Bass Line Breakdown Club

Lock in the bass line to ZZ Top’s I’m Bad, I’m Nationwide over two relaxed, live sessions. We’ll map the song form, build a solid jam‑night groove, then pick out key Dusty Hill phrases to explore, rhythmic pushes, tone and phrasing – so you can play the song with confidence, without needing to copy every note of the original.

Join This Monthly Workshop – £27 / $34

I’m Bad, I’m Nationwide comes from ZZ Top’s 1979 album Degüello and has that laid‑back Texas blues‑rock feel that’s perfect for bass players. It’s a mid‑tempo tune built around a strong riff, with a bass part that moves beyond simple root‑five patterns but still sits deep in the pocket. That makes it an ideal vehicle for learning more interesting blues lines in manageable chunks.

The original bass part has a mix of supportive groove and fast chromatic riffs. In this workshop you’ll first learn a simplified “stock” bass line that works perfectly at a jam or pub gig, then we’ll zoom in on selected phrases from Dusty Hill’s playing to understand what he’s doing – and how you can use those ideas in your own lines, at your own tempo.

You don’t need to be advanced to join. I’ll break everything down into bite‑sized pieces, and there will be something for every level – from newer players who just want a dependable groove, to more experienced players who want to chase Dusty’s stylistic touches.

What we’ll cover in this workshop

In this monthly workshop we look at the blues‑rock bass line from I’m Bad, I’m Nationwide to explore timing, note length, walking ideas, riff‑based playing and dynamics in a real musical context.

What you’ll learn

• Lock in a solid, jam‑ready groove for I’m Bad, I’m Nationwide.

• Understand the song form and where the vocals and solos sit.

• Play a dependable version of the line for blues jam nights or pub gigs.

• Add tasteful Dusty Hill‑style fills and variations.

• Improve muting, articulation and phrasing at mid‑tempo shuffle feels.

• See how to reduce a busier bass line into a manageable “stock” version you can build on.

• Get simplified and more detailed options so there’s something for every level.

How this particular workshop runs

• Session 1 – Stock Line & Form
  Form, core groove, timing, note length, simplified 12‑bar / song structure line and a couple of “Dusty‑isms” you can drop in safely.
•  Session 2 – Dusty Hill Ideas & Making It Your Own
  Short phrases from the original, how they work over the changes, articulation and dynamics, and a full‑song play‑through using your own ZZ Top‑inspired line.

 No fancy tech needed – if you can join a normal Zoom call, you’re ready.

Dates, time and price

• Two live Zoom sessions at 3pm UK time (BST) on:

• Session 1: Wed 15th July, 3pm–4pm BST

•  Session 2: Wed 22nd July, 3pm–4pm BST

• Around 60 minutes per session.

• Join from anywhere – if you can get on a normal Zoom call, you’re set.

Price for this monthly workshop

• Standard price: £27 ($34) for this monthly workshop.

There’s no long‑term commitment here – this page is just for the 'Crossroads' workshop. You’re booking this one workshop only.

Join the ZZ Top 'I'm Bad, I'm Nationwide' Workshop – £27 / $34

The workshops will be presented by myself, and if you don't know me yet, I'm Greg Hagger, a professional bass player, educator. and creator of Greg's Bass Shed.

I concentrate on teaching bass players real-life skills, with a focus on feel and confidence, rather than speed or flashy, busy playing.

Whether you're a bedroom player, attend jam sessions or a seasoned musician, you'll get a lot out of these sessions and have fun at the same time.

Join the Club – £27 / $34 per monthly workshop