

Here is a cool modern retro disco funk riff that will help you optimize your octaves. A cool slide in the middle inspires more ideas for creative explorations and technique shedding. The transcription will help you out, but follow the step-by-step way to break it down and make it manageable. Practicing technique the groovy way!

Bass Transcription: Ewan Vernal’s Bass Line on “The Wildness” by Deacon Blue
Transcriptions

Bass Transcription: Ewan Vernal’s Bass Line on “The Wildness” by Deacon Blue

Ewen Vernal was born in 1964 into a musical family in Glasgow, Scotland. His mother was a vocalist, and his father played saxophone and also led a local choir. Ewen’s early musical experiences focused on playing the piano and singing, but this changed during his teenage years after he found an old acoustic guitar in his loft. Although only the...

Bass Transcription: Bruce Foxton’s Bass Line on “Start!” by The Jam
Transcriptions

Bass Transcription: Bruce Foxton’s Bass Line on “Start!” by The Jam

The Jam was a very successful British band that achieved considerable chart success, with 18 top 40 singles and four number ones. They also released six top 20 albums and gained wide critical acclaim for their song-writing. Although their early hits were considered New Wave, the band blended a wider range of influences into their material than many of the...

Talking Technique: Short-Scale Bass Shedding
Talking Technique

Talking Technique: Short-Scale Bass Shedding

Short-scale basses have recently enjoyed a bit of a resurgence – be it as an alternate tool in a pro’s kit or as a main axe chosen for its sound, lightweight, easy playability and hip factor. In this episode, we’ll explore some right-hand, left-hand, and coordination drills that will help you wrap your mind around the shorter scale. I’m using...

Bass Transcription: Anthony Jackson’s Bass Line on Michel Camilo’s “We Three”
Transcriptions

Bass Transcription: Anthony Jackson’s Bass Line on Michel Camilo’s “We Three”

Anthony Jackson is one of the most versatile bass players in the music scene and a real innovator in the 6-string bass (or contrabass guitar) that he developed in the seventies. He is known as a session musician working with artists like Diane Ross, Chaka Khan, Steely Dan, and Steve Khan, but he made a very important body of work...