"Hit Me With Your Rhythm Stick" Bass Tutorial + Tab

[@talkingbasslessons]

Wow. Never thought I'd see someone from the States do a lesson on an Ian Dury tune. Great lesson and great playing as ever. Nice one Josh.

[@joshfossgreen]

TalkingBass - Online Bass Lessons Thanks Mark!

[@Facu_Roldan]

Now you did your own Mark!

[@talkingbasslessons]

@hJYIRI GKK That's right. Josh and I both sailed out of Southampton at times

[@willb3698]

Norman Watt-Roy.....He's still out there gigging. He's a monster!!

[@manicmedicNZ]

Still with a tooth??

[@stubmandrel]

NORMAN WATT-ROY!!!!! Give the guy some credit!!!!!!!!

[@mookie2637]

I figured this out by ear (pretty accurately) before the internet and before anyone really knew what tablature was in the late eighties. It took about three weeks. Since then It's a standard practice piece for me, and I've played it live quite a lot; often at weddings. The 'hairy' second half of the verse part notwithstanding, it's pretty much muscle memory now. However, one important point is this - don't even think about attempting it if you've consumed any alcohol.

[@aquamarine99911]

OK, I'll ask you this. The way I used to play it was to slide from the C to the F on the A-string. Then I thought Norman actually slides from the F to the Ab on the D-string. I didn't hear him throwing an Eb. How do you play it?

[@mookie2637]

@@aquamarine99911 I play it off the open A, then hammer up the E flat and F. The open A is actually off-key, but it makes the whole thing flow very well. I had a little row with Marlowe DK about this ages ago because I used to slide up to B flat on the E string, but these days I prefer the A. I'm confident about that E flat though.

[@aquamarine99911]

@@mookie2637 Open A? Well, whatever floats your boat, as long as you realize that's not what Norman is doing. (Also, he's not pedaling on the open D in that Db F to Ab chromatic run-up during the verse). But I now realize I'm wrong. After slowing it down to 50%, I now hear the Eb on the A string, sliding to the F, then finishing off with the Ab and high Eb.

[@petergreen1869]

'Obscure'!! This was no. 1 in the British charts in 1979 and the band was massive at the time.

[@uelude]

As are countless other obscure tracks most people in UK have long forgotten about.

[@andyd9770]

@@uelude However, this isn't one of the obscure ones in the UK. Most people over here would have heard this at some point, whether it's from their parents, the radio, an advert on the TV or just from someone singing it for no reason

[@Dovafish.]

@@andyd9770 I'm a British teenager and literally all of my friends have heard of 'hit me with your rhythm stick' or 'sex and drugs and rock and roll'

[@walterrizotto8668]

Don't think it was a hit in the USA at all.

[@flat5sharp11]

Norman Watt Roy - legend

[@pvkoz8698]

Norman Wyatt-Roy is an all time absolute monster of a bassist. I mean those in the know like me understand what a tremendous bass line this is from so many perspectives but, as is usual with players of this caliber, there's lots of technical ability, I mean it's just a monster of a bass line, but I also adore how god damn well it fits the song, it enhances the song lyric better than most songs. At first glance in may seem a bass show off, but Norman is waaaay better, way tastier than that and he services the song so well here. Hit Me With Your Rhythm Stick, the bass services the song in a way that's so exceptional in terms of composition. No slapping, the chordal changes and how he uses the instrument to service the song is an absolute lesson in how to do it. One of my fav bass players for sure.

[@JerryTremaine]

Very well said sir & I agree wholeheartedly..I'll pass this on to Norm post virus nonsense..he's way too modest to agree though..Lovely words..there is the odd slap!.But then again he is an old slapper ...;)

[@Birkguitars]

@@JerryTremaine I hope that message got through. I am just catching up on this having decided to try to add bass to my guitar repertoire. I chose this song because I loved the bass line so much and am old enough to remember it coming out. Then I almost backed out with the "advanced side of intermediate" comment but what the hell, I may as well start somewhere and I think playing guitar for many years has helped. I have to admit that it is a challenge but I am getting there. Meanwhile I have to add to the praise for NWR. I saw him many years ago at the Tramshed in Woolwich with Wilko Johnson. Just mind-blowing the whole way through. Absolute perfection to back up Johnson's eclectic style of playing which comes back to the idea that not only is he technically brilliant but he is a phenomenal musician and so willing to put the song first. You say he is modest but that may be part of what makes him so great, the ego takes a back seat to what the music needs. It was a privilege to watch him live.

[@MrEyesof9]

3:20 into this I realize, this is how it’s done!!!! You an amazing teacher the language you use is PERFECT.

[@gingerfreak01]

Ska was always about that 16th, it was a way of adding rhythmic dynamism to slower songs, The Specials' bassist (the fantastic Horace Panter - the late 70s were blessed with bassists) used the 16th pause on, notably, Ghost Town. 16th pause on the 2nd bar then completing a 2 beat triplet, then 2 bars later it was a full half-beat rest with, in effect, a two and a half beat quintuplet. Repeated throughout. What is brilliant about Norman Watt-Roy and Horace Panter is the way they combined service to the song, service to the band, service to the genre and service to themselves. Class musicians, we should aspire to service like they have.

[@gingerfreak01]

Blimey, how badly can one get notes and intervals wrong! The pauses are right I think, but nothing's longer than 2 beats. Squeeze triplets and quintuplets into where they should be. Sorry. Ah, just listen, you'll know what I mean. Love you all, it's all there for you if you work hard for it. xxx

[@Miguel...160]

Nice if he actually mentioned Norman in the vid . Jaco is my bass hero but its Normans solo he's teaching here .

[@JerryTremaine]

@@Miguel...160 ..Agreed Miguel..I'll let you into a secret...Jaco is Norman's hero too .. ;o)

[@PeterPrestonUK]

How have I only just found this Josh vid? But a bigger question is, how is this song considered obscure? It's probably the best pop song ever released and to this day gets played often on UK radio. The bass line is what turned me onto bass in the first place, all those years ago. Oh, and I'm off to see them live tonight!!!!!!!!!!! If I had a Fender I'd be taking it along in the hope of getting it signed (not sure Norman would sign a Yamaha).

[@petertelford8019]

The best tuition I have seen for this bassline Josh! Clear, precise and with the PDF, easier to learn. I cannot believe that you have 2 'unlikes'....there are some strange people out there.

[@PorchBass]

I go 1,1,3 for the hit me bit. I saw a metal guy doing fast sixteenths with two finger together, using the back side of the fingers for a double stroke. It was really working well in that case. Great analysis

[@JamesDavisakaRemguy]

Watt-Roy plays this line with 3 fingers of his plucking hand, at least for the quarter-note verses. For the chorus, I believe he uses only two. Check out live versions of the song here on KZbin to see this for yourself. For a(n absolutely brilliant) tutorial on how to do this, check out one of Billy Sheehan's bass lessons, also on KZbin. I know of two short videos on right hand technique exclusively, but he also describes it in his, also excellent, 90-minute "basic bass" video. Sheehan is an excellent teacher, and makes valuable points on plucking in general. He uses this 3-fingered plucking technique extensively in his playing. It might seem like a lot of unnecessary work, but it's actually much quicker and easier than you might think to become at least _fairly_ proficient - it's also kinda fun. And it does make playing this and similar songs MUCH easier. Happy Grooving, fellow bassists.

[@tomwillard524]

Nice to even acknowledge a good song with unbelievable bass player. I had no idea it was complicated like that.

[@max-andrewmcmillan4235]

that was really good, thank you, I saw Ian many moons ago in Edinburgh Scotland.

[@neildeville8961]

great lesson josh . Even though I am guitarist & part time bass player thanks to you I have now nailed this all time classic bass line .

[@lo5man]

Thank you so much for your time with this free lesson and pdf, I've always wanted to learn the classic bass lines but thought it may be too difficult for my skill set. With your fantastic step by step tuition, and my perseverance, it's starting to gel together and I'm smiling from ear to ear :-)) Thanks again man.

[@mdwayne741]

Josh, you're the man...I only thought you were on Bass Buzz... What a killer bass lesson!!! Subscribed again.

[@gavinhobbs3831]

Wow your fantastic what talent thanx for all the fantastic free tutorials cheers all the way from South Africa..

[@burlatsdemontaigne6147]

Very cool! I have always called that a "pushed" ONE. Didn't know what it it was technically, so thanks for your explanation

[@colinscott147]

Great subtle drumming lesson Josh as well as top musicality and a great bassist honoured

[@timothycliffe3061]

I am not a bass player, but watched the whole video, and was very impressed. Well done!

[@garrybroad8748]

👍no blab blab ,every word on point ,your action speaks .👍

[@ChrisWilliams-cb9kt]

Great job! A classic of my youth. As a small aside, for the first time on any yt video I actually found that little down arrow where the pdf was linked. Motivation is the key as Steve Hillage once said. 😂😂😂

[@MrPantss]

This highlights to complexity of the bass line on this tune

[@keithgaffaney8061]

Thank you very very much for that break down. Saves me a lot of work. Mate very obvious to me that the bass line in this tune is heavily improvised in spots.. Cheers josh be well mate thanks again. Awesome.

[@jamfdrums]

Outstanding sir, thank you

[@Stewkeithmtb]

Thank you so much for actually explaining the theory. Ignore the negative comments, many of us appreciate all your hard work

[@srobert231962]

Great performance and lesson. Thank you!

[@davidfox7983]

Serious line Josh Good lesson man

[@ramonbs6075]

you'r an awesome teacher! congratulation!!!

[@NathanHassall]

Im learning!! Im really learning!

[@willdunlop4929]

Thank you for a great video and explanation!

[@anilkumar-hl1nu]

josh i am your subcriber and studend..awesome lesson...thanks you frm India........

[@joshfossgreen]

Thanks Anil!

[@jimbarnett6713]

Once again, you da man! (did I just say that?)

[@MEAZZI666]

Nice job thank you :)

[@kazerdira4704]

I think this is one of the song i will never play it even i try 200 years , so fast for me and hard

[@keithgaffaney8061]

Keep at it mate you will get there and learn alot along the way. Good comment mate.

[@theskalliwag.8910]

Same mate.

[@Mixen9408]

Dunno if its true, but heard the story that the bass, drums, rythem guitar and keyboard is recorded live in the studie, and the produceres approach to it was it was more important to capture an feeling rather than playing it right and tight. So maybe that the reason behind the mistake.

[@graemerobertson5160]

The fingering that works for me is to start off with the middle finger, not the index finger. For years I tried to do it starting with the index finger and kept getting in a tangle. Other point to make in my view is to minimise the finger plucking distance by using the amp volume.

[@CUSELİSFAN]

you seem to really know what you're doing. great job, and thanks.

[@Frottagecub]

I love your Velvet Underground banana album tattoo :)

[@randallh3747]

Can’t believe you can talk while playing that bassline.... !

[@Marklez]

Fuck me dude, this was amazing!!

[@sirandrelefaedelinoge]

The best way to learn is *ALWAYS* by ear.

[@alanhug]

can you do baroque bordello by the stranglers

[@pgpete]

10:05 "sub dominant blah blah blah thingy" - lolz

[@Abraichan64]

Can’t find your cover of this tune... great vid by the way..

[@joshfossgreen]

Yeah, KZbin + record companies decided not to let anyone see it anymore. The best way to promote your songs is to not let people listen to them, apparently.

[@JerryTremaine]

@@joshfossgreen ....Did you just say 'your song' ? I'll ignore that as some kind of minor freak out on your part lol :o/ ...Nice go on the old bassline though...to play notes can be easy for some..But I'm sure you'll agree that the feel is hard to teach... ;)

[@keithmills778]

@@JerryTremaine He’s not claiming the song as his own. He’s referring to the record companies. Their song is getting exposed to a new audience through vids like this, but they insist on taking them down.

[@JerryTremaine]

@@keithmills778 yes...I was joking..hence the 'lol'.......yea ıt's a shame youtube take them down as Norman has no problem with videos like this ;o)

[@alejandrohualdez5550]

He looks like the guy off Bassbuzz!!!

[@michaelbarbarich3965]

It's him

[@theripper1655]

which bass is that ? please reply

[@ewetoo]

This is a really helpful lesson for a bassline I still need to nail! Sadly, your cover is blocked in Australia and elsewhere, which is a bit sad.

[@joshfossgreen]

Yes, such a bummer!

[@wysiwyg2489]

I've read Ian Dury wrote this bass line after watching Jaco perform, not sure if is true but kinda make sense.

[@joshfossgreen]

+wysiwyg248 Interesting. There's definitely some major Jaco flavor in there. Especially over the Db7 chord in the verse, reminds me of Come On Come Over big time.

[@wysiwyg2489]

+Josh Fossgreen My bad, I wrote Ian Dury when I mean Norman Watt-Roy, the bass player for the Blockheads. Ian's lyrics are awesome, but the bass line belongs to Norm. Sorry about the mistake.

[@brendancarthy5120]

Norman wrote it as nod to Come on come over by Jaco after hearing it on the radio

[@rocknrollhippy771]

'ahh' , ive always just called the 'snatch'. Works for me, as im not a great theorist. One mans ahh is another mans snatch . It appears ..😝

[@flat5sharp11]

Another peach of a bass line by Watt Roy: kzbin.info/www/bejne/mV65loKXoKx6hrM

[@paulevans4334]

it would help if you turned your bass up, I can barley hear it

[@uelude]

Would help if you turned your stereo up.

[@Boyson66]

You’ve got corn in your ears.

[@gw2031]

Best player for this track bar none but he can talk lol

[@joshfossgreen]

Ha yes, I practice bass and talking equally. :)

[@TAHeap]

@@joshfossgreen You may want to check out some of the other stuff Norman Watt Roy has done or composed, .e.g with Clash or with Wilko Johnson. The Blockhead are an almost perfect example of a band whose rhythm gives the rest of the band the freedom to create an amazing and quite complex sound - once you have the drums and bass then the song is pretty much there already and everybody else can concentrate what they do best creatively. The video of 'I wanna be Straight' is good example. It's also interesting to compare the studio and some of the live versions of 'Sweet Gene Vincent: the stuff he adds in only standard rock'n'roll sequences, but it could easily have sounded too clumsy whereas he manages to dance through sounding fluent and light on his feet. I'm guessing the studio version was simpler so as not to break completely with the sound of the era of the real Gene Vincent, which would probably have been more straight 4.

[@Chrisamusic1]

Just one thought, if you cant figure out naturally where to come in on the beat, then this bassline is too advanced for you.

[@jamesmurphy1389]

strange to have fingers that will do that for you. I can open a can.

[@kazerdira4704]

This is 3 months , did you make it , i have a week and i still couldn t make the first bar haha so fast for me

[@johnlennon6491]

Can someone tell what the purpose of telling us all the stuff at the beginning? I just don’t get it ?

[@projectducttape_1569]

.first and very helpful

[@gideonsikk8733]

Pretty cool u say. . u Americans. Canadian whatever. norman watt. is our bootsy

[@FallatioNelson]

I'm complete shite compared to you but.... why don't you play the fill starting on the E string?? it would make the fill sound much clearer and you don't have to do an awkward 16th shift. Just an observation.

[@philmoseley2259]

+FellatioNelson You wouldn't want to play it with open strings - you'd just lose control with the 16th notes. It's the right hand that is the hardest bit in this song, not the left. Besides, the song is not in the key of E - so why would you want to play it there?

[@graemerobertson5160]

This parts not to challenging ..! Wrong, this is the hardest part of the riff! You are right about not being able to do three notes on the same finger. But doing that sixteenth note fingering is a challenging technique. If you did a close up slowed down of the right hand, it would have been a much better tutorial.

[@SteveGouldinSpain]

FYI can't see the performance...this video contains content from SME who have blocked it on copyright grounds! (I'm in Spain BTW). Shame SME have it in mind that the music they own the copyright to can become even more popular and coverted by removing it from public view. Morons.

[@joshfossgreen]

Yep, that happened quite a while ago. And I agree.

[@harold-sweat-head8111]

Your fingers are longer than Norway.

[@neilwilliams4420]

Harold-Sweat-Head lol 😂

[@krbmsw]

Alien fingers. Seriously.

[@soulbass2714]

Jamerson can

[@paolozak3014]

NORMAN WATT-ROY ...not "the bass player", please

[@jakmak1199]

Yeah at least give him a shout out

[@mickybiggs7256]

not bad....bit too much chat not enough practical showing......like maybe play the whole thing first.. ? and break it into sections ? obviously know your stuff , but too much chat is boring..so you end up flicking through the vid....

[@terrytickler]

Its 100% free and awesome

[@spookybaba]

You talk too much, Kid. I got fed up and sacked you off.

[@baldyslapnut.]

...but had time to spare for a comment 🤡

[@spookybaba]

@@baldyslapnut. Yeah! What of it, Ball Bag? You wanna start something? Go find your corn nut.

[@justinandsheba]

@@baldyslapnut. That's what I noticed as well.

[@ritzy12345]

Zzzzz

[@MrSandalwood]

Your so wrong go back and listern carefully

[@thomimarshall]

TOO MUCH TALKIN

[@geraldsowder5727]

Need to find someone that talks alot less.

[@grumpy8413]

What an atrocious lesson.

[@ThunnusAlbacares]

The first 4 1/2 mins its pure waffle. Got a headache from it ...

[@eddypfunk]

Seriously why spend 15 minutes talking when you could have done this in 5?

[@joshfossgreen]

+Ed Phillis I look forward to seeing the video where you thoroughly explain how to play and understand the theory behind this song in 5 minutes! :)

[@willb3698]

Yes - And thanks for spending the time. The difference between playing by rote and understanding what we are playing - Even by throwing in the scale used helps everyone - even if it's just to google "pentatonic" or something. I had a question unrelated to the music - what is the foot pedal metronome / drum machine you are using? It's funny - as a Brit to hear Ian Dury and the Blockheads as "Obscure". I realise why of course.

[@joshfossgreen]

I use Ableton Live for most of my drum machine stuff, but I barely know how to use it!

[@willb3698]

Cheers.