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

[@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.

[@loiseaunoir1021]

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

[@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!

[@ronny-2112]

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👍🏽

[@ronny-2112]

@@billsherrington5996 ok thanks I will

[@thomasreuter1968]

@@ronny-2112 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'

[@PonchoGreg]

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

[@BobG127]

Julia, that was wonderful. You obviously "get" Steely Dan. There's a feel to their music that set them apart from others. I know that you were feeling it, too, when you closed your eyes, swayed your head, and smiled as you caressed all the right notes in just the right way out of your instruments. That's what music is all about. Thanks for sharing.

[@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?

[@weshard1]

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

[@Peter_S_]

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

[@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! 🔥

[@GioSinatraFan]

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

[@bazgolin1036]

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

[@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.

[@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.

[@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 ;-)

[@bmwtravel1100]

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

[@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.

[@tim0391]

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

[@Wyo070]

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.

[@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.

[@totalrobot]

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

[@Transterra55]

Brava, Julia....Greetings from Tennessee...

[@like2view]

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

[@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.

[@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!

[@paulgatton1785]

Great job!! I have played bass for 50 years now and really enjoy these timeless lines!

[@mandelagindo]

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

[@robertwheeler4068]

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

[@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...

[@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 👍

[@xray7908]

The Fez. Hand down, it's the bass line that makes me want to walk like an Egyptian waggling my head from side to side. It might be a bit simpler than some of the other bass lines, but it is irresistible.

[@KCVini]

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

[@buckbenelli8]

Thanks Julia.

[@Ithumpify]

Great Julia . Sometimes I couldn't figure his bass lines out because I couldn't hear them as good.

[@meloysmusicstudio]

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

[@margaretbehler4935]

Love me some Steely Dan! I love watching you play. You look like enjoy being the zone. My favorite are Deacon Blues and Do It Again. I remember loving Deacon Blues as a 10 year old. Little did I know that 13 years later i would become an Alabama fan!

[@wallo79]

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

[@scottfulps2065]

Brilliant. Absolutely brilliant.

[@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.

[@BIGeSTRING]

Julia your a beast on the bass. Really amazing

[@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"!

[@RobertSchein-iy1wq]

Thanks for the Steely Dan tribute, Deacon Blues and FM top my list.

[@markjames8664]

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

[@jerryhorton5708]

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

[@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!

[@JulesStoop]

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

[@RFToob]

Bravo Julia! Excellent. Enjoyed this.

[@badsneakers917]

The groove built by Chuck Rainey and Rick Marotta on "Peg" is one of the most beautiful things I've ever heard. Chuck Rainey might be my favorite bassist, definitely always in my top 3. Stand up guy, too.

[@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!

[@mlysupermom]

Julia You are an absolute master ….. just love love love and so respect your work !! I listened to a YT video interview with Becker & Fagan talking about Peg & included were Raineys comments about his contribution to the song …. Becker & Fagan insisted that Peg should be played just as beautifully as you have played it ….. however Rainey said …that song HAS to be played by slap ….. so I turned my chair away from them and slapped the song ….. it stayed on the cut !!! He slapped it so subtlety….it is yet another brilliant performance by CR !!!

[@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 🎸 🇨🇵

[@ralphbello5292]

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

[@WalterDiamond]

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

[@lylelehman3456]

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

[@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.

[@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.

[@elchiquifru]

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

[@BirdArvid]

I often bring Two Against Nature with me in the car and the track I play the most is Negative Girl; it's so Steely Dan! Yes, the bass-line, but also the fantastic guitar-part just floors me every time. I love different things about every Steely Dan song; it can be the drumming, the guitar- or bass-parts, the harmony-singing, and often Fagen's electric piano (Fender-Rhodes, I think?) like in Any Major Dude from Pretzel Logic; the piano os so tasty!! Vielen Dank, Julia, für dein tolles Spielen, und bitte; mehr videos für uns Feinschmecker!!

[@TheDanVault]

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

[@brunobarcone8345]

Complimenti Julia, brava, brava, bravissima

[@paulwebendorfer5627]

Great list and well played, as always, Julia!

[@twangoldenbass]

Love it Julia great feel

[@dinohuss9054]

You nailed it.

[@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.

[@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.

[@StuartdeHaro]

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

[@anthonysilva5312]

To me, this is one of my favourite bands. Timeless. Thank you

[@toddh4491]

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

[@donseagrave]

awesome julia

[@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 !

[@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

[@russellf4114]

Chuck Rainey - Peg... Chuck Rainey SLAYS!!!!! I love his playing and compositions. He knows what to play and where to put whatever is needed in the perfect place. He is a true player and master.

[@michaelanthony9068]

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

[@danielpalmersofficial]

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

[@srtcsb]

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

[@Da.Onus.Burger.618]

“Peg” is one of my all time favorites! It just keeps moving and moving and moving!

[@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.

[@johnurbanski3128]

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

[@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❤⭐️

[@Dyshof]

Excellent playing,

[@ltakallen]

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

[@KurtOBrown]

Those were all good, and I am know where near your talent set, but my favorite Steely Dan bass line is Glamour Profession. You my dear are phenomenal!

[@cskeise]

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

[@thomasmatthew4321]

Peg and Peg! Thanks Julia!

[@xiansamurai774]

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

[@PaulDavis-qm7to]

Great video, thanks, Julia. When you set the stage with Aja, I thought 'Black Cow' 😊

[@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.

[@jerseymoonshine]

Really nice job! Chuck Rainey would be proud. He once said his favorite Steely Dan song was Glamour Profession, on which he doesn’t even play. That would be the great Anthony Jackson and I think that’s my favorite Dan baseline. Would love to hear you take a crack at it.

[@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.

[@sneaquie8587]

Thanks for taking me back to my late teens, Julia. Have a great weekend!

[@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....

[@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.

[@mikeoneill7671]

Great Bass lines! Great playing! Lovely Basses!

[@billedwards2657]

Perfect playing and perfect stank bass face like Steely Dan requires. Fantastic!

[@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.

[@patrickweber7452]

Great video,thanks. “Night by night “ their best song. Great lyrics

[@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.

[@xmomus]

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