Where to begin with Primus?

Dan Kahanamoku · #1 03-10-2011, 09:09 AM

I'd like to study a little bit of what Claypool does. Any suggestions on song that won't scare off an average bass player?

Kirkowitz · #2 03-10-2011, 09:13 AM

I really like the first couple things I heard from them... the albums are called "Frizzle Fry" and "Suck on this"... Great bass, but a little stripped down compared to the later stuff.
I also enjoy the album - Sausage "Riddles are abound tonight"- it's an album featuring former members of Primus...

twistedbydesign · #3 03-10-2011, 09:18 AM

Les Claypool rocks! I'd suggest starting with "Antipop" off the album of the same name. It's a fun song to play, but it's not very difficult. It was the first primus song i ever learned. Most of the songs on that album are easier to pick up than a lot of his other stuff in my opinion. I'd say that's a good place to start to get a feel for his style.

ffutterman · #4 03-10-2011, 09:21 AM

Frizzle Fry's good to work with. Here are some songs from that and other albums that are workable:

Southbound Pachyderm
Too Many Puppies
Fisticuffs
Antipop
To Defy The Laws Of Tradition (mainly for the intro)

bassteban · #5 03-10-2011, 09:29 AM

I saw them in the mid-80s when they were UN-KNOWN; I think I was at the show in Berkeley that was recorded for *Suck on this*
My hands-down favorite Primus.

Dan Kahanamoku · #6 03-10-2011, 10:36 AM

Thanks guys!

Icculus · #7 03-10-2011, 11:17 AM

An easier of the Primus songs to play is "Greet the Sacred Cow" off of Antipop, and it's fun too.

BigOldHarry · #8 03-10-2011, 11:20 AM

Buy Sailing the Seas of Cheese. Great album, fun to listen to, lots of stuff to learn.

Bassbat · #9 03-10-2011, 11:25 AM

+1 for southbounnd pacyderm. I learned this because the drummer in my band wanted to jam on it. Its the only primus song I play, but I feel like its a good intro to their material

ffutterman · #10 03-10-2011, 12:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bassbat

+1 for southbounnd pacyderm. I learned this because the drummer in my band wanted to jam on it. Its the only primus song I play, but I feel like its a good intro to their material

It's a really good training song, I think. When I was first starting, it helped me with index finger coordination, keeping a steady tempo, Les' flamenco-y strumming, etc.

NOAH_FX · #11 03-10-2011, 02:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bassbat

+1 for southbounnd pacyderm. I learned this because the drummer in my band wanted to jam on it. Its the only primus song I play, but I feel like its a good intro to their material

Same only Primus song I know as we'll, but sooo much fun to play, It's just such a rocking groove... The three Chords are the hardest part (The Duna da na na...?>?<?

) but once you get them they sound awesome...

Need2KnowBasses · #12 03-10-2011, 03:04 PM

The first Claypool line I learned was the main line from Eleven on Sailing The Seas Of Cheese. There was a transcription in a bass magazine probably 20 years ago (thanks for making me feel really old). It's not that difficult and really fun to play around with. It will also really impress people who don't know anything about playing bass.

Corporate Boy · #13 03-10-2011, 04:41 PM

Any tips on playing My Name is Mudd?

Atticus · #14 03-10-2011, 06:32 PM

Seconding Seas of Cheese. Blue Collar Tweekers is really easy with the exception of the bass solo, as is Here Come the B******s. Both will get you good at playing fourth and fifth chords, respectively, which is important because Les uses a lot of chords. Eleven is not hard if you can swing the time signature. Sgt. Baker is just flat out one of my favorite lines, and it's not terribly difficult.