Duran Duran - Save a Prayer - bass lesson

[Raulitodu13]

Best bass cover in youtube !

[MarcusDolby]

Love the T shirt bro

[zumazmusic]

@MarcusDolby - The shield will be down in moments. You may start your landing.

[cheriqui]

So, for my 40th birthday (a month early) I got a Peavey Cirrus 4string from my husband (something I have always wanted). I have some musical background (only a little in upright bass). BUT thus far watching your videos I have worked through "Serious" and now onto "Save a prayer" -- which actually somewhat sounds like "Save a prayer" when I play it! (YAY!) I'm quite pleased with myself and just wanted to say a HUUUUGE thank you from a massive Duran fan for these lessons! So...Thanks!! :)

[zumazmusic]

@cheriqui - Comments like this make my day and then some. I am so glad you are enjoying Duran Duran and the bass guitar in new, fun and exciting ways. Did you get a BXP model or the USA model? What color? I will bust out my Cirrus for the next All You Need is Now track I am going to do.

[cheriqui]

@zumazmusic The BXP model is the one I have. The colour that I have is like the light brown one John currently plays, however mine is far darker than his. We had considered seeing if we could get a teal feathered coloured one (my favorite colour) but the store where we bought it from didn't and couldn't get them. I saw this one & now am the proud owner. My husband DESPERATELY tried to get me a Liberator - but the hunt is still ongoing for that. Looking forward to All You Need is Now! YOU ROCK!

[zumazmusic]

@cheriqui - You guys did great with the BXP. The Liberator is great but I have played both and the BXP is an excellent bass for the money. ROCK ON WOMAN!

[daftweebrush]

@cheriqui You could always try to suss it for yourself? Its a really simple bassline. It would ultimately make you a better player as you would also be thinking about it b4 you play it. Anyways this guys struggling due to not having a correct playing stance. I dont like youtube teachers. If they were any good they would charge for personal lessons rather than pretending they can play

[daftweebrush]

@cheriqui Dude i just watched your other vids. Your sloppy as.... why are you passing on all these bad habits to people?! Take a slice of humble pie and admit to yourself your not nearly as good as you think you are. DISGRACEFUL!!

[qrunervoso]

legal! gostei mesmo.

[justaskoche]

i chose it 'cuz i thought it "looked pretty and shiny..."

[justaskoche]

i know...i don't know which is harder to maintain...strong fingers for fretwork...or embouchure for the French horn...

[justaskoche]

hey...ignore the haters...not many people can even approach what you're doing...i played French Horn in HS...talk about a real bear to tune! (which, incidentally, was when this came out!), so i know nothing about strings, but you sound in tune to me. In the 80's vernacular, you're "totally tubular!" :)

[zumazmusic]

@justaskoche - Thank You very much! I take pride in my musical ear so, though I don't profess to be perfect, I think I'm pretty okay. :+) French Horn is a b*&tch! I used to play trumpet in school myself. Like totally man!

[pdglock19]

Dude, amazing. One of my favs to play, and I taught myself to play by ear. That live version is the best, but your cover cuts the notes alot, where John's sounds very fluid, almost walking the notes. Havent played since my teens (Im 40), so Im very rusty now. Its still amazing dude. Congrats. :-)

[zumazmusic]

@pdglock19 - Thank You for the kind words, I appreciate it. That "fluid" line is in part owed to the chorus effect which I did not use. It can make the notes sound longer since chorus is essentially a delay effect. Start chipping away at that rust my friend!!!

[BallsGJC]

Hi. You are a good player. I am a beginer so can I ask you a question about Aria pro 2 bass it look like your bass but it have two humbuker .Do you know it ?Thank you very much.

[TheAppriser]

I've played it too in my home, have a slight different notes, including the refrain

[glyanez]

I love your videos, your bass sounds great. 

[MrNathan791]

hey thanks for the lesson and you're sounding very good. again thanks for teaching me this song. one of me favorite's from '80's duran.

[korHan7]

if Im not mistaken, u should add a little amount of "chorus" to ur sound for exact john's sound for this song..

[zumazmusic]

@korHan7 - I'm not going for an exact sound but you are right...there is a chorus effect on the original track BUT it was double tracked bass, not a chorus pedal. Check out the Duran Duran Rio dvd. Come to think of it, I don't think the live version I used here has any of the chorus effect any way. Thanks for the comment.

[redline601]

you need a tuner

[zumazmusic]

@redline601 - I assure you my bass is in tune with itself. Many recordings of the 80's in particular were sped up in the mastering process. They will sound sharp. I prefer to stay in a440 so I attempt to tune the music back down. The song may not be 100% in a440 but it's close enough for YouTube.

[IrenicIronist]

@zumazmusic I was thinking the same thing but I agree with zuma. Ever tried to play along with Van Halen on the early albums? They never tuned to 440! Love the bass work but it was a little distracting with your tuning being a little flat. I am a guitar guy that dabbles in bass.

[zumazmusic]

@IrenicIronist - Wow, I'll have to re-listen soon. I didn't think I was that off but yeah, those 80's tunes can drive you crazy. Some of the Van Halen I have played to seems to be in between E and Eb. Frustrating!

[IrenicIronist]

@zumazmusic I was thinking the same thing but I agree with zuma. Ever tried to play along with Van Halen on the early albums? They never tuned to 440! Love the bass work but it was a little distracting with your tuning being a little flat. I am a guitar guy that dabbles in bass.

[adebicki]

@redline601 it gives it a nice edge..

[musicfamily]

Excellent lesson! Thanks! I agree it is an amazing bass line.

[tomtebass]

could you do a metallica cover ? Well done on this cover man .

[zumazmusic]

@tomtebass - I do like Metallica but I haven't had time to do anything lately! Maybe one day...

[tomtebass]

@zumazmusic

Thanks man for answering. I've been spamming requests on every video that has a sb 1000. Have it good :P

[tomtebass]

Could you do a video of you playing a metallica song with your aria sb1000. I like your videos :)

[rafaljekot]

Aria SB-100 ? 1000*

[zumazmusic]

@rafaljekot - Aria SB1000

[rafaljekot]

@zumazmusic :)

[memyself2k]

That's a sick bass! Are those Arias expensive? Great performance too man! Kicks ass.

[MrNathan791]

great playing and thanks for the lesson. this one of my favorite duran songs from the '80. thanks to you and can now learn it on my bass. thanks for posting

[sefikkose]

Love you're clear sound. Gr. from the Netherlands.

[zumazmusic]

@sefikkose - That's the Aria SB100 for you! Clear as a piano! Well, a dark and woody sounding piano anyway!

[e30m31989]

Spot on! I listened to all of your DD, amazing! Thank You! Fond memories. Sound of thunder my fav.

[extantia]

Nice playing. Is that a Pro II Thor? Is that the original pickup?

[Tubes12AX7k]

I love all the little passing notes. They had a good understanding of music, and you just don't hear that very much these days. Someday, I'd love to hear someone play the keyboard part, in some sort of arrangement for guitar.

[AnthonyDelRay]

Are you kidding bro John taylor is one of the best bassists of all time! thats no joke.

When you say "when you really analyze the technical sense"

Yes bro absolutely it was all technical with them! People don't get it.

You could say John taylor nearly made the band BUT because the rest of them were such good musicians too. That wasn't the case however a bassist like John could nearly carry a band... yes.

[zipnet43]

Thats a good try, but once again I would work on the rests, just as much as time is everything in music, so are the rests in bass playing. Don't take me the wrong way I love finding other bass players having a go at John Taylor's style but you are missing a few notes here and there as well. Other than that your getting the gist of a lot of different bass styles that most bass players wouldn't touch!! Keep up the great work.

[LoiraKK]

My favorite song. EXCITING!!!!!

[cezinhaluiz]

ZUMA ES UN MONSTER !!!! GOOD VERY

[BassDude50000]

hey dude how do you get that tight sound with a little punch? is your action high?

[PACOMUN]

its a sick bass

[iolindo]

very nice!!! good job!

[GenghisFREAKZemself]

its pretty damn close

[BadAnnie]

This is possibly my favorite bass line of all time from who I think is a very underrated player. I really enjoyed watching your video - thanks for posting!

[Mowac]

Either you're a short guy or that bass is just huge.

[zumazmusic]

Ha ha ha! Yeah, I'm just "short" of 5'5". Get it? I couldn't resist the pun. It's not the smallest bass either but yeah, I'm not very tall.

[Girlmeatwod]

Will you marry me? :D i just learned this song from yur video thanx!!!!!!

[zumazmusic]

You are too kind. ;+) Glad to help you in all things bass.

[Girlmeatwod]

NP, dude yur awsum!

[tornmask]

"EXCELLENT" "BRAVO" "MAGNIFICO" * * * * * ! ! ! Beautiful Bass Guitar! da Sound is "INCREDIBLE"! ! ! tanku so much fer dis "AWESOME" vid! =0D

[zumazmusic]

De nada! Regresa pronto, okay?

[Zulu993]

Best I've heard yet! LIke the way you mix it up. This is one of my favorite bass lines. Does it have a little delay in it? On the album it sounds a little synthy. Nice bass BTW.

[proof317]

dude i cant enough of the bass play.. still kinda stuck.. im going to play by ear... fuck it lol its my 1000th view anniversary for this vid

[zumazmusic]

You'll get it one of these days! Be persistent and thanks for watching so much!

[exno8]

nice! great song and well played, ok so thats 3 of us lovin good bass lines. . . .and becoming old farts, sad but true.

[zumazmusic]

Ha ha ha! Yeah, I've already started saying things like "Kids these days..."

[zumazmusic]

50 bucks? I feel your pain. It seems a lot of things are becoming a dying art. Either that or we're just becoming old farts!

[grazer770]

i had a chance to buy one of these basses 10 years a go for 50 quid and didnt take it! aaaargh!

good to hear a fellow bass player who appreciates GOOD bass lines and tone!

proper bass playing is becoming a dying art.

[metalgopher]

ahhaha dude, why? i would love to get one of those in my hands

[1lapmagic]

Proper bass playing? Sorta like how Jamerson used dirty strings with super high action on a bent-necked bass, plucking with only one finger?

[grazer770]

CORRECT!! what a sound! what a player! what a musician! he had more soul in that finger than wooten, bailey, manring etc have in all of theirs put together! and i think they wouldnt argue. so you shouldt either.

[1lapmagic]

You totally missed the point. I was saying that Jamerson played "improperly" by a lot of peoples' standards.

[grazer770]

when i say "proper bass playing" i was not talking about technique. was talking more about interacting within a band.

you cant apply the term "proper" to jamerson anyway because he practically invented it!

[mdunex7]

Nice one Zuma, are there any plans to cover NICE. One of Durans better songs lately. Nice T-Shirt by the way. keep it up, this is some quality bass instruction. cheers mate.

[zumazmusic]

NICE is great. I probably will do that one some day. Thanks!

[proof317]

im just starting bass. so thanks for this one. a pace i may can handle starting off. u r the man

[SCLUCAS01]

Gotta get me an original Aria Pro II and a Wal! Thanks!

[btcctouring]

oooh thats the bass I dream of owning one day

[alisardu]

Thank you thank you I've now understand completely the John Taylor's part!!! Thank you from Sardinia!!!

[Tubes12AX7k]

Zuma, many thanks for posting your Duran Duran bass videos. They don't get anywhere NEARLY enough credit for their talent and songwriting abilities as musicians. It's also, unfortunately, fairly difficult to find sheet music and technical coverage for these guys. Thanks!

[zumazmusic]

I agree and believe it or not I have the songbooks for all albums up until Arena. I wish I had time to scan them all. They are very rare indeed.

[tomddrhodes]

wow love the bass

how did u get 1 like that?

[omgitsdebbie]

i LOVE this bass!

and this song rules :)

[lpbonci]

Thank you!!!!

[evermind81666]

sounds sooooo good

[TheOCDan]

John played that same bass didn't he?

[CowbellProfessional]

don't think so- looks like a Carvin bass. Neck through, 24 frets. Nice job, but you should try this on a fretless- I think John used one. Sounds cool, especially on the dissonant F# in Dm.

[robrozzie69]

Actually, on the "Classic Album" RIO series, John said that he played two tracks over each other to get that sound...like a heavy chorus sound. It's great, huh?

[zumazmusic]

Guys, I am playing an Aria SB1000 (same as John). Robrozzie is correct and I myself didn't know it was double tracked bass until I saw that Rio DVD as well. It probably would sound great on fretless though!

[robrozzie69]

Keep up the great work, it's amazing stuff! By the way, I like the crazy t-shirts too (like the pac man one!)

[zumazmusic]

Thanks. You know what's funny is that Pac Man one I freakin' bought at Target of all places.

[zerro7]

Great job. I use to play this song back in 1984 on bass in the rock band I was in in high school everyone loved when we played it. It took me forever but I played it note for note. Me being African American I like John's jazz and funk style. I also love the synz = Jp8 nick used. I'm now releaning it again and this video helps thanks.

[candyfeend]

Hey Zuma...Awesome...I love it, however as much as I am trying to learn it from your video, I am having trouble trying to see which fingers your are using, and what frets you are pressing, as your other fingers cover up the action that is taking place on the fretted notes...Do you know where I can get an accurate tab for this song? I have seen many tabs, but they are all different and wrong....thanks.

[zumazmusic]

Thanks...I know what you mean about the fingers but I just to try to play it naturally and that's what happens, my fingers tend to overlap like that. Also, I don't use tabs so I can't help you there. Your ear is your best friend. Use it and develop it! Good Luck.

[candyfeend]

Nice job curling all of your other fingers out of the way towards the end and using only the index so that we could see what is taking place. That is very clear now. I should watch videos to their end before commenting.

[verdadeiraanalise]

Very good, am from Brazil, no speake inglish, paraben´s realmente muito bom mesmo!!

[qigongk]

Nice slides! I actually just started learning this one!

[tenshibuta]

That's a cool shirt btw, where did you get it?

[zumazmusic]

I don't remember where I bought it. I think it was a gift. I always loved that AT-AT driver outfit but my favorite is the TIE fighter one.

[konked]

I know that you have done a lot of 80's but it would be great if you did Kylie Minogue's Spinning Around.

[shesmadatme]

Zuma, ever thought about "Is There Something I Should Know" ?? I've got much of it but good lord I need some help on a few parts. Would love to see your bass lesson on that one.

Keep up the great work!

[georgeink]

great!^^

tehe! X]] after watching this video I've made a cover of this song myself! what do you hink about it? is it good? for a peson who play bass maybe for 1 month!? X]]

[Grrr1973]

Man... Sorry, but you really needs more hours on bass. Loose timing, no swing, just the dry notes. I think you could do better.

[numsig]

Have to agree, although he's doing a great job transcribing these parts and his videos are very good to learn from (clarity if not style!)

[buttercup11]

Another great Duran Bass lesson from you.

You have no idea how much I am looking forward to see your next video.

Thanks!

[maesstra]

bravo!

[korikong3]

Great job dude. And excellent for sharing it.

[simonlebong]

Great job as always. Could you please do faster than light?

[fosteroak]

John Taylor is the best bassist ever! You're not so bad yourself.

[lowfreq65]

really?...........I'd like to differ on that!!!

[marilyn318]

Great job! I saw Duran live in concert last night and they gave an excellent show!

[huxley2012]

Great job, but in the first verse (into), the first four measures alternate between two riffs. The first being the part that you are playing. Also you missed the fill on the second measure of the third verse.

[zumazmusic]

I'll have to check what you are saying later but keep in mind that this is the live version from Arena and it is different than the recorded one on Rio. It "stops less" for one thing.

[zumazmusic]

Ok, I just checked and the Arena version that I am playing keeps repeating the same figure. Only the recorded version alternates as you describe. There is a fill (if it's the one you mean) right before the third verse but once again it is not there in the Arena version.

Either way that was a nice catch but let me reiterate something - I am not going for perfection with these videos. I don't have the time and I really just want to inspire people to get out there and play some great bass lines!

[ajittffcure]

Absolutely superb stuff! Your execution of this song on the bass was spot-on! John Taylor would be proud of you!

[ringbearer6782]

wow, brilliant again!

[sprootles]

Well, you've just blown my mind again. One of the sexiest things I've ever seen and had the pleasure of listening to.

Have you ever met John Taylor?

You rule.

[dilemmed]

totally tits dood. good stuff!

[Kenmarcelis]

Thanks Zuma !!!!

Super bass player and you got a great taste !

Ken - Belgium

[ROBOgirlie]

Love this. This live version was featured in Sing Blue Silver...very beautiful, and dedicated to Marvin Gaye who had died the day before the performance...thank you Zuma

[zumazmusic]

Speaking of Marvin Gaye...the DVD titled "Marvin Gaye The Real Thing in Performance 1964-1981" is just amazing, especially tracks 9, 10 and 12. Get it!

[GhenghisKen]

Hey Zuma...just spend an hour or so working on this. Thanks for the help.  This is such a great song and I'm glad to be playing it.

[bulleye]

Save a preyaer is 1 of my favourite song, Thank for the bass lesson, will pick up my bass guitar now.

[ajittffcure]

Your bass looks very beautiful. I like the colour combination.

[mikebell10]

You've only gone and done it again!! Great work. Keep it up

[JTaylors1stgirl]

Soooooooooo very awesome! You are great! I'm convinced, I'm picking up my bass guitar TODAY and going to attempt SOMETHIMG!

[GhenghisKen]

Great stuff Zuma...made my day.

[mommasoto]

Just beautiful Zuma. Thank you. Prayer and hope, always. :) (hugs)

[ajittffcure]

Excellent work! Coincidentally, I was just thinking of this song, today and was wondering about playing it one day on my bass.

[eminence22]

Superb! Great to see another DD bassline from you Zuma, and this one is executed to perfection!

Been a couple of updates lately - the Kajagoogoo video was also extremely impressive. Looking forward to the next one now, hopefully you can go on a little updating spree! ;)

Excellent job, nonetheless.