Good Bass Songs...

KOW613 · #1 11-02-2006, 12:10 AM

I recently started Bass and I was wondering if people has suggestions of songs that are good examples of how bass is used in context of the song. I'm not sure if this makes sense, I cant explain myself well.

Hmm...Everyone always says that the bass is the link between the drummer and the guitarist. So are there any good examples out there that will show this relationship?

Lunardecay · #2 11-02-2006, 12:38 AM

Gee...
Look at alot of stuff by the Beatles...
The lines are interesting without taking too much of a lead.
Or, if your looking for more "presence" in your playing, so to speak, stuff by Primus, Red-Hot Chillie Peppers, Pink Floyd, Rush and such.

**iriegnome** · #3 11-02-2006, 08:27 AM

I think that this is very much an individual thing.
There are songs like "Dragon Attack" by Queen that has a great bass drive. Head East's "Never give me no reason". Yes "It Can Happen" is an awesome bass part. Boston's "Foreplay" The Beatles "Dear Prudence" and so many many more.

peaveyuser · #4 11-02-2006, 04:49 PM

Sweet child o mine: guns n roses, eat the rich:aerosmith, Sympathy for the devil: Rolling stones, the wall & money: pink floyd and anything by Rush.

rainbownorth · #5 11-02-2006, 04:52 PM

Listen to some reggae: The bass and drums are the backbone of any band, theyre what the guitarists singers and keyboardists use as a reference point to jam on, but this is SO much more the case in reggae. Youll hear interesting rhythms, and some great bass without it being too showy.

I specifically recommend, if you can get hold of it:
bob marley and the wailers - them belly full but we hungry,
roots rock reggae, the heathen, midnight ravers.
third world - jah glory
Black Uhuru - Sinsemillia (album) - in fact, get anything with Sly and Robbie on bass & drums. Possibly the best bass and drum combination ever.

You dont have to learn these if you dont like reggae, but it will give you a good idea of how a bass line can:
a) keep a beat
b) be interesting without being TOO forward (which imo is a downfall of bands like rhcp and primus...its just too in your face sometimes)
c) Be minimal and still groove - its not all about playing as many notes as possible.

But if you do decide to learn some, itll help a lot with rhythm. In fact, any different styles are good to learn for rhythm - reggae, bossanova, samba, its all good.

KOW613 · #6 11-04-2006, 11:46 PM

Wow Dragon Attack is an amazing song. Cant believe I never came across it. Wow.

Lowpro · #7 11-05-2006, 10:08 AM

The songs I started out learning were songs by Nirvana, Tool (play them slow at first, they are pretty easy, try songs like Lateralus, Pushit, jimmy) and then there's one of my personal favorites; Holy Diver -Dio

trasser · #8 11-05-2006, 01:29 PM

+1 on the beatles.
What I do, when I want to play with the drummer, is to pretend like my bass is a drum, mostly a kick drum actualle

BrandonBass · #9 11-05-2006, 01:35 PM

red hot chili peppers - soul to squeeze
larc en ciel - blurry eyes

mVC · #10 11-05-2006, 10:55 PM

Listen to any Motown recordings of James Jamerson. Those 60's bass lines smoke. Jamerson is the foundation for groove on bass.

If you can buy the book "Standing in the Shadows of Motown", which includes a CD with bass on one speaker and music on the other, you'll have hours of practice, fun and learning some of the most versatile bass lines written!

K2000 · #11 11-05-2006, 11:42 PM

There are SO many players and songs to recommend, it's impossible to know where to start... if you have a certain style you're focused on, then we could make very specific recommendations. However it's good to learn a wide variety of styles and techniques, because outside influences can really add to whatever style of music you're focused on. A few suggestions:

The Beatles (as mentioned)
Motown (as mentioned) for example the Jackson 5, Wilson Pickett. The book/CD mentioned, sounds awesome.
R&B and soul in general (Booker T and the MGs, for example)

For hard rock and metal, listen to the Who, Black Sabbath, Led Zeppelin, and Iron Maiden, just for a start.

I also recommend listening to YES
For alternative and punk, try the Stranglers and the Clash

Since that is a lot to absorb all at once, if you wanted to just focus on a couple of things, I would say start with the Beatles, and maybe some old school R&B or funk, like James Brown or Booker T.

Even if that is not your chosen style of playing, that would give you a good base to start from.

**iriegnome** · #12 11-06-2006, 08:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KOW613

Wow Dragon Attack is an amazing song. Cant believe I never came across it. Wow.

I use it for my PA Test for every gig. It is a great run that gives the PA guys a chance to get my bass set up right!

Wasim · #13 11-06-2006, 08:56 AM

Another vote for Motown/Jamerson

I've always liked This Charming Man - the Smiths

peaveyuser · #14 11-06-2006, 03:54 PM

dazed and confused by led zeppelin is an amazing starting song so is jumpin jack flash by the rolling stones.

thebassace111 · #15 11-07-2006, 02:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BrandonBass

red hot chili peppers - soul to squeeze

+1 Not hard, but very fun and nice. The bass solo at the end is just great.

**iriegnome** · #16 11-08-2006, 07:38 AM

http://www.digitaldreamdoor.com/page...basslines.htmlCheck this site out!

Swimming Bird · #17 11-08-2006, 08:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wasim

Another vote for Motown/Jamerson

+1 Jamerson is considered bass guitar's first virtuouso and you can hear him in a couple hundred Motown songs. Almost all rock bass is based off Jamerson (whether or not the bassist knows it), so this is a good place to start. A great example of a Jamerson-style bassist is Robert Deleo of Stone Temple Pilots -- his style is a Jamerson copy in hard rock.

Also, if you start paying attention, Jamerson's the most mentioned person in the bass mags. Rent 'Standing in the Shadows of Motown' for a little perspective if you haven't already seen it.

Greg O · #18 11-10-2006, 09:01 PM

Definitely "Pusherman" by Curtis Mayfiled. It is very simple but it sets such a good foundation

tribal3140 · #19 11-10-2006, 09:27 PM

I know I am no jamerson/baudin etc. but I have been told throughout the years my writing and playing is creative and innovative. in tribal traktion I wrote much more complex lines in regare to time and tempo change. I found myself with less versed musicians in this band so I had to get more creative with the writin than the tempo and time sig. In order to not take over the songs, after all were trying to get a commercial deal.
I take a very different approach to bass in rock.
tapping and slap strum moving from 1 to 24 and b to 2nd oct G within each song usually

http://www.myspace.com/clearvox
Tell me what you think?