Girl bass player plays Motown

[MrPetepuma]

James played with only his index finger. You have a great technique that works for you. Rock on.

[007vauxhall]

Wow well played, loved it, more please!

[Runningpoetman]

Very nice and smooth bass licks. Thanks for sharing!

[PopRocksV]

Damn.... Keep on keepin on!

[bladesaint21]

Its funny, the majority of these posters don't realise who taught you to play but I guess they mean well with their "helpful" hints and suggestions.

[lighteningboy]

Are you Canadian? Is that a Geddy Lee Signature bass? I like the way you are workin your thumb...

[guitargodfromhell]

Steve Harris uses two fingers only. Jamerson used one. "The Hook" is right! Keep it up.

[ROCKSTARCRANE]

Amazing in that you're just using your thumb.  If it works for you, then it's cool. You ever heard of Carol Kaye?

[ilikemyeggsraw]

I wouldn't ditch the thumb playing at all. It sounds great and, while some may say that you are lagging, there is an expression in playing behind the beat that makes it sound groovier than if you are right on top of the beat. I love your direction, keep up the good work!

[sirspankalot360]

He is very right, playing behind the beat is a common thing in r&b and gospel music. Very cool!

[CommBreakDown]

WRONG she lags b/c her thumb just cant make those fast breaks....but i would lose the thumb either...its her style and Style is all dependent on the player and their feel

[JekyllBoote]

I agree with the person who said you should replace the right-hand thumb with a two-finger technique.

Your left-hand technique is good, and you obviously have a good ear. However, the sluggish articulation of your thumb is making you lag behind the beat, and scramble in the faster-moving passages.

Still, you've all the makings of a really good bass player. You just need to ditch the thumb and work a bit more on your time.

[badhabits25]

hey dude jamerson used 1 finger did you ever hear of the hook?

[TheFRiNgEguitars]

nice cover, keep rockin', and you look good with your bass!!!

[6y298]

You're in good company. James Jameson played with just his index finger. All you need is practice if you choose to play with just your thumb - sounding great!

[ilikemyeggsraw]

the hook!

[hvncb]

yes! very nice...great to hear!

[banjometal]

Tasty

[1259654]

Very Cool. Keep up the good work. You look good playing that Bass.

Dave's Not Here

[blueblob4]

Man everyone has Fender Basses. I have a godin! Its good!

[gmaj0r]

Yay! Reflections! My fav sup song! Thanks a lot! :D

You got skills with your thumb! No doubts about it!

[FunkInDaPocket47]

Keep doin' it the way you're doin' it....you are awesome, I like your style!!!! Nice bass, too!!!!

[shittyshit69]

yeeeeaaaaaahhhhh!

[allenlevelle]

Hi honey. You might want to use your index and middle fingers on your right hand to get the speed and nuances that fit with the song for proficiency. Don't be afraid it will only help your playing. I love your playing and keep it up.

[nelsoncondongo]

V NICE.

[nyimtman]

EXCELLENT, well done!

[nyimtman]

EXCELLENT, well done!

[allennnnnn91]

What kind of bass is that?

Anyways I dig the sound very sweet!

[RichardMFbethell]

Jonette, i love to learn these songs from you, you are full of pure, unassuming soul. Thanks

[bladesaint21]

Wow its been a year already! Hope youve been well and playing.

[twin3ddv]

Damn girl u got some soul

[alftech]

thank you for such huge soul and spirit expression! ~Z~

[punkjazz28]

Didnt Jamerson only use one finger? There is no right and wrong way, its whatever works for you. I thought this was mint. Played really well.

[delitemyheart]

Good work girl.

But try to get used to plucking the strings with your first & middle fingers. Cause your restricting yours self plucking with your thumb only...You gotta get outa that habbit.

But nice anyway!

[LegIronMusic]

well jamerson played with index finger only ... so thats not totally true . ..

[PatCullen88]

Well played. You need to work a little on your fret hand technique, which should make playing that line easier for you. But yeah, you got skills, you got tone.

Solid.

[tallikafan]

I wasn't meant to click the thumb down, sorry.

I thought the whole sound and look/fell of your playing was amazing, mezmerising to watch.

[huhhuwaaa]

Very nice.

[analyzingfunny]

Very god. I always wanted to play that. Nice thumb playing, you can use your first finger to rock bak and forth to get those fast notes. I play mostly with my thumb; it is a better sound. The thumb is part of the majic, it produces a deeper, thicker sound. Thanks for the vid. You are welcome on my Scully 280-8 anytime.

[thelilblackduck]

damn, sis - that was RIGHTEOUS!

beautiful feel; you reminded me why that was such a great track - stay in the pocket, girl- thank you very much for that beautiful playing!

[vikingvin]

Old good Jazz Bass - 1975???

Perfect sound and solid play!!! *****

[BobbieJeanS]

Solid! I love this. Thanks J0nette.

[ethermouse]

I think a bass that nice deserves to played with fingers.

[Damanik3]

its weird how u play with ur thumb but it worrks so ok

[destructicon500]

Lots of old-school bass players did that.

[shadowpanther]

Mmmm I love the deep sound of that bass <3

Gets me all gooey.

Go Motown, and you go girl, need more female bass players on youtube imo :P

[myaussieguide]

I stopped to watch and listen all the way. A big favourite of mine since it was first released. Thank you.

[strawberEfieldz4ever]

nice bass

[arschpirate]

5 stars. You go girl!

[Doomguy123]

damn nice bass

[jacme1219]

Excellent use of the thumb! I always felt Jamerson used 5th's between the E & A string to play this like on Keep Me Hangin On...you may be right. Thanks for posting.

[jacme1219]

Excellent use of the thumb!  I don't know but I always though Jamerson used 5th's between the E & the A string to play this like on Keep Me Hangin On. You may be correct...thanks for posting.

[nukes27]

pretty good!

[nobodyisname]

I like the use of the right thumb. Very unique.

[politico222]

Muy bueno!!

[Chicago10281]

You can jam on this 1967 hit by the Supremes! You're just that good!

[Khaliyl19]

Excellently excecuted! And a very talented thumb!

[powerman2g]

Wow!!I can't say nothin else, I'm amazed!

[edlaksmi]

great playing

[radcam69]

Say hello to Babbitt.

[solobass1975]

the bass does not matter all that much.....as long it is a fender! love the song selection and keep on funkin it out! a good one is either for once in my life or you keep me hangin on check those as well

one love,

mj

[Vinnybrain]

The Bass matters... I'll agree Fenders sound great, but I'll put up the sound I can get from my '81 Alembic Spolier up to a Fender. I just roll off some highs and Im right down there thudding away with the likes of Jamerson and Becker from Steely Dan. Deep and muddy if you like, one twist and I'm bright and punchy like Marcus Millers sound. Alembics can do it all.

This gal sure can play though! Sounds great! Babbit's a great player...sooo many hits

[tarkus588]

hahaha...yeah, an Alembic ain't a bad bass!!! The only problem with them is that you have to choose between buying an Alembic and buying a house haha

[GaryNull]

Comes right down to it, the make of the bass does not really matter:

If you can't play, a million dollar bass will sound like crap.

[kevlownotes]

Very nice Jamerson licks ... You go girl!

[alwaysopen]

See how she holds her fingering hand?

Nice and compact and if you work at it it's more accurate.

70s Motown is the shit, you go girl!

[lowfreq65]

Jamerson would be proud?......

[dizziej4joka]

excellent verii gud!!

[1lapmagic]

That's a woman, not a girl! Girls are people like Carol Kaye who come out publicly and claim they played these songs when about 400 people said it was Jamerson.

[1lapmagic]

Of course Babbitt played this one...not to be misleading :)

[CE750]

not bad for a skinny chick..

[JC10255]

Awesome Jonette! Love this bass line. Great job!!

[Mowac]

Great job on this tune mate.

[voy98765]

japaneese basses are cheaply made, same with mexico

[Mowac]

It ain't the bass, I have more fun playing on my black and white Made in China Fender affinity squier jazz bazz that I won off ebay for just $70 than I do on some of higher-end basses. I'll take the japanese made basses any day over the U.S.A. models. You can take a cheap bass and make it sound like a higher-end bass without spending an assload of money if you know how to. I've done it plenty of times.

[canvoodoo]

Mw 2 my jap MM wipess out a lot of much more expensive basses

[Rasputin216]

I disagree. I have a 60 year anniversary American Jazz bass and a 2005 Mexican Jazz Bass re-issue. I prefer the Mexi to be honest. Better suited for my style of playing.

[Japanbassplayer]

Fine ! Seems cool way to picking

[dtm106]

Don't understand why you said "Attempts to play" in the description. I understand your desire to be humble, but come on, you nailed that! Brag a bit- it wont kill ya :-)

Props.

[canvoodoo]

Just learnt this track

[Mowac]

Preacher it!, brother voodoo.

[vineyardedge]

ROCK THAT BASS GIRL!!!!

[vintagejazzbass]

if your doing motown you might want to use the p- bass in the background but the jazz bass is still nice :)

[davylou]

love that jazz bass... i had a chance to buy one once.. for about 500.00 .. it was a '69 - ..verry narrow at the nut.. and the square inlays... But my mama made me save my money...

So much for the potential investment on an antique instrument... But hey...in the 10 years since then... I've earned about $4.00 in intrest on that 500.00 Ive saved!! WOW!! THANKS MOM!! BTW.. your playing is WONDERFUL!!

[melltard]

i love that bass, fender, cant remember what its called but the pickup cover is nice, love it

[dapfury]

Fenders are crap.

[Mowac]

I beg to differ....I love the jazz basses (if they are set up right)...however the P-basses are something left to be desired.

[canvoodoo]

yes tell that to James Jamerson or Marcus Miller or Duck Dunn you fucking idiot

[jordanjdm]

You idiot

You clearly no nothing about bass

[wetmelon]

Foreign Fenders are crap and cheaply made, agreed?

[peteandurnot]

Not agreed at all. I have a Mexican Jazz Bass and it does a great Job.

[wetmelon]

Sorry. I shouldn't have included Mexican Fenders... they ARE actually quite decent. My bad :P

[rhinoal]

That's really nice...well done!

[Latsson2]

sexy =)

[interloperftv]

that's one fast thumb right there

[valleyofdeath]

your bass has real nice tone real rich and full

[bassplace808]

Strong, smooth...professional...

[bladesaint21]

The measures at :43, 1:23 and 2:23 are haunting.

[claypoolchick]

good job!

p.s. it's interesting that you use your thumb to pluck..it saves a lot of energy to use ur forefinger and interchange it with ur middle, but whatever works for you is best :)

[politico222]

Bravo!!

[babygirlstar8302]

nice job..check me out i want it all back-bass guitar..please leave comment(advise)

[bladesaint21]

Uhh..I think she already has a great teacher..I mean...Bob **effing** Babbitt is like her dad. *LOL*

[behjoh]

Bb is there in the third string, don´t have to jump to 4th. Find a nice teacher to tell you somethings about tecmic. Nice tempo and sound.

[eunicefinger]

that was sublime! greetings from a uk jamerson devotee!

[eunicefinger]

that was sublime! greetings from a uk jamerson devotee!

[thozzman]

Jonette, anybody ever tell you that you look like a young Cher? Great bass work.

[Splodgo]

Nice work! clearly you have a great pedigree :-D

Please keep posting more.

[bladesaint21]

You think she likes playing this song? Hard to tell..*LOL*

[bigspleens]

I like your basses..

[bladesaint21]

I can understand why you would close your eyes while playing this. This song and bassline is so deep and absorbing. THis clip made me run out to the mall and buy the Supremes greatest hits collection with this song in mind. I hope to one day cover it. THanks.

[bladesaint21]

I Love this bassline..You do it justice...Jamerson would smile I bet...

[onemanmara]

Wooten is turn from what iv heard! Jamerson is king

[7shadesofmidnight]

I REALLY enjoyed this...I am a Motown child and a full-time dj radio personality and I love musicians. Plus all the comments below I really liked because they are from fellow musicians and thats very cool. You guys keep doing what you doing and "bass girl"..I enjoyed it very much!

[eythorb]

The thumb technique is nice, but how do you go about muting the strings so they wont ring all the time? In standard fingerstyle you can use the thumb and rest strokes to mute the strings...

[onemanmara]

Thumb trick?

Larry Graham?

Not very inventive, i do that with my thumb. Its just natural. but iv never had lessons

[lesclaypool85]

yes larry graham

no..not the thumb trick...

just using the thumb like a pick was common around then

[gdubbb74]

A good Bass player should always have a strong thumb. Forget those who say otherwise! It is all about the feeling YOU get when playing.

[theblobber]

Nice technique. I have played 25 years and never used my thumb (except to slap)...I use the other four digits. I need to work the thumb in. Nice!

[matsui]

Interesting. That is a pretty hard song

[davidwalder]

Nice Song!

I aprecciate it.

That glasses make you look pretty blind, no offense.

[j0nette]

None taken. I put the glasses on because I really got into the song while I was playing it and I kept closing my eyes. That really made me look like I was blind. Guess my effort to solve that was futile.

[Fistofass]

please use your index finger or middle. Your playing a bass, not a guitar.

[j0nette]

Why? Jamerson played with his index finger only when he played the bass and he was one of the greatest bass players ever. As Bob Babbitt and many other renowned bass players have said, it doesn't matter how you do it, only the end result counts.

[Fistofass]

maybe doing it properly would contribute to the end result. but even then i doubt it would help you.

just a suggestion.

[greenManilishi]

Don't be such a nazi, if everybody did it the same way, or as you say - "properly" there would be none of the innovations and unique styles that make music such a wondeful human expression.

[banjo1735]

That's true, but playing with your thumb will probably end up limiting you from playing a lot of things. I think playing with your fingers can also give a more even attack. Just a suggestion, though, it's totally your choice.

[greenManilishi]

Victor Wooten can play some of the fastest bass in the world by utilizing his thumb trick. Also the thumb gives you more flesh to attack the strings with thus providing a fatter sound.

[banjo1735]

He plays that fast by utilizing both his thumb and his fingers. It gives you a different sound, yes, but you can't play stuff with a lot of fast string skipping without using your fingers, i.e. Teen Town.

[Fistofass]

Sorry this isn't victor, and you wouldn't play any of his tunes with JUST your thumb. I'm not seeing any use of his "thumb trick" either, so shut it.

[lesclaypool85]

his thumb trick??? wooten didnt invent anything!!

he stole it off larry graham

[lesclaypool85]

victor wooten is shit, get over it,

wooten... the most OVERrated bassist ever

[FenderJ13]

i dont think so, he is really awesome. why can't all bassists be regarded in harmony. good ones i mean. I love claypool, btw. wanna know who the most UNDERrated bass player is?? John Paul Jones.

[lesclaypool85]

i dont know, i still dont like wooten though, just boring...

the guy from duran duran is pretty underrated

[FenderJ13]

you ever heard wootens song classical thump, it's really awesome. i dont follow duran duran

[lesclaypool85]

yea i have, not my thing

and me neither, but he's still great

[lesclaypool85]

many people just use their thumb, well, not much anymore, but back in the day of motown and shit, they did, it was really common

[alfredismo]

yeah!

[scribo79]

love it

just like the great james

rock and roll

[xmare]

nice bass and its player!

[buffeater]

love that bass,i have a 1951 fender,signed by leo fender

[scarymonster2010]

A timeless classic! Greatjob! Love the bass!

[MartyboyIV]

NICE BASS!!!

[highsimondrums]

Wow I can't believe you played that whole thing with your thumb

[EvilPrince69]

Babbitt...Jamerson...TFB...Jon­ette. Awesome. Nice work...

[drdrtfehytf]

You reveal another layer to this already complex and timeless song.

thank you

[arindulanzi]

un po piu scIolta

[EmoloverAUS]

how did u first get interested in playing Bass?

[drdrtfehytf]

You rock, girl. You truly captured that deep gritty fetid sweaty primordial sound of the 60s and with this song being played alot during the Vietnam War.

You play the bass like a man! And I mean that in a good way. ;)! Best wishes to you.

[STILLAVRIL1]

Good stuff.

Just do what feels right for you.

Jamerson used one finger, Wes Montgomery played guitar with his thumb. Reinhardt had only acouple of fingers that worked on his left hand.

It all works.

[NaturalTelevision]

Are you fretless?

I see the fretmarkers but can't make out if there are frets or not!

[NaturalTelevision]

Nice...real nice!

[Peteless]

OK, thumb playing is a limit...but not to you aparently. As you know, most "walking style" players use the index and bird, but you have a very clean and accurate sound with what you're working. There are no rules. But, can you play slap.

[jAmguitar84]

Interesting bass lines and music xD

[yomeportobien]

it's all grey! even your clothes, keep it up!

[bluewine1]

Awesome, I grew up with this stuff, Me 54 year old Bass Player. I have the chops I just can't figure out parts for shit. I will learn from your vids.

[j0nette]

Frenchytouch

"that was great!!Just enjoy to see this video,you play bass with lot of melody..i like your own technic with thumb playing,and that's real that motown music often gets interesting bass parts!"

Thanks for the compliment Frenchytouch! I'm sorry, I accidentally deleted your post. Hit Remove instead of Reply.

[itbeats4utube]

Wow, Jonette, you rock. I am a HUGE Jamerson fan, so kudos to you. People have asked you why you play with your thumb. James Jamerson only played with his forefinger all his life. I'm sure MANY people asked him the same exact question a million times, and I'm sure his answer was exactly like yours. Have you tried learning his bass line for The Supremes' "How Long Has That Evening Train Been Gone?" That was his crowing achievement. Please promise that if you learn it you'll post it on Youtube.

[j0nette]

Thanks!

I've never heard that song before. I'll have to find it and listen to it. If I do learn it, I'll make sure I post it.

[hazelman]

You did a very good job!!! I enjoyed it. Keep up the great work!!

[bouxlas]

Thank the gods for women like you. Great to see a woman playing bass that good. Especially Motown, Jazz, Blues etc. You really sound great. Keep it up.

[j0nette]

Thanks bouxlas. I definitely will!

[fojeda1]

...why r u using ur thumb

[j0nette]

I started using my thumb when I picked up the bass and it's just comfortable for me to play that way for some reason. I don't know why but can play faster with my thumb than I can with my two fingers.

[Frankly747]

Interestingly enough, I have never used my thumb to play the bass ! I personally find it quite unnatural. I first started out using only my index finger, then was inspired to learn using both index and middle and it's been that way ever since.

Different strokes for different folks.

I guess ideally, I would like to be in a position where I can use all five fingers on my right hand.....some soupy bass !

[Frankly747]

Constructive criticism; you miss-timed a few times, eg between 00:23 and 00:26. I think you might have to include one more finger to fill in those microseconds between beats....or just get faster with your thumb. All the best.

[williamsanders]

Jamerson also used to play the bass with only his index finger... But playing with your thumb gives a more punchy sound, as you press the strings instead of "plucking" them

[obvious3975]

hey I am a newbie also. what helped you to know where to go and play those particular notes and how did you get started on the note sounds?

[j0nette]

Some of the notes just sound better on that part of the bass and I wanted to play them where they sounded the best.

[memberson]

THANK YOU

[obvious3975]

hey I am a newbie also. what helped you to know where to go and play those particular notes and how did you get started on the note sounds?

[PhuckHue]

if thats a real Fender all the notes should sound great. James Jamerson rarely changed his strings or moved his left hand from the first position

[PhuckHue]

I'm wondering why your left hand is jumping around. you can play the whole song in the first position without moving your hand

[memberson]

THANK YOU

[memberson]

I watched a video quite good did you teach yourself or were you formally trained how long have you been playing I have a video posted under G sharp look for the red base telling what you think again I enjoyed watching you play what type of music the way I'm air you're playing R&B?

[j0nette]

Thanks Memberson. Yeah, I'm a newbie. I haven't been playing long at all. Just picked up a bass one day and started playing, no formal training. I really like playing Motown songs and I like to try to play the basslines note for note.

[davlipp]

Nailed it.

Great song, one of the harder bass songs to get down note for note; as YOU did!