The Police Every Breath You Take— playing main guitar line on bass

[MdC64]

I play in a local acoustic trio that is led by a couple girls that play the ukulele. I’m often asked to create bass lines for other instruments used in songs. For instance, I play the synth line in the song Sweet Dreams.
The girls were wanting to play the song Every Breath You Take but were asking if I could perhaps play the main guitar line on bass. I got home last night and started exploring the tune on bass. I kind of have a basic outline but am finding out that it is quite challenging as the guitar is a very intricate piece of work.
If it doesn’t sound good I won’t do the part but was wondering if anyone might have ideas/thoughts. It doesn’t have to be fancy or anything like that…just a line that might sound close to the guitar line.
I play 4 string.
We are playing the song in the key of G and I have attached a photo of part of the song if it helps.
Thanks.

 

[Whousedtoplay]

I play in a local acoustic trio that is led by a couple girls that play the ukulele. I’m often asked to create bass lines for other instruments used in songs. For instance, I play the synth line in the song Sweet Dreams.
The girls were wanting to play the song Every Breath You Take but were asking if I could perhaps play the main guitar line on bass. I got home last night and started exploring the tune on bass. I kind of have a basic outline but am finding out that it is quite challenging as the guitar is a very intricate piece of work.
If it doesn’t sound good I won’t do the part but was wondering if anyone might have ideas/thoughts. It doesn’t have to be fancy or anything like that…just a line that might sound close to the guitar line.
I play 4 string.
We are playing the song in the key of G and I have attached a photo of part of the song if it helps.
Thanks.

I've changed the guitar pitch one octave down, removed the bass, vocal, and everything else.
Just listen to the remixed track and think.
(I would say, it's really possible to play (arranged

) "a-la guitar" line on the bass

 

[MdC64]

I've changed the guitar pitch one octave down, removed the bass, vocal, and everything else.
Just listen to the remixed track and think.
(I would say, it's really possible to play (arranged
View attachment 7070639
) "a-la guitar" line on the bass

Wow! That is fantastic! Thanks so much. I greatly appreciate it.

 

[Whousedtoplay]

Wow! That is fantastic! Thanks so much. I greatly appreciate it.

I would play those pulsating/arpeggiating (damping strings, kind of staccato) 8ths (the rhythmic patter) with the pick.

 

[MdC64]

I would play those pulsating/arpeggiating (damping strings, kind of staccato) 8ths (the rhythmic patter) with the pick.

Great advice. Thanks. I appreciate it.

 

[tb-player]

I once played Every Breath You Take on a video of a bass I was selling. It sounded cool. Here’s a clip:

 

[MdC64]

I once played Every Breath You Take on a video of a bass I was selling. It sounded cool. Here’s a clip:

Wow! That’s very cool. Thanks for sharing.

 

[tb-player]

Wow! That’s very cool. Thanks for sharing.

Thanks! That video was my first time playing it. I've gotten a little better with it now. It's certainly a fun interpretation of that song.