Online Bass Lessons

Hi everyone, If you wish to use this lockdown time to further your bass studies, then I am now offering online lessons. Please get in touch if you wish you develop your understanding of James Jamerson, or work on your bass playing in general. Whether you are a seasoned player or a complete beginner, I will work with you to tailor a comprehensive syllabus focused around your musical goals and...

Darling Dear - Jackson 5 (1970)

Hi all, So recently I decided to go through some of the oldest posts on the blog and update the videos. Well.. as this was my first analysis (way back in 2012!) I decided to give the whole thing an overhaul. It's such a great track, and a firm favourite amongst bass players, so I felt it deserved a...

Reflections - Diana Ross and The Supremes (1968)

Hello, Going to be taking a quick look at the track 'Reflections' by Diana Ross and The Supremes. I've decided not to do a full in-depth analysis of this one as it's quite straight forward, with Jamerson pretty much sticking to a root / fifth approach throughout the entire song. He links phrases together with some classic chromatic passing runs, and really just holds it down, grooving throughout....

At Last (I Found A Love) - Marvin Gaye (1968)

Just a quick analysis today… I stumbled across this song last week and set about transcribing it straight away. It’s a fairly unknown album track from Gaye’s 1968 album ‘Heard It Through The Grapevine’, but it has the most fantastic vocals and bass breakdown showcasing some stellar bass...

Reach Out I'll Be There - The Four Tops (1967)

I've had lots of emails and comments from people over the years asking me to analyse this particular song, and I can see why. One of his most famous lines, it's classic Jamerson through and through - taken from a great Motown track from the labels heyday. It also happens to be one of the more challenging...

Skype Lessons and Guest Contributors

I have decided to give the site a bit of an overhaul, both visually and in the way it works. From now on, Jamerson Analysed is open to guest contributors. Anyone who wants to get involved in the project is now able to, and can submit their own articles and cover videos to the website. Furthermore, I now offer lessons via Skype. This is obviously open to anyone who has an interest in Jamerson and...

Bernadette - The Four Tops (1967)

Hello everyone, So here is my analysis of Jamerson's playing on the Four Tops song 'Bernadette'. Coming from Jamersons late 60's heyday, this is just classic Jamerson through and through. Often held up with other songs like 'What's Going On', 'Darling Dear' and 'For Once In My Life', 'Bernadette' is...

I Heard it Through the Grapevine - Gladys Knight and the Pips (1967)

Hello, Today I will be looking at the Gladys Knight and the Pips song 'I Heard it Through the Grapevine'. Although Marvin Gaye's recording of this tune is far more famous, the bass line on this version is just fantastic. I have worked on this piece on and off for the last few years and I personally...

I'm Gonna Make You Love Me - Diana Ross & The Supremes & The Temptations (1968)

Hello everyone, During my study of Jamerson's work, I have started to notice two distinct approaches that he takes to a song. The first, and most well known, is his incredible ability to improvise over the chord changes. Songs such as 'For Once In My Life' and 'Darling Dear' and good examples of this,...

Ain't Nothing Like The Real Thing - Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell (1968)

Hello everyone, Sorry about the long period of silence but I have been finishing my degree! Now it is all done I can get back to more regularly posting on this blog. Today I will be analysing 'Ain't Nothing Like The Real Thing', the classic Gaye / Terrell track. A favourite of mine, it is a good example...

For Once In My Life - Stevie Wonder (1968)

I haven't posted in a while, but I have a few good ones lined up. What better place to start than one of my favourite Jamerson lines, 'For Once In My Life'. As usual, video link is at the bottom. Verse 1 After the guitar / drum intro, Jamerson strongly establishes the root of the F chord in the...