Great songs and solos to learn and know

[juhani]

Hi there,

I have a question that most if not all of you have certainly come across in your bass playing path. I've been bassing for a couple of years by now and I consider myself a groove based player – I like to play lots of funk and fusion grooves, short bass lines and things that generally lock in with the rhythm section. Perhaps even too much because every now and then there comes a situation where I am asked to "play a song". It is in these situations that I have discovered that, indeed, I have really nothing to play that I consider as an independent and complete song or solo that sounds great also when played by bass alone.

Now, while I can find these kinds of songs pretty easily from the upper registers of bass playing (for instance from Jaco of Victor), I am having a hard time finding something a bit simpler that would still sound great on their own right, when played by bass without any other instruments.

Thus, my question: what do you play in those instances and do you have a list of likewise songs that you would recommend to learn to play?

PS. I realize that bass is not a solo instrument, and it's main function is found in the band situation, but it would still be great to have some independent songs in your pocket to play when the situation calls for it.

All the best,
j.

[juhani]

Nobody? I know I started this thread a while ago, but in the meanwhile I haven't still found anything special… except that I've started exploring Jaco's stuff a bit...

[St Drogo]

Seeman by Rammstein,

Sir Duke (if you can sing it too, that's great).

Take five

So What

[254 stringer]

Write your own song that is bass only. I find that unless it's a real popular bass line when people tell me to play something they stand there with a dumb look on their face and I have to say that's the bass from whatever plus when you have your own song and people ask what it is you can say I wrote that and you'll be twice as cool

[MalcolmAmos]

When you hear; "Play me a song". Say; "I'll play to whatever you sing".

Now really throw them, ask; "What key do you want it in"?