What really made James Jamerson so great?

James Jamerson, bass player for Smokey Robinson, Stevie Wonder, Martha and the Vandellas, The Temptations, The Supremes and many, many more is one of the most legendary bass players of all time.

But why?

What really set him apart from the rest?

Why would record company giants such as Motown Records actually postpone recording dates until Jamerson was available to cut the track?

Pretty unique, right?

Well, if you look at Jamerson's past, the answers to the above questions are all there.

He had a very unique skill set that gave him the ability to create and execute bass lines and grooves like no other bass player had ever done before.

That's what gave James Jamerson his unique super power, and ultimately why he became one of the most game-changing bass players in the history of modern music.

In this lesson we're going to explore the genius of James Jamerson. You're going to see just how unique and revolutionary his approach to bass playing really was.

As always, see you in the shed...

Scott :)

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[michaeljulius]

I had the unique privilege to meet and become somewhat of a confidant to James in the latter years of his life. James called his technique of playing "The Double-Stop" He'd take a whole note for example and play a combination of 16th's, 8th or qtr notes based on the feel of the song. He NEVER bought new strings. He'd take the old ones and boil them clean. James played with one finger on his right hand and controlled the muting at the same time. I went to sessions with him, carried his Bass or just sat and listened to whatever he wanted to talk about. He was sober when I met him on LaBrea down the street from the old A&M studios. He was also heartbroken about how he and the other Funk Brothers were ignored by the Motown power structure. He told me "For all of the hits I played on, all I have to show for it is a 3flat bldg in Detroit and a Cadillac Fleetwood. He was and still is the standard for bass players world over. RIP my friend.

[Marc-venn]

His bass solo on Marvin Gaye's "What's going on" is simply genius, and the story goes that he was totally buzzed and couldn't even stand up so he played it laying on his back... He wrote the book on playing electric bass. Genius

[tjack]

Wow. I just purchased a Bass. Never played before. Learning more about Mr. Jamerson. Simply Genius.

[pauldean]

I love mowtown basslines, and James Jamerson is the reason I picked up a bass guitar. Quality video.

[curtis]

He was like a song bird on the bass. Sooo much melody. His bass lines are like chatty conversations full of peaks and valleys, questions and answers, arrogance and humility. Never! Ever ever ever never, was there another bass player better than him. Not even close. He single handedly brought bass from the jazz era to the modern era.

[infiniteuniverse]

Having played on twenty three #1 pop chart hits and 56 R&B #1 hits, the GOAT James Jamerson's bass playing laid the foundation for soul music. His sense of rhythm literally dared you not to get up and move your hips. He playing was so funky, you had to open the window and let some fresh air in. With one finger he played virtuoso bass melodies using inversions and jazz style chromatics. He had this fat, thick tone that many bassist have tried to copy, but I have yet to hear again. He is reported to have played on nearly every Motown recording between 1963 and 1968. His infectious bass grooves are the "Motown-Sound". RIP GOAT🐐

[TranquiloTrev]

As a teenager in the 1960's I listened to Jamerson and was a massive fan, even though I had no idea who was playing the bass on those records. I can take 2 tracks as examples, "I was made to love her" by Stevie Wonder and "Can't help myself" by the Four Tops. Here we have two of the best songs of the era sung by two of the greatest singers of the era, and made by the greatest producers of the era, and all I did was sing the bassline, as did everone else. Head and shoulders above the rest.

[JeffreySaxophoneTallNewton]

There's something in the Detroit water! The sheer number of great musicians that came out of Motown is astounding - like half the world of Jazz, historically. Most of the Funk Brothers were Jazzers. I was lucky enough to call some of the Funk Brothers my friends and teachers, including Richard "Pistol" Allen (drummer on Grapevine) and Herbie Williams (for arranging). Herbie is third from the left in your pic of Stevie and the gang, on trumpet. Thank you, Marvin "Doc" Holladay (Oakland University).

[ziccuj]

I'm not even a bass player, but I enjoy these videos a lot. And I love James Jamerson's bass lines, so what's not to like? Cheers from Finland and take care Scott, you're doing a fantastic job!

[jankradler]

Now play those bass lines with one finger like James Jamerson!

[skylark]

He is the reason why the bass became Badass!

[briandavis]

major influence on everybody from John Paul Jones to Geddy Lee and countless others a true genius!

[hanten]

James Jamerson is Jimi Hendrix for guitarist, truly amazing ❤️

[jaypiasecki]

Bob Stronger (Chicago blues bassist) once stated "bass should be felt & not heard". Jameson personified that (on steroids) in his playing.

[davidramonemorrison]

Only recently did I learn the name behind the bass lines. I was made to love her. Sublime. The man was a genius

[MojosArmy]

I took a clinic on his bass lines not long ago and the slice of sponge under the string trick blew my mind, I'd never heard of that. We all did it in the clinic, it deadens the sustain and allows that percussive feel that helps those complex runs to sound clean. Incredible player.

[michaliskripasis]

Next up : Stuart Zender, Paul McCartney, Ron Carter, Jaco Pastorius, Geddy Lee, Donald ''Duck'' Dunn, Carol Kaye, John Deacon, Bootsy Collins, Chuck Rainey etc. (PLEASE make this a series)

[Gell]

I've noticed in pictures of James playing he uses the pickup cover to rest his 2nd, 3rd & 4th fingers of his right hand, if you put your 2nd, 3rd & 4th fingers of your right hand on a flat surface you find your 1st finger has far more strength & stability compared to not having a surface to rest your other 3 fingers on.

[bretthines]

I don’t want to be the Distracted Student but that is a Gorgeous Precision!

[travyboy]

Joe dart is the reason i listen to music and am proud of the music i do make. Jamerson is why i continue to pick up the bass every day.