What do you play when you try out a bass?

[Metal Chuck]

Okay, so lately I've been hanging at music stores a lot, and I don't know what to play, so I look like a douchebag just running up and down chromatically.

What do you play in music stores?

[RWP]

This is a critical skill. The sales guys immediately judge you by what you are laying down and you don't them or the others in the store to think you are anything but a cool experianced bass player . Pratice you best grooves to have ready for the store audition.
I am finally getting pretty good at slaping out a good groove so that is my "I am a cool guy" thing. However I play low and never too long.

[Metal Chuck]

Well I have my mother stand there with a checkbook, so, I really don't think they care

[BassChuck]

I don't care what they think about me. I've lived 53 years without their love and I'll go on for many more without it.

[RWP]

Originally Posted by Metal Chuck

Well I have my mother stand there with a checkbook, so, I really don't think they care

Wow, I remember those days. You are right, that is the answer. Have to give my Mom a call

[keb]

Oh, usually I just pick a key and improvise.

[bradjonesbass]

For a serious answer, play what you are going to be playing on it. Some basses are great for slapping, but if you don't slap, you probably don't want or need that bass. Yet, if you start slapping on it to display your guitar shop chops you may be fooled into thinking it's the perfect bass for you, only to get it home and realize it sounds and plays like crap when you go to band practice and break out the pick and plug into your distortion pedal...

Play what you play. Don't show off.

[BrandonBass]

Originally Posted by bradjonesbass

For a serious answer, play what you are going to be playing on it. Some basses are great for slapping, but if you don't slap, you probably don't want or need that bass. Yet, if you start slapping on it to display your guitar shop chops you may be fooled into thinking it's the perfect bass for you, only to get it home and realize it sounds and plays like crap when you go to band practice and break out the pick and plug into your distortion pedal...

Play what you play. Don't show off.

well you can do a slapfest then shred on it. Im an attention whore and if im as good as billy sheehan i would surely do some showing off >. Too bad i suck, as of now

[threshar]

Well, the first thing I do is immediately turn the volume on the amp up and proceed to play "higher ground" (rhcp version). The trick is to not play it correctly, or in time, or even with the right notes!






In reality I play some of the tunes I play with my band, and some tunes I wrote. Do some fingering, some tapping, some slapping (Since that is what I use in my music). See how each sounds and how the bass feels to me. And try to listen to its sound while trying to ignore and listen past the [bad word]ing kid around the corner using method #1 in this post.

[dryheatbob]

Originally Posted by RWP

Wow, I remember those days. You are right, that is the answer. Have to give my Mom a call

Well, my mom's been gone almost ten years now, so the best I can do is plop her urn down on the nearest amp and play away. If I told 'em I was playing something special for her, you think they'd leave me alone?


Basschuck has the best answer- Who cares what they think? I could sit down and play chopsticks like I was drunk and armless, and as long as my credit card covers the balance, the sales monkeys likely wouldn't care less.


As far as what to play, play something that lets you figure out if it's a good bass for you. I really think it's that simple. If its scales, play scales. If it's a monster slap riff, jam away. It's your money, not theirs(yet).


Bob

[beyondhairy]

What do you play when you try out a bass?

a bass, silly


it was a trick question lol

[thebassclef]

Some of the others have it right. Play what you would normally play on the bass, whether it be practicing by yourself, in school or in a band. and play it like you would in those situations.

I bought a bass once thinking it would be a great stage rig. I played low and with a light touch at the store, but on stage, I play loud and dig in. This bass was not good for that and was heavy. Since then, I take a strap and play it like I would on stage. You'll get a few weird looks, but you'll be happy you did.

[Peg_legs]

I always start with Money by Pink Floyd cuz it's what is about to be leaving my wallet. Then I just play random notes concentrating on how the bass feels and the tone. Fingers, pick, then slap. If I like what I hear, I always end with Spirit of Radio by Rush then rush out the door without paying for it

[elros]

Mostly long notes, chords and harmonics. Looking for dead spots and other unwanted features. If it's an instrument I may want to buy, that is.

[Myxomatosis]

i do a lot of "noodling". not too much playing, just enough to get an idea of what the bass can produce. then i run over it with a fine tooth comb.

[Mojo-Man]

I play scales.
I check notes on fingerboard.
Say a open A, A on the E string, G string, ect.
Balance tone, any dead notes on fingerboard.
Then some cords?
If I'am into bass, I do not play to impress people in store.

[The Owl]

Originally Posted by Metal Chuck

Okay, so lately I've been hanging at music stores a lot, and I don't know what to play, so I look like a douchebag just running up and down chromatically.

What do you play in music stores?

FRETTED: "Turpentine", a song that I used to play with an old band Tony Island, has a rippin' bass intro. Also, Stanley Clarke's "Silly Putty" is good for fretted testing.

FRETLESS: The middle section and other parts of Brand X's "Ghost of The Mayfield Lodge"