I uploaded this playalong video last week. I had a huge amount of fun transcribing and recording this one. The album of the same name is produced by (and mostly written by) Luther Vandross, with bass duties performed by Marcus Miller. An instantly recognisable 80s soul combo!
As soon as I heard this tune a couple of years ago, I knew I had to have a go at it. However, I encountered a stumbling block when I first sat down to figure it out, as the recording isn’t tuned to the standard 440Hz. Marcus Miller plays it tuned down 1/2 step as well, but the two factors combine to make the resultant pitch somewhere in between. I found I was closest to the original tuning when setting my tuner to 448Hz, then tuning down 1/2 step.
Hope this one’s as fun for you as it was for me to make!
H
I decided to make a change from my usual approach to playalong videos with this one. I’ve transcribed Alex Al’s original bassline note-for-note, as it was too good not to.
Enjoy!
Huw
Continuing on a theme of plectrum basslines, here’s a deep cut by Toto. Original bassline by David Hungate. I’d been meaning to have a go at this one for ages, and it was just as fun as I’d hoped!
Big love to Tokyo Dawn for featuring ‘Anita’ on The Boogie, Vol. 6! Check it out on all major platforms, or get it direct here.
Nate Phillips is a beast, obviously.
Poptastic.
H
I first heard this song some 7 or so years ago in 2010. I performed it for a friend’s masters recital, and just about muddled my way through it. It was a revelation – an absolutely massive tune, with incredible bass playing throughout. I feel like I finally have a 5 string that can do the tune justice, having got my Anaconda Ultra J5E late last year. I’d like to think my technical ability has improved in 7 years too!
Hope you enjoy this worship tune, whether you’re religious or not. I’m the latter, but surely music is universal.
H