*The* songs to learn?

Tehdouglas · #1 03-11-2007, 06:43 AM

Hey guys, I'm looking for some really great songs to learn for bass. Right now I'm learning Portrait of Tracy and I've got most of it down, just working on a few small nuances.

I'm looking for some suggestions for influential songs from the best bass players pretty much. I haven't heard much from Marcus Miller, maybe I should check out some of his songs? After Tracy I'll probably check out Amazing Grace because I'm loving the harmonics. Oh and the songs can have slapping/tapping/technically challenging or whatever and all styles of music are welcome welcome

DocBop · #2 03-11-2007, 09:10 AM

What is important isn't the song, but what the songs are teaching you. Learn some James Brown so you can learn what playing the pocket is about and keeping good time. Then learn a Mambo to learn how to play basslines that don't play on the one. You master play JB and a Mambo then playing other style will improve. Job one for bass is keeping time and the groove going.

Jazzdogg · #3 03-11-2007, 11:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tehdouglas

Hey guys, I'm looking for some really great songs to learn for bass. Right now I'm learning Portrait of Tracy and I've got most of it down, just working on a few small nuances.

I'm looking for some suggestions for influential songs from the best bass players pretty much. I haven't heard much from Marcus Miller, maybe I should check out some of his songs? After Tracy I'll probably check out Amazing Grace because I'm loving the harmonics. Oh and the songs can have slapping/tapping/technically challenging or whatever and all styles of music are welcome welcome

Learn "Lush Life" (written by Billy Strayhorn) and your understanding of harmony, counterpoint, and playing appropriate changes will expand exponentially.

fearceol · #4 03-11-2007, 02:08 PM

I've learned a lot from playing along to the early CRUSADERS albums (1st Crusade, 2nd, Southern Comfort ect.). Wilton Felder mainly fills the role. He is a great example of a bassist keeping the groove IMO.

DocBop · #5 03-11-2007, 03:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fearceol

I've learned a lot from playing along to the early CRUSADERS albums (1st Crusade, 2nd, Southern Comfort ect.). Wilton Felder mainly fills the role. He is a great example of a bassist keeping the groove IMO.

+1 Wilton Felder is great of example of proving Groove is more important than notes. I love playing along with Put It Where You Want It, and Way Back Home, but Crusaders have so many great tunes.

fcleff · #6 03-11-2007, 03:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tehdouglas

Hey guys, I'm looking for some really great songs to learn for bass. Right now I'm learning Portrait of Tracy and I've got most of it down, just working on a few small nuances.

I'm looking for some suggestions for influential songs from the best bass players pretty much. I haven't heard much from Marcus Miller, maybe I should check out some of his songs? After Tracy I'll probably check out Amazing Grace because I'm loving the harmonics. Oh and the songs can have slapping/tapping/technically challenging or whatever and all styles of music are welcome welcome

How long have you been playing? If you're digging into Portrait and Amazing Grace it seems that you should be very familiar with the bass repertoire. Find out who influenced Jaco and Wooten then learn some of that. Try learning some of their other tunes (Come on, Come over; something from the Flecktones).

And fill out your profile.

Tehdouglas · #7 03-11-2007, 05:19 PM

Thanks for the replies guys. DocBop I appreciate the advice but rest assure, I'm familiar with the groove aspect of playing. I spent quite awhile learning James Brown tunes by ear and grooving along with the cd (among others like Jamerson and Bootsy) and I take that role in my band (usually). I know its important, but I'm looking for songs that give new ideas. Before learning Tracy I rarely used harmonics because I had no motivation/reason to, but now I understand them better and that motivates me to dig deeper.

Fcleff I've been playing for a year and a half. I'm very dedicated however and usually spend around 5-6 hours a day practicing + two band practices a week. I know that Vic was a big fan of Stanley and Graham so I'll try to find something there, thanks for the tip.

homercaholic · #8 03-11-2007, 10:22 PM

Lucky, im also learning and im lucky if I can find an hour a day to get my groove on

Dsmalls · #9 03-12-2007, 12:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tehdouglas

Hey guys, I'm looking for some really great songs to learn for bass. Right now I'm learning Portrait of Tracy and I've got most of it down, just working on a few small nuances.

I'm looking for some suggestions for influential songs from the best bass players pretty much. I haven't heard much from Marcus Miller, maybe I should check out some of his songs? After Tracy I'll probably check out Amazing Grace because I'm loving the harmonics. Oh and the songs can have slapping/tapping/technically challenging or whatever and all styles of music are welcome welcome

Pink Floyd MONEY
The Police ROXANNE & WALKING ON DA MOON
Black Sabbath IRON MAN & NIB

Real easy stuff and sounds good, anyone listening to you will know what you'te playing right away.

Then, when you bass pimp status has increased +10 or more, you can start playin some Cypress Hill and and Snoop Dizzle basslines while watching that **** on YouBoob.

Ok, this ain't the TAB forum but check out "Put the Pipe Down" by Cypress Hill on U-Boob.

Here's the bassline:

G-A#-C-C#, G-A#-C#-C

Then for some parts ya just hit it like this:

low G slide down ...

eric atkinson · #10 03-12-2007, 12:19 AM

I was going to mention the police.

Could always try some yellow jackets or scofield as well

SLaPiNFuNK · #11 03-12-2007, 12:20 AM

Your not gonna get a gig playing Portrait of Tracy...

brandonie · #12 03-12-2007, 12:21 AM

How about Jean Baudins Vanishing. It's a little tricky, but once you get it, it feels like a really great accomplishment!

Jeff Moote · #13 03-12-2007, 01:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SLaPiNFuNK

Your not gonna get a gig playing Portrait of Tracy...

We wouldn't want to learn any music now would we

This guy has a gig, and wants some suggestions of stuff he might like to play.

Dsmalls · #14 03-12-2007, 01:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeff Moote

We wouldn't want to learn any music now would we

This guy has a gig, and wants some suggestions of stuff he might like to play.

Yeah, don't play POT unless you want people to start falling asleep during your show.

Sorry but Jaco's performances are a big fat BORE to non bass - technicalitists... Just the truth.

On the other hand, every other peice of music here that wasn't written by Jaco Pastoriuus must not be "music," right???

Yeah, you're not right.

Otso · #15 03-12-2007, 05:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SLaPiNFuNK

Your not gonna get a gig playing Portrait of Tracy...

+1 forget all that crap about having fun with the bass. The point of playing bass or music in general isn't about having fun or expressing yourself or any of that ****, it's about pleasing the audience.

On a more serious note, have you had a go at learning some Bach on the bass? There's a book called "Bach for bass"? that has some of Bach's solo violin compositions and some others (can't remember, I don't have the book but my teacher showed it to me) for bass.

Tehdouglas · #16 03-12-2007, 06:24 AM

Jeff Moote knows where its at. I'm in a great band and all that junk, I'm just looking for some great songs to learn simply because I enjoy it and I learn new things. And yeah, I agree you wont get gigs playing stuff like Tracy, but I solo/jam in this band as well, so new ideas are always beneficial.

Oh and for what its worth, I've played Tracy (not perfectly but hey) for a few friends and they enjoyed it. Theres a few parts that are kinda slow, if you play it like the record, but I don't see why it would be considered a bore, it is a beautful piece imo.

Otso I have done some Bach, I loved learning the Prelude. Any songs in particular you'd recommend? I tried the first invention but it didn't really interest me, atleast not the part in bass clef. I'll check out the book, thanks.

Otso · #17 03-12-2007, 06:34 AM

Sonata no.2 in a minor is the one I've been attempting to learn. The second movement is great, although very challenging.

Jeff Moote · #18 03-12-2007, 08:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tehdouglas

Oh and for what its worth, I've played Tracy (not perfectly but hey) for a few friends and they enjoyed it. Theres a few parts that are kinda slow, if you play it like the record, but I don't see why it would be considered a bore, it is a beautful piece imo.

POT is a really beautiful piece of music. I can't think of too many people who would disagree

Quote:

Otso I have done some Bach, I loved learning the Prelude. Any songs in particular you'd recommend? I tried the first invention but it didn't really interest me, atleast not the part in bass clef. I'll check out the book, thanks.

The thing with the inventions is that you need to hear the counterpoint of both parts played together to "get it". Try finding a guitar/piano/bass playing friend to play the other part with you.