Pick five songs I should learn...

[chrispizzy]

Medium level player...mostly a funk/punk type player heavily inspired by flea and john paul jones but i want to really get a groove for old r and b style stuff

i've been listening to a lot of bill withers, meters, marvin gaye lately...BUT if you were to list THE TOP 5 songs that you think all Bassists should know....what is it?

[bassteban]

The next 5 tunes you hear on the radio w/Jamerson on bass. Fire up a nice old school R&B station, and learn 9/10 of whatever they play.

[pukeorama]

you need to learn two songs by played by Jaco Pastorius. Donna Lee and Portait of Tracy. Keep in mind you will probably not master these songs, many have not. The very point in making the attempt to learn them in it self will give you experience not found in learning just any other song.

[chrispizzy]

thanks i'll give em' a listen!

[Blueszilla]

Head for Backstage Pass - J. Beck/Wired
Blue in Green - M. Davis
Skin it Back - Little Feat
Mississippi Queen - Mountain
Goodbye Pork Pie Hat - C. Mingus

Some easy, some not, but all are nuanced, and not simple to play well. Don't be fooled into thinking you can play them just because you learn the progression or that they are slow in tempo. Have fun and listen.

[Mike19]

Originally Posted by chrispizzy

.mostly a funk/punk type player heavily inspired by flea and john paul jones but i want to really get a groove for old r and b style stuff

list THE TOP 5 songs that you think all Bassists should know

Hi chrispizzy

I'm confused as to what song genre you want (or any genre?).

First you mention funk/punk, then old R&B, trhen Flea, then JPJ. They're all different genres.

And then you say songs that all bassists should know.
Why would a bassist who plays in a metal band play the same top 5 songs as a bass player in a retro punk band or a reggae band?

Why should I know how to play Birdland ala Jaco when I play metal and hard rock?

[chrispizzy]

yeah i was referring to any genre...

[Larat]

I'm your Captain - Grand Funk
Cult of Personality - Living Colour
YYZ - Rush
The Trooper - Iron Maiden
Egocentry Molecules - Jean Luc Ponty

[N.F.A.]

Yeah, deleted my list.. Just too many to pick from.

[poorbassist15]

Originally Posted by Larat

I'm your Captain - Grand Funk
Cult of Personality - Living Colour
XXY - Rush
The Trooper - Iron Maiden
Egocentry Molecules - Jean Luc Ponty

XXY? Do you mean YYZ?

My picks :
YYZ-Rush
Roundabout-Yes
Brick House-The Commodores(who doesn't know it?)
I'll think of more as I remember them.

[bassguppy]

Originally Posted by bassteban

The next 5 tunes you hear on the radio w/Jamerson on bass. Fire up a nice old school R&B station, and learn 9/10 of whatever they play.

this.

[Larat]

Originally Posted by poorbassist15

XXY? Do you mean YYZ?

My picks :
YYZ-Rush
Roundabout-Yes
Brick House-The Commodores(who doesn't know it?)
I'll think of more as I remember them.

Sorry, my mistake. You are right it is YYZ.