Discovering what gives certain songs that irresistible “lift”
Jon Liebman
November 20, 2025
One cool thing about a bass line is the way it can bring out such an incredible variety of feels, across so many genres.
One kind of bass line I’ve always really liked is the kind that sounds like it just can’t wait for the next bar. The downbeat hits a little early — right before the beat — and suddenly the whole song feels like it’s leaning forward — in a really awesome way.
That kind of rhythm is called “anticipation,” and it’s used in pretty much every style, from rock to funk, Latin and so many others. I love the way it gets built right into each style.
As a bass player, the important thing is learning to feel it. When you play those kinds of rhythms, you want to make sure they sit naturally in the pocket — not rushed, not late, just… right.
In this week’s Essence of Groove video, I’ll show you a bunch of examples of how anticipation shows up in different styles — from James Jamerson’s Motown grooves to an irresistible Latin salsa feel — and how to develop the right touch to make it groove.
You’re gonna love this one.
Watch the video, then leave a comment below with your takeaways.
Let’s play bass!
—Jon
