The ONE bass line EVERY bass player should know

If there was ever a ‘must know’ bass riff, Express Yourself by Charles Wright & The Watts 103rd Street Rhythm Band is that riff. It’s unquestionably in-the-pocket and effortlessly funky! It’s also a good example of how ‘less is more’ when it comes to coming up with a really catchy riff. There aren’t too many basslines that single-handedly make you want to move like this 1970s banger!

In this week’s video I give you a crash course in how to master the smooth grooves of bassist Melvin Dunlap.

As always, see you in the shed…

Scott :)

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[brandonthebass]

"Sir Duke!" Another one you can't do without smiling!

[leFoodeater]

I like the idea of this becoming a series. Just a quick tutorial of a nice bassline that if fun to play for intermediate players

[sesclaytpoop]

"There' s no way you can play it without smiling"
Davie504 when he plays this line: 😐

[MJTbreww]

**0-3-5**

In all seriousness, for basslines you should know there should be one from all types of genres. Teen Town is a good choice

Edit: I’ll add in a suggestion of Vulfpeck’s Disco Ulysses which has a beautiful line. If Scott goes through these comments

[HaydnMowbray]

Thanks for this Scott. My son's just started playing bass (we're talking three weeks in) and as a guitarist that's had a bass more as an object d'arte for the last 4 years it's made me start to learn to play bass so that I can teach him. I set the bar high last week by teaching myself this from your video and then teaching him. It's more challenging than Green Onions but he's soaking it all up and doing well. Your post couldn't have come at a better time, . Keep up the awesome work, I've been subbed for a few months as a guitarist looking over the fence and enjoying all the stuff you put up

[derekhosie]

Roundabout by Yes is the bass line everyone should know.

[teadat]

james jamersons whats going on bassline shows how to rock out with lots of notes while still sounding really mature and supporting the rest of the band. Would love to see you break it down in the series

[fladification]

The song that taught me the major scale was Van Morrison's Brown Eyed Girl.

[JohnCurtisNZ]

Jaco's "The Chicken". Laid back, fun, and yet another major scale / chord tone position!

[mikegordon]

I want you back- Jackson 5
Fundamentals, classic and good exercise in my opinion

[uberdonkey]

Was so tired of music theory and scales and wanted to make sure I practiced today, and this was just the break I needed. Thanks man :)

[treetrunker]

I LOVE this kind of short lesson. It inspires me to practice because it's not overwhelming. Thank you, Scott!

[Sirynx]

Bass line that should be in the series of these videos has to be Nathan Watts' bass line from the song "I Wish" by Stevie Wonder.

[chadpollard]

Damn, I've been playing bass for seven years and I learned how to play this today. Glad to know I'm finally a bass player.

[angeladankworth]

Is it horrible tat i have played bass guitar for 20 years and this is my first bass line I have learn. I feel like a newbie!!! Awesome! Thanks Scott Devine. Jesus love you!!

[rickfromthecape]

Stevie Wonder's Master Blaster! One my favorites of all time. Our band loves playing this!

[markchip]

John Paul Jones' bass line in Ramble on - especially the variations that make it seem like an ad hoc improvisation?

[jaimesarti]

I'm going to say the main bassline from Psychokiller, by the underrated Tina Weymouth of Talking Heads.

[ruthlessadmin]

These are the kinds of lessons I get the most out of. Just learning scales and stuff does nothing by itself without any musical context to go with it. Since I play by ear, I walk away not only knowing a new bass line, but also expanding my vocabulary & training my ear.

[michaelrucker]

"Glide" bass line from the group "Pleasure" is a must for all bassists to know