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Herbie Hancock – ‘Watermelon Man’

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‘Watermelon Man’ is one of jazz pianist Herbie Hancock’s best-known compositions. Originally written for his 1962 Takin’ Off album, it was revisited in 1973 by Herbie and his jazz-funk group The Headhunters for the album of the same name. This version of the song - covered in this course – features an inventive bass part built around tenths, from bassist Paul Jackson.

When learning this piece, you might find the following courses (all included in the monthly subscription cost) useful:

A transcription (with TAB and without) is available for this course. To download it, please visit the Free Stuff page.

This course is 34 MINUTES long and contains the following videos, each of which can be selected from the video player above:

1. ‘Watermelon Man’

This video is a demonstration of the song performed on a ’72 Fender Jazz bass strung with old nickel strings for a warm tone.

2. Course Overview

This video contains an overview of the song and the challenges it presents, as well as offering some advice on choosing the right instrument and tone for a piece like this.

3. A Section

This video covers the intro and the repeating two-bar bass groove. This inventive line makes use of tenths, a concept which recurs throughout much of the piece.

4. B Section

This lesson covers the turn-around section, which is used again later in the piece. Once again, tenths are used to reinforce the harmony.

5. C Section

This lesson covers the C section, which is anchored by a sixteenth note bass groove. This is a relatively simple line that moves between two chords.

6. D Section

This video covers the D section, which is essentially an extended three-chord blues sequence. Tenths continue to be used throughout this section.

7. E Section

This final video covers the E section. This is essentially a repeat of the D section, although with some altered timings during the IV and V chord parts.