Cool funk bassline from a rare 70's electronic disco album (On the moon '78)

Found this cool tune a couple of days ago on youtube. It's a electronic disco track from the album ' On the moon' by 'Charlie Mike Sierra'. The synth is kinda annoying, but the bassline makes it all fit.

The bassline is more tricky then it sounds. A lot of the notes are half muted with the left hand giving it a nice staccato sound. The original bassline is played with a pick, but picks are for pussies and guitar players so I did it fingerstyle like it should be on a bass :P j/k
My fingers were really sore here, almost had blisters so it was hard to keep it tight. Also the synth was kinda distracting me at some parts. The first attempt the muting was not enough, 2nd attempt was a bit better, besides the timing that is :)

You can find the original tune here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MOtxSXZYtYQ&feature=channel_video_title

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Funky bass line
• disco bass
• 70's
• 80's
• funk
• funk groove
• fusion
• jazz
• flea
• groove
• ahf
• qtron
• electro
• harmonix
• boss
• effect
• alembic
• musicman
• stingray
• grooving
• finger funk
• james brown
• stanley clarke
• marcus miller
• jaco pastorius
• victor wooten? bass jam
• rare funk

[TheWhippinpost]

These kind of tracks, where the riff stays constant for ages, are the real challenges, IMO.

Playing a wacky riff for 4 bars is easy by comparison. Playing a straightforward riff for 5 minutes (or more if you're supporting a Frank Zappa guitar solo) is a real test of concentration and timing.

I struggle with it, I must admit - thus I avoid it, but that don't necessarily pay the bills ;)

[ramon709]

@TheWhippinpost Indeed, especially for the concentration it can be a challenge. Could have done a better job with fresh fingers and a less annoying and dominant synth lol. Also those small pc speakers does not help, I hardly hear any drums when I play over it. It's much easier in a band situation standing next to a real drummer and playing over a good bass amp!

[mikka42]

sheer class pal

[ramon709]

@mikka42 Hey thanks, glad you like

[jonannlou]

really nice playing mate. Bass sounds almost jaydee-ish here! agreed about the synth, but nice bass line!! like the bit about using a pick ;)

[ramon709]

@jonannlou Thanks mate! Yeah when I only use the bridge humbucker and set the hifi switch to passive it starts to get a little JD'ish :)

It's really to bad about the synth cos the bass line is pretty cool. Imagine this bass line with Lindup or George Duke doing the synth, would be something else then!

I was only joking about the pick of course, it usually gets pick players flying against the wall when you say that :P

[jonannlou]

@ramon709 You're right, this song is a waste of a good bass-line! I only used the pick to stay a little true to original on one song! I'm not a fan as the sound it too harsh.. Even for me!

You've got a gem of bass there mate, I can only hope to get one like yours one day :)