Gary Willis – Bass

The least photographed bass player in the business! But one of the cleanest players around. I always think of Gary Willis whenever I hear the latest crop of new player like Hadrien Feraud etc; that tight controlled funk that Willis was doing with Tribal Tech in the 1980s. Sturding his technique (I had that video on a VHS cassette) opened my mind to understanding that controlling when the notes ENDED was as important as when they start. It also helped my contain the overtones on the 5, 6 and 7-string basses I have played.

This chart has taken me a week to complete. I think it is fairly accurate but proof reading things like this is exhausting and I reserve the right to miss a note! There are a couple of spots where I am making educated guesses with the really low notes but I figure if I can’t hear them played at 50% of the speed, then not may people can find thm at 100%. If you disagree, just rewrite the chart and make the alterations as you see fit.

The tune is ‘Mango Prom’ from the 1987 ‘Dr. Hee’ album. It’s a tough one, no mistake. I am trying to nail the whole album as I did ‘Spears’ but this is tough stuff. If you can read this cold, you are a better wo/man than me.