This Jaco Bass Line was HIDDEN for 40 YEARS 😱

It’s one of the most famous instructional videos of all time.

Anyone reading this who’s watched Jaco’s infamous Modern Electric Bass video will have reveled in the hidden bass riff that Jaco digs into as the opening credits roll, but it’s hard to figure out exactly how to play it. So in today’s video we’re going to show you…

This is your mini-masterclass on the talents of Jaco Pastorius! We’re also giving you a FREE PDF workbook where we’ve added the bass tab and notation.

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Video Breakdown:

00:00 - Introduction, the long-lost riff
01:02 - Modern Electric Bass by Jaco Pastorius
01:53 - Last chance to join the Jazz Accelerator
02:37 - 16th Note Funk
03:56 - The Main Riff
06:59 - Dynamics & Articulation
08:04 - Accenting Exercise
09:37 - Last round of the main riff
10:43 - Ending Lick
12:48 - Jaco Pastorius' Legacy

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[markdaniels]

You’re absolutely awesome to provide this breakdown, with sheet music. That little tune grabbed me when I first saw Jaco’s instructional video; I set about learning it, and I’m not alone. Everyone loves it, and you’ll find renditions all over YouTube. People call it “Jam in E, ” but I call it “Jaco’s 8th, ” because it’s the 8th exercise in the video and it’s as epic as a SYMPHONY!

[adamodimattia]

As someone had already mentioned Jaco used that riff on "No Slack" track on Brian Melvin's "Jazz Street" but Jaco used it extensively many years before that, it is a riff prominently used by him on live "Teen Town" version as included on Weather Report "8:30" record, and it is played there on fretless of course.

[MMiler]

This, 'Fingerstyle Funk' (Francis Rocco Prestia), 'On Bass' (Billy Sheehan), 'Superchops 4 Bass' (Beaver Felton) my old school '90s VHS bass vids. 😄

[SeamasterSig]

That bass line mesmerized me the first 100 times I heard it. Many thanks for providing the sheet music for it! I used to have Modern Electric Bass on VHS and watched it many times. Fortunately, that gem is still available on YouTube.

[captainshiner]

I credit Jaco's Modern Electric Bass video for teaching me to play bass about 22 years ago. This will be etched in my mind as a musician forever.

[burtreynolds]

I have it on VHS. Got it in 1991. That part always caught my attention too.

[MarcoCerati-pnqm]

introducing Jaco to the new generations is what I'm trying to do in my videos! Good job Scott! Number 1❤️👍

[andrewpappas]

Just more reasons why Jaco will always be an absolute beast of a player, man, such a unique style

[subsonicbass]

Always loved this riff, have the whole video on my home server to spin up anytime I need! Also, that orange Jazz bass is 🔥👌

[michaelkartman]

Ian’s bass tone sounds so good damn nice!

[MrDanilop]

That Jaco Pastorius’s lesson is mind blowing. I had only the audiocassette, but still it was fantastic, and he inspired me to get better. This was just an interview but it proved he was a great teacher too.
Wow remembering great time. After that I went to the Patitucci’s book (great lessons there too), and before I retired I tried Billie Shehan book. Those were my main influences.
I started with Paul McCartney, then Lemmy Kilmister, then I went through Iron Maiden (great lessons).
A couple of other books here and there. And a lot of practice. I loved that time.

[aa-rondavis]

OMG!!!! i am obsessed with this riff, I'm so glad you're covering it. i have had it stuck in my head for days before hahahaha

[Oscaraha]

My bass teacher showed me this when I was in high school, now Ive been teaching this to my own students. I feel this is a really great solo piece to just play as a warm up or sound check.

[TheJohn]

What a great riff! Jaco used it in a track called "No Slack" by Brian Melvin

[vinsharrelson]

This video was the second tutorial I purchased when I first started out back in the day, after Louis Johnson's! Amazing the number of bass players this impacted worldwide! The irony is that he wasn't really trying to teach, he was just talking shop with a fellow bassist! A side note, I know you are a huge Pino fan! You must check out this track he laid down for Go West back in the 1980's! I dare you to analyze what he does on "Missing Persons"! Not only is the groove incredible, but his solo and tone blows me away every time I listen to it!

[SuperCele]

What a musician…Jaco was unique… ❤️❤️ about the “forgotten bass line” If I’m not wrong Alex Lofoco something like 3 years ago published the full transcription of Jaco video lesson from the 80’. Stunning !!

[khalez]

That riff makes me crazy everytime. I often watch that video of jaco mostly for that riff.

[Vincent_Roy]

Too often I don’t have the chance to have my bass in hands while watching your videos. But tonight I turned on my SVT in the adjacent room and had a blast learning the riff at the same time ! It made me realize that I usually never play over the bridge pickup, it’s a simple thing but I had to get used to it.

[nelsonporto]

Best bass channel and best content one could possibly ask for. Thank you!

[pvillez]

Thank you very much for this tutorial and pdf!