Uploaded September 2024 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
This song is from Level 42’s 1983 album Standing in the Light. Driven along by a sixteenth note-based slap groove, it is also notable for Mark King’s use of harmonic chords and neck bending. Although a fan favourite since its release, the song was only performed live for the first time in 2008.
The bassline for this song relies on many elements of intermediate level slap bass technique. These include the use of fretting hand slaps, strummed chords, double stops and machine gun triplets.
The Moises app was used to remove the original bass track.
A full transcription of this piece can be found in The Level 42 Bass Book – Volume 1 - Click here to find the book on Amazon: geni.us/sbvaH
I recorded this recreation of the bassline using a GB Guitars Spitfire bass, strung with stainless steel Rotosound strings. All controls on the bass were turned up full, and I recorded through a Tech 21 SansAmp Bass Driver DI.
A full video tuition course for this song is available to video course subscribers at Bassline Publishing. You can check out the course below:
basslinepublishing.com/video-section/level-42-the-machine-stops
You can SUBSCRIBE to my video courses here: basslinepublishing.com/video-course-choice
Don't forget to like the video and subscribe so that you see more great bass content from me in the future!
--------------------------------------------------------------
Follow Bassline Publishing:
Facebook: facebook.com/BasslinePublishing
Instagram: instagram.com/stuartclaytonbass
X: twitter.com/BasslinePublish
This song is from Level 42’s 1983 album Standing in the Light. Driven along by a sixteenth note-based slap groove, it is also notable for Mark King’s use of harmonic chords and neck bending. Although a fan favourite since its release, the song was only performed live for the first time in 2008.
The bassline for this song relies on many elements of intermediate level slap bass technique. These include the use of fretting hand slaps, strummed chords, double stops and machine gun triplets.
The Moises app was used to remove the original bass track.
A full transcription of this piece can be found in The Level 42 Bass Book – Volume 1 - Click here to find the book on Amazon: geni.us/sbvaH
I recorded this recreation of the bassline using a GB Guitars Spitfire bass, strung with stainless steel Rotosound strings. All controls on the bass were turned up full, and I recorded through a Tech 21 SansAmp Bass Driver DI.
A full video tuition course for this song is available to video course subscribers at Bassline Publishing. You can check out the course below:
basslinepublishing.com/video-section/level-42-the-machine-stops
You can SUBSCRIBE to my video courses here: basslinepublishing.com/video-course-choice
Don't forget to like the video and subscribe so that you see more great bass content from me in the future!
--------------------------------------------------------------
Follow Bassline Publishing:
Facebook: facebook.com/BasslinePublishing
Instagram: instagram.com/stuartclaytonbass
X: twitter.com/BasslinePublish
