Ready Freddie Washington playing "Forget Me Nots"
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 5 ก.พ. 2025
- Ready Freddie Washington demonstrates his classic bassline on Patrice Rushen's 1982 hit. Played on the original '73 Fender P-Bass used on the recording.
Video was borrowed from his Instagram page (@frddwshngt) for educational purposes.
Seeing the man himself play along with a TH-cam video on his cell phone, practicing the same way us regular joes do, is somehow one of the most motivating things I've ever seen. This is easily one of the top ten greatest basslines of all time.
I agree
This comment!!!!!
It's a beautiful time to be alive
I couldn't agree more!
I agree..
He's still playing the original fender P bass that he recorded the song with and he's still hitting note for note after 40 yrs. Amazing bassist
One of the most pleasing bass lines ever recorded.
No need to look anywhere else for a tutorial or argue with folks online about what notes are played. This is all you need right here. The man himself.
Having watched this can we admire the economy of movement. I’m all over the place with my fingers playing this, Freddie makes it look effortless. That’s why he is Ready Freddie and I’m a chump. I’m going to work on trying to get my technique tidied up because I’m so far away from being as smooth as this. Lovely work Freddie
Grizz - economy of movement - it marks out the truly great players (of which I'm never going to be one).
Also notice the way he dampens the strings with both left hand fingers and right hand palm. That is something that only great and experienced groove masters come to work doing and Freddie does this easily.
Agree. Thought the same thing. Sometimes the tabs or tutorials we follow teach us how to perform this the hard way, LOL!
The original and the best. One of the most recognisable bass lines of all time, no wonder the song has been sampled into big hits several times.
Examples please?
Will Smith - Men in Black or more house style RedX - Dee's Knots@@lbjoshbal
@lbjoshbal Pretty sure it was used in a George Michael track too.
EDIT: Yeah forget me nots's middle eight slap break is used as a breakdown in "Fast love" actually works beautifully with that song.
The fact that he even thought of composing a bassline like this is incredible. The guy deserves all the plaudits
This is the definition of a Genius! Not many can think on this level to create such a masterpiece!
Man that is so in the pocket perfect!
The bassline is timeless
This bass is priceless for its contribution to what you've created Freddie.
This Man is a LEGEND in Studio Work. And, from what I understand, a very skilled reader of music. I've heard he reads most any bass part handed to him in the Studio with ease!...
Wow
Thank you, Freddie Washington. What an absolute classic song, and to see the master himself, God bless you sir. Salute.
Man I feel so good right now seeing the original bass player of this song, playing along with his own basslines on that same bass!! And seeing him playing it so effortless just blows my mind! I've always loved this bassline and also played it over and over again back in that time! Thank you so much Freddy Washington!!🙌🙌
Freddie's time is so perfect, his feel so relaxed, beautiful tone. Amazing!
This bass track made thumb slapping a sensitive majestic symphony.
Only Freddy Washington!!!
So Inspiring! My Favorite Bass Line of All Time from the first time I heard it! . Love Love Love!!
Arguably one of the top basslines ever recorded! Thanks for posting!
Yo bet. Freddie co wrote the tune. Fabulous to watch.
and Chuck Rainey, bassist on Peg. I can listen to these guys all day
He’s still got it after all these years. Legendary bassline.
Got to be one of the funkiest basslines ever...Freddie is a maestro...beautiful playing and tone 👌 🔥🔥🔥
Millions and millions of people could play this on the bass, but no one could play it the way Freddie does it. Just like there's only one George Benson and one Freddie Washington.
Awesome, Sir. I'm a beginner at age 67. It is an awesome instrument. It is wonderful to see us OG's still grooving to life. Thank you for your inspiration. God bless you, Sir.
A beginner at age 67 yrs deserves credit all by himself.
Likely THE BEST BASSLINE in ANY song EVER! Thanks for sharing your talent!!!!
We appreciate your skills and bringing out The Funk out of Oakland Original Thumpin & Pluckin Funk Master you are !!!!!
I sure do have a comment. I can watch u play bass like alllll day. U are it, my friend. Your technique and head nods to the rhythm are infectious and your basslines are some of the best in the world
The man himself! One of the best/ most memorable basslines in music history! He's the sole reason I play bass!
Ok Mr. Washington, much respect 🫡. I'm 60 and still playing anything that I get my hands on 🎸 🎹 🥁, and it's the best feeling in the world.
#musicisuniversalweareallonefamily 💪🏾 🫶🏾
Thanks Freddy for this phantastic slap-bassline!! One of the best ever! 🤩
Nice to see Freddie using hammer ons, some people say the bass line doesn’t sound the same, if hammer ons are good enough for Freddie Washington then they are good enough for me.
Looking closely at the video and listening attentively, it seems to me that only the first G# is hammered on and everything else is slapped.
@@ErwanLegrandNot sure what you are saying because he's slapping during most of the song. That's especially true for this part where he does three consecutive hammer-one with that G#. Whether it's slapped or plucked with the right hand, it is still a hammer-on with the left hand. And it's the opposite for lefties.
@@Carl-lu5pf My point is Freddie is not doing three consecutive hammer-ons. There is only one hammer-on. The following four notes are all slapped. Use your eyes or your ears or both: it's pretty obvious!
@@ErwanLegrand Almost! He is using a hammer-on on the first G# then slapping F# and G# and then using a pull-off to the final F# of that little 16th trill figure, before finally slapping the last G#. So the pattern is: S-H-S-S-P-S
You can even hear the pattern rhythmically if you listen to the percussive sound created by the slap. It's *a* - 1 - *e* - *and* - a - *2* (the 16th notes with the * * stars around them are percussive).
@@ziharkeus7814 I think you are right. Well done!
This is one of those bass lines that is ingrained in my soul. From the very first time I heard it I knew it would be immortal. Now I can see why. It’s all from the heart. It’s timeless. Thank you Ready Freddie Washington for giving us a peek into your world. It’s very much appreciated.
Utterly masterful playing, nothing more I can say!
Man, one of my heroes growing up. He had an identifiable sound, and you knew it was him!
You wrote and performed the most beloved bassline in history !
Pretty incredible.
His left hand looks like it's slow motion. Smooth. No wasted movements.
A legendary bass line by a legacy bass player. Thank you, we are all grateful.
Thanks, Freddie Washington. I always wanted to see and know who played this. A check off the bucket list
Nothing better than listening the master at work ( often imitated never duplicated)
Freddie Washington Number 1 Number 1 Number 1 WOW All Good 💯💯💯
I've seen many great bass players play live and my great uncle played bass with B.B. King. I used to think Stanley Clarke was the man but Freddie you are a true genius. Outstanding!
I come back to this from time to time he's absolutely brilliant
Absolutely phenomenal.
Bass melodies (like Midnight Train to Georgia, I'll Be Good to You, What's Going On and Sir Duke are the backbone of music, especially R&B and this is one of the greatest baselines ever created in my opinion. At a time when people were abandoning that sound, you made that precision sound so funky, fresh and classy. Thanks so much for giving us this baseline with the great Patrice Rushen!
It sounds so effortless when you have the original bassist, bass and it's probably tuned the same way it was 40 years ago. Classic!
This man IS Funk- period! So amazing to get to watch this!! Holy Guacamole 🥑 😮! Thank you
Excellent!
Pure precision! Reminds me of the musical syncopation movements of Grover Washington. It is so ironic that I somehow (in my minds eye) related Freddie and Grover's music; and they both have the same last name.
Lawd hav mercy! This song, this bass riff; I was 12 years old when this song came out and it is so significant to me in so many ways. I need the 40th anniversary reproduction with the original staff. This was my entry into R&B and true musicianship! Thank you so much for doing this!
Bass players will be playing that Baseline through eternity. Dipped in the Fountain of Youth💯
Freddie is amazing. Well done Sir. Many of us are stull impressed 40 years after the song was released. Excellent
Freddie Washington You rock the party!
The timing is exquisite! 👏👏👏👏
It's so exhilarating watching the master at work.
He's still got it. Legend.
I KNOW I'M ORLAND LEGEND IS SOMEONE I'M PRODUCING I'M ORLAND
That was beautiful. I’ve always imagined what the bass part actually LOOKED like. I’m grateful 🙌🏿 Thank you!!
God what a legend you are, Sir. Absolutely beautiful record.
You are a badass Freddie!! I'm tearing up as I write this message because this song and baseline meant and still means so much to me and so many other people worldwide. Love and blessings to Patrice R. and Freddie W. Forever!! 😍🤩❤💋💋💋💋💯
Another bass line i loved playing back in the day. Freddie still playing it like it was yesterday you're great man . Glad the young cats get to see you doing it
Not only an all-time classic bass groove, but an all time classic electric piano groove too.
Just masterful.
'Long time fan, Freddie, since the George Duke days. Thanks for all of the inspiration. You're truly the master of the game!
It's so legendary. I've watched a lot of covers of this song but obviously no one does it like Freddie.
What a joy watching Freddie Washington demonstrate this all-time classic performance. Good job, Man!
One of the sweetest bass riffs I know. Thanks for the funky groove back then. I remember dancing to this at parties with my girl. Great time to be alive.
Oh yeah, pure gem !
Millions of deep thanks to Freddie for showing us the true magic, for youtube is full of so-so versions - ok in their own right - but when you taste the original nectar it is downright incomparable !
Right under the Bernard Edwards & James Jamerson constellation in terms of taste, irresistible magic groove, less is more approach...
Makes me Love Life !
Oh man! The real Freddie Washington! Thank you! This was a blessing to see!
One of the coolest grooves ever!!!❤
TY FREDDIE FOR POSTING THIS 🙏 🐐 🐐 🐐
Mr. Washington! I remember trying to work that part out back in the day - that cassette was always rolling in the ride. Watching someone that makes awesome look effortless. What a talent.
wonderful : the precision and economy of movement for a smashing result. wow ! thanks !!!!keep on :-)
Just two words: Thank You !!!
This is the one I worked on over and over until I got it my fingers back in 1982, my senior year in high school . Thank you ( Ready " Freddie " ) Washington .
Classic music played with a classic bass. God bless you Mr. "Ready" Freddy Washington.
Thank you for sharing Mr. Washington! This is amazing- nothing better than getting it from the source.
I was born in 73 that bass is older than me lol. Beautiful instrument great playing 👍👍👍. I have this Frankinsten Mann bass from around 1970 original pots and pickups with a series A neck and a fender precision pick guard ( which I had to file down to fit) lol. It's my favorite bass now it has that 70's sound and I got it on a trade for a cordless drill 😎.
Sheer brilliance. I could play this on repeat for hours.
This is one the best basslines ever!!!!Thank you Mr. Freddie Washington!
Thank you Mr. Washington. I’ve been listening to your music since I was about 3 years old. One of my all time favorites is “I’m moving on”. Just got my very first bass, and am starting to learn proper way to hold it and I’m TRYING to learn a chord or two. Thank you for sharing your time, wisdom, and expertise.
Freddy is a "Bass God." A legend in the game and still going strong!
having listened for years to favorite bass lines, this is the first time, perhaps thirty years later, that I've gotten to see the bass player singled out so I can focus on their talent. so, so inspiring! Thank you Mr. Washington for letting us into that space.
This bass line is just so rich, smooth funk to it, awesome slide, definitely one of my all time faves... Thank you, Mister Washington!
You've brought great joy to this world, Mr. Washington.
wish music like this was still written and performed 😢
An Absolute ICON Mr Washington and a national treasure sir!
Ready Freddie is the man!!!!! 😁😁😁😁
Groovy, humble... Musicality and taste at their best. Thanks.
You the man Freddie, been playing that bass line for years but man you make it look so simple but it ain’t, going to have to start again now I have seen you play it properly
Good bassies always make things look easier than they actually are
Thanks Freddie
Hey Freddie - was once at a Steeley Dan concert at Ravinia outside Chicago - near the end of the show I could hear the Bass coming through and new it was you - I was proud of myself for being able to detect one of the greats - thanks again for coming up with this riff - amazing.
MY BROTHER I'VE BEEN ENJOYING YOUR MUSIC YOU ONE OF MY COLDEST BASS PLAYERS I'VE EVER HEARD. NEW ORLEANS ✌️
If you got Freddie Washington playing bass you got everything you need to make your music sound good. He always has the right idea at the right moment. This guy really knows how to make music.
Go Freddie! Amazing, powerful soulful, moving unforgettable timeless baseline what a creation thank you so much Freddie.
That's called rhythm and Soul, Ready Freddie was born with most of the Talent, it can't be taught.
Seeing you perform this is beyond words. One of top five bass lines of all time and we get the privilege of watching the original artist do his thing! Thank you Living Legend! Thank you for personally sharing your God given gift with us
An Iconic Bassline and to watch Freddy play it with such ease is absolutely beautiful. I've been learning and playing it for a while now and it doesn't look anything like this. He is an amazing musician. You can see and hear the feeling in his playing. Thank You Freddy Washington for the gift of this Iconic bassline it makes the song what it is.
SUPER to get it from the original artist. Thank you Freddie, and oh, thank you for coming up with this awesome bassline, too.
This song is never far away from my ears...Fantastic song forever! Thanks to Freddie's bass, this is song will always be unforgetable.
Simply superb, legend
A master at work here! Such a sweet bassline peformed with skill and precision. You can see and hear how solidly in the groove he is while playing.
Thank you Ready Freddie for that class and inspiration!
I have watched this so many times. Love it!
This is just way too cool. On the same bass he played on the recording, no less. Great upload. Thank you!
This bassline is crazy awesome.
Wow, if he's the original forget me not bassist, mad RESPECT to him 🙌🙌. It's said to be one of the most iconic and hard to master bass lines.
Yes Sir Mr Washington this line was one of the ones that inspired me to get in the game. Seeing you the Master play it dispels myth for me thinking that Mr Clark was the originator. God Bless Brother.