Ok, for my GCSE performance/composition, I was planning to use Sir Duke(stevie wonder). But, today my teacher said that for the compostion we need to compose a melody for our instrument(btw, the performance and compoistion need to be linked[technique/feel/tempo/tonality etc you get the idea]), and seeing as bass isn't generally a lead instrument she wants me to do a piece composed for bass on its own.

Another thing she kept on saying that the performance is marked on musicality over difficulty. I.E. a grade 8 piece that isnt played completely fluently will get less marks than a grade 4 piece played in the pocket.

So, by monday, I need to come in with a piece of bass music that is
a) Melodic
b) Not too hard
c) Shows a few different techniques

And what makes this difficult, is that nearly all songs written for bass are by virtuosos. Which in most cases, garuntees that they arent going to be very easy to play perfectly.

So, if you could please give me a couple of recomendations, it would be great

hi,
a good piece to combine al the elements u are talking about is Stanley Clarkes school days......I know it sounds impossible....but it it is easier to play then it sounds..i can help u get through it...It involves double stops some slapping and a little high up bass work...it's not really as hard as it sounds.

If you want you can PM me

good luck bill

Try the head from Dream of the Blue Turtles by Sting?

hi,
a good piece to combine al the elements u are talking about is Stanley Clarkes school days......I know it sounds impossible....but it it is easier to play then it sounds..i can help u get through it...It involves double stops some slapping and a little high up bass work...it's not really as hard as it sounds.

If you want you can PM me

good luck bill

Thanks for a quick reply.

My teacher said she wants me to do a solo piece, I'll ask her about this song and see what she says.

There are so many solo bass songs out there, but I've only been playing for around a year, and it's so hard to find one that suits my skill level. I also need to find one that I'll be able to play perfectly, like I said in the original post, its not how hard the piece is, just how well I play it that matters.

Any other suggestions? Hopefully I can get a couple to take in to her and see what she says

Does it have to be composed for the bass? A jazz fake book is a good investment, and there are a lot of standard tunes with melodies that are quite approachable.

Im in the same postion and I picked new born by muse. It starts quite melodic at this point I play with my fingers then for the rest I play with a pick. There is also plenty of room for a solo.

You posted this thread on UG didn't you? I remember it.

try the mercy, mercy, mercy bassline/solo it is short-ish, relatively easy, might not be what you're after but if it helps, it helps.

flow my tears (the policeman said) by stu hamm. very nice melody and not as hard to learn as you would think. i did this as part of my vce solo repitoire. a very nice piece of music!

eruption :)
there's "how to" videos all over youtube of how to play it on the bass
there's also some guy playing "cliffs of dover"
i know they weren't written on/for the bass, but still

"Portrait of Tracy" by Jaco. Not an easy one though......

"Continum" by Jaco is pretty easy and its all over the net.
It's melodic, shows use of harmonics & double stops.

SO what are you doin here on the forum, as I understand your post you need to compose a piece...

Close the puter and get goin.. NOW!

:D

D.Don