Hair (Graham Central Station) - Funkiest SLAP Bass Riff Ever! (Tabs +Tutorial)

[@talkingbasslessons]

Remember to let me know what you think is the funkiest SLAP bass riff ever! Check out the track and tabs here: www.talkingbass.net/the-funkiest-slap-bass-riff-ever/

[@wynnwesley33]

Stevie Wonder: Superstitious

[@refbassist]

Can’t say the funckies but ine of the greatest is “what is hip”.

[@Funkstar124]

Totally be "43" by Level 42

[@talkingbasslessons]

@@refbassist That's not a slap riff

[@talkingbasslessons]

@@Funkstar124 Check out my lesson on 43. Just search 43 bass lesson and you'll see it.

[@wtcornet]

Larry always understood the use of space in his bass lines. A concept that eludes many today.

[@cursedcliff7562]

Are you implying more notes=/= more skill? Blasphemy

[@petercane6890]

You will not find a better bass teacher globally. This guy can play and teach anything you throw at him. For the diverse in musical tastes, ask him nicely!!! To play the JS Bach prelude that he has transcribed from cello to bass. It will blow your mind. Cheers Mark. Pete. Australia.

[@schm4704]

... and some Marcus Miller and Motörhead to boot 😀

[@petercane6890]

@@schm4704... Yeah Spot on!!!!

[@patrickdavid6525]

Agree I think he's the most versatile bass player on earth seriously

[@brandonmalone1893]

The absolute best bass teacher on the internet

[@CuzCutz]

As much as I’ve listened to (for decades) Graham’s classic “Release Yourself”, and can’t quite grip what on earth (or beyond) he’s doing to make that damn song churn and drive like it does... indeed! If you can decipher that main groove into a lesson, your already proven bass Jedi skills will rightfully be further deemed astronomically invaluable!

[@andybuhaltor6725]

You're an awesome player and teacher...and man! you never fail to get an absolutely exquisite bass tone

[@refbassist]

I can play that slapping lick all day long and i will never get bored or tired, good job breaking it down

[@charlescowan6121]

Great lesson, Mark! I like to pop the first hammer on D-E. That's just what I hear whenever I listen to this track.

[@jakubturlinski7159]

Funk is not just a favourite bassline. I'd say it's a way of life

[@MrGoodnplenty1957]

by far Hair to me is the funkiest. close 2nd to me is Nathaniel Phillips "Glide" from the group Pleasure.

[@bassclefconnoisseur]

Thanks for the lesson, Mark! Though the riff is not a problem for me to play, it was the timing that I would foul up at times. Great explanation of where the "one" is!

[@Check-it-out]

I don't recommend learning any Mark King parts if you are mainly into funk. I did and by far my biggest enemy is the tendency to automatically keep hammering with my thumb after almost each note. Don't get me wrong, i like Mark King but his style relies on fast and automatic patterns while Funk is way more off-beat. Anyway. I have the notes now. Wow ! That took a while. Now the rhythm.

[@timakimat]

Les Claypool’s Holy Mackerel is dead simple but hypnotic.

[@questelohim...]

Thanks, man. really appreciate all that you do for all the Bassketeers‼️👍

[@EMTBTroy]

That is the funkiest riff ever! Thanks for the lesson!

[@briancherry8088]

The thing that stands out the most for me when listening to the track is the accents on the 2nd beat. The two-EE-and-AH, I think. The FEEL of this song is way more complicated than the notes.

[@dxsmith4639]

Excellent! Thanks, Mark! I had been hoping you would cover this song in a tutorial. If I could make a request, I would definitely like to see a video explaining how you set your bass and amp to achieve such an awesome tone for slap.

[@herrizonhinos1238]

Best teacher cheers!

[@t.j.meechan682]

This is going to be playing on repeat til i get it down! Thanks for this lesson sir!

[@RC32Smiths01]

I see Funky Slap Bass, I click! Cheers for this lesson!

[@rickschnur8600]

Great lesson Mark, thanks!

[@jacklambert4958]

Thank you Mark for the lesson. The one song that I think is really funky is “Disco Inferno” by The Tramps. I believe that would be a great lesson. Thanks again Mark.

[@bathroomcarpet7198]

0:32 ah, the sound of new strings!

[@blackromulan]

My favorite slapper is Mark King, so my favorite Mark King slap bass line would be Love Games (because I can actually play it (thanks to a little help from Talking Bass)). BUT, right now I would say that right now my favorite overall slap bass line right now is Claypool's Tommy the Cat.

[@jimdep6542]

Doug Rauch, who played with Santana 72 and 73, Billy Cobham (Life and Times album) George Duke, Betty Davis , early Carly Simon, Lenny White's Venusian Summer, an allstar recording band called Giants (recorded in 72) and others was THE funkiest bass player I've ever heard. Sadly, he died in 1979 in SF of a drug overdose. When he was playing around Greenwich Village , NY in various groups such as "The Voices of East Harlem" in the late 60's, he was known for using his double thumbing technique and slapping even before Larry Graham became known for it...but that's debatable. Doug played some nasty funk with timing and technique I've never seen duplicated.

[@diegotorres722]

Thanks for your videos man I learned so much bass.👍👍💪💪💪

[@johnhufton5787]

Great lesson Mark, thank you. Such a funky bass line. I’m having trouble muting the E string when doing the pops on G to G# and C# to D. Any suggestions on technique here? Thanks again.

[@bergjohnson5273]

Excellent lesson as always. Here is a funky suggestion. The Billy Cobham and George Duke Band. "Hip Pockets" Bassist - Alphonso Johnson. P.S. Oh, definitely one of the funkiest bass lines ever.

[@talkingbasslessons]

Alphonso is a BEAST! Love it!

[@Tx72everywhere]

Some day, I hope you do a lesson on "Release Yourself" by Graham Central Station. So there's a proper source for people who want to learn it. Keep up the great work!

[@feldspar1333]

I absolutely love the bass break in 24-7 Spyz version of Jungle Boogie. Relatively simple (I think)... is there any chance you could discuss what he is doing there? Love your lessons!!!!

[@Shamanmanwow]

@ 4:27 (and other spots later) the tab notation says 5thfret E string to 5th* A string - which is (as u play it) 7th fret on D string, octave. Small detail of course, just mentioning it, amazing lesson as always otherwise , first one i've seen address the "feel" of it being different . :)

[@robinmarsh3076]

Filiosp may I ask the another few slap lines you like as you mention your 'top 3' I would love to know so I can learn some more! Thanks

[@Shamanmanwow]

​@@robinmarsh3076 Mr Pink by Level 42, ) Thankyou Falletinme Be Mice Elf Agin - Sly & The Family Stone, Detroit by Marcus Miller. All 3 of these bands/bassists have great slap lines in a lot of their songs. (Papa Grows Funk - Do U Want It also has a relatively simple/minimal but groovy af slap line.)

[@markslesarev5024]

the funkiest riff, thank you Mark!

[@Phaidrus]

"Overpowered by Funk" by The Clash (probably with Norman Watt-Roy on bass).

[@AngieTaylor-l4j]

so good! thanks!

[@robinmarsh3076]

Can't wait

[@xingyibeast]

Cool, I have time to run an errand, and get back home in time to watch this live...

[@jamiewilson2284]

"I need a man" by The pointer sisters doesn't get mentioned enough. Great bass line

[@joannmannello9158]

killer tone! recommended strings?

[@marshallbenjamin5319]

It not possible fela kuti its such a nice bass riff NWEKE ATIFOH he was awsome bassist

[@botygray]

One better by les clay pool Is by far my favorite funky riff

[@wizknight1444]

Wow, you're really inspiring.

[@devi5048]

When will you cover AEROPLANE by RHCP

[@blackmagic6700]

piease show me the note you playing on video possible ? each note red color thets playd

[@contemplax9941]

amazing stuff

[@kreativmadness4666]

Me: showing off bass skills Talking bass: teaches me how to show off 😂😂

[@CornholioDK]

Prince... Lets work is pretty funky..

[@AugustineMotiar]

Dam man that was hard core. love that riff. you busted that out with attitude, but let me please ask.. and this is with a BIG please. please give us a break down "Open Up" By Chic

[@playsbass1969]

THE JAM HAIR AND GCS

[@trites11]

The Awakening - The Reddings / Les Claypool

[@jdubbjazzbass]

Favorite bass riff or bass line is from a song called glide,it came out in the latter 70s by a group called pleasure,as a matter of fact,les claypool tried to copy it.......

[@talkingbasslessons]

Check out the Essential Slap Riffs at Talkingbass (in the Practice Room). Already shown it along with 19 others. Awesome riff.

[@diegotorres722]

My favorite bass line is: never too much by Marcus Miller

[@bramk6720]

Stage fright by chic has one of the funkiest basslines i know

[@leosetpochet]

Marcus Miller, Power of Soul

[@daveh3682]

We want the show! We want the show!

[@samsoniummcgee1030]

am I the only one hearing a ghost note right before the alternating open E/ 5th and 7th A string part that isn't in the tabs?

[@justincole5074]

Marcus Miller- Power

[@bennszulottbalna]

Marcus Miller - Power :) hands down

[@fitforjesus8882]

Come right now by Josh ham check it out

[@ethanlocke3604]

The funkiest slap riff is from Down the Wire by Spyro Gyra. It’s fantastic

[@ethanlocke3604]

You should do a video of it man

[@rclspin]

Glide, by the group Pleasure

[@talkingbasslessons]

Glide is a great riff. It's there in the Essential Slap Riffs at Talkingbass (in the practice room).

[@billhicks7034]

Primus - Tommy the cat. Or les claypool, off. Of whales and woe - the phantom patriot/ iowan gal

[@garrybobbyphogeson721]

What did he say victor wooten

[@levijones8131]

Same album....Tell Me What It Is?!

[@DanButcher303]

Marcus Miller's Detroit is pretty darn funky....

[@faouzi1896]

Mark king love games 👍👍👍🔥🔥🔥

[@talkingbasslessons]

Give my Top 5 Must Know Slap Riffs lesson a look. Love Games is in there.

[@faouzi1896]

@@talkingbasslessons sorry i m french 😭😂😂 You re the best ! Continue, excellente pédagogie.

[@Harryjohnson689]

The temptations shakey ground

[@DarkShaman667]

Funkiest Slap Bass Riff Ever ... Why can I think of nothing but ブラック￥パワーGメンスパイ by マキシマムザホルモン? Does that count?

[@b.keithlogan1705]

Glide by Pleasure

[@PUREpopcornskage42]

Wouldn't 'evergreens' as RHCP californication & dani california be good for any level up to intermediate, Even though they are known for key changes and not being that easily analizable - at least for intermediate and lower levels.

[@talkingbasslessons]

both great. Key changes and analysis aren't a problem. They are both VERY simple from an analysis perspective.

[@PUREpopcornskage42]

@@talkingbasslessons thanks for the respond. Yes, I believe you to be right, however, I, for myself, know for sure that I don't have a good fundament for music analysis. (I do understand chords progression, sadly a few of these simple things - as you say- fly over My head!) BTW How should I work on simple song analysis for being to play any simple- intermidiate skilled song? Thanks again, any suggestions are appreciated! (you have some videos on this right?)

[@kakenn20]

Wowww thanks

[@jameswilliams-jk6mi]

Larry Graham The Jam!!!!

[@talkingbasslessons]

@@jameswilliams-jk6mi Love it!

[@TheSamoanWatchman]

Pow Graham central station

[@talkingbasslessons]

Already done a big breakdown of Pow you might like. Check it out.

[@LeoNovel]

👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@kahwigulum]

I'd Rather Be With You by Bootsy Collins

[@Generalbas1972]

Hair is not Larry Graham's funkiest bassline. The Jam, POW, Now-D-U-Wanta Dance are all funkier than Hair. Actually Zapp Zapp made a cover of Hair where it's even more funky than Larry Graham's own version

[@ilanelkarat]

Wilbur Bascomb obn Hair sountrack

[@tarkdundar6336]

Heeeeee by graham central station

[@luisbrito4384]

Hylife by marcusmiller

[@blamelouis]

Run for cover

[@talkingbasslessons]

Have you seen my huge breakdown of Run For Cover yet?

[@gabrielespinoza5269]

Hmm, interesting. You and Scott Devine play it a little bit differently

[@sonsofmedusa]

KOOL

[@Check-it-out]

It's not really a riff but... Have a look at this solo. Utterly otherworldly. And loot at the expression on his face ! Martcus just went berserk ! If you could reverse engineer it and cut it into smaller parts, that would be awesome ! If not, you have at least seen Marcus Miller's best solo ever. kzbin.info/www/bejne/gV7CdWiYpcp5Z7s

[@aavila1206]

Primus Spaghetti Western is the Funkiest Primus song

[@blackmagic6700]

a like Larry,a wanna play a have a music man too when a need help a contact you ok?

[@Babiebrother]

Never Too Much..........Marcus Miller/Luther Vandross

[@km1842]

You can top an "Original". i.e. Larry Graham....Ray Charles.....James Brown.....

[@ethanlocke3604]

I like the zoom ins. Editing is a pain

[@ivanmicallef5962]

You can't hold no groove . Victor Wooten

[@brandonmalone1893]

The absolute best bass teacher on the internet