Top 10 Standards, by genre!

[neurotictim]

So I searched and searched, and perhaps didn't find the right keyword to find this, but I had an idea last night while practicing.

Why don't we have a thread with 10 or so "standards" from a number of genres, all in one spot, one thread?

The reason I suggest this is that, while my "chops" are improving from the sheer amount of playing that I've been doing, my creativity is becoming stifled with "Top 40" basslines and the stuff I already know how to play. I keep reverting to form and find that everything, my fills and walks, sound the same. I can honestly say that I've forgotten more songs than I can currently play from beginning to end, but they all sort of fall into the classic rock-modern rock-metal genres. Getting out of my comfort zone will help, but finding the right songs to get me there, without knowing what I'm looking for, is like looking for a needle in a haystack.

So how about we establish some basic genres - I think it could get crazy with "Black grind-core melodic death metal" type specification, but in the post below I've broken it down to 17 categories.

Let's shoot for beginner-to-intermediate-level songs, as the fact that I've been playing for 15+ years doesn't mean I can play at the level of some of the 15-year-olds on this forum...

Not necessarily the songs that are the coolest, or have the trickiest or slickest basslines, but the ones that sort of exemplify the genre, the general "rules" of that style of music.

If I have missed any basic genres, or feel that it's necessary to further split genres, please feel free to add/subract them, and any suggestions for songs to the list in your own post. Just copy and paste the post below, and add your "standards" for whatever given genre/genres you're familiar with - and don't forget to list the artist as well.

I'll add mine when I've gotten home and can look through the music folder, and put together a compilation when I have the time, if this thread takes off.

[neurotictim]

Classic Country (prior to... 1980?)

Modern Country (80's to now)


Golden Oldies (prior to '60?)

Classic Rock ('60s to, umm... 1980?)

Modern Rock (80's to now)


Classic Jazz (early 20th century)

Smooth Jazz/Fusion

Contemporary Jazz (late 20th century)


Gospel

RnB/Soul

Motown

Funk

Hip-Hop


80's "hair" Metal

Grunge/90's "Alternative"

90's to 00's "Nu-metal"

"Extreme" metal (including all the "-cores", and anything that ends in "metal", basically.)

[omnimutant]

I think you should add Punk. While originally just crappy rock(1970's), in the mid 80's - 90's it evolved new forms and sub genre's of itself and really stands out against traditional forms of rock in a huge way, but totally different then "grunge" or "Alternative".

[neurotictim]

@Omnimutant - I totally forgot about one of my favorite genres, the blues, as well. I'll update the list.

[Billnc]

Blues, though many I'm really tired of, lets just say half I never want to do again, but they are in the standard repertoire.
1. Stormy Monday
2. One Way Out
3. Pride and Joy
4. Highway 49
5. Red House
6. Thrill Is Gone
7. Tore Down
8. Spoonful
9. Got My Mojo Workin'
10. I'm Ready

[champbassist]

Well, our own specialized list would be great, but this thread at ultimate-guitar is pretty nice.

[Beginner Bass]

That thread is a bit more from a bassist's standpoint though, I think. I believe what the TS is trying to get at is more from a band's standpoint.

[I<34080]

Grunge/90's "Alternative"

Any of these songs could easily be replaced with another of the band's singles, but these are basically what I think of when I think "Radio Alternative"

1. Smells Like Teen Spirit
2. Black Hole Sun
3. Jeremy
4. Rooster
5. Sex Type Thing
6. Everlong
7. Wonderwall
8. Been Caught Stealin'
9. 1979
10. Creep

[s_mcsleazy]

why does everyone pick teen spirit. i love nirvana but i hate that song

[Billnc]

Originally Posted by s_mcsleazy

why does everyone pick teen spirit. i love nirvana but i hate that song

That's the bugger with standards.

[RFord04]

Originally Posted by champbassist

Well, our own specialized list would be great, but this thread at ultimate-guitar is pretty nice.

Man, I'm glad I don't frequent that board. The guy who started that thread is a control-freak and a tool.

[champbassist]

Originally Posted by Beginner Bass

That thread is a bit more from a bassist's standpoint though, I think. I believe what the TS is trying to get at is more from a band's standpoint.

But...

Originally Posted by neurotictim

The reason I suggest this is that, while my "chops" are improving from the sheer amount of playing that I've been doing, my creativity is becoming stifled with "Top 40" basslines and the stuff I already know how to play. I keep reverting to form and find that everything, my fills and walks, sound the same. I can honestly say that I've forgotten more songs than I can currently play from beginning to end, but they all sort of fall into the classic rock-modern rock-metal genres. Getting out of my comfort zone will help, but finding the right songs to get me there, without knowing what I'm looking for, is like looking for a needle in a haystack.

Not necessarily the songs that are the coolest, or have the trickiest or slickest basslines, but the ones that sort of exemplify the genre, the general "rules" of that style of music.

He's talking about 'I' and bass, so I figure it's from a bassist's POV that he speaks.

Originally Posted by RFord04

The guy who started that thread is a control-freak and a tool.

There are a fair few there who fit that description on UG. I don't visit that site any more, except for laughs. I'm glad I found TB. UG's Bass section is nowhere near as knowledgeable as TB.

[neurotictim]

Yup, champbassist has it right - this is for me, and bassists like myself, that find they've hit a "plateau" in our playing, and don't know where to start to get out of the "comfort zone" that we all find, regardless of style.

I hear "play songs and styles you're not familiar with" all the time, but where to start in a world with millions and millions of songs to choose from? So I thought I'd start this thread.

:shrug:

[Billnc]

Originally Posted by neurotictim

Yup, champbassist has it right - this is for me, and bassists like myself, that find they've hit a "plateau" in our playing, and don't know where to start to get out of the "comfort zone" that we all find, regardless of style.

I hear "play songs and styles you're not familiar with" all the time, but where to start in a world with millions and millions of songs to choose from? So I thought I'd start this thread.

:shrug:

Ok here are some jazz tunes I've played no matter the situation...
1. Blue Bossa
2. All Blues
3. Round Midnight
4. Blue Monk
5. Song for My Father
6. Summertime
7. Fly Me to the Moon
8. Autumn Leaves
9. Girl From Ipanema
10. Lady Be Good

Oh and I mentioned Stormy freaking Monday in the last list. I had the opportunity to jam with 6 other players Sunday on that. Yes the Keys and two guitars all played DIFFERENT changes, yippee all insisting there changes were right rather than going with the flow and agreeing on something.

[stratovani]

Classic Rock:

Stairway To Heaven
Money
Paranoid
(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction
Nights In White Satin
Whole Lotta Love
Band On The Run
Ramblin' Man
Layla
Any number of Beatles songs

[Mazatleco17]

How about some reggae?

[Sizlack]

Originally Posted by I<34080

Grunge/90's "Alternative"

Any of these songs could easily be replaced with another of the band's singles, but these are basically what I think of when I think "Radio Alternative"

1. Smells Like Teen Spirit
2. Black Hole Sun
3. Jeremy
4. Rooster
5. Sex Type Thing
6. Everlong
7. Wonderwall
8. Been Caught Stealin'
9. 1979
10. Creep

Creep from Radiohead or STP?