How to play like James Jamerson | Motown, Marvin Gaye, Funk Brothers | Thomann
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- Опубліковано 21 тра 2024
- Julia explains how to make your bass playing sound more like the legendary Motown Session Bassist James Jamerson. Including playing tips, a short guide how to make a foam mute out of a sponge and of course some tasty playing from Julia! What is your favourite James Jamerson Bassline? Let us know in the comments!
Gear used: bit.ly/2WK1XFF
We use Triad-Orbit stands for our cameras, lights and mics: tho.mn/triad
Recorded and mixed with Universal Audio: tho.mn/xuad
Interesting bits and pieces:
0:00 Intro
0:41 playing with one finger instead of two
1:22 play a lot of open strings
1:48 His Gear: P Bass, flatwounds & foam mute
1:59 how to make a foam mute out of a kitchen sponge
2:22 playing with foam mute
2:42 James Jamersons general approach to basslines
3:21 playing song | Ain't That Peculiar by Marvin Gaye
4:20 conclusions
4:43 Julia's favourite James Jamerson bassline
5:15 what's your favourite James Jamerson bassline?
5:23 thanks for watching & please subscribe
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As a 69 year old guy in the USA who has been playing bass guitar for 56 years, I have to compliment this young lady for doing a great job playing and narrating this video. Great job Julia.
She is a true cat respectable honest very intelligent and she knows her music two thumbs up to this lady I would love to just Jam one song with her why can't all musicians just be like this smooth as silk and just let the music do the talking she is a breath of fresh air
Julia, such a pleasure to listen to you. Have you ever played/ disected Tower of Power's bassist, Rocko Prestia's lines. He's my favorite.
@@rcjr.7725 She lets the music do the talking, but she's also really good at doing the talking. Her accent is so cute, Chames Chamerson.
@@tomohara640 That would be a great video! He and Jamerson are my heroes.
Have you come across Norman Watt Roy? He played with Ian Dury, among others.
“I Was Made To Love Her” his use of chromaticism is absolutely brilliant in that song. His playing is so busy but every note is perfectly placed. He was the heart and soul of Motown Records.
I just wanted to like this comment twice!
Amen. You know what one of the best things about living in North Carolina is, it's close to South Carolina and Charleston where
James was born 👍👍🎶🎶
I make it a habit to tell people or more like cashiers many don't have a clue when I'm talking about LOL
Whoever played bass on " wish " by Steve Wander was on fire ... At the end , the bassist starts doing outrageous stuff ... My favorite part of any recording is at the fade . The player has no inhibitions a by the end of a song .
@@mrkdemeritt No doubt, but don't forget to brag on all the cats from North Carolina, like John Coltrane, George Clinton, Thelonious Monk, Earl Scruggs, Max Roach, Link Wray, Charlie Daniels, James Taylor, Doc Watson, and Maceo Parker, just to name a few. And the many ladies too, like Roberta Flack, Etta Baker, Tori Amos, and on and on.
”What’s happening brother” have the coolest bass sequence in my opinion.
Apparently jamerson played the whole what's going on session laying on his back blind drunk!
@@michaelx9079 Now that is pretty epic
Very much under-rated track Erik ...!
My 2nd favourite, after "Save The Children"
I've spent the last few weeks finally learning this song on bass (it's always been my favorite from the album). It is never taking me this long to figure out how to play a song. I would set aside an hour or so a day to work on it and there are a few bars (like literally one bar at a time) that took me over two hours to figure out and perfect. I can play it straight through now, note for note. It's a super short song to listen to but, when you're playing it, it's even shorter.
An important reason these bass lines are so good is that they sit in arrangements that leave room for bass fills and the types of lines he liked to construct. Setting up an excellent groove requires alert, sympathetic ears among all players. So, hats off to all of the funk brothers.
Yes, you can have the space and still not be able to play the way He did. There is a reason why the motown legends gave him the space to freely create cause they knew He WAS A LEGEND AT IT. They knew He was SPECIAL.
I was made to love her - Stevie Wonder - a classic
“Darling Dear” is my favorite Jameson line. That and “I Second That Emotion” or “My Heart Is Like A Clock” all super super good
He didn’t play on that track. It’s Wilton Felder who was nominally a saxophone player.
Darling Dear may be one of the greatest bass performances ever captured on tape.
Yes I agree, but for clarity, I am talking about the Jackson Five version rather than the original version by Smokey and the Miracles. Is that the one you're referring to?
According to his biography, when asked why he never changed the strings on his Precision Bass, James Jamerson answered this: "The dirt keeps the funk."
Of course that was a joke. The real reason being that he uses flatwounds. You don't need to change flatwounds as they don't damage.
True, but actually it was "the gunk keeps the funk"
Carol Kaye had a similar reply... She says when the strings needed to be changed, she's just trade her p-bass in for a new one...
@@mhlevy Haha
@@GamerDude779 if you really want to be a stickler, I believe it was “the *JUNK keep the funk”, according to James Jamerson Jr.
Julia! You're amongst the best. And your smile when you're 'in the Zone' is just so lovely. And inspiring - Way to go👍🏆
My favorite is. Darling Dear. By the Jackson 5.
So smooth as always... “Bernadette”
"Bernadette!" Thats one of my all time fav bass lines.
Here here, Bernadette
That is so so true!
Bernadette
I remember being knocked out by the bass line when I first heard it. And I still think that Jamerson's bass 'melody' is more memorable than the vocal melody.
Ain’t no mountain high enough is my favorite, I also absolutely love “Darling Dear” by the Jackson 5. Jamerson goes crazy!!!
Yes! Darling Dear is an absolutely underrated J-5 classic!
My favorite Jamerson bass line is 'Reflections'. The way it interweaves with the vocal line is amazing.
"It's a Shame" (The Spinners) -- the way the bass enters for one... complete awesomeness number two
Julia, u reading this...?
Best bass line of all times:
"What's going on" by Marvin Gay
My favorite Jamerson bass line is always "What's Going On". Very melodic with great flow. Also, he recorded it in one take while being drunk and laying on his back on the floor with the chart being held in front of him.
My favorite is “What’s Going On,” as many others have said.
That whole song evokes so much power and beauty and pain.
The whole what's going on album from beginning to end is what changed my life when I was about 16
Me too, at 16.
Yeah, shining moment of hope, optimism, realism and open-eyes, and then the Empire struck back
Favorite James Jameson bass line "Standing In The Shadow of Love".
I've always loved the bass line from Marvin Gaye's "What's Going On".
My personal favorite is "Reflections" by The Supremes.
Great job explaining James Jamerson's technique and tone. Extremely well done.
Fun fact: Jamerson's basses had the original pickup cover which he rested his pinkie and ring finger on for stability and he always plucked in the same position just forward of the cover using a floating thumb technique to assist with muting the lower strings. A P bass originally came with a piece of foam attached to the underside of the bridge cover pressing on the strings from above. Nice playing :) Bass line from Love Is Here And Now You're Gone is a thing of beauty worth learning.
I put the bridge cover on all my P Basses with foam attached. Sounds great!
I’d have to say “What’s Going On” by Marvin Gaye, especially after hearing the story about how Jamerson recorded it.
Yeah.....he did that song drunk, laying on his back on the floor with his bass.....and in one take.....freaking unreal.....
For me the bass in 'What's happenin brother' is just just pure genius
Great video, well done 🙌🏽
👏👏👏👏
There so many of his, but, it's hard to argue with you bro. 👌🏼
My favorites are Darling Dear and What's Happenin' Brother.
I can't help myself. I think James really liked The Four Tops, he always seemed to play something special for them. "What's going on" is also a huge favorite, the legend behind the recording of it, is also very entertaining.
that legend is about the song "whats happening brother"! which is why is the most unhinged line on bass history..., the line on "whats going on" was written by David Van De Pitte, arranger on that record and fellow bassist of James when he played at the Detroit Orchestra, James only played what was on the chart if David wrote it because he had so much respect for him. much love!
As soon as I start the bass line, people start to dance, young and old alike. We play it and go right into Same Old Song another great bass line. They all are! James Jamerson and Duck Dunn are the reason I wanted to play bass guitar starting in high school.
i think the best Jamerson line is “What’s happening brother”
Darling Dear, This Old Heart of Mine, but above all How Long Has That Evening Train Been Gone. Pure genius.
All the songs he played on are Sooper-KILLER! I love that there,are many faves bt us all!
All his playing is great on all!
TI Flats, foam and an Ampeg B-15 = Heaven
Keeps me hanging on ' Disna Ross and the Supremes
To find out more about James Jamerson, get a hold of “Standing in the shadows of Motown”, a book and CD about the “Funk Brothers”
Only music instruction book ever to be made into a stage production and then a major motion picture with follow-up tour.
A lot of Jamerson's fan doesn’t seem to know this song. He is simply THE GOAT.
ua-cam.com/video/GoKqxpNougs/v-deo.html
I just noticed that on my tablet. Looks very interesting
Not only are you an excellent bassist but your knowledge of, and passion for, Funk and Soul music is second to none (I'd love to hear the story behind that some day). Keep up the good work.
"Sweet daaaaarling deeear"... What a beauty!
Ultimate JJamerson song is For once in my life. Playing the melody and with all the fill-ins. Take another listen.
James Jamerson as well as Bob Babbitt (Motown bass lines in general) inspired me to pickup the bass. My favorite line by James Jamerson is the Miracles' "I Second That Emotion"
All the songs with Steve Wonder! Incredible grooves!!
My favorite James Jamerson bass lines are, "For Once In My Life," and "I Was Made To Love Her," by Stevie Wonder!!! And, "Darling Dear," by The Jackson Five!!! He absolutely killed it!!!!!!
Hey, I love "Darling Dear", great song! // Cheers, Julia
I was made to love her was actually carol kaye on bass, killer line though. Quincy jones produced that one and brought a different crew. Similar muted tone, but played with a flat pick!
Had not heard Darling Dear before. Not sure how I missed that one, but wow, what a gem!
@@Tony-tt5mn Nope! That fat tone is unmistakable. Definitely Jamerson!
@Luigi ua-cam.com/video/ynuptADU0JE/v-deo.html
James Jamerson makes it so great ! Period .
The Jackson 5 - I Wanna Be Where You Are : James goes through like 4 shifted grooves in this song. The bass really carries this song. One my favorite Jackson tunes. Not heard by most.
Such a great song. It's actually from Michaels 1972 solo album "Got To Be There".
What I think gets a little deeper than that, is the Jackson 5ive’s rendition of “never had a dream come true” from the ABC album
@@PirahnaheadDetroit I'll check it out.
There's just way too many for me to choose a favorite - many have been mentioned here. One of his lesser known but superb bass lines is from 'It's A Shame' by the Spinners. Pure sweetness!
Yeah! That's the one i keep going back to!! That song has an amazing vocal track and killer bass groove. Stevie Wonder co-wrote and produced it! Good pick!!!
@@stuartmoore6310 Fun Fact: G. C. Cameron sang both leads, the emotional pleading falsetto tenor contrasting with the baritone which near the end of the song becomes an emotional raspy gospel like shouty baritone. I thought the leads were done by 2 different singers until recently.
Wow, that sponge trick is awesome!
A lot more consistent than muting with your right hand but you're not able to let a note ring out if you want to. I put a narrow piece of plastic packing foam under the strings next to the nut
@@dontall71 Next to the nut? That's interesting, I am curious how you do that. Doesn't that interfere with your open notes?
My admiration is the beginning of "Reflections" by the Supremes. I love the interplay between the bass and guitar. Soooo cool.
I played "Ain't No Mountain High Enough" on my senior recital in college. Great bass line.
Great demo. Another highlight of his 'hook' tone was that you can hear his fingertip right at the top of the attack. If you try to mimic the sponge just by rolling off the tone, you'll lose that fingertip tap. Compressors also help to mimic the sponge. Recordings were tone and volume on full into a DI.
I can't pick a favorite James Jamerson line I'm sorry I love them all way too much and you do a great job God bless
Thank Julia for this video highlighting my favorite bass player
"My Girl" first JJ bass line I learnt and stays with me ever since. Simple and effective, and makes the song work.
Currently learning 'What's Going On'. Super fun song to play on my Squier CV 70's P Bass. Just need to get a sponge.
Hey Julia .. I am so glad for you that you have the regular gig at Thomann .. your infectious smile & cheerful attitude puts a smile on my face & you are a Gr8 Player too .. I like the No nonsense approach .. I wonder if you have heard of the Film " Standing in the Shadows " ? It is about the Funk Bros' & there are lots of gr8 music plus interesting stories .. .. Basically they were a bunch of Jazz musicians who all knew each other well & could turn anything into a groove .. it was as easy as falling down stairs for them many sessions .. They were basically in a little cellar / basement working for daily rates & glad to get the call .. Today is 21. 12 20 winter solstice here in Forest of Dean England so happy holidays if you read this & stay safe stay strong Bye .
For me it's For Once In My Life. It can literally choke me up, what he does with what he is given (meaning what the other instruments are playing).
you sir, james jamerson .was a bass magician..
Favorite bass line by James Jameson? “What’s Going On?”
Couldn't agree more
Stevie Wonder’s “I was made to love her”.
Gladys Knight - Ain't no sun since you've been gone
Darling dear
There are so many great James Jamerson Motown Bass lines, it's impossible for me to select just one. Jamerson's PBass surging through his Ampeg B15, pumped the lifeblood of the Funk Brothers throughout the body that is, the Motown sound. The electric bass was a relatively new invention (circa 1952) when Motown hit its musical stride in the early 60s. He utilized it as more of a bass guitar than an electrified double bass. This meant that he played many more melodic riffs than one or two note harmonic chord outlines. That style of electric bass is what we have since heard from every record company, from the east to the west coast; and all over the world. The bass was never destined just to be an accompanying voice in the background of an ensemble. Thanks to Jamerson, his style, and the many who were directly or indirectly influenced by him, it is arguably the most important voice in recorded music.🎸
Thank you Julia! Jamerson also plays on the Diana Ross version of “Ain’t no mountain...” “Darling dear” is also fantastic. Also worth mentioning that Mr Jamerson used “La Bella” deep talking heavy flats, which he never changed. There is a book and cd available “Standing in the shadows of Motown” which is very informative, not just on JJ, but the funk brothers too
Duck Dunn used La Bella heavy flats as well. I got 'em on my P-bass and they deliver the goods.
"What's Goin' On" is Jamerson's absolutely perfect masterwork of bass composition. And he played it drunk out of his mind, laying on his back, because he was too wasted to sit in a chair, on the floor of Studio A, from a chart, in one take. James Jamerson was THE best bass player of all time.
speaking of bass line following the singer i think that "darling dear" with the jacksons is a very good example of james's genuis :)
ty julia !
Everyone has mentioned my favorites, I love "Ain't Nothing Like the Real Thing, " so melodic, his lines are like counterpoint melodies made up on the fly. Like Hendrix and Jaco, there was music before and then after James Jamerson. Like them, he changed everything and showed just what could be done on their instrument.
This is awesome my favorite "Ain't That Peculiar"
Signed sealed and delivered I think is Jamerson. Used to play that one in my cover band. So much fun to lock in with the drums.
James Jamerson is it! His bass lines are exquisite: You Keep Me Hanging On, Bernadette, What’s Going On, Shotgun, Reach Out, I’ll Be There, How Sweet It Is, I Was Made To Love Her, For Once In My Life, I Heard It Through The Grape Vine (2 versions), Love Child, Heat Wave, Ain’t Nothing Like The Real Thing, Which Of Us Is The Fool, Stop In The Name Of Love, & on & on & on. Forever James Jamerson, You’ll never be forgotten! You’re an awesome bass player, Miss Julia Hofer. Thank you, for being YOU!🙌🏻🙌🏻🍎
My fave: "For Once in My Life"- Stevie Wonder
the jackson 5s darling dear is so wild to me everytime i listen to it. to think of james prolly in his mid to late 30s writing and recording with a young michel is really something . i sometimes wonder if he is playing on the jackson 5's "to know" prolly one of my personal favorite underated jackson 5 songs
Wow, thank you for keeping the memory of James alive. So great to see the respect and appreciate your video so much.
"What's Happening Brother" from What's Going On is my favourite James Jamerson bass line, followed closely by "For Once In My Life". Your enthusiasm is infectious, keep up the good work!
Julia, you play very well, and better than most demonstration videos on You Tube.
He played notes where he felt like, so each line may differ from the previous, however, they were identical and consistent each time he played that particular song. Bernadette and Reach Out I’ll Be There are classic Jamerson baselines.
excellent video.
I watch you playing with Marcus Miller yesterday. funky lady, I love it.
Julia - nailed it - JJ would be impressed!
LOVE JJ’s lines... the BEST!
His bassline on "Rock the boat" by The Hughs Corporation makes the song very danceable.
Seriously? That's him too? The man got around...
Loved watching you play the bass line for "Ain't That Peculiar". I'm actually enamored with "What's Going On" and "That's The Way Love Is".
For me, his song that blew my mind were "What's Going On".
Listening to Jamerson bass lines is listening to a person who has very much mastered their craft. It's a genuine joy.
May his memory be eternal.
Julia's happy spirit is contagious.
Darling Dear! It’s one of the most difficult bass-lines ever for me... I wanted every note exactly the way James played it 😫😫😫😫 it never work out and still to this day I’m still trying to figure out that master piece....every verse has something different.......lessons🎶🎶🎶
Hey Julia, just wanted to say thanks for the education I'm getting from your videos! The enthusiasm you bring for the music is contagious. 😊
I don't remember ever before learning that James used one finger. Wow, as a pick-style casual bassist that stumbles over fingerstyle, this is a huge motivation!
Hi, love your show, I was a sideman bass player on the road with some of Motown stars back in the day. Thanks, Julia for playing some of James's songs! They sound as good as they did back in the day on West Grand Blvd in Detroit!
That is a great sounding Squier.
I actually bought it like, less than a year ago and I couldn't be happier... I totally recommend it, if you look for an affordable p bass with good sound!
@@miquelangelbujosaferrer2733 classic vibe?
@@junedbassman1549 I don't have one, but I'm almost certain it is. If I'm not mistaken, it's the new 2019 model of CV, which is here on their website. shop.fender.com/en-GB/squier-electric-basses/precision-bass/classic-vibe-60s-precision-bass/0374510500.html
I actually think it is a great sounding bass player.....
@@T3L3cast3r You are entirely correct.
Great playing and those squires sound great my favorite James Jamerson bass line is heard it through the grapevine
My fav Jamison bass line is I Was Made To Love Her. That was the (his) greatest basslines ever!
Thanks again for keeping his memory alive.
One detail I’d like to add to his one-finger picking style is that he apparently also muted all (thicker) strings above with his thumb. He could probably do so while resting his right-hand wrist on the metal cap above the pick-ups. There is some nice footage in which you will very well recognize his finger picking style: look for "What's going on" by Marvin Gaye, life in 1972. Also … I’m not sure but I remember to have read somewhere that the famous sponge technique was about putting it under the metal cap over the bridge (also referred to as the ashtray) and on top of the strings. Can you copy that? One of the best examples I can think of his playing style, accompanying the melody of the lyrics is in the song “I heard it through the grapevine” by Marvin Gaye of which I recently posted on my UA-cam channel a transcription of his bass line.
I forgot to mention ... the brand of strings is also important to get his sound. I'm using hterefore the La Bella Deep Talkin' Bass 760FS flat wounds
Great stuff, Julia.
Darling dear by the Jackson 5, great bassline by James Jameson! And I was made to love her by Stevie Wonder.
My favorite Jamerson bass lines are "Still Waters" by the Tops and "Smiling Faces Sometimes" by the Temptations, as well as "Save the Children," by Marvin Gaye. I could go on an on--wow! I loved that man's playing.
I enjoy the obvious, which is that YOU enjoy playing the bass. That is very inspiring!
Thank you!
❤️❤️❤️😸😸😸👈🏽
"What's Goin' On" was the first bass line I ever heard as a kid in the early 70's. Before that the bass was just a background instrument. It made me sit up and say, What is that instrument?
Danke für den Tipp mit dem Schwamm!
The first Jamerson tune I played along with as a kid was I Second that Emotion but my favorite is How Long has that Evening Train Been Gone. Its got it all.
Thank you.
Great calm and detailed explanation with demonstration!
My favourite... It’s a Shame by the Spinners
mdp303 I heard that song few days ago for the first time on radio. Immediately liked it. Didn’t know it’s Jamerson on bass
Nothing definitive here, wikipedia attributes The Funk Bros on It's A Shame. The liner notes from the cd The Very Best of The Spinners has Stevie Wonder playing piano bass and drums on that track, as well as producer and co-author as he was promoting his own prodigious talents as he was growing and about to sign a new contract. He loved the Spinners and wrote that song specifically for them. Whoever plays it it's a killer bass line.
Love your videos! I always learn something. I think you are a killer player with a very humble attitude. Keep on putting these great vids out.
I love this lady and I love James Jamerson the Motown scene influenced me More Than Words will say thank you
I remember as a youngster singing along with the Jamerson basslines as much or more than the melodies of those songs.
What I don't get is how or why anyone would dislike this video, great info, great demo.
Great content, really love Jamerson. My favourite is I heard it through the grapevine by Glady's Knight :)
ditto
amen
Mine too.
I got to hear them sing this at The Apollo in 1970, how sweet life is!
His up tempo version of Heard it Through the Grapevine is my all-time favorite bass line from anyone, but he has so many great songs that you could have 20 different favorites.
I love his playing on "I want you back" with the Jackson 5. It's the best!!
That's not Jamerson. It's Wilton Felder.
James Jamerson is my all time favourite bass player. His playing moved my soul and my feet more than any other bass player, even more than the likes of Jaco, Palladino, Wooten, Mingus, Miller etc., great as they are. Most of the modern, technically gifted, soloist slappers, leave me cold and bored after a few minutes. JJ seemed to understand the role of the bass more than most, it is the soul of any great band.
I think some of the gospel bassists working now are continuing his legacy while incorporating that modern flair, Sharay Reed is deep as heaven.
odd you group Mingus is that description
Stating your opinion is all good up to about line 4. But when you start grouping musicians in this way, you sound dumb. For example, in that list you mentioned, there is the least soloist, most accompanist, an icon of understanding the role of a bass hero Pino. Jaco practically invented everything we know about the electric bass. Random mingus throw in their (let’s not forget the double bass). I don’t think you listened to any of them. It seems you just threw out all the names of bassists you know. Here is a few you forgot:
Sting, Stanley Clarke, Jone Paul Jones, Larry Graham, Nathan East, Paul Chambers, John Patitucci, Hadrien Feraud, Flea, Thundercat.
Let me know if you need more names.
@@serdarkaraca9172. Thank you for your “opinion”, which is pretty much dumb all the way through. The few names I mentioned, wasn’t an exhaustive listing, and was never intended to be. You could add Bernard Edwards, Chris Squire, Jean Jacques Burnel, Bill Black, Pete (mars) Cowling, “Duck” Dunn, Carol Kaye, Bob Babbitt, Mark King, Tal Winkenfeld, Joe Dart, Glenn Cornick etc. etc. Not forgetting the numerous youtubers out there in cyber space. Let me know if you need more names. Have a nice day, and be blessed.
@@JamesSpeiser.Odd that you should make that comment. Have a nice day.
Great lesson💙🎶🙌🏽
My favorite bass line of Mr Jamerson is „Darling Dear”.
Best for You, Julia. Respect for Your playing and teaching skills. It’s fantastic🔥🌸
Thanks a lot Patryk! // Cheers, Julia
Two of my favorite James Jameson bass lines are My Girl and What's Going On. Both are classics,,
I always enjoyed “I’ll be there” really fun to play.