Graham56 Posted September 10, 2009 Share Posted September 10, 2009 With cover versions I often go back and listen to the originals again after playing them for awhile. I usually spot little details that I missed when learning the song in the first place. Ive just done this with Patti Labelles Lady Marmalade. And hell, Ive been playing the signature bass riff wrong for about 10 gigs! Ive been playing : G B D Bb(high) F G C And now I can hear something different. I think Im hearing: G D F Bb(high) F G C But, you know, Im having a bit of a wobble at the moment. I cant quite pick all the notes out sometimes I think its one thing, sometimes another. Its getting to be a bugbear. Ill try the listen from the next room trick tonight. Many of you here must have played it too. What do you do? Cheers Graham www.talkingstrawberries.com - for rocking' blues, raw and fresh! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
b5pilot Posted September 10, 2009 Share Posted September 10, 2009 Interesting. I've never played it but now I'm curious. Later tonight I'll have to dig it up and try it. Lydian mode? The only mode I know has the words "pie ala" in front of it. http://www.myspace.com/theeldoradosband Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EddiePlaysBass Posted September 10, 2009 Share Posted September 10, 2009 The way my band plays, I'm ashamed to say that in a lot of cases I don't even know what the original sounds like. We used to work off chords/lyrics sheets and took it from there. I basically did whatever came to mind, and the drummer fed off that. Makes for interesting comparisons, though. And we heard a version of "Rock This Joint" (Bill Haley) that sounded so much better than what we made of it, that I'm going to go back and listen to that one to see if I can't liven it up. Oh, I get those wobbles a lot, too ! "I'm a work in progress." Micky Barnes The Ross Brown Shirt World Tour Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DavidMPires Posted September 10, 2009 Share Posted September 10, 2009 I listen to the original of Mustang Sally for the first time last weekend, I've played that song in gigs at least 50 times. I was a bit far off, not notes wise but rythm wise. www.myspace.com/davidbassportugal "And then the magical unicorn will come prancing down the rainbow and we'll all join hands for a rousing chorus of Kumbaya." - by davio Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Graham56 Posted September 10, 2009 Author Share Posted September 10, 2009 In general we take a farly 'free and easy' view of copying cover songs. We will do our own version which suits us, our line-up, our abilities and (we hope) our audience. But the basic bass riff of this song is such an important signature that I'd like to get it right. Or at least, know when I am playing it differently and why... Cheers Grahm www.talkingstrawberries.com - for rocking' blues, raw and fresh! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeremy c Posted September 10, 2009 Share Posted September 10, 2009 In Lady Marmalade, the bass part IS the song. Sorry, Graham, it's: D F G Bb F G C I transcribed the whole thing, I could fax it to you. Free download of my cd!. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chad Thorne Posted September 10, 2009 Share Posted September 10, 2009 I think Im hearing: G D F Bb(high) F G C This - I believe - is correct, Graham. At least, that's how I've alway heard it and played it. But do let us know what you heard from the next room! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davio Posted September 10, 2009 Share Posted September 10, 2009 In Lady Marmalade, the bass part IS the song. Sorry, Graham, it's: D F G Bb F G C I transcribed the whole thing, I could fax it to you. I'm sorry, J, but I just listened to it again with your notes in mind (we play it at almost every gig) and I really disagree with it. I'm positive Graham's latest assertion is correct. The first note is definitely the root and is followed by the 5 and b7. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeremy c Posted September 10, 2009 Share Posted September 10, 2009 I just pulled out my Labelle lp. I swear that the last note of the riff is the lowest one. Bass does not live by root alone. Try it starting on D. Please. Free download of my cd!. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davio Posted September 10, 2009 Share Posted September 10, 2009 I did. Many times because I doubted that I'd be right and you'd be wrong about something like this but it does not sound like the line I'm hearing in the recording. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davio Posted September 10, 2009 Share Posted September 10, 2009 Just for a reference, we're talking about the first track that you can preview on this album, right? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davio Posted September 10, 2009 Share Posted September 10, 2009 Also, this one (the bastardized cover from Moulin Rouge) is G F G Bb F G C without the low G but still not starting on the 5. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davio Posted September 10, 2009 Share Posted September 10, 2009 Also, I just tried looping the riff and isolating the 3rd and 4th notes and I have to say that it really sounds like F Bb rather than G Bb. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chad Thorne Posted September 10, 2009 Share Posted September 10, 2009 In Lady Marmalade, the bass part IS the song. Sorry, Graham, it's: D F G Bb F G C I transcribed the whole thing, I could fax it to you. In LIFE the bass part is the song. I must respectfully, and regretfully, disagree with my learned, shaven-headed colleague on the Left Coast. I haven't transcribed the whole thing, just bits 'n pieces to jog my memory, but this is what I have: http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c32/cft3/ladymarmaladebass.jpg Also, I've been playing LaBelle's original version over and over for the last 10 minutes. The bass line is very audible the way I have it EQ'd, and I stand by what I put on the paper, at least for the main riff. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TimR Posted September 10, 2009 Share Posted September 10, 2009 I'm going with Chad, but we play it in F. Feel the groove internally within your own creativity. - fingertalkin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davio Posted September 10, 2009 Share Posted September 10, 2009 I haven't transcribed the whole thing, just bits 'n pieces to jog my memory, but this is what I have: I agree with that but I interpret the Bb as a dotted 1/8 with a 1/16 rest rather than the other way around. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Graham56 Posted September 10, 2009 Author Share Posted September 10, 2009 I haven't had much time to listen to this as I'd hoped (band practice instead!). But I still hear the riff starting on the G. There might be something going on with the very first note of the song, hidden by the organ. But I haven't been able to pick it out yet. I've played along using Jeremy's transcript. But I'm sure I hear something different. Jeremy, that's a very kind offer to fax me me your transcript. Can I take you up on that? I'll PM a fax number in the morning(it's getting late here!) Cheers Graham www.talkingstrawberries.com - for rocking' blues, raw and fresh! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
b5pilot Posted September 10, 2009 Share Posted September 10, 2009 I got home pulled out the bass and hit Youtube. Chad's chart seems correct, It is G,D,F,Bflat,F,G,C Lydian mode? The only mode I know has the words "pie ala" in front of it. http://www.myspace.com/theeldoradosband Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chad Thorne Posted September 11, 2009 Share Posted September 11, 2009 I haven't transcribed the whole thing, just bits 'n pieces to jog my memory, but this is what I have: I agree with that but I interpret the Bb as a dotted 1/8 with a 1/16 rest rather than the other way around. Well, I won't fight with you over that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuart Clayton Posted September 11, 2009 Share Posted September 11, 2009 Just had a listen to this track to be sure, but I agree with Chad: G D F Bb F G C. That's what happens on the original version anyway! Stu www.basslinepublishing.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveC Posted September 11, 2009 Share Posted September 11, 2009 Just had a listen to this track to be sure, but I agree with Chad: G D F Bb F G C. That's what happens on the original version anyway! Stu That's what I hear as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeremy c Posted September 11, 2009 Share Posted September 11, 2009 ouch. I'm going to get my ears tested. Thanks, Stuart. Free download of my cd!. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davio Posted September 11, 2009 Share Posted September 11, 2009 Oh fine...half the people on this forum agree and as soon as Stuart chimes in it's "Thanks, Stuart." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chad Thorne Posted September 11, 2009 Share Posted September 11, 2009 Oh fine...half the people on this forum agree and as soon as Stuart chimes in it's "Thanks, Stuart." Actually, half the people on this forum agree with Chad and as soon as Stuart chimes in it's "Thanks, Stuart..." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davio Posted September 11, 2009 Share Posted September 11, 2009 Actually, half the people on this forum agree with Chad and as soon as Stuart chimes in it's "Thanks, Stuart..." Well if you want to get fickle about it, we were originally agreeing with Graham. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeremy c Posted September 11, 2009 Share Posted September 11, 2009 I requested that Stuart join in on the thread, and I thanked him for doing that. I could also thank all of you who were right but why would I thank you for that? OK, thank you for making me look like a doofus. Free download of my cd!. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chad Thorne Posted September 11, 2009 Share Posted September 11, 2009 Please, just humor me. I'm right so seldom that I'm wallowing in self-congratulation just now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeremy c Posted September 11, 2009 Share Posted September 11, 2009 Chad, Davio, SteveC, Graham56, Stuart and all my other good buddies who had it right, I congratulate you. I am humbled. Free download of my cd!. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Capasso Posted September 11, 2009 Share Posted September 11, 2009 I'm struggling with picking out a few notes on some songs I'm working. It happens (though I'm OK, I'm not a "master ear"). Poor J - 8 years on the forum and he's been shown to be wrong - once in 12K posts. I'm wrong more than that every time I go to band practice. Tom www.stoneflyrocks.com Acoustic Color Be practical as well as generous in your ideals. Keep your eyes on the stars and keep your feet on the ground. - Theodore Roosevelt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveC Posted September 11, 2009 Share Posted September 11, 2009 Chad, Davio, SteveC, Graham56, Stuart and all my other good buddies who had it right, I congratulate you. I am humbled. This will probably be the only time that I "know more" than JC. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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