The Commodores – Brick House 

Absolute classic bass line written and played by the Commodores bassist, Ronald LaPread. 

In 1977, the Commodores were in the studio recording when there was a problem with the equipment. While the equipment was being repaired and replaced, the group took a break. Ronald LaPread, began jamming out an idea. Bit by bit the rest of the band joined in until they came up with a track and bass line. When they returend, James Carmichael, the Commodores’ producer, heard and recognized that this could be a song worth recording. He asked everyone to see if they could use the riff to come up with a song. 

It’s a fairly busy and syncopated bass line that oozes funk, and is a bass line I get all my students to learn at some point (especially those who are into the funk!) 

The bass line it’s self is a great study of syncopation and there’s also a lot of space in the verses to practice improvising little fills over a static chord. 

If you want to learn this track get in touch and we’ll get you funking in no time!