Need help from prog-geek bassists

Rebecky · #1 10-06-2011, 06:26 AM

Hey, I need to perform a 20 minute bass recital in a chosen genre or showing a certain technique or style of playing. I've chosen progressive rock music, so I need to pick a few songs I can perform that show virtuosity from this genre. I was thinking along the lines of Yes and Dream Theatre but I'm open to other options.

Can anyone suggest any Yes songs with challenging, busy bass lines that aren't too repetitive (the exam is in "solo bass", so the bass can't really be a background instrument). My initial idea was Heart of the Sunrise, but I found that the time signature changes aren't as complicated as they sound at first, and it is really repetitive... I need something to challenge myself. Any thoughts?

Also with Dream Theatre, I need something that's actually achievable for me - I'm not John Myung yet, and I've only got 4 string basses! I can arrange the bass lines to work on a 4 string, but I need a song where the bass is a main instrument but wont take 5 years to get up to speed. I've not listened to much DT, please give me suggestions I can have a listen to!

Thanks guys! Any help is very much appreciated. I'll try to get my final recital filmed so I can share it on here when its done.

mmbongo · #2 10-06-2011, 06:45 AM

Yes is a good choice, maybe something like Roundabout?

But instead of Dream Theater, I'd look into Rush. YYZ would be the perfect showcase for you. I love Dream Theater, but the bass guitar takes a back seat to the lead guitar, drums, vocals, and keyboards.

mmbongo · #3 10-06-2011, 06:47 AM

You should look into Primus, too. Anything by them would do! Bass is the lead instrument in that band.

Rebecky · #4 10-06-2011, 07:10 AM

My bass tutor suggested YYZ too, I will have a go at it. May have to look into Primus, I only know Lacquerhead, and I'm not sure if they would be classed as prog, the songs need to work in context. But yes YYZ is sounding like a great idea! Also because it was on guitar hero it should be easy to find the guitar and drum parts to make a backing track... Easier than excepting a band to learn it.

**steddy2112** · #5 10-06-2011, 07:10 AM

Roundabout is about as generic as it gets.

Opening lines to Close to the Edge

The Fish is mostly bass tracks, and there's a ton of them there

Starship Trooper, the Disillusion part has a really good bass line

Siberian Khatru has some easy, but cool appregiated chordal stuff towards the end of it

Tempest Fugit has a catchy bass line

Are you looking to do a song in its entirety or a mix of a few songs?

jgroh · #6 10-06-2011, 07:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rebecky

My bass tutor suggested YYZ too, I will have a go at it. May have to look into Primus, I only know Lacquerhead, and I'm not sure if they would be classed as prog, the songs need to work in context. But yes YYZ is sounding like a great idea! Also because it was on guitar hero it should be easy to find the guitar and drum parts to make a backing track... Easier than excepting a band to learn it.

Yes you can find the isolated drum, bass, and guitar parts for YYZ ripped from Guitar Hero on the web. You could piece together several songs with cool transitions if you have to fill 20 minutes.

Rebecky · #7 10-06-2011, 07:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by steddy2112

Opening lines to Close to the Edge

The Fish is mostly bass tracks, and there's a ton of them there

Starship Trooper, the Disillusion part has a really good bass line

Siberian Khatru has some easy, but cool appregiated chordal stuff towards the end of it

Tempest Fugit has a catchy bass line

Are you looking to do a song in its entirety or a mix of a few songs?

Thanks, I'll listen to them all!

I'd prefer to play about 3-4 full songs to fill the 20mins... But I might not be able to find enough songs that are busy all the way through. I could do a few medleys if I need to.

**steddy2112** · #8 10-06-2011, 08:46 AM

OP, when you say solo bass does it mean like a bass solo or something where the primary glue and riffing is done by bass?

Example of the former, YYZ would be great, there's actual solos in it, the latter, Digital Man by Rush is a very bass driven song, and you could say it's the "spice" of the song(other than the lead)

Roscoe East · #9 10-06-2011, 09:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rebecky

My initial idea was Heart of the Sunrise, but I found that the time signature changes aren't as complicated as they sound at first, and it is really repetitive...

With all due respect: One of the things that makes "Heart of The Sunrise" such an engaging, episodic composition is the fact that the bassline isn't strictly repetitive; it's practically a textbook lesson in how to extract maximum variety from a theme. If you can nail Squire's line verbatim, you will impress any jury of prog-geeks with your skills.

Duke21 · #10 10-06-2011, 09:44 AM

Transatlantic stranger in your soul have many nice bass elements!

4001 · #11 10-06-2011, 09:46 AM

Sound Chaser

Dick Them · #12 10-06-2011, 09:56 AM

Do you know the band " Pegasus " from Catalonia ? The bass player is Rafael Escoté, and they have a beautiful ballad called " L´enanito trist " where the bass plays a big part of the melody. I guess you´ll find it in youtube. Good luck with your recital !

**steddy2112** · #13 10-06-2011, 09:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Duke21

Transatlantic stranger in your sole have many nice bass elements!

All of the Above

LMAO

Duke21 · #14 10-06-2011, 02:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by steddy2112

All of the Above

LMAO

All above all is great as well.

NKBassman · #15 10-06-2011, 03:00 PM

The Fish by Yes was the first thing to come to mind, but that would likely require a looping pedal of some kind. I tried learning it with my guitarist's looper one time, but I lost interest pretty fast.

Muaguana · #16 10-06-2011, 05:48 PM

Zomby Woof by Frank Zappa?

That's just one suggestion; jgroh has a good point that if you need to fill 20 minutes, you could probably take parts from multiple songs and connect them with well-thought-out transitions.

lfmn16 · #17 10-06-2011, 06:00 PM

How about something from Return to Forever, Al Di Meola or Mahavishnu Orchestra?

LowEndMan2112 · #18 10-06-2011, 06:04 PM

If you want DT on a 4 banger, Ytse Jam would be a great option. It's from before Myung was basically doubling everything, and has some interesting bass lines and is a blast to play. YYZ or La Villa Strangiato come to mind for Rush, and I've never really taken the time to listen to a ton of Yes, so I'll let others pitch in there.

Also, Green Giant had some killer stuff, In a Glass House being my favourite. Check them out, even if you won't be playing it!

Roscoe East · #19 10-07-2011, 06:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LowEndMan2112

Also, Green Giant had some killer stuff, In a Glass House being my favourite.

Ho-Ho-Ho!

You mean Gentle Giant no doubt...but yeah, Ray Schulman's basslines were definitely up there in the panoply of prog-geek artistry.

BagelBruin · #20 10-07-2011, 06:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mmbongo

Yes is a good choice, maybe something like Roundabout?

But instead of Dream Theater, I'd look into Rush. YYZ would be the perfect showcase for you. I love Dream Theater, but the bass guitar takes a back seat to the lead guitar, drums, vocals, and keyboards.

Funny you mention YYZ. I am listening to that song RIGHT NOW.

YYZ FTW