James Jamerson ( For Once In My Life ) on Ken Smith 6 String Bass.

[Ranger88video]

Good Job

[TheZulu4real]

this is music

[GrantSmithBass]

@TheZulu4real Indeed it is. :)

[danibazz10895]

Good job

[GrantSmithBass]

@danibazz10895 Thanks. Great tune !!

[moviemanhi]

lmao ive got that exact bass on my lap at this moment, its a beauty eh?

[Bass2k10]

I think until you have tried to learn and play you will not 100% appreciate his efforts. you nailed it man good Job .

[GrantSmithBass]

@Bass2k10 Cheers. Jamerson was THE MAN ! And your right, taking just one James Jamerson bassline and playing it note for note with all articulations will Improve your musicianship. Peace !

[nefferteri2]

Hello Grant!! What kind of bass are you playing??  Who is the manufacturer? What model is it?? It sounds very good.

[GrantSmithBass]

@nefferteri2 Hi ! It is a standard Ken Smith Bass from NYC. It's a soul-funk machine. Thanks for the comments and have a great day!

[pucchibaby]

that was awesome all around



[GrantSmithBass]

@pucchibaby Thanks mate!

[MrNathan791]

great job dude. you really rocked this and your playing was smooth.your bass cover of this song is the best i've seen on "tube". peace.

[GrantSmithBass]

@MrNathan791 thanks mate. 

[TheGreatPianist]

Nice to see a bass player who is actually playing at the correct volume, its a shame when I hear a lot of other players post and they turn their basses up way to loud. Keep the volume as it is, it sounds so much more professional and creates a good texture. Thanks for the post, keep sharing!

[GrantSmithBass]

@TheGreatPianist ..I totally agree! You have a great sense of musicianship. Thanks for the feedback mate. G

[vgabbana]

Nice axe!!!! Is that zebrawood? I have one with Cocobolo there nothing like a Ken Smith!! If you want to cut through the mix it will, if you want to mix in, as you so brilliantly demonstrated, it will do that too! Awesome all around!

[68caribou]

Great!

[kevinrdougherty]

Man -- that was fantastic! Thanks for sharing that!

[GrantSmithBass]

@kevinrdougherty Thanks, we all should thank James Jamerson for being the groove machine !! 

[discoAL]

I enjoyed that...it takes skill and dedication to cop For Once In My Life..turn that bass up a little and keep posting..

[GrantSmithBass]

@discoAL cheers. Will do !! Bass !!!

[WorshipBassist]

Awesome! Just wish the bass was slightly louder.

[GrantSmithBass]

@WorshipBassist Hey mate, cheers for the comment. The reason why I mixed the bass into the song is thats how it is meant to be. Understanding volume and dynamics is vital in how one sounds. I see alot of guys on youtube blasting away too loud while sitting on the edge of their beds which normally means they may not have ever recorded or -and have no live playing experience. But, thanks for the kind words...rock on!!

[Craptron2000]

@GrantSmithBass This comment needs at least 97 thumbs up.

[brooklynstudio]

@grantsmithbass finally someone who doesn't feel like they have to play with one finger on a jamerson line

[GrantSmithBass]

@brooklynstudio indeed mate. But Jamerson had such a deadly index finger. From studying his technique, I did notice that when you do play with one finger, (esp when doing 8th note rock ) that the notes are slightly more even than when using 2-3 etc..

[brooklynstudio]

@GrantSmithBass hmm... I need to investigate that, I suppose it depends on the player. I'll improvise over some Jackson 5 or Temptations thats always fun!

[GrantSmithBass]

@brooklynstudio very true.

[Bassplayer1204]

Hey Bro! Nice Bass! Nice Sound! Nice Tone! Love it! Great Job!!!! 5*

[playthabass10]

THIS VIDEO SHOULD HAVE AT LEAST ONE MILLION HITS FROM BEGINNERS TO THE PROS IM A PRO THIS GUY CAN PLAY GET YOUR BUDDIES WITH ALL THIM SKILLS TO TRY THIS SONG WITH THE SAME FEELING

[GrantSmithBass]

@playthabass10 Cheers !

[fors2345]

Cool....very cool!

[rteddy3]

What can I say??? You were AWESOME and thanks so much for sharing!!! I never realized that this bass line NEVER repeated itself (guess you shouldn't listen to my version)!!! All of your posts are spot on...you are an excellent bassist :-) Please put this talent in a pill and send to me :-)

[kenny2011]

yo that was hot son

[SuperStig23]

Thanks for the reply, I worked a bunch of studio sessions with Dave Wofford (bass) & the Late Great Jogi Horton on drums in the late 70's, I was a brought in to be the "laryy Carlton"guy on the tracks, towards the end of the sessions roughen them up but still be tasty, I walked in with a bit of an attidude and boy did they set me straight, It was the first time I realized what you don't play is more important than what you do., Keep up up the great work ...

My apologies to Larry :)

[icoelmono]

I AM SICKLY IMPRESSED, BROTHER! I feel that deeeep groove! I am not going to lie, you should hear me sing this tune.. It is one of my all-time favorites.. & I am glad you shared this with all of us! Let it never be said that the internet is lacking entirely with GREAT talent! Cheers, mate!

[GrantSmithBass]

@icoelmono Ha! Cheers, yeah the song is a classic.

[daehkcarc]

My speakers must suck because I hear no bass at all just singing and piano.

[jesusfaces1969]

Soooo SMoooooth n  GRooooooooooooooovy~

[GrantSmithBass]

@jesusfaces1969 thanks !!

[SuperStig23]

Wow, really nice job bro !! right "in the pocket", note perfect & a nice tone to your bass too.

Pretty good for a White Guy (just kidding folks) Keep up the good work brother.

Lets not for get many of these great early bass parts & players would never have even been heard if not for Motown's high quality groundbreaking mixes, before then the drums & bass were just a background noise in the mix.

[GrantSmithBass]

@SuperStig23 Very true mate. The mixing was a huge step up in getting the bottom end clear and clean. And james jamerson was the player to also , by his playing and attitude help make this happen due to his serios hip lines.

[3556111]

Great job! 

[3556111]

Great job! If you're not playing in a band, you should be!

[3556111]

Great job, white "soul" brother!!!!

[weblogalias]

Nicely played! Very musical.

[GrantSmithBass]

@weblogalias thanks

[ManusFrigus]

groooovin' man!

[suebeck123]

Thanks!! Absolutely fabulous! Your ear must be astonishing,

[Aurora747]

I want more. Do you have others? Rock on.

[Aurora747]

OMG you rock! I certainly hope you are working somewhere...

[GrantSmithBass]

Always ..thanks for the comment. !

[mashomegula]

Grant, who are you currently working with ?

[GrantSmithBass]

@mashomegula ...check out VELVET CITY(MELBOURNE). I also do session gigs etc...always working with a creative project. Rock!

[brendanbassist]

Are you using flatwounds in this?

[GrantSmithBass]

Nope, just normal standards. But I did use the tone controls to emulate a more 'round' sound. Btw I do have a new 75 jazz bass in which I would love to put flatwounds onto, that would be cool ! All the best.

[jacofan157]

this is awesome!!!!!! to think that james jamerson did this with one finger is nuts!

[bobgure]

Wonderful work.

Thanks for loving this as much as I do.

[playthabass10]

your unique to play with the same feel and precision of james jammerson is out of sight this video ought to be the fisrt one u see when you turn on any videos about playing bass all the fast happy cats ought to try this song and see if you really have good timing and feeling

[GrantSmithBass]

Thanks for the positive feedback. Some people have asked if I have the original bassline playing under this version. The answer is that I used a tascam bass trainer to EQ out ALL of the bass part, then I mixed in my bass signal into the song mix to hopefully emulate the master at work, Mr. Jamerson. Cheers

[playthabass10]

love your timing most bassplayers dont know how much skills it take to play james jammerson bass lines this is the correct way to play the bass all that high in solo stuff is real good but playing like u will get you the big gigs everytime this video should be at the forefront HOW TO PLAY YOUR BASS

[GrantSmithBass]

Yeap, its all about the groove. Thanks !

[mashomegula]

Your not just a fine bass player, you gota good memory ! jamerson's bass lines on the "What's Going On" album changed the way I thought about my instrument .

[GrantSmithBass]

I agree, a good memory does help! Hang on, what were we talking about...????? Cheers.

[mashomegula]

Did you read this? Even if you were, you did it was with alot of feeling. You sound great ! Do you live in the twin cities ?

[GrantSmithBass]

Hi, in learning the bassline/song I used a combination of the Jamerson Book 'notation' and listened to how Mr.Jamerson then accented and articulated each note. After learning the entire bassline, I recorded this in one take without reading or referring to any musical notation during the performance. Cheers

[mashomegula]

Did you read this? Even if you were, you did it was with alot of feeling. You sound great ! Do you live in the twin cities ?

[0181080]

Wow. You are really good. Love that you have so much so and feel for the song and the bass line. Really good stuff. Also, I never new that Jamerson played the bass line for this song. I listen to this song all the time at work. Funny, I learn something new everyday. Thanks!!

[RangRing68]

very good man!

[zyaquieez]

who dancing under your bass?

[GrantSmithBass]

Ha ! That's my leg...never noticed that before...sweet.

[PatrickSharp10]

JJ FTW!!!

Your face is the face I got when first looking at the music of the bass line. The solo is outrageous. Those Funk Brothers were something else.

Great job, better than I can do.

[GrantSmithBass]

Cheers...please subscribe and vote on all my videos as I really appreciate the feedback and support from everyone...rock on !!

[SteveArpo]

Couldn't agree with you more in your write up. I have just picked up electric bass - aged 51!

[joe39363]

nice job........mind if I steal some licks?

[VarykGerai]

the only modern bass that ive heard sounding good sofar. ^^

[GrantSmithBass]

cheers mate...thou marcus miller snds wicked! But, appreciate the comment...thanks.

[nathanbossoh]

wooooooooow. u/ james jamersons mind on bass is completly out of dis world. he is soo groovey and always has something new to add unlike me lol jsut about gttin da tune correct lol.

[BassMusen]

It also looks like my washburn taurus (5 string tho)

[GrantSmithBass]

The wood grain natural finish is an beautiful look esp for a Bass....hope you enjoyed the clips.

[Nasrudin06]

That bass looks extremely similar to the Ibanez btb676 NF.

[GrantSmithBass]

Yeah, I checked that bass out, it has the same basic wood-grain look...I played as many 6 string basses I could find, incl warwick, ibanez and yamaha...and the Ken Smith was way superior in quality, sound and playability. Cheers for the comment though as it does look similar ...

[modlin31]

Great Job man!!!

[bloophero2]

Come on! To be the MAN behind the bline you've got to do it with 1 FINGER! ;P

(I think it's great btw)

[GrantSmithBass]

very true, I agree....the hook ...Doug Wimbish has a serious index finger groove...check him out....cheers.

[superfunkyheroe]

Great...Jamerson 's Style is Basic Stand-Up Bass....You Cabn Dance All Over The Groove because Your Bass-Line Is The Soul or Heart of The Song Besides The Lyrics.....We Appreciate True Bass Men....Keep Up The Good Work!!!

[mzv2007]

yo u kilt is son! lol good stuff. keep it up! :)

[slholmes62]

I had tears in my eyes over this! You nailed this; it is so beautiful! That is how bass should be played. Thanks!

[henniebogan1]

dam awesome

how long did it take to learn?

[GrantSmithBass]

hey mate...well, considering i only had the 6 string bass for about 3 weeks before shooting this clip ....the song took about two weeks to learn, then i spent about a week playing it without looking at any musical notation everyday for atleast 1-2 hours in which I would play sections, break down parts and improvise on certain sections and really try to understand the MAN behind this bassline, I researched all i could on Mr. Jamerson...it was the best time of my life. Cheers. G

[orchcomposer]

Hi Grant,

thanks for your comments, nice to see an appreciation of great art aka James Jamerson.

[onefatbaby]

now THAT is some swingin' bass playin bro. not like these two handed tap freaks. you did j j proud. way to go

[orchcomposer]

AWESOME

[scion07tcfan]

Hey man, I have a ken smith 6 myself. That bass part is nails man. Great job!

[Kid4DATown]

this looks very Complicated, but sounds terrific

BEAST MODE

[AfricanSk8ter]

As a fellow bass player i would like to say you killed it man that was incredible first being able to play everything like james jamerson is almost impossible and second you bass is dope i got a 5 string but i want a 6 string oh and i love that company that makes your bass all my teachers and friends have that kind as well

[GrantSmithBass]

thanks mate...appreciate that you enjoyed this...and yeah, its a tough bassline to play note 4 note..I just hoped i have done it some justice and maybe helped highlighted the genius of James Jamerson to those who maybe have not yet discovered how majikal his grooves were and are...hope all is going well with your music too. G

[AfricanSk8ter]

Thanks and it isim learning Teen Town The love you save, ill take you there and the tighten up

[mastertung7]

very very nice job, the tone, feel, the rubbery fingers.lol.how did u ,or do u get the flex in your fingers like that,? and what is the allure, about a ken smith bass, i can see it is designed to look very royal,i know the allure is not the price,what is it about a ks, bass?

[GrantSmithBass]

cheers. Ok, to get a good Flex in the fingers: just relax. And the allure about a ken smith is....well, i wanted to get a nice 6 string and was fortunate to find one S/H which was just a great playing bass..and if fender made a nice 6 string I would buy that...Once you play a K.S, they just feel and sound beautiful. Thanks for the reply and kind words..also, check out Gary Willis, he is the king of relaxed left hand technique.

[mastertung7]

thanks kindly for that info,keep that kool playin goin, i just subbed. to your channel

[dsleeperhold]

that bass just told me a story. it was a nice one.

[angiequick3333]

damnnnnn ,that's hot.good job

[Ducksr1]

Excellent!!!!

[GrantSmithBass]

cheers mate...and thanks to everyone who has commented...I appreciate the feedback and all the best in your musical goals...rock on !!

[DMob888333]

Good job man!

[litiobass]

OOOO man i want tha axe!

[BassLessonsOnline]

Very tidy - I love it.

Good on ya, Grant!

George

[TAYGUNOV]

are you from new york city by any chance? sorry for asking but you just look like such a cultured person that I would imagine seeing in a club in new york city, because the song and everything matches it so much

[JohnSeiko]

...That is GOOD!

[76alembic]

Great job on a classic Motown/Jamerson song.Very hard to do well,as is all of Jamerson,s work. He was a true geinus of bass playing, got to wonder,what he would be doing now if he was still with us,matbe playing a smith!.

[syisrad]

Nice work mate

[slapmyfunkybass]

great stuff.... solid playing... not showing off, just doing what needs to be done and you do a fantastic job with it....

[GodNeptune]

We have very similar styles of playing this bass line: lots of groove, very accurate and very faithful to the original. A true tribute to Mr. Jamerson - good work!

"Jamerson's bass playing made a certain fabric of my life visual." - Stevie Wonder

[slillev]

Sweet!

Good work..

[SarahMiller1818]

5 Stars....this is the best version I have seen on youtube. You really get this in the pocket and have taken time to actually mix your bass in the song, as many others play way to loud and have not even articulated the notes. But you really get this bassline moving like jamerson did!

[GrantSmithBass]

..you sound like your a muso..! thanks

[GrantSmithBass]

@SarahMiller1818 thanks, you have good good ears as once I had the notes under the fingers, I did make an effort to then listen to the 'way' the notes were played in regard to fretboard position, articulation and feel. It was a master class in expression!

[glendonj]

Adding this to my "Bass" playlist and looking forward to more. Funky. Can you give us the lowdown on yer bass, please?

[rexspe]

Groove! Jamerson was the best!

[1bassman9]

You sting that bassline just like Jamerson. Great job !!!

[spectorman09]

Oh yea........

[fatcathott]

that was great took me back when I went to see you play down here Grant in hobart

[steveandirene]

Thanks for the comment, nice sound!

[xxxthebassmanxxx]

Man thanks for your rating on my video and yes Ken Smitj rocks!!!!! 5 out of 5 to you. Your play very good!!!

[funkbrother007]

Nice playing.One of my favorite Jamerson lines.

[DavcomBass]

Awesome bass playin'!

[MikePietrusko]

Nice video! You sound really good Grant!

[JC10255]

Sounding good Grant! Waiting for more vids!  *****