Top 5 Steely Dan Bass Lines | Chuck Rainey | Julia Hofer | Thomann

Today Julia plays her favorite Steely Dan Bass Lines!
Most of them masterfully recorded by the one and only Chuck Rainey!
What's your favorite Steely Dan Bass Line or Song?
Gear used: www.thomann.de/de/sandberg_ca...
Recorded in Presonus Studio One: bit.ly/S1Pro6
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[@davidofpiano423]

Wow... it's so rare that you hear people playing over a recording who can capture the feel and nuance of the performance as well as this. You're right in the pocket! Fantastic.

[@michaelanthony9068]

I’ve loved Steely Dan my whole life (I’m 65 now) as a guitarist, but bass has become my primary instrument for 4 yrs now, and I need to listen to all the Steely Dan albums again for the bass parts. How incredibly clever these bass parts are ! Thank you Julia, brilliant playing !

[@kingkrimson8771]

Who are you trying to fool Michael Anthony you played bass in Van Halen for a lot of years 😆

[@oleran4569]

Julia has such great taste in music!

[@Mark-db1ok]

Welcome to the bass! Man there are so many intricacies to Chuck's playing you'll have a blast with it.

[@Barry101er]

Here is a good resource (for newish and oldish) bass players: Real Bass Lesson, Jim Stinnet. www.youtube.com/@realbasslessons9356

[@Mark-db1ok]

@@Barry101er This is awesome, thanks for sharing!

[@gaspowertoys]

The slap section on Peg is the iconic part and the hardest to do authentically. Showcase that! “They never knew it went down” is my favorite Chuck Rainey quote.

[@tokingreens]

Yes! He had been instructed to not do any slap and pop style. I remember reading that he just turn his chair and cheated that part. One of the best.

[@danmorrison8194]

The older I get the more impressed I get with players like Chuck Rainey and Steve Gadd. It’s not the number of notes; it’s all about the right notes and feel.

[@TXLogic]

💯

[@mr.steinhaus6014]

And that *click*

[@Snarkapotamus]

@@mr.steinhaus6014 - Obscure, but I know what you're talking about!

[@mr.steinhaus6014]

@@Snarkapotamus Aja!

[@szrnkabela]

Chuck Rainey + Bernard Purdie = huge massive basis for Vulfpeck rhythm pairings.

[@patriciabrooks6715]

My favorite is Hey 19

[@aaronhoffmeyer]

Rainey + Purdie = OMG

[@DoctorWho8]

"He's on the record!" Jack Stratton on Purdie when Bernard played with Vulfpeck for 4 nights in New York City & Brooklyn in 2016.

[@betodaval]

YES!

[@KCVini]

Fo SHO! 🔥

[@weshard1]

I love Steely Dan, and I love Julia. She’s an amazing player, and looks like she feels every note she plays.

[@Barry101er]

My fave, not an album track, just released as a single at the time; "FM (No Static at All)” , with Walter Becker on bass. From the soundtrack for the film “FM”, 1977.

[@joelemerou3487]

Groovest song ever!

[@Twobarpsi]

Yes!

[@jh4freedom2]

Among my favorites too, can't just limit myself to one Steely Dan favorite tune!

[@Barry101er]

@@jh4freedom2 Also, lots of good bass on Fagen’s 1st solo LP, "The Nightfly", from 1982. All the usual suspects!

[@ZonkerRoberts]

Yeah! Walter Becker was an actual bass player as well as a guitar player. That's NOT the same thing as a guitar player who sometimes plays bass. If you know what i mean you know what I mean ;-)

[@ronnywilson2112]

Steely Dan was a very versatile band that literally plays in between Rock, Jazz, Funk, Soul and Rhythm & Blues. Wonderful band, great musicians. Sad that there are no more bands like them.

[@billsherrington5996]

Check out the band Monkey House. Very Dan like👍🏽

[@ronnywilson2112]

@@billsherrington5996 ok thanks I will

[@thomasreuter1968]

@@ronnywilson2112 So will I. Thanks a lot, Bill! Haven't heard of them before.🤔

[@tenthletter2678]

@@billsherrington5996 aside from cringey vocals and sappy-arse lyrics.....tight band though

[@tazmankb26]

Check out Tedeschi Trucks Band. When Derek Trucks was interviewed and ask what genre of music he plays he simple said 'all'

[@mishkac4959]

Anthony Jackson on Glamor Profession is simply phenomenal. Would love to hear you break that one down, it's so unique

[@Weshopwizard]

Truth. Incredible!!

[@ootrip40]

YES! hands down my all-time favourite. More tricky to play well then you would think

[@txa1265]

Anthony Jackson is another amazing and underrated bass player!

[@jamesconroy4467]

Anthony also recorded a bass part for the title track Gaucho. He said that it was one of his favourite tracks he's ever done and he was really proud of what he came up with on that track, but felt he needed to come back in another day and re-record it to get it perfect. They instead ended up getting Walter Becker to record the bass part and the original Anthony part is lost forever.

[@PhilUKNet]

Good shout. An amazing bassist. He did some incredible work with Al DiMeola and has played with many great artists.

[@chemicaltwin]

Always a great day when a new video from Julia shows up!

[@badxxxmonkey5541]

Yes

[@djinnmagik]

I agree! I LOVE JULIA

[@numerouno4168]

Yeah she had to get her stank face on to lay out those Rainey riffs!

[@chemicaltwin]

@@numerouno4168 😂 If you don’t have bass face… are you really playing the bass?

[@marcom8658]

As long as you don't have resting bass face. Or is that a good thing?

[@bazgolin1036]

Julia ‘Rainey’- you’ve got a lot of Chuck in those fingers! Great songs, great touch. Superb!🎶🎶🎶

[@michaelmagee6538]

Steely Dan music is just so inexplicable! Some of the most funky and smooth lines ever recorded . Richly complex using simple chord changes and progressions. I never get tired of these songs ! And nice job dissecting the bass lines !

[@drothberg3]

Steely Dan chord changes and progressions are not at all simple!

[@michaelstusiak5902]

Fantastic job. You are exceptional. My favorite Steely Dan song is My Old School.

[@MacXpert74]

@@drothberg3 Haha, I was going to say the same thing. I agree with Michael on the 'funky and smooth lines' but simple chord progressions? Not really. Just listen to the intro of a track like Deacon Blues. Or the rich and complex chords in a song like Babylon sisters. Nothing simple about it.

[@ElSantoLuchador]

Simple chord changes? I don't think so. As an average musician I can say with confidence that almost everything they do is intricate and complicated. These are jazz progressions, not four chord rock progressions.

[@BrooksSmith]

Julia, I love everything you play, but that rendition of Peg is outstanding! It's like the spirit of Chuck Rainey jumped inside your body and just started playing.

[@Peter_S_]

Julia & Steely Dan? What an excellent way to start the day!

[@mandelagindo]

All great bass lines! I also like the bass line from "The Fez".

[@robertwheeler4068]

DITTO!!! Solid in the pocket bass and drum groove!!

[@davegarski1548]

Chuck Rainey (Steely Dan - Aja) was one of the very first albums I starting practicing bass to, way back in 1978. Had no idea back then that that album would be such a monster. I just practiced the music because I loved it. Excellent covers on these song, Julia.

[@szrnkabela]

That's not an easy start at all! Respect

[@coyreliford730]

I love the way you play its fantastic and a complete joy to watch,Thank you and keep on grooving.

[@alexandremello6913]

The truth is that any musician you can pick from a Steely Dan session or concert will be a master. I am a drummer and this band has always been a huge inspiration and influence (well... Colaiuta, Purdie, Carlock, Marottta, Porcaro... how not to be inspired?). I was lucky to see Tom Barney with SD live in 2008 and he just killed it. Thanks for a great video.

[@strat0871]

I learned all these basslines decades ago, still love them ! Steely Dan is still my preferred band today ! I saw them live in Paris few years ago, it was fantastic. RIP Walter Becker.

[@philliplarson8005]

Steely Dan has been one of my all time favorite groups since their first release in 1972. Most of their songs are my favorites, but Babylon Sisters and Deacon Blues are some of their best.

[@PonchoGreg]

Jesus, you absolutely KILLED the Peg lines. Incredible groove, so in the pocket. Great stuff.

[@GioSinatraFan]

Gotta tell you, Julia never disappoints. Nailed it again.

[@StuartdeHaro]

My favorites are probably FM and Dirty Work. There are so many great Steely Dan songs to choose from though.

[@brettdrought6181]

I always thought that the Steely Dan tune that showcased the sound of the time was their title cut from the movie "FM". It presented everything in the music of the time straight at you with no denying any of the instruments.

[@loiseaunoir1021]

Julia it's a lot of fun watching you play those, very instructive

[@mhlevy]

There's a really fantastic documentary on the recording of Aja, where they reassembled the musician who performed on the album for interviews and then they played some of the tracks live as well. When they interviewed Chuck about the song "Peg," he said that Donald and Walter didn't want him to play slap bass on the song, so while laying down the track, he sort of hid himself, with his back to the control room and got down behind an acoustic panel so they couldn't see what he was doing. Chuck's quote, "it's about the music" was a great example of that. He knew that the limited, tasteful slapping in that song not only worked, but was perfect for the song.

[@gdj6298]

...and he said "They never knew"....knowing Becker and Fagen, I don't believe that for a moment . But they must have realised it worked !

[@dwm1156]

Great doc, can confirm!

[@ChrisFrancis-dr6ob]

Absolutely one of my favourite bits of Dan trivia 😂 Chuck Rainey invents the "funk partition"!

[@tim0391]

‘Home at last’ was so smooth - the tone is amazing

[@mangroovya]

I think these videos could be uploaded as podcasts too and you could also create a super spotify playlist where you add all Julia's choices 🤩

[@Thorsten_Kueppers]

Oh yes that'll be great!!

[@szrnkabela]

Bin dafür

[@kimhebert9905]

Thx Julia,another great video 🎶🎶👍

[@Al69BfR]

Steely Dan is a must hear for all musicians wether they are playing Bass, drums, keys or guitar. Kid Charlemagne for instance has one of the greatest guitar solos of all time played by Larry Carlton. 😊

[@KCVini]

❤️ Negative Girl. The ambiance, the use of space, and a fascinating lyrical story.

[@vincegotera]

I'm in a band where we play some Steely Dan, such as "Josie," "Pretzel Logic" and "Don't Take Me Alive." I love playing those bass parts and was glad to see "Josie" represented here. Great bass playing, Julia!

[@TonyWeesner-ok2pp]

So good to see younger people playing these great songs.

[@jerryhorton5708]

What a terrific video! Steely Dan and Stevie Wonder always had the most intricate and beautiful rhythm sections, which you’ve showcased wonderfully!

[@like2view]

I'm not even a bass player, but I enjoy listening to you! Thank you Julia, brilliant playing !

[@alparkerjr5048]

Jack of speed. The baseline is out of this world can't remember who played the base on this song but they are phenomenal.

[@zabarisquest9508]

Yesss, killer bass line

[@ianslater5550]

Walter Becker.

[@alparkerjr5048]

Well that explains it. Totally flawless. I think I'll write a movie screen play based on the song. Anyone want to collaborate with me? just drop me a reply. Long lives the "Dan"

[@dugaldhutchings404]

Walter played all bass parts on the whole album.

[@who9900]

He played bass on the majority of the album, but Tom Barney played on three tracks.

[@PeteCarlton]

Such great tunes, so well played by Julia. My favourite Steely Dan track though is on Donald Fagen's classic "solo" album, The Nightfly, and it's the track "New Frontier", bass by Abe Laboriel (worth a Julia "Top 5 Lines video in his own right?) - Chuck Rainey plays on one of my other favourite songs, "Green Flower Street", both wonderful tracks and highly recommended.

[@szrnkabela]

Nightfly had Abe Laboriel, Rainey, Marcus Miller, the dream team for the time. Some tracks featured multiple basslines. It's absolutely unique and I know a very good playthrough/analysis video about those 9 tracks.

[@WimRijksen]

Danke Julia! I've been a fan of Steely Dan for years and that 'Peg' bassline has been my favourite for years. Well done!

[@brunobornat2353]

hi Julia, a nice bass part and a nice title, hey nineteen '' on the album ''gaucho'', steely dan, being my favorite band, I could have put 300 titles Congratulations to you for your channel, kisses from France

[@joemartucci4786]

Always loved his bass playing. Great tone, busy but not to busy. Bass playing on their albums are among my favorites besides mid era Beatles.

[@bmwtravel1100]

what a treat for us mere mortals to see/hear Julia play these pieces. More please!

[@knarf_]

Great play by Julia. I have to say that I subscribed to this Thomann KZbin because of Julia... 😍 All the best knarf from France 🎸 🇨🇵

[@Oscaraha]

I just discovered Steely Dan the last year, what a goldmine! Would have been really cool to see you do a top5 dedicated to fivestring and one to synthbass, or just keep up the good work. You are about as perfect as a bassplayer and youtuber can be, thanks a lot!

[@Rasscasse]

I envy you, you have so much to look forward to in discovering Steely Dan’s work. There is just so much good stuff to listen to. I can’t choose a favourite but I do really love Kid Charlemagne and Haitian divorce.

[@tonyarmentanobass8576]

Favorite Song is My Old School, and I love playing Rikki Don't Lose that Number. Love all of the ones you played except the last one.

[@szrnkabela]

Also Walter Beckers line

[@danielpalmersofficial]

I love “Steely Dan”, they’ve made amazing songs. ✌️☺️

[@lpwwindley]

The bass line in Green Earrings is one of my faves. Would love to see Julia do her top 5 Bruce Thomas of the Attractions bass lines.

[@dwm1156]

One of my favourite bass players too, very tasteful.

[@markjames8664]

Steely Dan had such amazing musicians in the studio, all top tier.

[@franklineno8616]

In the nicest possible way,your bad with that bass in your hands Julia,haven't watched you for a while, but as ever,when I do my ears get truly blessed,greatly appreciated...

[@randallsherman1309]

One of the coolest bass lines of any Steely Dan song is also one of the simplest - I've loved the bass line to "Chain Lightning" since the first time I heard it, way back in the 70's (yes, I'm old) and it was the first SD bass line I learned to play.

[@meloysmusicstudio]

Awesome! I saw Chuck Rainey play at a music store in Texas nearly 30 years ago - great musician and a cool guy

[@philoneill9399]

I was a teenager playing in a band when the royal scam came out, our bass player loved playing kid Charlemagne and I have loved Dan’s music ever since. At the time we thought the musicians playing on steely dan albums were good but as the years rolled by you realise what giants of the music scene these guys really were. Thank you for playing these classic songs and I have subscribed to catch more of your playing 👍

[@jimcerenio4392]

Gee!, you make it look so easy. Steely Dan fan for years and ever, Aja, Home at last and of course Peg. Thanks for the Bass Lines...ALOHA!

[@BrentOlsen]

Thanks so much Julia, I love your videos. I think my favorite CR bass line was the one on "Woody and Dutch on the Slow Train to Peking" by Rickie Lee Jones from her album "Pirates." These SD examples really were great though.

[@JulesStoop]

Fabulous! One of the few bands/artists I have been listening to for all my life.

[@dinohuss9054]

You nailed it.

[@robertreynolds9607]

I like so many Steely Dan songs that I can't name a favorite, but I could listen to your bass playing all day long. You really are a great musician!

[@Bassman1999]

Excellent......Chuck R is amazing. You have really done these lines justice...great job ! The bass line for Peg never fails to make me smile...brilliance !

[@nolarino]

Hello my favorite song from them is Do it again, but must say I do love all all of them.

[@elchiquifru]

So many wonderful Dan songs but that bass in in Gaucho’s Glamour Profession is fantastic! Enjoyed your video!

[@totalrobot]

YESSSS!!! Steely Dan bass video I'm in heaven!!!

[@Gibson_ES-330TDC]

Steely Dan had so many great bass lines, I could never pick only 5 to be the top. I don't think this one was mentioned but Deacon Blues is one that's up there for me.

[@diamonddog13]

Yes. I believe WB himself played bass on that one.

[@jamesbaskin8616]

Josie not only one of SD favs, It's one of my all time fav rock bass lines. Right up there with Jaco on Hissing of Summer Lawns.

[@markdaniels7174]

Jaco wasn’t on Hissing of Summer Lawns, the album or the song. Are you thinking of the live version of “In France They Kiss on Main Street,” which was *originally* on Summer Lawns? If so, I’m totally with you. That live version with Jaco is one of my absolute favorite Jaco lines.

[@donvape336]

This is great. Maybe I can get away from Rush for a while. I just can't seem to stop playing it. Thank you so much.

[@sonicart1808]

Masters of their craft..... You picked some gems for sure, I also love "Glamour Profession" from the "Gaucho" album.... you're killing it here Julia, bravo!

[@Rasscasse]

Nice comment. Fine point to make, if it’s a man you say Bravo if it’s a girl you say Brava 👌

[@sonicart1808]

@@Rasscasse I didn't know that! Thanks for the info Chris....

[@johnnyzbass]

Heading towards 73 Steely Dan have been my favourite band for 50+ years, I love the bass lines, and still play along to them. Thank you.

[@duffypratt]

I love the simplicity and funkiness of Hey Nineteen. Could hardly be any simpler, yet it drives the entire song.

[@WalterDiamond]

Nice to see/hear some love for Tom Barney! Well done! (Chuck is obviously a GOAT)

[@michaelanthony9068]

Thank you for highlighting these incredibly clever bass lines. Home At Last has in each measure such a original and creative part.

[@vinburkard2858]

Steely Dan does have funky tendencies and they come from chuck rainy and really comes out in isolation which you show perfectly and as a drummer you make it look easy I’m sure you would be good in some of their Latin grooves they have in their early albums great job Julia

[@ChrisCampbell_AZ]

Love "Night by Night" and "Daddy Don't Live in That New York City No More" . Great bass playing in covering these songs. Love Steely Dan!

[@chriswright2553]

I second your choices. Night by Night is superbly arranged and played.

[@deeberdave8190]

Great playing Julia! Great choice of songs also. I love Steely Dan, I grew up listening to them, they're somewhat lost now, but well worth a listen, phenomenal guitar and keyboard work as well!

[@toddh4491]

This is the gold! So nice to hear these amazing lines better isolated. Great video.

[@suijuris7921]

I knew Josie was going to be one of them. I started a Steely Dan tribute band and the guitarist told the Bassist he loves that bass line. I agreed with him.

[@Paula-ec3hv]

Those Steely Dan albums with Chuck Rainey, the bass playing is incredibly melodic. I did not do homework after school. I listened and played to every Steely Dan album.

[@TheDanVault]

Love it! Glad you included a bassline from their later stuff!

[@jackv2244]

Aja was their best album, tight bass playing Julia, Chuck was a beast, and Peg was my song

[@erik7654]

Love Two Against Nature. Glad it made the list.

[@trustnugget280]

That seires of licks at 4:55 are really something else. One of my favourite parts of any bass line.

[@kevinaldridge]

Too many outstanding songs to pick a favourite but it was great to see the bass lines to these Steely Dan songs being played, and played so well. Thank you❤⭐️

[@wallo79]

It’s always a joy listening to Steely Dan Bass and everyone in those records

[@georgespencer3973]

One of my favorites of your videos, Julia. I hope to be as fluent as you someday!

[@nicolajones3643]

Love Steely Dan reminds me of my young carefree days❤️thank you for these beautiful bass lines Julia xx

[@untexan]

Negative Girl is my favorite “new” Steely Dan song. The full bass line is absolutely WILD

[@MacXpert74]

I agree, it more than other tracks on that album has a classic Dan feel to it with beautifully complex harmonies!

[@Fuff63]

Bravo Julia! Excellent. Enjoyed this.

[@Speedplay1]

One of my favorite Dan songs seldom gets played but has a great bass line: "Chain Lightening."

[@chriswright2553]

Not to mention the ridiculously awesome harmonies 😀

[@ralphbello5292]

Great playing Julia!! Chuck Rainey is inspirational, as are you.

[@cskeise]

Love peg, you got me dancing. You know I love your playlist...💙👊😎

[@ltakallen]

This is One of My ALL TIME Favorite Bands!!! Thank You for this Julia 😊. Love what You Do!

[@emeathooks]

There's an interesting set of videos on the making of "Peg". They interview Chuck Rainey who said they didn't want him slapping, so he made sure to turn slightly away so they couldn't see him and he slapped anyway. It's so subtle on the song it's hard to tell.

[@xmomus]

Well-balanced sound, skillful and beautiful Julia, thank you.

[@xiansamurai774]

I'm not even a bass player, but I enjoy every one of your videos. Danke! macht jedesmal richtig Spaß

[@xuled]

Great video. For me "Fire in the hole" is one of their best songs...

[@johnurbanski3128]

Outstanding Julia! Groove for Days! Chuck is one of my favorites as well.

[@andrewpinner3181]

Thanks Julia, well covered (as always). l think 'Josie' is one of my fave basslines from Steely Dan.

[@PooNinja]

Josie comes home is a great tune 🤘🏽

[@paulwebendorfer5627]

Great list and well played, as always, Julia!

[@PhilMoskowitz]

I've always had a soft spot for Walter's bass on "Deacon Blues". It's a little bit ahead of the record, but helps move it along. A great counter-punch to the beautiful and haunting horn charts too.

[@charlieboylol527]

Great video and great taste in music ❤🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿👍🙏

[@srtcsb]

So good Julia! Absolutely love these. Thanks so much. 😎👍

[@IvanovBR]

Great as always!!!!!

[@lylelehman3456]

For relatively small hands, you get around that jazz neck very well. Shows many hours of practice and dedication.

[@richb4099]

I could not agree with you more.....I am a huge SD fan and the bass lines are fantastic....You do a great job playing them.....