Joe Jackson - Steppin' Out (bass cover)

CLICK HERE TO WATCH A NEW, IMPROVED VERSION!: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WpNIXLndxWs

don't think anyone's done this on bass, so I've had a crack at it - the left hand synth bassline by Joe Jackson himself. This is something that really needs a 5-string bass - it can be done on a 4-string, but it involves constant moving up and down the neck and if you don't have a completely borked left arm after that, give yourself a well-deserved drink and a pat on the back. I'm pretty proud of this - although there's a couple of minor screw-ups, this is a really difficult song - very fast, and very precise, like you've died and gone to octave heaven. It's a job and a half to keep a riff this intricate consistent.

This is one of my favourite songs of the 1980's, and it's pretty close to genius. Those piano chords...

Category:

Music

Tags:

• bass
• cover
• playalong
• joe
• jackson
• steppin'
• out
• night
• and
• day
• new
• wave
• pop
• music
• powerpop
• synth
• 1980's
• Bass Guitar
• Synthesizer
• Electronic
• Rock Music
• Classic Rock
• Punk
• New Wave Music
• Band

[elmyrdehory]

Hey folks! This vid's recieved over 6,000 views, and I'm pretty happy with that - but I always thought it could be better (certainly sound better)...and so I've redone the song and linked to it in the video responses. Enjoy, and happy bassing!

[AllOutFrog]

Awesome job on this song. Ive searched hi, and low for tabs for this song as I am teaching myself bass. If you have tabs Please share them with me. This song would help me to improve speed and accuracy, something I thought Billie Jean by Michael Jackson would do, and did, however this with your help, would help me improve a thousand times more to where I could try primus wynona beaver. I give you props my man, us "big boys" and our basses prove skill, and talent aint just in the little guys.

[elmyrdehory]

@AllOutFrog Thanks for the comment, it's much appreciated! I wish I could help out with tabs, but I don't use them so much now. It's all octaves and the two riffs never change, so I hope it shouldn't be too hard to figure out - it all starts on a B. And yeah, I was certainly a big boy 18 months ago lol. Now the beard's gone, the long hair's gone, and a fair chunk of the weight's gone to boot! Good luck in your bass travels, fella.

[kingcountersteer]

dude that was baddass. i can't play bass but i can appreciate how difficult that must have been to play. i'd like to make a request, "valley girl" by moon zappa, "bust a move" by young mc and anything from white zombie or 311. keep it up bro. you inspired me to take lessons.

[elmyrdehory]

@kingcountersteer Thanks. I certainly didn't expect to inspire anyone, so that means a lot! I'll have a look at the songs you mentioned.

[overtime2005]

The best riff anyone can do on this song has just been proven this man. I truly enjoyed it. btw, are you using the thumb and pointer finger or the middle and pointer fingers with the right?

[elmyrdehory]

@overtime2005 It's just about all middle and index, yeah. Not all that good with thumb picking usually...

[AllOutFrog]

@elmyrdehory You even inspired one to pick up a bass and start playing because of this one video. Id gladly spend a month replaying this video over and over matching note tone for note tone, but I do not have the time. Ive spent Litterally an hour trying to find the tabs online and get crap that doesnt sound even close.

[AllOutFrog]

@elmyrdehory I am very happy for you on ur appearance/health improvements. But brother after readin all the comments on the video, there R a lot of ppl askin U to help them learn the song by addin the tabs. I dont want to pester, but plz bro it cant be that hard to quickly tab out the verse N chorus and post it in the description for us who R beggin u for ur help. Music is love, N sharin that love is devine. Would you please help us better out skills to try to achieve ur level?

[Johnnysynth]

A1. One of my fave basslines even if it is a little "Disco-Octavy".

[GregDucati]

my friend that was moved to favourites! that was unreal you should do one with song a tiny bit loudeder

[2eroman]

hey, where did u get tab n notation?

good job