Pro Bassist hears ABBA for the FIRST time

In today’s video, you’ll see Ian Martin Allison dive deep into the pop genius of ABBA. We gave him a hit song by Sweden's biggest musical export and asked him to come up with his own bass line. The crazy part? He’s NEVER heard the song before!

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Video Breakdown:

00:00 - Introduction
00:24 - First Listen
01:58 - Ian’s Approach
03:00 - Creating A Lead Sheet
06:56 - Sound & Tone
07:55 - Guessing The Artist
08:33 - Ian’s First Take
09:18 - Final Take
12:23 - The Reveal
13:50 - Listening to the Original Recording
15:40 - Analysis

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#bassguitarlessons #abba #basschallenge

[devinebass]

We had SUCH a blast on this video, from filming to post-production!

We've admittedly stopped creating workbooks for 'Hears for the First Time' challenges because so few people were grabbing them, but here are a couple of other things we've got for you!

[fendtsfinest]

Many people think that's presumptuous, but for me Abba are one of the very few bands that can be compared to the Beatles. The songwriting, arrangements, lyrics and the diversity of the songs are unique. The productions and the quality of the recordings were revolutionary in the seventies and, even today after 50 years, they still stand up to current standards.

[brettcox]

Every ABBA hit is a masterclass in pop song writing. Multiple, unforgettable hooks in every song !

[xasmith]

Knowing Me Knowing You has one of the best bass tracks in the history of recorded music. Rutger was so underrated.

[J.M.]

Rutger Gunnarson was a GIANT and is a legend in Bass World…. There are so many Bass masterpieces on ABBAs tracks … he played on most of them

[conradfarrar]

I played this in an ABBA tribute band in the UK for 16 years. You nailed it. Rutger Gunnarsson would be proud of you. May he rest in peace.

[Haveyouheardofking]

People don't understand the musicality of this band. One of the greatest groups of all time. This is your favorite band favorite band, and to this day pop music has influence from ABBA.

[matto]

ABBA is the YES of Pop. Great playing by Ian!

[quixoticmelancholic]

I don't know what made me happier: Ian's excitement (and amazing performance!) or the fact that someone as young as Sharon loves this song as much as I do. Much love for you both
❤

[rogermagnusson]

Love the energy of these people. Clicked on some random suggested video, stayed for the vibe. I dont even play an instrument.

[Shazam]

Rutger Gunnarsson was a phenomenal bassist. RIP to a legend.

[chrisdorsch]

The way her face lights up is what happens to most of us when we hear ABBA. They go to your heart with such ease, with such grace and beauty.

[CoLD.SToRAGE]

I grew up loving ABBA, so it holds a massive emotional weight with me. I have to say… your baseline actually made me shed a tear. That high melody riff near the end was truly inspired.

[ManCaveStudio]

A year ago, I joined a 70’s tribute band. When we got to the Abba tracks, I was very impressed by the bass lines. Rutger Gunnarsson is my new favorite genius. Also, Mike Watson played on several ABBA tracks.

[NormComtois]

I love you two! You are warm, funny and humble! A pleasure to watch!
To me, Rutger Gunnarsson is one of the least known and most underrated bass player of any past or present mega pop band!!!
I had the pleasure to play three gigs with Janne Schaffer, who played lead guitar in studio and on tour with ABBA. Learning some of those ABBA bass lines were no easy task!!!
You should make a video on Rutger Gunnarsson to celebrate his wonderful playing!?

[TRguy]

The Name of The Game, this song NEVER gets old with me, so RICHLY layered, beautifully written, sung and, oh, those instrumentals!!

[kaiying]

This is why I love Bass. Whatever music taste you have on any given day, at any point in time you can pick it up and away you go into the groove. I'm a more of a guitarist but playing more and more bass as I get older.

[MrBeachMadness]

I played in an ABBA tribute band for years.
Lots of fun to watch.
Those variations and substitutions on the outro were lovely.

[eduardooscar]

"The name of the game"
these is an extraordinary song by ABBA, which has many peculiarities:
1) I think it's the first in which each of the girls sings a verse as lead voice
2) the official video was recorded at the blonde Agnetha & blonde Björn's home,
because Agnetha was very late in her second pregnancy
(that's why maybe she's sitting and cared for in the picture)
3) "The name of the game" was released in October 1977,
two month before "ABBA The Album" and the movie "ABBA The Movie"
It was a bold gamble from ABBA, it opened their horizons and spread beyond pop.

I think that "The name of the game" (1977)
have some vibs of influences of BEATLES songs like "Penny Lane" or "Fool on the hill" (1967)
curiosly, "The name of the game" was #1 in UK (4 weeks)
and replaced in the #1 for "Mull of Kintyre" by Paul McCartney (ex-BEATLES member)

"The name of the game"
is in my opinion a masterpiece
one of the Seven Wonders of ABBA (in chronological order):
Waterloo
S.O.S
Dancing Queen
The name of the game
Chiquitita
The winner takes it all
Don't shut me down

You have fantastic songs in "The Album" (1977)
it's ABBA's most versatile album:
"Eagle" almost 6 minutes amazing
Take a chance on me (the banger hit)
"One man one woman" (beauty ballad)
"Move on" (fantástic chorus)
"Hole in your soul" (powerful rock)
included a mini musical from 1977 Tour:
"Thank you for the music" (ABBA hymn)
"I wonder" (dramatic ballad)
"I'm a marionette" (progresive rock)

I hope to see you soon in more ABBA videos
A big hug from
Buenos Aires, Argentina 🇦🇷
South America

[danielmelo]

Stellar performance. Nothing but respect to ABBA.