Bernard Edwards (1952–1996), born in Greenville, North Carolina, was a bass player and music producer, both as a member of Chic and on his own. He is considered one of the most important bass players of the 20th century.
Their Grooves defined the funk and disco era with their syncopated grooves, as if they were not iconic enough, the first hip-hop producers decided that their bass lines would provide the perfect setting for the new musical and cultural phenomenon that was forming. In america. This bassist is Bernard Edwards, the funk master who joined Nile Rodgers in the 1970s to form Chic and produce records for other artists who topped the charts, like Diana Ross and Sister Sledge. In addition to solo records and a long list of songwriting credits, he provided bass for recordings by David Bowie, Madonna, Robert Palmer, Rod Stewart and many more.
Born in 1952 in Greenville, North Carolina, Bernard Edwards moved to New York at the age of 10. While in high school, he took the saxophone, but soon switched to electric bass.
Edwards is a bass player with great technical skills, he maintains control in the most musical way, creating a part and following the very line that the music asks for. Their grooves are simple enough to stay in your mind for long years, but these grooves seem to renew each time we listen. In many ways, he defined what we consider a “Bass Groove” that needs no elaboration to be interesting and, in fact, is most effective when played correctly and repeatedly. Although Edwards has the musical and technical skill necessary to elaborate something much more technical and more precisely, it does not affect the conduct of the Grooves in relation to the songs played by him.
Being a great rhythm and groove driver, it all comes down to the driving ability of your right hand to control the accuracy, articulation and duration of notes.
Some Transcripts by Bernad Edward:
Bernard Edwards – CHIC – ” Good Times ”
Bernard Edwards – CHIC – ” I Want Your Love “
Bernard Edwards – CHIC – ” Le Freak “
Bernard Edwards – CHIC – ” Everybody Dance “
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