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Plectrum Study #1

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This study piece is a funk rock track written in the style of bands such as Extreme, Aerosmith and The Electric Boys. It was composed as a resource for working on more complex rock bass picking lines, where the bass plays a more active role, often doubling tricky lines with the guitar in addition to playing the more traditional supportive role.

For bassists who wish to learn the piece but require additional assistance with some of the techniques required, the following courses (all included in the monthly subscription cost) should prove useful:

Don’t forget to hit the Download Resources button above to get the PDF transcription and the audio files for this piece (available to subscribers only).

This course is 50 MINUTES long and contains the following videos, each of which can be selected from the video player above:

1. Advanced Level - Plectrum Study #1

This video is a full demonstration of this study piece, performed on a Fender Marcus Miller Signature Jazz Bass strung with stainless steel Dunlop strings.

2. Course Overview

This video gives a brief overview of this difficult piece and the technical challenges that it presents. Advice is also given on finding a suitable tone.

3. A Section

The video covers the intro of the piece. The bass plays a largely supportive role here, although there are interesting fills. This lesson covers 1-12 in the transcription.

4. B Section

This section is the main riff, which the bass plays in unison with the guitar. This line is heavily based on the E blues scale. This lesson covers bars 13-20.

5. C Section

This section acts as a ‘verse’. The bass plays a busy groove here and doubles the guitar lick in the fourth bar. This lesson covers bars 21-24 in the transcription.

6. D Section

This is the ‘bridge’ section. The chords move quicker here, and the bass plays a very active line that reflects the harmony. This lesson covers bars 25-28.

7. F Section

This short video covers the F section, which is the four-bar breakdown that follows the second ‘chorus’. This lesson covers bars 37-40 in the transcription.

8. G Section (Part 1)

This video will show you how to play the first part of the long instrumental unison section. This lesson covers bars 41-48 in the transcription.

9. G Section (Part 2)

This video covers the second part of the instrumental, which features some challenging picking work. This lesson covers bars 49-60 in the transcription.

10. G Section (Part 3)

This video covers the final part of the instrumental, which is a repeating riff. This lesson covers bars 61-64 in the transcription.

11. H Section

This section uses the chord sequence from the D section, but with a simpler bass part. This lesson covers bars 65-68 in the transcription.