※ Within the sheet music below, clicking the "play" button will generate audio.
Tempo can also be adjusted.
Bassline Lesson (Beginner/Intermediate)
Do you ever find yourself in a situation where you want to learn a bassline or play a song with a band but the bassline is a little tricky, and you're not sure how to proceed?
Not to worry. By simplifying the bassline to its most basic elements, we should be able to construct a very basic bassline for most songs.
Once you are comfortable with the simple bassline, we can gradually add in some of the trickier components.
Practicing this way adds a great benefit as this allows you to see the relationship between the chords and the bassline and provides some insight into how basslines can be constructed. This will help tremendously in jam session situations where you need to come up with basslines on the fly.
The actual "I Want You Back" bassline
Below is the sheet music for the actual bassline for "I Want You Back" (by The Jackson 5).
This is one of those iconic basslines that everyone instantly recognizes. It is super cool and fun to play. But there are a couple of tricky areas.
But even for beginners, there is no reason to give up.
First, let's simplify the bassline to it's most minimal component.
Level 1 - Play a Root Notes only bassline
So, how can we go about simplifying this bassline?
The answer is, you can start out by just playing the root note of each chord.
(The root note is the foundational note of the chord. The root notes for "C Major", "C Minor", "C7" etc. are all "C".)
Below is an example of a root not only bassline.
(For example, over the Ab chord, the note Ab is played. Over the Db chord, the note Db is played.)
If it's just root notes, with a little practice, even beginners should be able to get started. And even though it is simple, it does sound like a "bassline", don't you think?
If you approach tunes in this way being mindful of the chords, this will help you to understand how the song is constructed.
(It is ok to practice very slowly. In fact, practicing slowly is encouraged. When first practicing, it is ok if it is not in time. Try to play and articulate each note clearly. When you become comfortable at playing each note clearly, work on playing in time. Start at a slow tempo and gradually build up speed.)
Once you are comfortable with the root note only bassline, let's move on to the next bassline which includes a couple of pickup phrases and melodic phrases.
Level 2 - Add some rhythm and motion to the bassline
In bar 2, immediately preceding the F- chord in bar 3, there is a little "pickup" which leads up "chromatically" (one note at a time in succession) to the F. By playing an ascending chromatic line, this provides a sense of motion and interest. By landing on the F note in bar 3, this provides resolution both in terms of the note as well as the rhythm.
Also, let's add the following phrase at the end of bar 4.
Already, this is becoming a solid bassline!
Level 3 - Add that "distinctive" phrase
Next, let's add the following phrase in bar 1.
It is a very distinct phrase.
It is a bit tricky, but by practicing slowly with repetition, you will get this!
If you've come this far, there is just one more step to go!
Level 4 - Complete the "ascending" phrase in bar 2
Lastly, if you can play the complete phrase in bar 2, you are done!
This may be the most difficult part of the bassline, but you are just one small step away.
