Bass lines/songs that everyone should learn

[TheVoiceless]

If you're talking something that beginners should learn and veterans should know, I'd have to say "Stand By Me" by Ben E. King. That is classic Motown and can be used in many songs like Please Mr. Postman and other oldies.

It is an instantly recognizable progression that stands on its own. May be a bit below your skill level, however.

Great example. Yeah it may be a basic riff, but it speaks volumes about how you don't need a million notes to make a memorable bass line. I believe I know this one, but will work on it regardless.

This is one all bass players should know.

 

[omnimutant]

I will learn every song listed as part of my personal challenge to learn as many songs on bass as I can

Do you really want to open that flood gate?
I applaud your enthusiasm, let us know how that works out.

 

[Deathblade Eric]

Learn all the blues progressions/turnarounds you can.

Can you be specific? Songs? Players?

There are dozens & dozens &, well, lots really. Way too many to list even a fraction... but here's a couple to be going along with:

1: Swing Shuffle. Keith Ferguson of The Fabulous Thunderbirds from their second album "What's The Word", on 'Extra Jimmies': - find parts 2-6 while you're at it... Booker T, Sam & Dave and Otis Redding on the same bill? Woot! (plus you get plenty of footage of Duck Dunn having a ball)

Pete.

 

[TheVoiceless]

Do you really want to open that flood gate?
I applaud your enthusiasm, let us know how that works out.

YES!!!!!!!! Bring it on!!

Well really I have been playing originals for so long I haven't taken the time learn many covers. So I would like to learn as many songs as I can in the next year. I would like to get some paying gigs doing covers, do some sub fill ins and hopefully find a band that I could do full time.

 

[TheVoiceless]

There are dozens & dozens &, well, lots really. Way too many to list even a fraction... but here's a couple to be going along with:

1: Swing Shuffle. Keith Ferguson of The Fabulous Thunderbirds from their second album "What's The Word", on 'Extra Jimmies': - find parts 2-6 while you're at it... Booker T, Sam & Dave and Otis Redding on the same bill? Woot! (plus you get plenty of footage of Duck Dunn having a ball)

Pete.

WOW!! Thanks so much. I love Duck Dunn from the Blues Brothers movie. I have my hands full that's for sure.

 

[G On Bass]

I recommend some/any/all of the Chuck Rainey stuff from Steely Dan (especially from the AJA album). Green Earrings will give you a good workout as well.

Of course, this all depends on what genre you're going after. Whipping out 'The Fez' note for note at an audition for a punk band may get you physically hurt.

 

[TheVoiceless]

Here is a list of songs I've learned 99% of all of the song note for note. This is a set list for an 80's band I am auditioning for. I have an audition with a 90's band coming up with som Chili Peppers and more challenging songs.

I ran- Flock of Seagulls

Turning Japanese -- The Vapors

Rebel Yell --Billy Idol

The Metro -- Berlin

Every Body's Working for the Weekend -- Lover Boy

Walk like an Eygptian -- the Bangles

One way or another -- Blondie

Pump it up --Elvis Costello

Mystery Achievement --- the Pretenders

 

[TheVoiceless]

I recommend some/any/all of the Chuck Rainey stuff from Steely Dan (especially from the AJA album). Green Earrings will give you a good workout as well.

Of course, this all depends on what genre you're going after. Whipping out 'The Fez' note for note at an audition for a punk band may get you physically hurt.

Love Kid Charlemagne!!! Yes Chuck is awesome. I love me some DAN. I've added it to the list. Thanks for participating! Honestly I am looking for examples from every genre. I want to learn it all!! Its not going to happen overnight, but I've got the rest of my life..... so its time I get started

 

[BluesWalker]

A couple of ideas for you:

Green Onions - Booker T and the MG's. Look for other versions of this song (e.g. one played by Roscoe Beck) and other songs that use this line (e.g. Help Me) to learn how to mix up the line.

Born Under a Bad Sign - Albert King. One of my favs, the bass drives the whole song.

 

[sheebes]

"money" by pink floyd. You can practice so many useful techniques in just one song. Plus it is fun to play

 

[E2daGGurl]

It's not just about learning covers, it's about learning what those bass players are doing, when they invented those lines (or borrowed them) for those songs.

Great list of songs. Kid Charlemagne teaches a lot. So does Money. There are some easier ones worth learning too, like

All My Lovin'

and

And I Love Her.

 

[TheVoiceless]

Here is a list of covers I've learned in the last few months.Its 52 songs. Right now I am in a 80's New wave cover band. But I am still looking for another band that is more active. In the meantime I've played one gig with a 90's alternative band. And now I am learning songs for a Disco/PoP/Dance cover band for a sub gig, possible full time. I'm learning everything from Disco to blues, to Pop. I'm loving the challenge.

KCSunshine-get down tonight
Taste of Honey-Boogie Oogie
Kool and the gang-ladies night
Donna Summer- Hot stuff
John Mayer- Say
Lady Gaga- Papparazzi
Toto- Hold the line
Patrice Rushen-Forget me Nots
Barry White-Cant get enough of your love
Jody Whatley- Dont you want me
Maxwell- sumthin sumthin
Adam Lambert- What do you want from me

Telephone - Lady Gaga
Bad Romance - Lady Gaga
Been Caught Stralin - Janes Addiction
Tick Tok - Ke$ha
American Girl - Tom Petty
I Gotta Feeling - Black Eyed Peas
Santaria - Sublime
Spiderwebs - No Doubt

Comedown-Bush
Cumbersome- Seven Mary 3
Good- Better than ezra
Learn to Fly- Foo Fighters
Wonderwall- Oasis
When you Where Young- The Killers
Killing in the Name of- RATM
What I got-Sublime
Knocked up-Kings of leon
My Hero- Foo Fighters
Use Somebody-Kings of leon
Summertime Blues-The Who
By the Way-RHCP
Hard to Handle-Black Crowes
Brain Stew-Green Day
My Generation-The Who
Social Distortion-Far Behind

Working for the Weekend - Loverboy
Turning Japanese - The Vapors
The Metro - Berlin
Pump It Up - Elvis Costello
One Way or Another - Blondie
Walk Like an Egyptian - The Bangles
I Ran - Flock of Seagulls
Rebel Yell - Billy Idol
Mystery Achievement - Pretenders
Der Kommissar - After the Fire (english version)
Girl U Want - Devo
I Love Rock & Roll - Joan Jett
I Want Candy - Bow Wow Wow
Walking in LA - Missing Persons
Vacation - The Go Go's

 

[mid_life_crisis]

Wild thing - The Troggs
Sunshine of your love - Cream
Daytripper by the Beatles has a very interesting bass line.

If you are going to cover you cannot go wrong learning plenty of old Motown songs. They get the girls up and dancing and the guys will follow.

 

[Popbumper]

There are two songs that I have already learned after three weeks of playing - talk about some beginning stuff:

Bikini Kill - Rebel Girl
Radiohead - Creep

Why these bland, nonchalant songs? My son likes to play drums on Rockband (and has designs on playing real drums, as a result). Listening to these songs, the parts are so super-simple, I picked up the bass and played them by ear. The first uses a mere four unique notes - I think the second uses seven notes.

Yes, I have much greater aspirations - but my 11 year old boy was impressed that I played along on a REAL bass guitar in such a short time.

I have just begun to suffer through Rush's Red Barchetta - NOT a beginner's song .

Chris

 

[perutxo]

sir duke by stevie wonder

 

[TheVoiceless]

Thanks for all of the suggestions. I will add them to my list. Right now I am eating up songs and spitting them out. Its like rolling a ball down hill at this point, and I am gaining momentum.

 

[Lichtaffen]

If Flea were a forum member he would give you a "+1" since they covered it on the RHCP album Freaky Styley.

Man, every time there's a thread about essential/influential/inspiring/challenging bass lines, I always throw out the same one. No one ever responds. I never get a +1. Sometimes I think I dreamed up this song in my own head. But once more, for what it's worth:

"If You Want Me To Stay" by Sly And The Family Stone

It's one of the first and only bass lines I ever learned to note-for-note, and it was a bear... but worth every hour I put into it!

 

[ba$$]

Beatles - Dear Prudence
RHCP - Blood Sugar Sex Magik

 

[brammerd]

chic - good times

this song really unleashed something inside of me

 

[ridgeback]

Maybe not your typical "classic" bass song but love it, hate it, the bass line has all grove,easy,tricky,fun things a bass line needs, ignore the vocals and its a great great bass line and fun to play.not as easy as it might first sound,but not so hard you wont try it by ear..imo that is..