09/01/11

Mick Karn 1958-2011

I was deeply saddened to hear that Mick Karn finally lost his battle with cancer and died on 4th January 2011. Mick Karn, along with Pino Palladino, Percy Jones and Mark King; is one of my all time favourite British bass players/innovators. Karn's fretless bass style was absolutely unique and distinctive, his wide vibrato, legato 16ths slurs and use of open strings and double stops caught my attention long before I'd heard of Jaco Pastorius. Examples of his signature sound can be heard on records by Japan, Raintree Crow (as well as other spin offs), Dalis Car, Kate Bush (Red Shoes) and of course all Mick's solo records.

As a small tribute, I have compiled together a collection of main riffs from songs off the albums illustrated below. These songs....I think capture the essence of Mick Karn's bass playing. Written in standard notation - pay close attention to the articulation, but in order to capture the feel, you really need to listen to the tracks.

Please download the PDF file from the link below. Please note these transcriptions are for educational use only. If you would like to donate please visit mickkarn.net (link below)

Tribal Dawn, Bestial Cluster, Visions Of China,

Sons Of Pioneers, Dalis Car 

Download PDF file here

Other Bass Transcriptions

 Please Visit mickkarn.net to donate