Lessons Learned From the O’Reilly Auto Parts Jingle Bassline
“O O O O’Reillyyyyy… Auto Parts… OW!” If you live in the United States you’ve likely heard this catchy, iconic jingle on the radio at some point in your life (heck, you probably sang that in your head as you read it!). But there’s more to this jingle than you probably think… did you know there’s a full minute-long version with a killer bassline?
A few months ago I left my job at the O’Reilly Auto Parts corporate office. For two and a half years I worked on their digital marketing team handling the company’s email marketing efforts. I learned so much and got to work with some amazing people!
As a tribute to my time there I thought it would be fun to take a look at the O’Reilly jingle from a bassist’s perspective. This fun slap bass part contains several musical concepts a beginner bass player can find quite useful.
Let’s take a look. Check out this video and keep reading to learn more!
Lessons Learned From the O’Reilly Auto Parts Jingle Bassline
1. Slap Style Technique
This bassline is a perfect way for beginner bassists to practice the slap bass technique. It’s not too fast, has lots of space, and utilizes several other techniques that can be effective for any slap bassline. Let’s take a closer look.
Octave Jumps
To quickly recap, an octave is an interval consisting of twelve half steps. The two pitches share the same note name, only one is higher and one is lower. Consider a major scale – it contains seven scale degrees, but if you move up one more half step past the seventh degree you’ll land on the same note as your root note.
To find an octave on the bass guitar fretboard, simply ascend two frets and jump up two strings.
In the O’Reilly jingle we hear this repeated throughout, alternating between the chords G and C. We’re starting on G (E string, third fret) and jumping up an octave to G (D string, fifth fret). Next, we’re moving from C (A string, third fret) to C an octave up (G string, fifth fret). The thumb is used to play the bottom note and the top note is popped with either the index or middle finger.
Octave jumps are common in many basslines, and practicing them is a great way to introduce slap bass into your playing.
Slides and Hammer Ons
Note: I’m not sure how the original bassline was recorded, but this is how I played it in the video above based on what I heard.
Playing these three notes actually utilizes two different techniques.
First, the slide. Slap the note B and shift your index finger to C. Second, the hammer on. There’s no need to slap with your thumb when moving from C to D – simply fret the note.
Notice this entire three note sequence is played by only attacking with the right hand one time – pretty cool!
2. Chord Progression
This is by far one of the most widely used chord progressions in western music. It’s important to know what common chord progressions like this one sound like, and this is a perfect example.
The O’Reilly jingle is in the key of G, and most of the tune alternates back and forth between G major and C major – the I and IV chords. During the last few measures we hear this sequence but then the IV chord moves to D major, the V chord, instead of hopping back to the I chord, giving us the famous progression.
Think of it this way: I is home, IV is going away for a while, and V is heading back home. It’s very common to hear the V resolve back to the I chord, giving a sense of home. This is heard in the jingle as well, as it ends on the I chord (the ‘OW!’).
3. Tone
This cover was recorded with my first generation Sire Marcus Miller P7 bass guitar using the active onboard preamp. Cranking the tone knob, utilizing the neck pickup and scooping the mids gave me the tone I needed, bringing out the deep lows with my thumb slap and the crisp highs with my finger pop. On top of that, my Dunlop Marcus Miller Super Bright strings gave me even more punch to my sound.
So there you have it! Who knew an auto parts store founded in 1957 could teach you so much about the bass? There are lessons to be learned in all types of music – you just have to tune in and listen closely. 🙂
And by the way, there’s even a 10 hour loop on YouTube if you want to play along with the jingle.
Be sure to check out oreillyauto.com or find an O’Reilly store near you for all your auto needs.
Let me know if you benefited from this fun little lesson. Until next time! OW!
