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Good songs for just drum and bass?

L

Lefty Geek

Feb 13, 2006
403
0
NYC
#1
So far my bass experience has been playing bass like a guitarist (which is what I am). Meeting up with a drummer just to work on playing like a "real" bassist (whatever that is).

Our common interest is bluesy hard rock like The Black Keys and the Dirtbombs. Definitely NOT 12 bar blues. Do not want to play a blues turnaround. :) We like things on the louder side, but we can practice songs that are not. We both spoke about liking Booker T and the MGs.

What are some good songs were just two players can play and not sound like something is missing? A plus would be a song that I can easily sing as well, since I can't sing!
 
#2
Lefty Geek said:
Our common interest is bluesy hard rock like The Black Keys and the Dirtbombs. Definitely NOT 12 bar blues. Do not want to play a blues turnaround. :) We like things on the louder side, but we can practice songs that are not. We both spoke about liking Booker T and the MGs.
Click to expand...

Irony? Green Onions is 12 Bar blues. ;)

Umm... anything with a cool bassline really. I can't think of anything specific off the top of my head unfortunately. :(
 
#10
Just J said:
Irony? Green Onions is 12 Bar blues. ;)
Click to expand...

I knew I would get in trouble with that remark! It's hard to use the word "blues" and try to avoid the Blueshammer type of bands. I don't want to play SRV or Clapton. Yes, you read that correctly!

The important part is not the blues or the singing, but a good song. Don't need a killer riff like Under Pressure, just something that moves my playing forward.
 
#11
I've done this -- jam with just a drummer to get some timing down. You'll have to play more of the rhythm guitar parts to carry the melody of the song. We kicked around these:

girls got rhythm - acdc
get ready -- temptations
fake tales of SF -- arctic monkeys
dance floor -- arctic monkeys
its my life -- no doubt
my city was gone -- pretenders
mystery achievement -- pretenders
i saw her standing there - beatles


may work for what you are doings, but it will sound empty without the guitard.....
 
#15
Here are few more crossing a few genres:

good times -- chic
low rider -- war
talking in your sleep -- romantics
paradise -- sade
superfreak - rick james
when the world is running down - police
hollywood swingers - ohio players
not your stepping stone -- monkeys
hate myself your loving you -- joan jett
save a prayer - -durna duran
hot hot hot -- cure
boogie oogie oogie - taste of honey
strobelight -- b-52s
 
#19
"Give it to me Baby" - Rick James. The bass and drums are the complete foundation and glue of the song. Everything else is gravy.

Play that at any R&B club during soundcheck and I guarantee you will get some hollerin'!

"Rock Your Body" - Justin Timberlake. (not too easy to sing, though)

"Blister in the Sun" - Violent Femmes

"Too Young to Die" - Jamiroquai

"Higher Ground" - Stevie Wonder

"Merrymaking at My Place" - Calvin Harris (strongly recommend checking this one out)

"Pump It Up" - Elvis Costello

"Stir it Up" and "Exodus" - Bob Marley

Good suggestions by everyone else!
 

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