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

► Download the FREE workbook with TAB/Notation here: learn.scottsba...
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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[@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!!

[@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

[@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!!

[@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.

[@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 :)

[@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.

[@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

[@dralock1]

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

[@davidgpeterson]

One of the best grooves in any song.

[@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.

[@TheCariocafeliz]

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

[@Ryantalope]

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

[@roussosharis32]

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

[@1978mongooseman]

haha perfect timing was about to learn this bad boy!

[@kutojikapachuau4079]

Like the style 13:18 that phithakk sound

[@franknellyproducer]

Hey Scott, no hammer-on on this one !

[@richardfisher3494]

Thank You!

[@simons.2948]

awesome tune

[@diimusicc]

Thanks !!!

[@toms3664]

The BEST🔨

[@devinebass]

💯🔥🤘🏻

[@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

[@nooneelse3036]

Great bass lesson.

[@1funkyangel]

Excellent Scott ! :)

[@barbenhoward3281]

ty scott

[@georgemeads8019]

Hey Scott, I really like your content and once I purchase my J 5:47 -bass, I’ll subscribe to your courses! In the mean time, can “Forget Me Not” be played on a J-bass and still have that punchy sound of the P-bass? Thanks for the help!

[@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!

[@IvanAgram]

Awesome!

[@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

[@mykemech]

All my life I have kept sliding a C# up to the D on the second phrase. Took me to watch this to see that it is not done that way. And I thought I was a good detail listener ;)

[@alexwheeler2152]

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

[@sentinel151]

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

[@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

[@1212MikeO]

I like you color scheme for this video lol

[@damiengadonna5306]

Don't you think there's a A before the D ? (not just a ghost note)

[@joannalewis5279]

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

[@pinetworkcodejeanpaulmault637]

Hey great job! Why are you wearing the glove?

[@chrisc.4517]

He's got a condition with his hand(s) where they shake, so when he puts the glove on, it stops and holds his fingers/hand steady. Doesn't effect tone or sound. I've seen him on videos where he cuts the top of the glove so the tip of his index finger is exposed.

[@mainsblanches8793]

The man : kzbin.info/www/bejne/iHe1o56woa2LrMU

[@mountaverage2706]

Why do non-Fender P- or J-Basses always have to have such ugly headstocks?

[@MrWarrenYoung]

Fender have protected their most iconic guitar headstock shapes with registered trademarks

[@MrDiscordinated]

nah ..u aint got it down scott.

[@nentihaiudittu]

for real? i thought it sounded pretty sexy

[@propainter8251]

I seen a lot better bro

[@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

[@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 👾

[@mikekapphahn1955]

0:12 solid bass face

[@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)"...

[@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

[@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

[@CentaurusRelax314]

You have great taste. This riff is baddass.

[@saviosecco]

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

[@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.

[@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!

[@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

[@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?

[@routinehead2481]

Good teaching. That's one of the best ever

[@drcpilotflyer]

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

[@zushambano]

I ask myself why nobody (Scott or the comment section) has meantioned that the movie soundtrack song Men in Black is a total rip-off of Forget Me Nots.

[@TrevBec]

The funk are the gnarl are strong here.

[@pieternaude1469]

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

[@inthepocketbass]

My "pops" don't sound nearly as trebly as yours. Do you think this is a technique or EQ issue? EDIT: It was most definitely technique...

[@michaelwooten7201]

It's called slap phrasing, which is different than slap bass. This guy does the same technique (but a bit slankier) on the bass line from Kendrick Lamar's King Kunta: soundcloud.com/bourgeois-brats-llc/king-kunta-110bpm

[@garyzito1860]

The bass line sounds best on a P bass. A jazz bass or Stingray is arguably better for slapping but there's something about this song on the P bass. All these players doing it on a Jazz bass don't sound as good.

[@TundrahSounds]

Gary Zito Prince also used a p bass on most of his old tracks. It gives the song a certain feel that I tend to enjoy more than the jazz bass. Especially in sparse productions. It just sits perfectly in the mix without drawing too much attention away from the song itself. It may have to be because the linn lm1 was stealing much of the bottom frequencies, he just needed something to add texture and groove in the mid range, while his falsetto and madcat telecaster could grab the attention in the upper register.

[@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!

[@bassomatic6055]

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

[@federicobravo2088]

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

[@stnhndg]

Nice video! But where's A which is the third note of the riff? It's clearly audible in recordnigs.

[@michaelreed9783]

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

[@Fleece3]

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

[@SisterRose]

It's funny people say you can't play slap on a P-Bass but this only sounds right on a P-Bass

[@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 👍

[@shawnpitts4256]

I can't figure out the next section. That's why I watched this but you didn't break that down.

[@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.

[@modifiedcontent]

How it should be done - m.kzbin.info/www/bejne/eIjMhaqPd7V8pLM

[@MsCellobass]

Great lesson!!

[@coutureeurope891]

If you want to see the whole song check this :kzbin.info/www/bejne/n4PYpJWPft6FhKs

[@rong648]

Flatwound strings on a P-bass, they just grab you.

[@VelkePivo]

Sorry, but you’re not playing it very well.

[@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

[@jagerking7020]

I wanna try the glove just to see how it feels. 😂

[@absolutesine]

Thank you very much from Russia!

[@mv9787]

This bassline is not easy, if you wanna make it sound good

[@brandonthailand2062]

This is how freddie plays it kzbin.info/www/bejne/eWa0ioarbt2Uiqc

[@qmflxms]

I love this video! Thank u for good lesson!

[@mikethemusicman1978]

Scott, how can I improve my lower string slap, say on the A, D and G strings. I sound pretty lame and quieter than you do on them strings. How do I improve that technique?

[@devinebass]

Check your pickup heights! If the lower strings are sounding quieter, the pickup may need to come a little closer to the strings!

[@mainsblanches8793]

The first three notes = '"Turn Me Loose"!!...

[@markfulton956]

Another great lesson, but I'm not a fan of the P bass at all

[@whousedmyID]

Your version is the bounciest!

[@AnonYmous-vu1lw]

Can you do Men in Black next thanks

[@brunopompilius1872]

Bon technique de basse slap très bien

[@POLARBEAR.17]

this riff was lacking.........SOUL.

[@utubeThesugi]

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

[@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.

[@markpayne7545]

Bro isn't that dead note that your playing supposed to be an A before the D?

[@markpayne7545]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/iHe1o56woa2LrMU

[@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.

[@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.

[@mainsblanches8793]

Freakin' hard!!...hi!...hi!!

[@JayDKBGames]

Great lesson

[@stefanbogner6237]

Very good break down.

[@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.

[@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 :)

[@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

[@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