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Marvin Gaye – I Heard It Through The Grapevine

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‘I Heard It Through the Grapevine’ was written by songwriters Norman Whitfield and Barrett Strong in 1966 and was recorded by several artists signed to Berry Gordy’s Motown label.

The first version of the song was recorded by The Miracles, although it was rejected for release by Gordy, later appearing on their 1968 album Special Occasion. It was next recorded by Smokey Robinson, but again rejected by Gordy. In 1967 Marvin Gaye’s version was recorded but was once again rejected. An up-tempo version of the song was recorded for Gladys Knight and The Pips in 1967, largely as a reaction to the success Aretha Franklin had with ‘Respect’ on the rival Stax record label. Gladys Knight’s version features a very busy, complex bassline from bassist James Jamerson, one that will be covered in a separate tutorial. Marvin Gaye’s version of the song was included on his 1968 album In the Grooveand proved so popular with the public that it was eventually released as a single. It was a number one hit, spending seven weeks at the top of the US chart, and going on to become the biggest selling record that Motown had up to that point.

This song is in the key of Eb minor and features a challenging bassline that contains almost no repetition at all. All of the key characteristics of James Jamerson’s playing are evident here: chord tone-based lines, enclosures, chromatic approach notes, syncopation and more.

Be sure to hit the Download Resources button above in order to download the PDF transcription for this piece (available to subscribers only). The transcription is available WITH TAB and WITHOUT. Please note that a backing track is NOT included with this course. The track used in the play-along can be purchased from www.karaoke-version.co.uk.

This course contains the following videos, each of which can be selected from the video player above:

1. ‘I Heard It Through The Grapevine’ Play-Through

This video is a demonstration of the bassline for this song, performed on a Fender Precision Bass, strung with flatwound strings. Foam was inserted beneath the strings in order to dampen the tone.

2. Introduction

In this short video I'll be talking about the challenges of learning this bassline. I'll also be discussing the tone that I used in the recording.

3. 1st Verse

In this lesson I’ll be taking you through the first Verse section, which features a predominantly chord tone-based line, with some interesting chromatic elements added. This lesson covers bars 1-18 in the transcription.

4. 1st Bridge

In this video we’ll be working through the first Bridge. This is a four-bar section that continues in the same vein as the Verse section. This video covers bars 19-22.

5. 1st Chorus

In this lesson I’ll be demonstrating the line from the first Chorus and the short post-Chorus section. This video covers bars 23-34.

6. 2nd Verse

This lesson covers the second Verse, which is similar to the first but with variations. This video covers bars 35-42.

7. 2nd Bridge

In this lesson we’ll be looking at the second Bridge section, in bars 43-46.

8. 2nd Chorus

In this lesson we’ll be looking at the second Chorus section, which features some interesting melodic elements. This lesson covers bars 47-58.

9. 3rd Verse

This Verse is similar to the previous two, although with further variations. This video covers bars 59-68.

10. 3rd Bridge

This lesson covers the third and final Bridge section, from bars 67-70.

11. 3rd Chorus

In this final video we’ll be looking at the final Chorus and the Outro section. This lesson covers bars 71-82.