Pro Bassist Teaches FUNKIEST Bass Line of ALL TIME!

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There are a handful of people in the world today who are essentially bass guitar royalty - and one of them is Meshell N'degeocello. The deeper you dive into her back catalog, the easier it is to see why.
In today’s video, we’re giving you a crash course in one of the funkiest bass lines from Meshell's 1996 solo album, Peace Beyond Passion. You’ll also get a free PDF workbook, so you can learn all of the nuances that made N'degeocello's bass line so legendary.
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Video Breakdown:
00:00 - Introduction and Song Background
00:57 - Verse
04:08 - Different Techniques
06:34 - The Live Performance
08:01 - Chorus
09:47 - Bridge
12:30 - the FUNKIEST ever?
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[@juansecar2]

Those 2 albums, plantation and peace beyond... are total and absolute jazz/soul/acid jazz perfection.

[@RaiderClarke312]

Word......

[@busterhyman5907]

Classic!!

[@BSJBaltimoreSportsJam]

I understand the creative need to "move on"......but she moved on from the absolute greatness of those sublime first 2 albums.....to......other things

[@juansecar2]

@@BSJBaltimoreSportsJam Yeah dude. I guess she had other creative urges to meet and didnt wanna be framed in that style. I personally think her worse album is 4 stars, and all in between 4 and 5... Cookie and Bitter are almost in this level I really like em almost as much. And the Omnichord kicks arse but yeah..., nothing quite like those first 2 gems. Cheers

[@camf8372]

"Acid jazz?" What have you been doing, sir? Playing jazz while tripping? Sounds fun. Lol no no no jk

[@rodelson6445]

So I’m not even a bass player although I play guitar, but I’m addicted to this channel. Thanks for all the great content and many laughs.

[@johnfeole1971]

Yea, me too..great content!

[@CherryHaze86]

You know what you really want to do ... just get yourself a bass! :)

[@willemniehorster9836]

same here, and I do own two basses to noodle around!

[@devinebass]

Thanks for that!! Appreciate the warm words!

[@kennybarney9086]

if you can play guitar id bet you can play bass better than you think.

[@gleventhal]

You can't ignore the drum track as part of the funkiness, that snare pop, and the shuffle, tight kick drum, it's crispy as F.

[@simonhart2186]

This.

[@BSJBaltimoreSportsJam]

I think the live drummer for the album tour (and other tracks on the album) was (Oliver) Gene Lake.....son of saxophonist Oliver Lake. He was/is a MONSTER! Also played with Screaming Headless Torsos...among many others.

[@lorenharris2965]

@@BSJBaltimoreSportsJamit was Gene!

[@claudiajaeger6552]

@@BSJBaltimoreSportsJamit‘s Sean Rickman in this video

[@theoforde-stiegler]

... there are not enough of us talking about the genius of this artist as regularly as we should! Thank you guys for this video!

[@AKC-MUSIC]

I’ve listened to this millions of times genius

[@lazyi6356]

Her new stuff is other otherworldly as well. Been a fan for almost 3 decades. I put EVERY bass player I know onto her catalog. She's soooo underappreciated, not only as an artist, but as a songwriter as well. 👏 🙌 🎉

[@MrBeachMadness]

I would have thought you'd go straight for "If That Was Your Boyfriend He Wasn't Last Night" That entire album was a learning tangent for me.

[@MG-vo7is]

that album is Plantation Lullabies, which is amazing.

[@MrBeachMadness]

@@MG-vo7is yep. I know. Me and all my musician friends would listen and talk about that record endlessly. That and Pino on D’Angleo’s “Voodoo” I remember seeing her live in Toronto. Really, one of the best shows I’ve ever been to

[@jeremybernstein8808]

Maybe not nearly as funky, but her collaboration with John Mellencamp on “Wild Night“ is fantastic, for both the bass line and her vocals!

[@nunoarmando7426]

So memorable. One of my favourite bass lines ever.

[@SludgeFuZZ]

I absolutely love that a person's age doesn't matter much when making music.. just have fun and learning new skills..

[@MG-vo7is]

I've been watching SBL for years. This is the first time I'm downloading the PDF. Meshell's first two albums are incredible.

[@manobap]

The whole album is amazing!! When it was released I listened over and over using headphones for months to capture every single detail. Remembering that in that era ProTools and stuff was pretty limited, plug ins was rare, computer and other hardware was very expensive… it’s a true masterpiece. And this bass line wow!!!

[@jazzman0173]

Must not have listened to her lyrics

[@yanniskalt4062]

The commodores - brick house : this is ( one of) the funkiest lines

[@sacredgeometry]

Absolutely is.

[@floppytnarwal1641]

Sooooo agree!

[@devinebass]

💯💯💯

[@yanniskalt4062]

@@devinebass gunky fonk with p/neck pup slap & flats? Yes , please

[@edennard1]

RONALD LAPREAD STILL COLLECTING ROYALTY CHECKS 40 SOMETHING YEARS LATER

[@Wordsareprayers]

I got chills watching this! MeShell is one of my favorites!!! And that song….!!!🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥💎🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@devinebass]

🔥🔥🔥

[@Wordsareprayers]

@@devinebass Dig Ur page, man🙏🏾💎

[@matto9734]

That album (her 1st btw)!!! I was around 30 at that time. I heard that thing on the radio, and IMMEDIATELY ran to the next record shop to buy the CD... it´s still one of my most loved album. Me´Shell is a G.O.A.T. in many ways, songwriting, lyrics, BASS and philosophically. Her sources are so many, beginning in the 60s with Motown, 70s Funk, and her modern interpretation of blending all this... just mindbowingly gorgeous! And what you both said - godly Pocket!!! Thank you for bringing her to attention again!

[@lazyi6356]

I co-sign on everything you said except that Plantation Lullabies was her 1st album. Peace Beyond Passion followed that. 😊

[@matto9734]

@@lazyi6356 Outch you got me there ;-)

[@reoscorpio]

i loved and was telling folks about Me'shell Ndegeocello since before her first album came out.. i was hooked since the first video. i don't know how many times i've seen her perform.. but it was sooooo many (i would keep the tickets from the shows tucked in the covers of her CDs i had).. the first time i saw her was in a pack little club down around 14th street in NYC.. and her live performances were 10x as funky and jazzy as her albums.. just like Prince, the songs stretched out and just blessed you live. & you could tell her cult following loved being blessed by her. i'm glad i caught her when she still was a new born.. and i made it my business to stay in the audience and take notes whenever she came back to town..

[@TheBombshelterBassSpace-gj9tw]

I'm so glad you are recognizing Me'shell! She is easily in my top 5 favs of all time! I think I listened to those first two albums a million and a half times. Her music is gut level funky soulful groove!

[@devinebass]

She's a wonderful musician and a phenomenal bass player!

[@alexbasson]

Yay! I've been waiting for you to break down a Meshell N'degeocello bass line forever. Keep 'em coming!

[@BSJBaltimoreSportsJam]

Is there a N'degeocello class on SBL....or even an N'Degeocello interview there? If so, you might have a new subscriber here!! (although, for me the Jonathan Maron class was worth the price of admission also 🤔)

[@chriscashband]

I'm so happy you did this! I fell in love with this album when it came out and used to play drums to it often for years. When I picked up the bass, this was the first thing I wanted to figure out how to play. Meshell is the best!

[@BSJBaltimoreSportsJam]

SAME SAME!!!

[@GaryTisdaleFungkSta1]

She got so many on her first two albums and David Dyson was a monster when he played with her live.

[@devinebass]

🔥🔥🔥

[@beatjuggernauts3828]

PBP is an incredible album from beginning to end. The funkiest, grooviest, baddest bass line every is Bernard Edwards on "My Forbidden Lover."

[@srlongstaff]

I'd love to see you both breakdown 'Glide', by Pleasure. Another funk Gem!

[@MikeyLikeyBikey]

I love the track you featured, (and wasn’t hip to it.) An arguably funkier bass line would be yet another Me’shell track called “If that’s your boyfriend (he wasn’t last night).

[@justinjohnston8729]

Scott REALLY loves this bass line

[@Below-Average_Joe]

This is an SBL video that does not have a clickbait title. “The Way” may legitimately be the funkiest song ever recorded.

[@sidneype7738]

Great video. Love it when you two get together and do content. Funkiest bassline? There are so many, but Sister Sledge - Thinking of You, by the late, great, Bernard Edwards is definitely up there.

[@azuredivina]

Meshell!! 💖

[@Boethius4748]

She’s got enough soul to make ten humans and still have enough left for herself lol. Love Meshell so much!!

[@TheDinosaur82]

When I was first learning bass in high school, I was stuck between trying to be Charles Mingus and Les Claypool. Then I had a chance to see Meshell live in concert and decide I wanted to be her instead. Still haven't gotten there after all these years, but I keep trying.

[@artlovedj]

Ready For the World "I'm The One Who Loves You" is super funky.

[@halcop]

"Call Me" from her Plantation Lullabies record is in the top two.

[@jeffpatterson5126]

YAY! I love Sharon episodes!

[@GoGetFletch]

Ian and Sharon - so good to watch you guys having so much fun, while at the same time delivering such a great lesson. The only thing missing for me is the harmonic analysis - what chords are happening on top of that bass line?

[@dericmcneill1998]

Hair by Larry Graham, Glide by Pleasure, Strawberry Letter 23 by Brothers Johnson

[@Oscaraha]

I feel Paul Jackson is mentioned way too sparingly here on SBL. Spank-a-lee for starters, or the whole Thrust album for that matter is up there in my book at least:)

[@blakedobel6816]

Damn you are so right! Paul Jackson is criminally underrated and deserves a hell of a lot more attention. Simply one of the funkiest, most inventive bass players ever. Palm Grease from Thrust is another good one.

[@olivierhallard3379]

One of my favorite albums, Thanks Guys

[@devinebass]

👍👍👍

[@rafbass]

“The funk engine” Thanks ian. I was looking for an album name for something here.

[@22fret]

My favourite bassline of hers is "Nocturnal Sunshine", which can be found on the "Red, Hot and Cool" sampler. It doesn't get any better...

[@richarddegener]

exactly,!!

[@davidk2471]

"Let me free your mind..." Great track!

[@ajadrew]

Try I'm Diggin' You, If That's Your Boyfriend & Shootn' Up - Wicked stuff!

[@noiamyofatha]

I think your character dynamics work very well ; maybe not as effortlessly fluid as Ian-Scott but very enjoyable too. Sharon’s charisma can shine through interacting with Ian and the musical content and playing is top notch. This format has become immediately addictive 😊 Great work, keep it coming, keep it mellow!

[@alanwadey2848]

"Always on the run" is a strong contender

[@lazyi6356]

I think even Lenny would MeShell is funkier 😆

[@alanwadey2848]

@@lazyi6356 He probably would but it's still a very funky line, with some strong simialrities.

[@robertsuggs2510]

I love when Ian mentors Shazz,,,like Scott & Ian,,,you guys are SO much fun to watch,,thank you so much !! 🎸🤠from Arkansas,,usa

[@ernestbaidoo-mitchell9007]

ABSOLUTELY ……. This genius woman is most underrated…most soulful , creative ❤❤❤ This and ‘Plantation Lullabies” ..WOW SOSO SO SOULFUL 😍🥰

[@devinebass]

🧡🧡🧡

[@jumaklap]

Great video guys! I'm knowing many kind of musicians in this channel! What a fantastic artist Meshell N'degeocello is! Amazing!

[@tonyjanusky]

Super funky groove! Thanks for lighting me up to this tune!

[@eadgbe061]

You have to check out the bass player that backed MeShell on the live Sessions at 54th. David Dyson has to be one of funkiest bass players in the DMV area. thanks

[@setaylw]

Definitely!

[@BSJBaltimoreSportsJam]

THE GREAT David Dyson from the DMV area! Criminally underrated. Saw him play in a club in Baltimore, MD when I was 18 years old in 1989.....my "bass life" was transformed...

[@RON4RC]

You guys are soooooo amazing... Definitely cheered up my evening.... God I love bass ... It's in my very soul. And this vid was class ... what a peach and you two made it so fun thanks for that❤

[@vincentdenismusic]

A full episode on a selection of Meshell tunes/bass lines would be awesome!

[@BackLooking]

So I´m thinking.........can I give this video more likes? Such a fun video. And the enthusiasm. I love these bass line analyzing/appreciating videos.

[@kmb2612]

I bought the cd when it came out. The basic groove is not that complicated, but it is as funkiest as it gets. And then the change is orchestral in sound. As Miles said, "It's not the notes you play, it's the notes you don't play." It warms my heart to see that others appreciated her sound as much as me.

[@andrewm7962]

Part of what makes this tune while listening to the album is the intro track “the womb”. It’s short but powerful and absolutely ripped my head off the first time I heard it. And just when you think you’re dying of funk, she comes in with that vocal and the groove of “the way”. Changed my life.

[@guillermodelnoche]

I’m guilty of incorporating “Boyfriend” into tons of live performance jams. Meshell is exquisite!

[@devinebass]

🔥🔥🔥

[@stuartclarke8055]

I've loved this track for so long. Meshell rocks. Still waiting for 'Mind Up Tonight' by Melba Moore and 'Ready' Freddie Washington to get covered by you guys! SO FUNKY.

[@BassByTheBay]

The funkiest bassline of all time is ever changing as are my moods, and at this moment, my mood says *"Hollywood Squares" by Bootsy.* But the list is endless. I'm also gonna add: "Forget Me Nots" - Patrice Rushen, "Candy" - Cameo, "Strawberry Letter 23" - The Bros. Johnson, "Fine China" - Chris Brown, "Livin' It Up" - Level 42, "Lady Cab Driver" - Prince, "For the Love of Money" - The O'Jays Honorable mentions for a few classic synth bass lines: "Funkin' for Jamaica - Tom Brown, "Flashlight - Parliament, "Boogie on Reggae Woman" - Stevie "Ain't Nobody" - Chaka/Rufus I could *literally* write a book, but I'll leave it there for now.

[@devinebass]

Great choices in there!!

[@davidallen9780]

Addicted to the channel. I used to have a squier p-bass special back in the day but have not touched a bass in years. Sam Rivers from Limp Bizkit made me want to play way back when... lately I have been feeling inspired to buy a bass and play again. Trying to decide between a 4 and 5 string bass... My main bass inspirations are Sam Rivers, Justin Chancellor, Dan Briggs, Mark Hoppus, Fat Mike, David Flynn (Chelsea Grin). THE DELIMA!!

[@c_loeber]

Meshell N'degeocello is the bass player that taught me how to play funky! She is my favorite and always will be. Check out the song GOD FEAR MONEY from the "Cookie: The Anthropological Mixtape" album, it is sooooo funky as well! Thanks for a great video and you guys are fantastic! Oh and I've always played this line like you Sharon, so it's legit 😉

[@jazzman0173]

Listen to lyrics, she condemning God

[@lukout]

I love the dinamic between you two ! And I also though she was saying that other line! is Cured ? whaaaaaaaaat????? hahahahaha

[@armandocapogrossi6689]

I was transcribing Bittersweet from the same album last week...What a gem and a great artist. Thanks for this, great timing!

[@iwantahat]

YES! That song is forever fresh to me. Everything about it.

[@spongesurf]

YES!!! Meshell for life!! So much thanks for covering the queen of bass. 🌠

[@ericmullenaux5265]

Ah man I was hoping they would talk about her Reverend bass. I love Reverend so much.

[@tabathagano1135]

That is so wild she playing a squire bass 🎉🎉 pure technique wow.

[@bassworks_luthiery]

This track has been in my favourite workshop playlist for years AND also in my drum play along playlist, so I’m digging it from bass and drums perspectives particularly. But also…..those horns! ❤

[@eldorado5319]

OMG this is so funky 🤩 Love you Meshell

[@devinebass]

🧡🧡🧡

[@HasseC]

Love your energy and passion!!

[@devinebass]

🧡🧡🧡

[@busterhyman5907]

This is my favorite Meshell lp. From the moment I first heard it, I've felt a strong Bootsy thread running through the groove. If Bootsy was playing on this song---THESE are the very notes he would select (in my opinion).

[@MrBrawl]

Whoo MeShell Ndegeocello! The whole album is incredible and still holds up to this day. Thanks for highlighting her and her art!

[@edwinhurwitz6792]

I've been playing it regularly for almost 30 years now! Every time I upgrade my stereo, this goes on first.

[@HitExplosionVideo]

Meshell Ndegeocello is my goddess and such a big influence, and this song is one of my all-time favorites. Great video. Glide by Pleasure is one of the few bass lines that is as funky.

[@techmarinebottomfeeders884]

Funkentelechy!! Dope bass line!

[@nairnodrums]

This album was all over us in music college. It was a lesson on great writing.

[@gustavalden7907]

This is so cool 🔥 Keep it up!!!

[@devinebass]

Much more to come!

[@GregLassalle2015]

A mention should go to David Gamson, who co-produced this record. His fingerprint is all over this. His work with Scritti Politti is stellar, as well as a monster record he did for Tony Le Mans. 👍🏾👍🏾 Great stuff you guys.

[@BSJBaltimoreSportsJam]

Give a listen to "Nocturnal Sunshine" with N'Degeocello and Herbie Hancock. You will NOT be disappointed!! (from the "Red, Hot and Cool compilation record)

[@Corniis]

I said this before, to my friends who don't care, to my family who's not musical at all - Ian is one of the most charismatic guys out there.

[@andrewpinner3181]

Thanks Shaz & Ian, yes a totally cool fun funk out !

[@RafaelLima-hg8kz]

I diante know this song. What a great bass line. Thanks

[@lanius1]

Thank you 😊 she's my favourite bassist and you guys teach it so well, and make me smile a lot.

[@devinebass]

🧡🧡🧡

[@ladozaartandphotography575]

Ooooo I’d love to see you guys tackle Standing on the verge of getting it on. Absolute beast of a funk tune 🎉

[@timpowellmorris]

Thanks for putting a spotlight on this, guys. This track changed my life when it came out in 96. In an age of musicianship when excellence can sometimes feel like a sport, focusing on Meshell's brilliance demonstrates that you don't need fireworks, just impeccable taste and pocket. 🙏 This track gives me goosebumps and a stank face to this day.

[@devinebass]

🧡🧡🧡

[@BSJBaltimoreSportsJam]

✊

[@JHayes5]

I've been in love with this tune - and the first two albums for 30 years. Regularly jam on drums with this track

[@devinebass]

🧡🧡🧡

[@FusionHowie]

Drummer here "Diggin you like an 8 track" Great channel ! Hopefully you caught on to the 8 track reference :) Peace from Detroit MI.

[@fileundervalued]

Picking the funkiest of her lines is impossible. Her catalog is an embarrassment of riches. If you've never watched any videos of her live in the 90s, do yourself a favor. Amazing. Thanks for shedding some light on her!

[@RodneyGurdal]

Funky in the 90s. Not so much anymore.

[@fileundervalued]

@@RodneyGurdal yeah, not so much. her feel is still amazing, just not in that way

[@ManfredElsingBielefeld]

so sweet! thx!

[@BartThe13]

Thanks! One of the funkiest Meshell's tune with Nocturnal Sunshine

[@DavideAfzal]

That whole record is probably one of the funkiest of all time… 🔥🙌🏼❤️

[@busterhyman5907]

"Glide", at very least, deserves an honorable mention. As does "The Awakening" by The Reddings.

[@DavideAfzal]

@@busterhyman5907 ..absolutely!! That’s why I wrote “…one of the…” 😊

[@lloydknight1730]

I love this so great for all bassist. Totally awesome.

[@tawnee8foster655]

Best album, ever !!!!!!!❤❤❤

[@DonPling]

Loved it! ❤

[@keithjohnstone3446]

George Duke, Watch Out Baby, Stanley Clarke on bass.

[@projekct_amk]

In 1996 I was 27...As a guitar player, that is an epic bass line!! Damn!!

[@Uncle_Js_House]

Love you two together ❤

[@johnladd8421]

Break down SHINIG STAR. that’d be awesome.

[@dtkincaid]

Thank you for introducing me to her. I don't know how I've never heard of her before. Down the rabbit hole I go. My funkiest bass line up until now has been the bass line in Charles Wright's Express Yourself

[@devinebass]

Have fun with your explorations, she's released a lot of truly fantastic music!!

[@Andyonplanetearth]

The bass faces happening here are just off the Grove scale 😁

[@officialjfuzion]

Probably my all-time favorite of hers, the bass line alone is ridiculous. 🎸

[@devinebass]

Right? It's fantastic!

[@SignofDatimes]

LOVE THIS🎸🎶

[@ronallen2458]

When i see you two in a video, i hit "like," THEN i watch the video.

[@jaygilbert4546]

Funkiest bassline of all time: Sly & The Family Stone, "In Time" ( Larry Graham on bass ). There's also a pretty amazing instrumental version of the same on Maceo Parker's "Roots Revisited" recording- featuring none other than the great BOOTSY, BABY! 🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩 If you've never heard this deep cut before, your jaw will be on the FLOOR!

[@djcoolcliff]

Shout to my uncle Melvin Ragin aka Wah Wah Watson playing rhythm guitar for her years! They band he put together for her became Maxwell’s band! RIP to Wah Wah Watson

[@kevinhewitt1428]

You two mentioned '96. I got married that year. I was called onto the stage to play three songs that night. Wild Night was one of them. Mellencamp introduced me to N'degeocello.

[@briansamuels7782]

I agree the song is soooo damn funky, thanks for the lesson you guys are awesome 🫶🏾🥰

[@derrickmickle5491]

I've been a rabid Meshell N'degeocello since her first record, "Plantation Lullabies", released in 1993. The hit single, "If That's Your Boyfriend (He Wasn't Last Night)" is still one of my all time favorite songs, and rivals "The Way" for one of the funkiest bass line ever. Her commitment to socially conscious music in her first albums was a stark contrast to most of the music being played in the early 1990s and it's what drew me in. In the 12 albums after Plantation Lullabies, we've seen her span the genres of funk, soul, jazz, hip hop, reggae and rock. Her music has become more and more introspective, less bombastic, funky and technical, and more sophisticated, nuanced and considered. "Weather" is my favorite Meshell album--the bass line in "La Petite Mort" is so simple but amazingly effective for setting the mood of the song. I could go on and on about Meshell. She's a musician's musician, and woefully unsung. If you get the chance to see her live, do it. You'll be glad you did.

[@kellyvibert7861]

The tune before this is better to pull apart .......I dare you to press back and decide if you should have listened to that whole album, and her other recordings are even more worth listening to, props for shouting her, she's a beautiful musican and that song is wonderful and one of my favourites