Forget Me Nots - Bass Line Analysis & Lesson /// Scott's Bass Lessons

► Download the FREE workbook with TAB/Notation here: sbl.link/4gQL9DK
Last Friday I released a riff analysis lesson of one of the best slap riff's of all time... "Hair" by the godfather of funk - Mr Larry Graham...
Well, the response from that lesson was simply off the chart... so, I thought I'd hit you with another EPIC slap riff!
In this lesson you're going to learn the bass line to "Forget Me Nots"... played by the legendary "Ready" Freddie Washington.
Like last week's lesson, this is another iconic slap bass riff and there's so much that can be learned from studying this great groove....
I show you the riff, break it down slowly, and then explain why and how the actual riff works from a harmony perspective so you can take this information and use it in your own slap riffs.
Ready to get your funk on? Let's do this!
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[@cardood7516]

I know where I was going wrong with trying this now....I didn't make the "funk face". Definitely makes a difference and it looks like Scott agrees while he plays :)

[@manny_3949]

Oh my god! You are the perfect teacher. I saw you playing this on Instagram and I was like "I'm never gonna be able to play this." Then I saw your video and you made it look so easy. You've inspired me a lot. Thank you

[@pixel_igig]

This bass riff it's the reason I picked bass instead of guitar. It's simple but at the same time so amazing!! Loving the epic slap mini-series so far!!

[@bassistdc]

The riff at 11:26 is not hammer-ons. Freddie frets and thumps all six notes. And freddie's sound is different because he plays with a light touch.

[@nutville12]

Indeed kzbin.info/www/bejne/eWa0ioarbt2Uiqc

[@herbwildey1605]

Totally true, but for those of us that aren't Freddie it might sound better to hammer on there. So much more that makes this riff great, I think if you focus on getting the slaps right or not is kinda pointless. I mean, I understand being a perfectionist and playing it the "right way", but the groove is so much more important and if hammer ons make you groove better you should play it "your right way". Plus, this is on a precision, which I think is pretty rare for a slap bassline.

[@chainedriderlmt3796]

Now this is what i call a proper bass lesson! Great job bass brother 👾

[@index3310]

A dream came true when I learned how to play this song, it is a true masterpiece that now I can reproduce and show to my friends, this is a gift you can never put a price on

[@ericmiller7022]

absolutely always loved this song love how you surgically take it apart - examine / explain / teach / put it back together for us love @ / the surgery / and oh yes the song is absolutely timeless

[@pbot2029]

Man I'm just an amateur singer but Freddie's bassline seems so intricate and complex, yet it sounds simple and poppy!! It works!!

[@matiasahonen8064]

Very nice tutorial Scott, thanks! However, at around 4:10, the dead note is actually not dead but played as A, if you listen the original carefully. I think that's pretty crucial for the harmonic vibe of this bass line.

[@mionome501]

Are you sure? It really seems a dead note to me

[@BassByTheBay]

Scott, you're right about this being a very thumb-centric line. Particularly on the riff at 11:54. Not sure of his technique on the original, but over at least the last decade or so, he thumps every note on that riff. He also thumps each note of the F#-G# riff, though it doesn't sound like that on the original.

[@NikhilNairBass]

BassByTheBay agreed with you. The hammer ons usually don’t sound powerful like on the record. I was doing the same all this while until recently I saw Freddie’s video

[@Abraichan64]

Yup Freddy thumbs every note in the f#g#f#g#f# but... it’s difficult but it’s how it’s played

[@joannalewis5279]

Agreed :) www.dropbox.com/s/8s8v9xgaima3r5f/Forget%20Me%20Nots%20-%204.wav?dl=0

[@detroit55music]

Thank you so much, for taking the time during the lessons to break everything down, I started playing or should I say learning to because of the way you do teach and by the way, I'll be 62 in October. I try to practice everyday, thanks again.

[@drcpilotflyer]

Your amazing Scott. We in the bass world are blessed to have access to awesome bass lesson

[@MoodSwingerz]

I would also recommend checking out two other Patrice Rushen tracks featuring Freddy Washington's bass work. They are "Number One" & "Feels So Real (Won't Let Go)"...

[@madguitarist63]

Very well explained. Best breakdown I've seen for the song to get the groove. A lot of fills you can play with on this track, but really helpful to build that foundation which you laid out perfectly. Many thanks 👍

[@dralock1]

Man I love the tone you get out of that P-Bass, it was a great idea to get one.

[@dwayneelizondomountaindewh1465]

Scott Divine rocks so much. Anyone who can play forget me nots, that's super.

[@mikekapphahn1955]

0:12 solid bass face

[@JohnAldenDavis]

I had the pleasure of meeting Patrice Rushen while I was attending Berklee Valencia. Quite the musician and producer!

[@JeromeProductions]

John Alden Davis Damn!

[@lucky81970]

She is fucking gorgeous. She even inspired Prince to write lol

[@MsCellobass]

I wonder if she had listened to George Michaels ‘Fast Love’ because the chorus sounds so similar they almost mirror each other. I did an AB listen to both and it’s strikingly similar.

[@davidgpeterson]

One of the best grooves in any song.

[@vonBorowsky]

This like the best video of youtube. When I played the bass, the only video available of this music was the actual bassist of the band playing it. Can't wait to be back to play again.

[@drewster1967]

I normally play guitar and have done for several years. Recently fancied giving the bass a try and really enjoy it. Your lessons are great Scott so thank you, will consider signing up. Cracking tune this one, love it.

[@thatchadlmiller]

Dude this is one amazing instructional. You're speaking my language fluently. I thought this song was gonna be impossible (I'm only a part time bass player and play with a pick as I'm a guitarist and drummer primarily). I'm not even playing this yet but I'm 100% confident I'm gonna get it... not as smooth as you, but, duh... ;-)

[@thatchadlmiller]

I got the bass out and yep, I can play this now. Kudos again on a great lesson!

[@CentaurusRelax314]

You have great taste. This riff is baddass.

[@michaelreed9783]

Great lesson. I was playing it the way you advised not to play it. I also was putting extra notes in it.

[@erivanvazquez4714]

Awesome lesson, I just need to get the bass now. Once I get it, I will go right away and practice this. Thank you so much!

[@beatrocka5]

Scott, one of my absolute favorite things about the way you play is the way that you bend the strings!! I can remember first seeing this vid, and subconsciously thinking that I'll never be able to get this figured out, but you've explained it in such a way that I'm slowly getting this down. Thanks for what you do!! Teddy Blackman

[@kakapameilangi7896]

The hardest thing I find is getting the perfect sound and making it sound natural, but love your videos !

[@roussosharis32]

Such a good lesson! been stuck on this song for a while now. Kinda annoying how easy you make it look though hahah

[@maxponsetis1948]

you are The Teacher ever it s a real delight cheers from France

[@routinehead2481]

Good teaching. That's one of the best ever

[@TheCariocafeliz]

An amazing lesson. I was studing this music and you show me the high way to play. Thanks ! You are a great teacher.

[@TrevBec]

The funk are the gnarl are strong here.

[@ramonking8896]

Thanks for breaking it down in a simple manner.

[@drawntothefire]

I swear one day I will own a bass that colour!

[@deldia]

Black and white? Or when the video turned to colour?

[@drawntothefire]

wikichris Colour! Turquoise/surf green looks great with a tortoiseshell pick guard. At least to me! And a maple neck.

[@gedman9527]

I've always found that swinging it and keeping the length is very important , ding dong , love ya lessons mate

[@Ryantalope]

Bass is not my main instrument but one day I will conquer this tune 👌🏼

[@ryanhughes88629]

I love this lesson. This is a great little groove. Any tips on how to set the low, mid, high eq? Just wondering if I can get an identical sound out of my bass. Thanks!

[@mikedavies4561]

Loving the jib and the playing of course

[@rawstarmusic]

Fantastic, it's like a video a day now. This was good but I never played slap in my life. This was crystal clear. Must give it to you, you're doing an amazing YT channel. The only thing I miss is Lisa. I've heard about blending in cooking courses: Sausage from Leeds with Lisa Devine. Sounds like a cool idea so go for it.

[@pierre-andrefave9512]

Thanks for the advices. See you in the shed. Please keep on sharing your knowledge.

[@markvidales]

thank you so much for this!! I need these tunes shown in major slow motion !

[@BankruptBassplayer]

Instant thumbs up hearing you hear Freddiés Bassline !

[@thomasmleahy6218]

Right-o you are. Loved that line. First heard on Dick Clark, not very good over the tv. Just recently checked it and it was made in 1982. Are you kidding, seems like only 15 minutes ago! The hazards of gettin' old. Since it was such an agile note transition, for a long time I thought it was a keyboard piece. Wrong! Still love it, just like it was...yesterday.

[@hodaridaniels8786]

The riff sounds good, the groove is together.

[@saviosecco]

After 99 times studying this video i`m now even breathing in the same interval as Scott...

[@赵彬-z8k]

It's very useful to me,I wish I had seen this video earlier,That would save me a lot of trouble and time！

[@MsCellobass]

Great lesson!!

[@1978mongooseman]

haha perfect timing was about to learn this bad boy!

[@kristi94]

Amazing lesson. Amazing playing. Amazing bass. I'm sneaking in your house and stealing this for my self!!! That color and sound😍😍

[@qmflxms]

I love this video! Thank u for good lesson!

[@stefanbogner6237]

Very good break down.

[@franknellyproducer]

Hey Scott, no hammer-on on this one !

[@PeterAndolfi]

This was great! I really got a lot from what you said and thank you!

[@Spazzsticks]

Those grinding groovy slap bass line will always be the best! Being fast is cool but its that grindin beat that wins them all!. Just prooves that slow and steady wins the race! Am i right? Haha

[@pieternaude1469]

Geez Scott. Fan tas tic lesson. (Broke it down to smaller bits 😆)

[@joergkasimir4367]

Hey Scott, this is an amazing Lesson, great playing, is it possible, that you make a lesson about the song reach out (George Duke Band)? The Bass is played by Louis Johnson Greetings from Germany

[@federicobravo2088]

EXCELLENT! YOU WERE MISSING JUST ONE POINT BEFORE PLAYING D :p LOVE YOUR CHANNEL, MASTER!

[@Fleece3]

I SO prefer this Scott to the "everything is shits and giggles" Scott, that he is with Ian now!

[@andyhinds542]

This is a brilliant lesson, but I have seen elsewhere that Freddie Jackson actually used more slapping with his right thumb than actual hammering on techniques that we'd mostly use. He himself makes it more complicated to play it his way.

[@mv9787]

It sounds different like that and is more difficult. Especially if you slap it throught as I play it. But it sounds so much better

[@lowfrequency1180]

Great tune and bass line! Thanks Scott

[@Claudioanveres]

Hello Scott. First time here. I love the lesson. thanks!

[@annakosslinger7388]

Thank you! it was fun and very very helpful :)

[@fernandosugayamacampanella6333]

TYVM 4 the great lesson!

[@jeremyjeanguenin162]

Ready Freddie Washington provided the most tasty "P-Bass slap" that is so typical from the late 70s. He was one of the first guys using EMG P's pickups. Now he's using passive Bartolini 8s.

[@kutojikapachuau4079]

Like the style 13:18 that phithakk sound

[@JayDKBGames]

Great lesson

[@absolutesine]

Thank you very much from Russia!

[@simons.2948]

transferred to bass from 6 siting a while ago and slap is like starting all over again, still keeps the brain ticking

[@nickharris9761]

Great lesson again 👍😃

[@laming2006]

Excellent tutorial. Thank you so much for teaching us the chorus. Now... how about teaching us the other two segments (verse/music bridge) to this song? PLEASE, oh PLEASE?

[@fakejazznut]

laming2006 Those parts come easy after learning the chorus. The verse mostly follows the chord roots - with some licks capping phrases. They're easy to pick out by ear. Some similarities in Freddie's licks as well.

[@richardfisher3494]

Thank You!

[@simons.2948]

awesome tune

[@iandev99]

That triple hammer-on is actually meant to be 6 consecutive thumbs(at hammer-on speed), I sh!t you not.

[@tiltil9442]

Confirmed. Feasible w/ practice, too.

[@joannalewis5279]

Indeed www.dropbox.com/s/8s8v9xgaima3r5f/Forget%20Me%20Nots%20-%204.wav?dl=0

[@nooneelse3036]

Great bass lesson.

[@beatrocka5]

Really nice!! I needed this.

[@bassomatic6055]

Very few play this right. Freddie actually articulates the f# and g# instead of hammering on. Perfect opportunity to double thumb.

[@babycowkiller475]

great tone

[@sreejatagupta2942]

IN LOVE WITH YOUR BASS FACE omg

[@sreejatagupta2942]

and what a ridiculously good tutorial!

[@markbass354]

Very nice Scott ,,, Thanks

[@diimusicc]

Thanks !!!

[@1funkyangel]

Excellent Scott ! :)

[@utubeThesugi]

very good lesson , i'd like to have some info on the settings of you're tone ;)

[@gimmeagig]

That's a really serious bass face you got there on the beginning. How can a guy as nice and friendly as you look so mean. I wish I could do that. LOL

[@pietrometelli4876]

thanks great lesson

[@ardiarr1858]

What up dude,will you please play the bassline to"im overjoyed"by Nona Gaye. That bassline is so wonderful,it's hard to believe it was played by a person. I would pay to see someone play it.

[@brunopompilius1872]

Bon technique de basse slap très bien

[@sbdreamin]

Hey Scott, when you go back down to the B to C part (the 3rd little part) how do you keep the E string from ringing? and do you have a video about how to slap, basically, for beginning slappers? you know, stuff like how to deaden the other strings, how high your strings should be off the fretboard, how to set your dials and amp to get that sound. thanks!

[@rikdeboy]

Gotta learn this :D

[@chrisc.4517]

Scott, could you do a cover of "Fantastic Voyage" by Lakeside, "Candy" by Cameo and "Shame" by Evelyn King. I know you probably can only do one if any at all, but outta the three Fantastic Voyage would be a good "slap" number/lesson.

[@sentinel151]

I don’t even play the guitar and I find myself watching and paying attention.

[@leebass7]

This bass line really hurts my wrist when I play it after a few minutes. I'm playing it in the exact same way, and my wrist looks pretty much like Scott's when he plays. I'm tall so my arms are longer, could this be forcing my wrist into an unnatural position?

[@coutureeurope891]

Would be nice if you do any reference to the chords or harmony used.Even being simple would be good to know what you consider has been used.The class would be more complete.

[@barbenhoward3281]

ty scott

[@far0n]

Doesn't Freddie Washington thumb every note instead of hammering on? Doesn't sound the same otherwise.

[@JamesDavisakaRemguy]

FW thumbs ALMOST EVERYTHING in this bassline. When in doubt, use your thumb. Including your point where Scott does hammer-ons, FW thumbs both notes and even the fill - it's all thumb! Watch this link: kzbin.info/www/bejne/noLRkmp4atJgb7c

[@motyllanoga8]

Yes not hammering in this song😁

[@joannalewis5279]

@@motyllanoga8 Yes :) www.dropbox.com/s/8s8v9xgaima3r5f/Forget%20Me%20Nots%20-%204.wav?dl=0

[@tiah6386]

You are amazing as a teacher!!!! omg the repetiveness really helps me. I wish you could appear like the State Farm guy and help....lol no im kidding ...Please do Candy by Cameo and If You Want Me To Stay by Sly and the Family Stone :)

[@joseluisorellano69]

Hey Scott, I'm listening to this song and I'm hearing an A instead of a ghost note before the D at the first section???

[@joannalewis5279]

@Sterling Gutierrez Agreed :) www.dropbox.com/s/8s8v9xgaima3r5f/Forget%20Me%20Nots%20-%204.wav?dl=0

[@MLing-q5x]

Can u do a review on that nice aqua precision bass, sounds sick, really wanna know more about it

[@umbertopalamara260]

Cool thank U 🔥👌

[@alexwheeler2152]

Great stuff Scott! Are you dampening the E string with your palm? It just rings out when I play it.....

[@marchesi8]

the lenght of the notes, i agree :)