Greatest Bass Line Ever? Thundercat - Them Changes (Ep.9)

Our brand-new “Greatest Bass Line Ever” video is a crash course in a must-hear bass line by Thundercat, Them Changes.
Featuring a six-string Ibanez bass guitar, a bunch of effects pedals, and a sampled beat from the Isley Brothers, Them Changes is one of the funkiest heartbreak songs EVER! And in this episode we’re going to break it down. We’ve also got a free PDF workbook with note-for-note transcriptions so you can see exactly what Thundercat played and the effects he used.
🔥 Download your FREE PDF → sbl.link/Them-Changes
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Video Breakdown:
00:00 - Introduction
01:00 - It Was TWO Bass Parts!
02:11 - The Original
03:23 - Thundercat Live Version
04:14 - The Isolated Bass Parts
04:48 - The Breakdown - PT. 1 (The Chords)
08:29 - The Effects
10:57 - The Breakdown - PT. 2 (The Bass Line)
11:49 - Getting the FEEL Locked Down
12:46 - The 4-String Version
15:00 - The 4-String Version (With FX)
15:40 - Did We Do It?
16:15 - What Should We Do Next?
16:17 - Outro
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[@zubrhero5270]

When Ian and Scott do the Fusion Dance, they turn into Thundercat.

[@dittomario]

the ultimate warrior

[@winstonwolfe5733]

With the dragon ball durag

[@Benjiroyoface]

Ian and Scott fused would just look like Dane dehaan

[@funkybunkii6190]

Nah, they will turn into Scott Ian from anthrax

[@_slimy_bastard_]

The jazz fusion dance

[@prod.thejhn187]

Bro, the mixer of this guys is a god...I can hear absolutely every single note, damn

[@jamesnichols5998]

Sounds incredible 🤘🏼🔥

[@eamouyal]

Unbelievable! Scott actually dropped the glove on this left hand for this video - does this song have hidden healing powers?😂

[@ThatGuy-mj6jm]

He wore through the fingers at least one of his gloves. Or maybe their in the wash cause of all this Funk😉

[@teadat]

Remember to use lowpass filter on the envelope filter! Bandpass filter sucks all the low end. And Thundercat uses the Moog Lowpass MF-101, not the pigtronix!

[@Benjiroyoface]

synths with ringmod and a preamp could probably do it too with some accuracy, I've been thinking about trying on my 2600 clone

[@nunezgabriel98]

I have the MXR envelope seem to have not as clean note definition on the roots of the chords. Still sounds close but I have to dig on the E and A string as opposed to lightly plucking the D and G. Any tips ?

[@teadat]

@@nunezgabriel98 Well MXR envelope has a bandpass filter, not a lowpass. This means that it cuts some of the lows during the envelope cycle. You could get more clarity by adding some more of the dry signal by adjusting the "dry" and "fx" knobs. Also try using a compressor with strong settings before the envelope so it will be more consistent across different strings.

[@nunezgabriel98]

@@teadat thanks dude ! The insight is appreciated

[@mihailmilev9909]

Thanks for all the examples guys

[@guitfidle]

Wow, Thundercat is a freaking genius, his lines are ridiculously creative and original. And he does it while singing!! Oh, and his bass is freaking awesome! I would love to have one, but they are way too spendy for me. Ibanez BTB 6 string is as close as I'll get

[@lolololollo5377]

True!! I was all hyped one Christmas to get me one those things and cried when I saw that $10k tag, WITHOUT his custom ad-ons even....

[@guitfidle]

@@lolololollo5377 I really wish they would do an Indonesian Artcore series one. It's the same way I feel about Fender's Jaco model fretless Jazz. Having built a Jazz bass, there was no way I was going to pay that much.... then Squier cane out with the Vintage Modifies fretless Jazz- it's essentially the same bass without the Jaco name. And I got mine used for $250.

[@sir_chugsalot8196]

This song changed my mind on so many levels

[@samg.4082]

I can finally play one of my favorite bass lines on a 4 string, you guys are the best!

[@KC-wu3et]

This is exactly why I love Thundercat. I love over dubbing basslines in my solo work.

[@metallsnubben]

The thing about "dropping the sus" in the Ebsus, that happens in both the original and live, but in particular _after the middle section_ as a short of change in character, like in the beginning you're stuck on the sus more and towards the end you're feeling more "movement" by letting the dominant chord do its thing

[@santapoca]

That is so cool, I can't get over how well-made this song is

[@BassGuitarInstrumental]

Timeless tune and very funky.

[@nicacrush]

I love these scott and Ian collabs. So fun!!!

[@inkz9002]

it's the best!

[@NB-oi4uc]

it is so great to see how collaborative and friendly they work together, how they inspire each other, the eye contact, the space they leave for each other, and the fun and even the mistakes they leave in the videos ( remember: living beeings ! ) its heartwarming, inspiring, and they are rolemodels. ( pardon my engl. ) Yours NB / vienna

[@michaelevans6485]

I hear three basses, the envelope filter to the left with the octaves, the clean chordal bass towards the middle, and another low envelope filter bass to the right that is just playing root notes.

[@lukee7442]

yeah surprised they didn’t notice the left and right channels are different

[@FimbusPainting]

Some great bass faces in this

[@danielhooglandt1620]

Awesome, when they play it live Dennis Hamm always plays those low notes on keyboard while Thundercat plays the arpeggios/chords

[@TheMadMedek]

One of my favorite songs

[@parkerellerbeck1674]

Both of your shoe game on point 🤘🏻

[@stephencoxbass]

This is a phenomenal lesson. You covered every aspect of the line, how to do it live, and even the effects! Fantastic!

[@Shornetastic]

Speaking of sampling the Isley Brothers, the Hypnotize (Biggie track) bassline has always been one of my favs. Lost My Treble Long Ago by Vulfpeck is another funky fav.

[@mikemarkowski7609]

Definitely has a Chaka Khan vibe! You guys are great! Love how you are figuring out the chords on the fly...

[@craigsi16]

2:34 It is 3. You can hear the low bass part is 2 lines panned left and right with the chords down the middle

[@MrWilson-WithaPbass]

What a song man . I 1st heard it 2 years ago ,and it majorly turned me around ,Just wow !

[@devinebass]

Killer right?! 🙌🏻

[@leonidastheduck6546]

Thank you so much for this video!❤ I always wondered how to play this great song, and you explained it so well, thanks again😊

[@simonhall2682]

Love this so much guys. Love your knowledge and enthusiasm!!

[@devinebass]

Big up Simon! Thanks for checking out the video!

[@RandomRhyme]

I first recog this as an Earthbound chiptune cover, and was greatly happily confused to see the actualization of its bassity

[@shuruff904]

is it really? I love that game, and now that you mention it, It does seem nostalgic for some reason now

[@RandomRhyme]

Version I heard is posted by MixandMash, happy ventures saving the world!

[@BbB-rh6sj]

Great stuff, been following for 10 years and I feel that this channel can go anywhere at this point.

[@metallsnubben]

This song is THE reason I own a 5-string bass instead of 4 as a guitar player. Though as it turns out, having 5 strings makes those chords _possible_ but not quite _convenient_ lol (you're up above the 12th fret on the low B, a little rough)

[@ItsEazzyBabby]

Was thundercat born with a bass in his hand!!! He needs a documentary and I wanna watch….his speed is incredible

[@fredmollings8624]

He's not human...lol!

[@romanvasquez5786]

I love this song!

[@samuelemeryjiujitsu]

I remember the feeling I felt when I first heard this.

[@robertsuggs2510]

You guys are like Superman & Batman,,,great apart UNBEATABLE TOGETHER 🎸🤠

[@MRARMAGEDDON120]

Saw him play live this year, was so sick!

[@jav6187]

Great video. Happy to be a SBL subscriber!

[@gwillymusic]

So after listening to the original track again and then the isolated parts you showed, I am pretty sure it is in essence two parts, but there are three passes: the main chord part in the center, and then two passes of the lower Moog-y octave part panned to the right and left, playing the same part but with different fills and accents. Such a remarkable track. One of my favorites of the ‘10s. Great breakdown and fantastic playing!

[@theTrend7]

Thundercats makes such delicious Bass lines. Some other sweet Bass lines he did were on Kimbras album too!! Also Ian always whips out the coolest basses❤❤❤❤

[@samkeen]

Love it, thanks fellas. Man that Wal sounded good in Ian’s hands!

[@jeff-yp2bk]

If you have never had the pleasure of seeing this man and his trio live, PLEASE treat yourself and do so on this tour of his. Thyer are HOT

[@Jdilla76]

Crazily, I've learned so much about the 5 and 6 string bass over the last couple of weeks. Before I didn't even know you could get such a melodious higher tone sound out of a bass all together. I love Thundercat and didn't appreciate the 2 blended bass lines until this video. Many thanks. I'm definitely a subscriber to your channel now. I'm learning so much. Next step get a bass and start learning......

[@devinebass]

🧡🧡🧡

[@lapezaz]

At first when you both started to colab, i didnt liked your duo. Now i love it! Nice job ❤

[@ibemanny99]

0:36 it actually first dropped in 2015 on his EP ‘The Beyond/Where the Giants Roam’

[@tomhansen59]

Now I realize where thunder and cat come from what a stonking groove. Inspired vid lads and great fun. I am off to the woodshed....

[@KitBasher1]

As soon as Cris Rock opened his Netflix special with that song I’ve been in love with that bass work.

[@adamprado6615]

Oh man! Finally the 6 String VF 6 I sold Scott is now in a video!

[@basyngwie]

Blues Brothers - She Caught the Katy. Relentless but still with a touch of finesse. 👌🏻

[@eldorado5319]

I love this bassline 🥰

[@smogity]

That "Good Lord" had me cracking up 😂

[@florjanajdnik237]

Awesome lesson, thank you!

[@devinebass]

Cheers!!

[@daveflood1555]

Brilliant! Not only do you do a good demo but also show how it on 4 strings for us string challenged folk. Then you provide a pdf and tips on the effects! Quality product- you set a good example. If it wasn't being a member of SBL already I would feel guilty for not paying for this. It's given me many ideas. As for suggestions: Stanley Clarke's School Days and others from the "I Wanna Play for You" album. You two could do a good duet with "Jamaican Boy".

[@jasonpeterson2056]

Gotta love bass face. That jam will do it every time. Cheers fellas!

[@pitpride1220]

Thank you for this!

[@maldymusic5179]

PRINCE - ALPHABET STREET! Please please do a deep dive into this. One of the FUNKIEST slap bass lines there is, played by the man himself :) PS GREAT VID. That fill by thunder cat in the live version is sick.

[@paramourcat]

Really fun to learn those chords. The 4 string version is a lot of familiar shapes for me so not too bad to play.

[@devinebass]

Awesome dude, thanks for checking out the video!

[@mr.force1036]

Thanks guys, this is a beautiful mares😎

[@lesdaley7293]

Please do a video, lesson, tutorial, on fusion bass. Would love to learn but have no idea how to go about it. Lots of people talk about it, but very few are clear, or have no idea themselves. Thanks guys. You’re the best.

[@KrispyBuddha69]

We still need some kinda video on this channel talking about the influence of Geezer Butler

[@devinebass]

You're absolutely right, needs to happen!

[@LUKASZADAM77]

Love you guys!!!!!! OWESOME!!!!!!!

[@fukhue8226]

So I listened to the original. it was played by one guy on a 6 string bass. The effect is noticeable on the high notes but barely noticeable on the low notes. At first I thought he might be using a split pick up where the first 3 strings were dry and the top 3 were wet. But the studio recording sounds like the effect was on all 6 strings with the low notes having a dryer sound.

[@robjones7178]

As soon as you played the 4 string chords, I immediately heard Tom Misch "Festival" ❤❤❤

[@RobZiak]

You guys did it! I'd love you to breakdown Sam Wilkes playing on Knower's "im the president" , super funky

[@wjackter]

We got some serious stank / bass face going on here, love it

[@appdxx]

Ive seen it live (on KZbin) where he had a tuba and another bass player backing him up.

[@RainchildAdventures]

love them classic checker board vans!!

[@HDArtzy]

thundercat is why I bought a bass all those years ago... a 6 string too :') makes me so sad thinking about it

[@lennardfrombgen2674]

im actually surprised I managed to come up with the exact same 4 string version of the riff, you guys showed in the end :)

[@elrafa782]

Who do I love ? I love youuuuuuuuuu 😂 thanks guys

[@josephcrollawelch]

Love the bass

[@thiagofreitas8180]

Lots of Bossa Nova vibez on that tune!

[@devinebass]

💯💯💯

[@the.bloodless.one1312]

Thundercat’s a fkn MUTANT on the bass

[@MikeNevill3]

Thanx for all the work . The break downs ,tabs and just being nice cool people. Ohh by the way . I learned that's my passport photo on bass.. so f ING awesome. Now thats a bass line aswell

[@devinebass]

🙌🏻🧡🔥

[@breitbartsimpson4940]

Love seeing Ian's montana hat!! If you're ever in bozeman you gotta come to Music Villa! (also give me a heads up, i'd love to meet you guys! 😁)

[@raphacordas01]

talking about NICO ASSUNÇÃO AND CARLES BENAVENT. Great pick bassist ! thanks SBLTEAM

[@jensunray1]

That was superb guys.. thankyou! So you asked for suggestions… the bass on Coolio’s Gangsters Paradise has always been one of my favorites. Kinda vibe of those Madonna tracks with your man Guy.. also Future Love Paradise by Seal… that line is mental! I could go on… anyways Coolio Gangster Paradise 🙏

[@theresmore2it]

That's awesome. Thunder Cat- never heard before, thanks for showing us that! He's an exemplary bassist for sure. Can you do a song by the band Crypta? Maybe "the other side of anger"? Certainly a different style than what I've heard on your channel so far, but I'll bet the bass is fun to hear in isolation. Gives the listener a feeling of getting hit with a truckload of wet cement. Thanks again!

[@Micropterus06]

11:27 Base Face awareness, warning: contagious

[@Toontablemusic]

One of the nicest ways to mess around with an envelope filter. Thanx

[@michaeledmondsonrock]

Please cover Clay Gober's bass line from The Omnific's Antecedent. Such a great line!

[@devinebass]

Thanks for the recommendation dude! We'll check it out! 🙌🏻🧡🔥

[@pearsoninstruments]

When I hear F711 my instinct is that the third would be in the chord. F7SUS I wouldn't assume there is a 3rd especially since its not resolving up a 4th (Shouldn't contain a leading tone).

[@0e0]

i want more razzing on Jim.. big up Jim as always loved the video

[@spenceremmons6200]

That was tiny desk series,I recognize that set

[@craigsi16]

6:43 my favourite chord, the F family mart

[@bluepaladin9630]

Professional Bassists making chords on bass: *heaven noises* Me Chording the Bass: *mUD*

[@bigc2nyce]

as a bass player, im so jealous of this interaction.

[@fahmiamri]

You guys need to do on incubus - especially the science album. Dirk Lance is a beast

[@MacEljie]

I love your video's idol

[@pearsoninstruments]

Long before the Ibanez hollowbody, he used to hire another bassist to play with what would become his trio.

[@calosgonzalez7157]

You guys have to watch the Thundercat performance with John Baptiste!!!!

[@devinebass]

🔥🔥🔥

[@amandamarinovich6164]

I don't have a six-string but I'm gonna see if I can get this sound with a guitar thru the bass setting on a modeler! Fun!

[@devinebass]

Awesome Amanda, Enjoy!

[@slapitman]

An awesome track to do would be 'Too Shy' by Kajagoogoo. Even ask Nick Beggs to come in and do it!!!

[@leonardocarvalho6188]

You guys have to do a episode for "Standing next to you - Jungkook". The bass line is amazing, it is a funky and pop bass line with slap and all good things bass can propose. Love you guys and thanks for all the lessons. Even here in brazil i learn so much with the channel.

[@nattikkbass]

FBass baby! Canadian luthier masterpieces!

[@kl7360]

2:41 Right after "we thought it could have been three" it sounds like there's a fill on the left track that the right isn't following. Sounds to me like there's 2 filtered tracks panned left and right with the centre playing the chords.

[@FreaquedeMusique]

It is 3 tracks though. The clean chord one, and the filtered one is played freely on the left channel and doubled with mostly just roots on the right.

[@7captaintwosheds7]

Coming in two beats early on the Footsteps in there Dark groove in the intro is killing my drummer soul 😂

[@Levibetz]

It's definitely three. But basically the bass bass, that's doing the simple line is doubled. So you've got two takes, one panned left, one panned right, and then the chords down the center.

[@TheSlandis]

Ok, the Tiny Desk show everyone looked severely hung over.

[@michaeldoss1012]

Real sample bass lines. Easy!

[@devinebass]

🧡🧡🧡

[@anwaypradhan6591]

Roll on and on.

[@rod8887]

would love to see them do a Tool bassline like The Pot

[@someguy2417]

I just got my first bass, about 4 days ago. I learned how to play this song in 2 days, on a 4 string (I have 3.5 years experience in guitar.) Still, this is so difficult to master...

[@kane804]

My DT770s seriously shaking at @12:00.

[@garyhoffman1]

It’s three basses. Octaves/fills in left, roots in right and clean chords in center. Pretty clear with headphones.