Finger Funk bass groove - Fatback - Double Dutch - 1977

[avp0713]

ha ha haaaaa!! that is one funky funky bassline that you have mastered! Firstly, I have NEVER heard this Fatback song...(and Fatback is one of my favorite bands).

Question:  When you play the opening (Busstop bassline) have you considered playing the third open string? It seems to make the fingering a little eaiser for me.

[ramon709]

@avp0713 Thanks man, when I listened this song for the first time I heard this bass line in my head instead of the original slap line :)

Yeah playing with an open string is possible, but I always like to play closed notes as much as possible. With closed notes you have complete control over the sound and dynamics of the note, an open string is just that, open. Though with this groove it makes not a big difference, but my habit is to play closed notes instead of open strings :)

[jonannlou]

superb mate!! Smooth as .....! You used to say fingerstyle was your weakess, don't think so! My hand would be cramping doing this sort of bass line too, you've done great work! When your hand starts to get tired try playing a bit more towards the neck, the slight difference in tension helps me, but changes the sound a little :(

[ramon709]

@jonannlou Thanks a lot J! Well, I had neglected my fingerstyle in the past, but the last year I worked on it more, glad to hear it has noticeable improved :) I was playing that bassline for quite some time already before I recorded it, after 30 minutes playing this groove the cramp starts to kick in. Playing more at the neck helps indeed, but I like the dry fingersound for these type of grooves more, with my bass it starts to sound like SC to much when I play on the neck humbucker :)

[TheWhippinpost]

I've never heard the song before so have no idea how the original bassline goes, but what you did there I really enjoyed. You shaped a nice tone for this tune, too.

[ramon709]

@TheWhippinpost Thanks mate, I never heard of it either till a few day ago :) The original line is more chill, the usual old school slap octaves and hamer-on kwints (4,5). My fingerstyle version has a bit more drive and power then the original line, guess thats my MK influence at work :P