What is the song that has improved your playing the most

[jordan2]

What is a song that you have learned on bass that has really helped and improved your playing.

For me it's I Believe to My Soul (Donny Hathaway.)

I use riffs and fills similar to the ones in this song all the time now.

What are yours?

[bobbybass85]

I have a few that did different things for me:

Hysteria by Muse - really helped build my speed and accuracy, good for practicing pick technique too.

Superstition by Stevie Wonder - Great groove feel that moves in the pocket and mimics some guitar lines. Great for getting the "feel" of a song.

Steal my kisses by Ben Harper - Great example of how a bassline can be used to add a new level to a relatively sparse and simple song.

Soul to Squeeze by RHCP - Great for practicing your improv.

Just a few, but definitely my favorites

[pacojas]

"Amerika" by Jaco

lots of interesting technique and phrasing for sure!

[NKUSigEp]

"War Pigs" - Black Sabbath

Played it for the high school variety show over 10 years ago and it opened my eyes to a new style of playing.

[251]

Originally Posted by jordan2

What is a song that you have learned on bass that has really helped and improved your playing.

For me it's I Believe to My Soul (Donny Hathaway.)

I use riffs and fills similar to the ones in this song all the time now.

What are yours?

The Oracle by Dave Holland. After playing this in a group & using a 2 bar ostinato to announce the last chorus in a solo, I could hear & play at the same time. The Oracle also let me syncopate 6/8 rhythm across the bar leading to some 4 on 12 patterns that made the drummer crazy. 8-)

Thanks Dave, for the music & the inspiration!

[darkocuk]

Good love is on the way - J. Mayer Trio
basically any pino tune with mayer gets me a good workout and reminds me of how many great ideas are to be had in diatonics.. all depends how you lay them down.
He is a great guy for showing you you need no fancy scales and patterns - mans got taste!

[jordan2]

Oh, I forgot to mention Master Blaster by Stevie Wonder. My speed improved so much playing that.

[HaMMerHeD]

Orion. With a few tactical modifications to the sheet music (which I transcribed myself), it became an exercise in restraint, precision, and speed.

[Tupac]

After I could slap Blackeyed Blond, I could slap just about anything.

[BassChuck]

Any line by Jamerson has improved my technique is some way or another.