After playing for a year, I'm getting disillusioned with much of the music that I have been playing. though it's good to listen to, the bass lines don't challenge me much anymore. I'm looking for some suggestions on particular artists that I could pay more attention to, strictly for the bass. Something that will challenge me is good, but remember I've only been playing for a year so I'm nowhere near ready for something Victor Wooten-esque. Thanks in advance.

The Well-Tempered Clavier by J.S. Bach. get the written music as well so you can see, and hear what's going on.

Time to start expanding what music you listen to. Listen to some Jazz, try playing some other style on your instrument to technical and musical challenge like some Bach. I also bet their are things in what you are playing now you are missing. Inprov your time and sense of groove. All what techniques are really going on, start listening for more details. Even a simple blues record why does that simple line not get boring on the record. Ghost notes, playing with the time, does it sound better playing the line on fewer strings and going up or down the neck? That changes the timbre of notes. How many slight variations is the bass player your copping lines from do over the course of a song. Its those little things that make the difference between a machine playing a bass line and bass player gettin' the job done.

-the bass lines don't challenge me much anymore.

-Something that will challenge me is good,

- but remember I've only been playing for a year so I'm nowhere near ready for something Victor Wooten-esque. Thanks in advance.

Sounds counter intuitive. You want a challenge but dont want to learn Victor cos its too hard? The first tapping piece I learned was Stu Hamms Linus and Lucy. It took me forever but learning something hard like that gives you a huge boost and really makes you better. Theres alot of Victors stuff that isnt extremely hard. Amazing Grace can be learned fairly quickly as well as Stomping Grounds. Try something hard and youll get better, Try something easy and youll stay in the same place.

Learn Flea's slap lines. Fun and challenging ;)

You might try checking out Reba and You Enjoy Myself by Phish. Both tunes have good composition and good bass, reba being the more complicated of the two. I would reccomend getting a live version as opposed to the studio tracks, 12/31/95 is a great show to listen to, they play it very tightly and the improvisation is incredible. PM me if you're interested in getting those tracks.

Sounds counter intuitive. You want a challenge but dont want to learn Victor cos its too hard? The first tapping piece I learned was Stu Hamms Linus and Lucy. It took me forever but learning something hard like that gives you a huge boost and really makes you better. Theres alot of Victors stuff that isnt extremely hard. Amazing Grace can be learned fairly quickly as well as Stomping Grounds. Try something hard and youll get better, Try something easy and youll stay in the same place.

I own one wooten album and I can't even hear everything he's playing, much less play it. I'll check out Amazing Grace and Stomping grounds.

I really appreciate the suggestions, keep 'em coming.

Time to start expanding what music you listen to. Listen to some Jazz, try playing some other style on your instrument to technical and musical challenge like some Bach. I also bet their are things in what you are playing now you are missing. Inprov your time and sense of groove. All what techniques are really going on, start listening for more details. Even a simple blues record why does that simple line not get boring on the record. Ghost notes, playing with the time, does it sound better playing the line on fewer strings and going up or down the neck? That changes the timbre of notes. How many slight variations is the bass player your copping lines from do over the course of a song. Its those little things that make the difference between a machine playing a bass line and bass player gettin' the job done.

What Jazz artist do you have in mind? I wouldn't know where to begin.

Maybe some early Yes/ Chris Squire? You can really hear the bass on songs like Heart of the Sunrise and Yours is no Disgrace, and his stuff very melodic and challenging. Also, listen to Berry Oakley play Hot 'Lanta on the Allman Bros Live at Fillmore East album. Its amazing.

The Chicken is good to know. Find the chord roots (they're all 7th chords), go over the chord progression with the same riff he does when he starts alone, learn the melody with the little descent at the end. After that, learn more of the bass lines, the solos (do your best), make your own, etc.

The Chicken (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z4YjqAo9UBk)

Here are some more versions:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=27798KKiaMs
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LjinwnyZgnE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wdPNRpGjYMk

This thread look to have run out of steam, so thanks for all the suggestions. I've already started playing some of them. Just my 2 cents, but it might be nice to have a sticky where more experience bassists list some of there favorite songs to play. Thanks again, super helpful.