throw some tunes here!

[krazyduck]

I have a lot of time on my hands this week, so I'm gonna ask you for a favor.

I want a list of fun songs to play BUT that would help improve my bass playing. I know that the more I play, the better I get - no matter the song - but I am looking for songs that will help improve my technique.

so any suggestions? (i would appreciate if you also reveal what technique I should be focusing on during the song).

thanks a lot!

oh, and I'm a beginner.

[Deacon_Blues]

Street Life - The Crusaders feat. Randy Crawford. Probably not a beginner song, but I don't know your exact level so it's hard to tell what's too difficult.

Mustang Sally - This song is easy enough to put the focus on the timing and really laying down a tight groove.

Funk the dumb stuff (Tower of Power) - Not an easy song but definitely a good exercise for your finger coordination. And plenty fun to play. In the tab forum you should find this song if you do a search.

Suspicious Minds (Elvis Presley) - Good song with a nice bassline. There's also a great live version of this that is faster than the studio version and the bass playing on that one is really impressive.

Reach out (Four Tops) and What's Going On (Marvin Gaye) - A couple of my fav motown tunes, played by the great Mr. Jamerson

Something, All My Loving, She Loves You (The Beatles) - Great songs with very different basslines.

That should get you started...

[I am Domokun]

Dream Theater - The Dance of Eternity. Intricate riffs and changes, and a blistering solo!

[wingnut]

Badge, by clapton will teach you how to run fills with slides and pick ups. Rock and roll hoochie coo, by rick derringer will give both your hands a workout and demonstrate how to use scales within a playing context. Almost anything by bob wills and the texas playboys will teach you swing bass and improve your walking lines. Let us know how you do and welcome to talkbass!

[DudeistMonk]

Dream Theater - The Dance of Eternity. Intricate riffs and changes, and a blistering solo!

Last time I checked Myung played a six string so watch out you might need to transpose this

Some more songs

RATM has some really awesome bass lines that aren't that rough but really groove, also very riffy so if you learn two or 3 lines you know a song. I bought the bass book for their first album and its what got me hooked into bass. Check out Bombtrack (solo in the beginning the rest is pretty simple), Killing in the name, Bullet in the head...pretty much anything, a few slaps songs in there too if you like that style.

<------------------- little harder ----------------->

Tool - Schism - Good for hammer ons (might be a little rough though, I learned it too early in my bass experience and it took me like a week to get down...A little overplayed now though, becoming the stairway of its day.

Chili Peppers - Blood Sugar Sex Magic - Playing multiple notes at once and sliding.

Also Melloship Slinky - this line is one of my all time favorites it can be rough at first, since you have to rake down (tonally) across all 4 strings...Try omitting the mutes and just playing the notes.

Allman Brothers - Whipping post...its just has such a sweet intro, and its not that hard.

[fenderhutz]

I want you back - Jackson 5

[KrispyJones]

every jamerson tune !
get standing in the shadows of motown !