| When you are starting out on your journey learning | | | | and try and match that energy. |
| how to play bass often you isolate individual skills and | | | | 2. Pump It Up |
| work on them in a focused and deliberate way - e.g. | | | | This is another great tune - the bass is very front and |
| left hand technique, right hand technique, rhythmic | | | | centre in a lot of Elvis Costello songs, and Pump It Up |
| perception, fingerboard knowledge, etc. Once you feel | | | | is no exception. The chorus is an interesting line - in |
| comfortable in those areas the natural progression is | | | | interviews Bruce tells that the bass line in the chorus is |
| to try combining them in the learning of songs - either | | | | a musical joke and is adapted from In The Mood! |
| to play at gigs or at rehearsals and jams with your | | | | 3. Radio Radio |
| musical friends. | | | | A personal favourite of mine. This is a great 3 minute |
| Now learning songs can actually be a great way of | | | | tune - the bass line varies from a melodic intro, to a |
| co-ordinating these skill sets and I urge you to seek out | | | | pumping 8th note verse, to a chorus that jumps around |
| songs that are at a slightly higher level than you | | | | using descending 5ths, and then a magnificant fill out of |
| currently are. By mastering those songs you will not | | | | the bridge. This is a seriously fun song to play with |
| only increase your repertoire of bass line ideas for use | | | | other musicians. The only equal in the Bruce Thomas |
| in the real world AND your 'repertoire' of songs that | | | | canon in my opinion is.... |
| you can play, but you will also push your bass playing | | | | 4. Everyday I Write The Book |
| abilities forward in a way that concentrating on | | | | Wow. What a great bass line. From the descending |
| exercises just doesn't. | | | | melodic hooks in the verse to the 16th note funky |
| Bruce Thomas in his tenure as bass player for Elvis | | | | groove of the chorus. This tune has got so much info |
| Costello and The Attractions came up with some of | | | | that we as bass players can model, imitate and then |
| rock's finest bass lines of the 70s and 80s. Here are 5 | | | | use as a foundation for our own bass lines. |
| you should check out, learn and play! | | | | 5. I Don't Want To Go To Chelsea |
| 1. Oliver's Army | | | | Sting is often cited as the guy who successfully |
| This is a great song and has an equally great bass line. | | | | blended rock and reggae. Well he never did at |
| There are some interesting runs to link up the different | | | | energetically or as cool as Bruce's line in 'Chelsea. This |
| sections of the songs - and there is a great energy in | | | | is another inventive, energetic bass performance. Well |
| the line. If you learn this, play along with the recording | | | | worth checking out. |