You know, the piano player can play a C chord on the piano, but it’s only a C chord if I play C on the bass. -Sting
In general, the role of the bass player is underestimated. They are never in the center, you often find them in the back and in general they do not really attract attention. I think it was high time that the bass gets more attention. Hence this series.
How do I select the songs? First and foremost, I look if I can learn something from it. Play along with songs is for me one of the best ways to delve into writing a good bass line. You learn to use the right chords, you discover new styles and you develop your own technique.
War Pigs is one of my favorite songs to play. You can find a lot of different bass covers of this song online. This does therefore not mean that there are a lot of bad ones to be found. Mainly Because, as a bass player, this song is ideal for experimenting. Just play along with the chords and go for it. You learn a lot by listening to what some make of it.
Since this is a bass cover, I have tried to play the bass lines that Geezer Butler used on the album.
Join me and play along. No words, just music!
Band: Black Sabbath
Song: War Pigs
Album: Paranoid
Released: 18 September 1970
Label: Vertigo
Songwriter(s): Tony Lommi, Ozzy Osbourne, Geezer Butler, Bill Ward
Producer: Rodger Bain
