This song is from Level 42’s 1983 album Standing in the Light. Driven along by a sixteenth note-based slap groove, it is also notable for Mark King’s use of harmonic chords and neck bending. Although a fan favourite since its release, the song was only performed live for the first time in 2008. The bassline […]

This piece was originally written to represent Duck Dunn in Giants of Bass, a book which celebrated the contributions of 26 of the world’s most influential bass players. As a result, it features a number of elements that are common to Duck’s playing, such as a strong use of chord tones, the inclusion of additional […]

It’s not uncommon for multiple techniques to be used within a bass part. With that in mind, this piece provides an opportunity to switch between fingerstyle and slap bass grooves. This piece was originally inspired by Parliament and Funkadelic, and as a result, many of the fingerstyle sections are performed with an envelope filter pedal. […]

This study piece has a disco feel and as a result, the bass part is heavily based around root-octave figures. Early albums by Jamiroquai were a significant influence in the composition of the piece, and so there are many ideas here that are often found in Stuart Zender’s playing. These include sliding octave figures, and […]

This piece is a fingerstyle funk workout that is suitable for players who are comfortable with the basic mechanics of the technique. This study was written in the style of legendary bassist Jaco Pastorius and was inspired by a piece called ‘The Chicken’. Although originally written by Pee Wee Ellis, this track became one of […]

This slap bass study features a relatively sparse bass part. The line was inspired by ‘Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin)’, a classic song by Sly & The Family Stone. This song holds an important position in the history of the slap technique as it is considered to be one of the first recorded […]

This study piece explores the ways in which harmonics can be used on the bass guitar. Harmonics are often used in solo compositions, but they can also be used within basslines, as is the case here. This piece will demonstrate how harmonics can be used to add melodic interest to your lines. It will also […]

This study piece is a classic rock-themed workout for your plectrum playing. Rock basslines can be great fun to play, particularly if they involve doubling riffs with the guitar, playing fills, and moving melodically between chords. All of these elements are present here, making this a great piece to get your teeth into. Don’t forget […]

This disco-themed study piece is a great workout for the fingerstyle technique. The bass plays a key role in this style of music, often playing melodic, chord tone-based lines, as well as the more obvious root-octave grooves. Don’t forget to hit the Download Resources button above in order to download the PDF transcription and audio […]

This study is a solo piece that is suitable for players who have covered the fundamentals of the two-handed tapping technique. As you’ll discover, being able to play in two parts of the neck simultaneously will allow you to create sounds that are not possible with more conventional bass playing techniques. Don’t forget to hit […]