Play That Funky Music BASS MYSTERY SOLVED!

This week we're looking at the tune Play That Funky Music and the odd bass line you may or may not be aware of. Many of you will already know this song, especially if you've been playing in any covers bands, wedding bands, function bands etc.
But many bass players just learn the "lay down that boogie..." part as a doubled line. Well... it's not. In this lesson we're going to look at what it actually is and what's going on in there!
Lesson Material: www.talkingbas...
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[@RC32Smiths01]

Play that Funky Music has a really fun and helpful bassline to play! Great for every Bassist of all skills! Awesome work as always!

[@xybervid]

Really good lesson linking that small tip into the bigger picture of harmony and the role of bass playing. Outstanding.

[@f1948s]

Thanks Mark. I do not know what it is about your lessons but they are very easily understandable. You are an excellent teacher and player. Always enjoy your material.

[@johnhewett9483]

Interesting!! I always played something different to this, not the same as you before either. I always knew mine sounded different but never figured out what was different

[@wavertreetv]

Played it wrong for 7 years - but not any more! Thanks.

[@DaveTurnerBassGuitar]

I had a guitarist tell me that C natural was "wrong" when I played the line in rehearsal. I told him it was absolutely NOT wrong and we got out the CD (before the KZbin days) to listen. I was correct, but he told me "I don't like that note. Play it the same as me." I clarified - "so you want me to play the line incorrectly compared to the original, and double your part?" He said yes. He was the band leader, so I played it wrong for the duration of that band. Whatcha gonna do . . . .

[@talkingbasslessons]

Yup. A tale as old as time!

[@markbass354]

Mark you have me playing like I really know what I'm doing. Fake it till you make it , much thanks kind sir

[@emp5352]

E + E = Your little siblings singing happy birthday to you in the car. E + C = Beyonce performing at your birthday party.

[@scottkretsch4887]

And the bass playing E/C together as a partial chord = Prince performing at your birthday party!

[@mrbungle7586]

Hey thx Mark, I put in the live comments just before the stream steered that I thought it would be that section you had in mind as most people play it incorrectly, although it still goes over well. Great explanation too as to why it starts on the C. Cheers

[@BootedIV]

To me, it sounds like the very first note(s) of this line are C (10 fret D string) and E (9 fret G string). Played together. Unless I'm hearing the guitar playing the E note?

[@cooljoff3150]

Hi Mark, I was wondering if you could tackle Guy Pratt's slap bassline on Pink Floyd's The Wall. Happens during the breakdown underpinning the guitar solo, it appears on the Pulse live concerts from 1994. Beautiful piece of slap! Thanks.

[@ZoeMarlowe1]

I noticed there are several versions of this song floating about for the bass. I am happy that I found YOUR version...!

[@fredjansohn8888]

Personally I've always played it in the way Mark describes. A simple listen to the song will tell you what's going on! I would have thought it was pretty straight up and down!!

[@talkingbasslessons]

Yes, if you transcribe it directly you 'should' get it right but I've heard tons of players doing it wrong either because they listened to the guitar doubling or because they listened on tiny speakers. I've also had to sight read it quite a few times in various bands and it's always written wrong. Then beyond that, just because you know it's a C doesn't mean understand why. That's what I clear up here with the minor VI-V cadence.

[@SuperHebbe]

Hi At 0:49 the notes are G - G - G, not G - F - G as you play it :)

[@cmstevens4684]

I agree - here's the only 'correct' version I could find on KZbin: kzbin.info/www/bejne/ZoPVgap9a6tpl5Y

[@coleplacemb]

Right, the 'and of 2' is a G, not an F. Although, it's easy to miss that as the beginning phrase (on E) is E - D - E, and it would naturally follow that the G phrase should be 1 - b7 - 8 as well. Here's a bass & drums isolation of the original tune: kzbin.info/www/bejne/pl7JXnqOrMlmr6M&ab_channel=BassPlayerCenter

[@peaceonearth8693]

Much respect for your talent Sir. (And, teaching ability.) However, your eyebrows make me nervous...

[@Geetarhed]

Cmaj7 followed by B7#9 for that particular bass bit, works well

[@bustabass9025]

🎶"...they shouted, 'playyy dat funkeee muuusic Markieee...'🎶"😆

[@Phaidrus]

you are the bass master, my friend

[@emmawebber9438]

Hi Mark, an outstanding lesson. Thank you for your time in producing this content, and have a lovely weekend.

[@kazerdira4704]

Thank you a lot ..I wish you help us to play what is the hip by tower power ...

[@hanumharkit1485]

Just play tat fanky music white booy...just play it...😂

[@RamsFan93]

I came here thinking I had learned it wrong, turns out I learned it right. But I watched the whole thing anyway

[@AltonMoore]

Good tip on the C note. However, I thought you were going to comment on the other part of the song, which I always played as (open strings): E hammer-F# A hammer-B D hammer-E. What say you? Regards!

[@robertbasone7667]

Killer lesson! What year is that bass! Fantastic!

[@talkingbasslessons]

'82

[@patientbass]

This is how I’ve always played it, but great info as always!

[@benedictabbu8315]

Maybe the bassist was doubling the vocals...but just can't find the note..😁✌️

[@caitoriordan5372]

Excellent lesson - cheers!

[@jdb123ize]

Mark, I learn this song years ago, and yes everyone doubles the vocals. And I thought “wait a minute” C is right.

[@steelkeez7700]

Awesomeness 🙌🏾🤩

[@paulnicolosi4792]

I like to think that it was a mistake that was just left in

[@ljgarrison6910]

As usual, top content!

[@spiderxbass]

Don't forget the Bb after the second riff, just before the chorus. It is also strange....

[@matthewslodowy9025]

Wake up this morning. Check Internet. See this video. Learn about "implied minor cadences." Learn "Play That Funky Music" on the bass before going to work. A good day.

[@fredgonzalez6619]

Is the body alder or ash?

[@copperfish543]

I played that song back in the late sixties in a bar band, had a P bass like that one, but was buying and selling bases all of the time. Ended up from 77 with a Rick. Still have it don’t play it much. But now play fretless mostly, I took a Fender Jazz bass bought a fretless neck and painted the body with auto body paint with hardener. Then clearcoated it and polished it. It’s my favorite bass. They say that playing fretless is easy. It is not, I started after 40 years of Fretted bases. You can make some really cool sounds.

[@whiskeytangofoxtrot8834]

The song wasn't released until 76 so how were you playing it in the late 60's ?

[@mimoochodom2684]

Simple? I've been trying to learn this and it's a nightmare.😂

[@lothar_bmx]

hey, Mr. Smith, could you maybe adjust the lesson pack prices depending on the country in which the buyer lives? for people e. g in Poland the courses are pretty costly. I understand that you have to make profit from the work you put in those, but still...

[@xrjockey86]

JUST. PLAY. THE. RIFF!!!

[@talkingbasslessons]

Guess you didn’t get the point of the lesson. It’s not about simply showing the riff.

[@xrjockey86]

@@talkingbasslessons I got the point. I knew there was a missing note in that bass riff and most bass players play it wrong. Don’t mean to be rude. I play solely by ear and ten minutes of telling what feet number on which string makes me lose all focus on the riff itself. I apologize.

[@talkingbasslessons]

@@xrjockey86 That’s Ok. The main point of the lesson, like most of my lessons, is to understand what is going on in the harmony. I would never, ever just show a riff for the sake of showing a riff. There has to be a reason and it should be a vehicle for understanding music.

[@treylem3]

As always 👍

[@jimking3288]

As long as the audience enjoy it what is the problem ??

[@talkingbasslessons]

No problem. Apart from the fact that there should be a C in there. That's the line.

[@geeush]

The riff in G is not quite accurate. It’s not F-G on the D string, it’s G-G. Same note played twice.

[@WillieFavero]

I cannot locate materials.. the above link to Lesson Materials" causes a 404.

[@talkingbasslessons]

Sorted

[@robertschaeffer5861]

Just got brain washed Now I got funk addiction AGAIN...

[@Somegirlwander]

Excellent, once again. Downgraded to a pbass, eh?

[@talkingbasslessons]

Nah, not downgraded. That's a great P bass. I've got selection of different Fender Jazz and Precision basses. I'll use them based on what I'm going for.

[@seamanjive]

How many punters you reckon would spot that? Play it how ya like. Do yer own thing

[@michavandam]

You're playing at least three different notes than in the original version. I really don't like that in a tutorial video by someone who pretends to teach us the way it really goes. It's in the G part (two different notes by you) and in the Bb part (one different note). Check it out carefully yourself.