This week we’re looking at the cool fingerstyle funk bass riff from the song The Chinese Way by Level 42. I originally released a video breakdown of this bass riff a few years ago but have recently changed my method of both playing and teaching the line.
The Chinese Way
After watching a video of 1991 video of Level 42 on the Guaranteed tour playing the song at a crazy fast tempo I found my original way of playing the line just didn’t feel right. So I modified a few of the notes and fingerings and finally found something much closer to what Mark plays.
So in this lesson I’ll work through my new approach to the riff and compare both versions.
Thank you, Mark, for your invaluable time and experience providing Fantastic lessons! I have recently joined a gigging band (funk, rock, reggae, and pop) and my confidence and playing are increasing exponentially with your assistance!
There is so much on offer on the site that it is sometimes difficult not to ‘skip’ around because you realise that there is so much to put in place to become a knowledgeable player who is an asset to the group. who has great rhythm and developed their own solid style! Phew, I am having a Brilliant time and I firmly believe that now I have studied some of the harmonics and chord structures along with modes; it has gotten rid of the ‘nerves’ I used to feel before a show and I am thinking more clearly about what I am playing and for me more importantly, what else I can do to vary my riffs. Fantastic easy to understand and follow lessons. Thank yon again!
Jade Small
Thank you very much!
Small question… at the end of measure 4 going to the repeat at measure one, the A note is tied from the pick up measure.
How should I play this?
(I apologize if I missed this info in the video or audio parts)