Did Joe Dart RIP OFF Chic?!
Today we’re giving you a mini-history lesson on a bass playing masterpiece by Chic’s Bernard Edwards, and what Joe Dart may have borrowed to take a famous Vulfpeck track to the next level. Revered for his funky feel and super-tight right-hand technique, Joe Dart is one of the best bass players today - enter Vulfpeck’s 3 on E.
Vulfpeck’s 3 on E is a celebration of the repeated use of the bass guitar’s low E in hit songs throughout the years, well-known examples being Another One Bites The Dust by Queen and Chic’s Good Times. In the lyrics, frontman Jack Stratton describes the phenomenon as “an ancient secret that’s been passed down orally” and “a simple bass notation beneficial to your health.
This is a super funky and beautifully syncopated rhythm track that’s built around bassist Joe Dart’s infectious bass hook. As the title suggests, it isn't the most harmonically complicated bassline in the universe, but you can learn a lot from focusing on how to take those big chunky low notes and make them funky! The fills in bars 2 and 4 are fantastic examples of what you can do with some simple scale choices combined with the right energy and groove. The staccato notes should be played ‘clipped’ in order to achieve the same vibe that Joe has here.
