This week we’re looking at the awesome bass riff from the tune Cissy Strut by The Meters. This bass line was written and played by George Porter Jr. It’s fairly straightforward to play and great practice for laying down a solid funk groove.
Riff #1
Today we’ll be working through the two main riffs from Cissy strut. The A section and the B section. First of all here we have the A section:
Practice Track:
Riff #2
Next we have the A section:
Thanks for the lesson.
So simple, but so effective bass line. Was only thinking of this one the other day too.
Thanks for the lesson Mark, this is timed really well as I am at the end of module 1 of the bass fundamentals course so the arpeggio makes sense :-)
Hey, thank you for the lesson, Mark.
Here’s my suggestion: Flashlight by Parliament. It’s awesome!
Best wishes, Ben.
Super groovy! Would love to get your take on Use Me by Bill Withers. Thank you for another great lesson!
Fun groove. Thanx Mark
Really clear and easy to understand lessons
Great wee riff and easy to pick up.
Good job!! I would put u against any bass player or teachers!! Gifted teacher
Great lesson! Do u have a lesson for the other bass section of the song?
Hi Mark,
The first riff actually isn’t correct, George Porter was on SBL (9th Oct 19 on youtube) and Scott asked him to play it. Check out the end of the riff.
It’s not just you though – on another youtube lesson Josh Fossgreen plays the right notes, but the rhythm is out. Scotts earlier lesson is also wrong! (“The riff EVERY bass player gets wrong” – and he also gets it wrong)
Nope. That’s correct. Remember I work with Scott a lot so I’ve seen that video. It’s the rhythm that people get wrong. The only difference here between how I’m playing it and how he played it on the vid is the placement of the Eb at the 1st fret. But it’s the same note. You’re probably looking at the tab and neglecting the sheet music. I’m also ghosting on the A and D but you can play those either way. If you listen to the original he’s going between ghost notes and fretted notes when he feels like it. As I said, it’s the rhythm that he’s talking about.
What’s up Mark? Thank you so much for this video. A friend and I were trying to figure this song out. I had it one way and he had another way. I said, I know who will have it right! LOL! MARK WILL! It was driving me crazy to get the rhythm correct. I appreciate everything thing you do. I’ve learned more from you than anyone else. You’re a great player and teacher.
Great lesson and a great groove . Thanks for posting .
Would it be possible for you to cover soulshine by the Allman brothers?
I just want to thank you for covering this… I didn’t know people actually knew this song… I’m only 30 so it was before my time and I’m also a new Orleans native and I’ve met maybe 10 people that were familiar with this song or The Meters at all which is a tragedy Mr. George Porter Jr is an absolute beast and everyone should know his name… I got to see him jam with RHCP a few years ago and it was pure magic… I actually know Cyril Neville personally, who was the drummer of The Meters, and I know that’s not really relevant, I just like telling people cuz I cant believe mr Neville actually enjoys my company…
P.S. check out George Porter Jr. And The Runnin’ Pardners… (that’s not a typo it’s spelled phonetically, if you’re from New Orleans that’s is)
Really cool. Thanks!