simple songs harder to play?

[BrandonBass]

i find that sometimes those root note songs are harder to play cause i keep forgettin the progression of the song, whereas i can play a melodic song by say rhcp even more easily...

any tips?

[theshadow2001]

I'd say this is because your mind wanders while playing the simpler songs instead of staying focused on what your supposed to be doing. If your playing with a drummer try to focus more on what he's doing and locking in with ensuring every beat is in time with his

[steveb98]

Simple songs to me aren't hard, slow tempo are hard. Have to feel subdivsions to keep the time even.

[WillBuckingham]

Sing the melody in your head while you play your bassline.

[JohnBarr]

Originally Posted by steveb98

Simple songs to me aren't hard, slow tempo are hard. Have to feel subdivsions to keep the time even.

+1 on that.
Playing at fast tempos you can get a way with a few misses. And you just might be fooling yourself.

Play out of time or flub a note when you're playing at 64bpm to a jazz ballad (I'm working on Angel Eyes these days) and it sticks out like sore plucking finger. Everyone can hear it.

Slow tunes are merciless and for that reason they're good practice, especially if you're getting your intonation down on fretless.

[stretchcat]

I can remember rehearsing "Seven Steps to Heaven" and we would play it as a ballad sometimes while practicing. It was really hard to keep it slow because everyone was so used to hearing it at a burning tempo.

[mattomatto]

I found the same problem for a couple of years, i could play complex songs quite easily but found i lost my attention on easier songs.. I really think its about going back to basics and learning to play slowly and consistently but also keeping focused on the tune and not getting impatient in your head!