Bass Transcription: “Overjoyed” by Victor Wooten
This month’s transcription is “Overjoyed” by Victor Wooten. This superb arrangement of Stevie Wonder’s classic song was originally found on Victor’s debut album A Show of Hands, although this video from 1987 shows that Victor had been playing it for nearly ten years prior to the release of that album:
I believe that this arrangement of the song was also inspired by Stanley Clarke’s cover version, which appeared on his 1986 album Hideaway. Although Stanley’s version was a smooth jazz reading of the tune, it certainly seems to have influenced Victor’s very challenging two-handed tapping arrangement.
Good luck with this piece. It’s a tough one to play well but you’ll be pleased with yourself once you have it down – I know I was!
Download the transcription (PDF file), which includes both standard notation and tab.
Stuart Clayton writes for and runs Bassline Publishing, a small company who specialize in bass guitar tuition and transcription books. Check out basslinepublishing.com for more.
I looked at the transcription and initially I thought, how the heck am I supposed to play that?? Then I read more closely and watched the video and saw it was all tapping! This will definitely be interesting to learn as I have very little experience with tapping.
I like the part that he had been playing it for nearly ten years prior to the release of that album.