In this video course we'll be looking at a typical example of Mark King's live bass solo from the classic Level 42 track 'The Chinese Way'. When the band were playing this track in the late eighties/early nineties, the tempo was significantly higher than the original recording, and the arrangement was altered to include solo sections for each member of the band. This bass solo is very challenging to play at this tempo, but is a lot of fun to work on. For subscribers to our video courses, the notation/TAB and the backing track used in the main performance are available to download using the link above. You can also find a full transcription of the studio version of this track in The Level 42 Bass Book.
This video is a full demonstration of the live bass solo from 'The Chinese Way', performed on a GB Guitars Rumour bass. With lights on.
In this video we'll be working through the A section of this solo. This part is a transition section linking the main body of the song to the bass solo.
In this video we'll be looking at the B section, which contains the main theme of the solo, as well as a barrage of machine gun triplets.
In this video we'll work through the second half of the B section, which is based on the line from an early instrumental called 'Sandstorm'.
In this video we'll be working through the C section. This part is a repeat of the B section with variations, and ending with a wicked fingerstyle lick.