Using Famous Basslines for Improvisation by Kelly Vieth

Using Famous Basslines for Improvisation:
Ice Ice Baby
vs.
Under Pressure

By Kelly Vieth

YouTube Videos of Queen, Vanilla Ice, and GREAT BASS LOOPS

Rock Band 3 – Under Pressure by Queen
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=moJc12qlISo
Queen & David Bowie Music Video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xtrEN-YKLBM

Justin Timberlake Remix - Ice Ice Baby
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WiWTuv3vkJ0&NR=1
Vanilla Ice “Sellout” – Interview with Ice-T
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NfW8HTXnYms&feature=related
Nuttin but Stringz
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZ78f1gUa5Q


The Lesson Plan (Day 1)

Introduce students to Video(s)
Give details about the repeated bass line: basso continuo, loop, ostinato, canon
Talk about history/background of both Queen’s version of “Under Pressure” - 1981
Talk about conflict when Vanilla Ice borrowed the famous bassline and “sold out” - 1990
Warm up with Copy Cat exercises, using syncopated rhythms on D string
Have students copy the bassline theme
Hand out sheet music and play!!! Which bassline seems more interesting? Which style would they rather play to: Rock n’ Roll OR Hip Hop
Show Nuttin’ but Stringz video - what similarities between videos??

The Lesson Plan cont’d (Day 2)

Show students the different websites where they can explore and improv rhythms/notes: - Phil Tulga - www.philtulga.com
- Google Guitar Doodle
- any others??
Turn on GarageBand and show different effects, loops, synthesizers, etc. Play for them variation of “Ice Ice Baby”
Use Copy Cat warm ups while playing either loop in the background!!

The goal of this exercise is to have students THINK about introducing a bass line to their own practice, to use their creativity during class and at home, and to be able to IMPROV to a groove through guided warm ups. Students can have fun looking up their own loops or writing their own! Electric instruments can be used or their “classical” instruments.

Websites for Student Composition/Improv

Google Guitar Doodle – try to play bass line with technology…download??
http://webscopia.com/2011/06/download-the-google-guitar-doodle/

Phil Tulga - Fraction Pies
http://www.philtulga.com/pie.html


Phil Tulga - Musical Bars
http://www.philtulga.com/fractionbars.html