Jamerson's Stupidly Simple Exercise (for Killer Bass Lines)

James Jamerson used THIS exercise as a cheat code to create hit after hit bass line - lemme show you how to use it to write your own bangin’ bass lines in ANY style of music.

YOU have heard James Jamerson whether you know it or not - he was a legendary bassist who played on nearly every Motown record, and influenced every modern electric bassist who came later, from Paul McCartney to Robert DeLeo to Geddy Lee.

But Jamerson wasn’t flying blind - he developed an exercise to help him practice his “chromatic approach to bass playing”.

In this lesson, I’ll explain what the hell that means, and the three critical ingredients you need to take this from plain old finger workout to being a cheat code for legit bass lines in any style. You’ll learn how to:
- Make roots and fifths non-boring
- Use notes outside of the scale without creating chaos and destruction
- Play rhythms that sound more funky
- Identify which songs Jamerson played drunk

#JamesJamerson #BassBuzz

[BassBuzz]

What’s your favorite James Jamerson bass line?

I can’t get enough of “For Once in My Life, ” plus trying to play it with one finger like Jamerson did is an insane speed workout.

[BillonBass]

Good lesson! I’d just add one thing. I was actually the touring bassist for The Miracles for some time and actually had Jamerson’s old chair. All of us old timer jazz bassists understood we have the entire chromatic scale available to us at any time over any chord used correctly. But what separated Jamerson indeed was his ability to intertwine his bass line with the melody. His musicality was off the charts. He was also blessed to have drummers like Benny Benjamin and Uriel Jones who gave him the space to play busier bass lines.

[__tastye]

The amount of work put into one video is so admirable. If only five people care, count me in. Thank you

[The_paradox_of_Youth]

One of the best teachers I've had the good fortune and pleasure to learn from in my lifetime. I recommend you to guitarists, pianists, and anyone interested in creating music. You've got a real talent for explaining concepts in such a way that the information isn't dumbed down or truncated, while making it easily understood by someone without prior musical knowledge or very little. What's more, you educate without an ego, being condescending, and root your lessons by putting everything in context and if needed exposition; while still being entertaining and compelling.
Respect 👊🏼

[cconsax]

No matter what key he was playing in, Jamerson always managed to play open strings, most often in the fills. Ya gotta admire that!

[TBSSPILOTviews]

I will say BassBuzz is more than one of the best teaching & learning channels on the net. Most of us, from 70 (age) up, lived this as players then, or who became players after “Motown” layed down the “soul & R&B”…Jamersons bass lines and approach just locked you in as a drummer. Some of us that transitioned from drummer to bassist was because of his work. When I took up bass in 68’, all I knew was what I had been hearing, so I ran with it! I decided to take lessons in 75’. Walked in, sat down. Teacher says since you’ve been playing a while, show me where you’re at. I laid out what was up in memory…”Jameson” lines with some structure, and improv melody. He said…”okay”, you don’t need a teacher, and introduced me to Carol Kaye and she will be in next week for work shop class. There were 5 of us, I wanted to learn playing with a pick, and she was the person to talk too, besides being the “Motown” bassist at least between 64’ to 67’ …it also opened my eyes to studio playing. What you are teaching here is good stuff, and accurate “roots” that younger generation guys should explore. The “swing” feel, synchs, root/octave/5ths…is the embodiment of a lot of creative stuff…definitely needs to be in your bag if not already. Your channel teaches with a fun approach and good practical useful playing inputs. I get hit up a lot on my channel for “tabs” teaching questions ect, and I am NOT a teacher, nor have time for that interest…just trying to land gigs by genre familiarity. You got it BassBuzz…I will direct the interested your way! 😎🎸🎶🙏🏼

[Bassic]

Jamerson was a GENIUS who transferred his prowess on upright bass and changed the way the electric bass was played, recorded, and mixed, and is EASILY one of the most influential and legendary bassists in history!!! Thank you for another great and informative video!!!

[charlieb]

This content is great. I picked up a good amount of this approach over the years learning stuff from RatM, STP, Zeppelin, Cream, Beatles, Rush and probably more than a few of songs the man himself played. I appreciate getting the history and concept and not just an exercise. After 17 years playing, a lot of covers learned and gigs played it’s a joy to be able to open up YT and have new ways to think about music handed to me

[andrewtjones]

i liked the use of "only 5 people will care and maybe you are 20% of those 5." I wonder how many people got that!

[MrMcSlack]

Josh, Gotta say you’re by far the best bass instructor on YouTube. Informative, entertaining, humorous, great production, and most importantly, to the point and without any blathering. I look forward to all your videos, but I’m saving this one at the top of my bass favorites. Keep up the good work.

[bigbyhastings]

40+ years playing bass and have to say this is one of the best lessons I’ve come across. Nice job. 👍

[mizireyes]

I bought my bass on a whim and have been learning through your videos. From the bottom of my heart, thank you for making music easier to understand

[sbagwell]

Circle of 5ths. Jaco Explained this so well. Also something simple, like keep your THUMB on the back of the neck.
Circle of Fifths learn them, memorize it, and a whole new world of music opens to YOU!

[lilmelvin]

Thank you for paying homage to Jamie Jamerson! He had the perfect blend of feel/instinct and melody. I grew up with the Motown sound on the radio as a kid, and even after different journeys with different bands, I always come back to Jamie's Bass lines... Truly a Master. Thank you for explaining and elucidation.

[jeremiahcillessen]

I'm obsessed with Jamerson! What a genius. It's amazing he only used "the hook", index finger, most of the time. Your videos are outstanding. Your teaching style rocks, man. Seriously. Thanks for including the charts for the exercise.

[charlescdt]

The "Hook" comes from the fact he played with One finger from his upright bass days. Dude was a BEAST.

[zombielynx]

Drawing a line between Jamerson's stuff and Plush is helping me understand my taste better than I did previously. Thanks for wrinkling my brain.

[fuTuRo-Sonic]

“For once in my life” is a symphony in itself from the absolute biggest influence to my playing. Well done for choosing it and recognising the pure genius of it. Subbed!

[lewissennet]

Your videos have taken me from being a complete beginner without being able to pluck properly to someone who can play and write his own basslines in 2 month. I am currently working on keeping locked in with the drummer, learning the fret notes and working on this exercise now aswell. Thank you. Without you I would be nothing. (sounds like a line from a romance but... Maybe it is)

[MS-xfzd]

I have to thank you, Josh, for MAKING IT FUN and so much more.
Your friendliness and camaraderie inspire trust, and the little “CUT to HUMOR” breaks for just long enough after a moment of deep information are exactly what a brain needs in order to stay alert, (not glaze over in overwhelm), REST a moment, REFRESH and properly absorb that information. Superlearning, optimally paced, moving right along and leaving one brightened and encouraged with an appetite for more.
I have only once or twice experienced a teacher like you. Perfect content, but most important of all, perfect delivery. Five stars, subscribed, liked and looking forward to more.
Again, my deepest thanks for your thoughtful, diligent work.