I have a friend that knows none. That's why he thinks bass players must be on the right side of guitar player (if he's not a lefty)
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How many songs do you know?
- Thread starter AB Nate
- Start date
When you say "know a song," what do you mean?
I "know" several hundred blues songs, and can play them a capella complete, despite having never played them before. After all, there's only so many variations of 1-4-5.
I "know" hundreds of rock tunes, but I need the musical cues from the band to play. I "know" thousands more where I'd need a sheet, as well.
My quarantine song (Billboards #1 on week of your 10th birthday) is Theme from Shaft. I can play that one end to end a capella.
I "know" several hundred blues songs, and can play them a capella complete, despite having never played them before. After all, there's only so many variations of 1-4-5.
I "know" hundreds of rock tunes, but I need the musical cues from the band to play. I "know" thousands more where I'd need a sheet, as well.
My quarantine song (Billboards #1 on week of your 10th birthday) is Theme from Shaft. I can play that one end to end a capella.
I have been in cover bands for over 10 years, I had 400 tunes 7 years ago, I would guess about 700 tunes that I could know with a couple days notice to refresh. Most rock songs are very similar, I will not know the exact bass parts to all but can come close enough.
I voted 150-200, assuming you mean playing them off the top of my head or with a minimum of "gimme a second to remember that one part.". If you meant actually playing it through properly without struggling to remember a part here or there because I haven't played it in a long time, then I'd lower it to 100-150. But if I have a few days to work through some of them, I'd get it back up to the 150-200 range.
I also play in a basement jam that has a few different books that we'll work out of and the one we use on a given night is dependent on a combination of who's there that night as well as on the host's whim. I'd say there are about 400 chord charts in them.
I also play in a basement jam that has a few different books that we'll work out of and the one we use on a given night is dependent on a combination of who's there that night as well as on the host's whim. I'd say there are about 400 chord charts in them.
including read-along, several hundred, more or less.
If your goal is to perform at the minimum acceptable level.
Seriously, now we’re debating what it means to know a song?
I've forgotten way more than I could play offhand right now. The old brain needs an occasional jump start.
I love learning songs! And, I truly love learning them as close to the original as I can get. I have a YouTube channel with a few hundred songs there. I really try to already have the song figured out before I even touch a bass. Sometimes that’s easier said than done 
Any which way that works for you. Whatever “know a song” means to you.
There’s guys on this forum that just picked up a bass yesterday(maybe an exaggeration) and have busted out tab to smoke on the water working on their first song or there’s guys that don’t pick up a bass without a songbook open or.....who’s to say.
very vaguely trying to keep it open to all interpretation. No ones getting graded on their answers here.
if everyone copies and pastes this:
>>>>> A TROPHY <<<<<<
Then you all win something!
I love learning songs! And, I truly love learning them as close to the original as I can get. I have a YouTube channel with a few hundred songs there. I really try to already have the song figured out before I even touch a bass. Sometimes that’s easier said than done
interesting tactic. I’ve seen some of your vids. Great content. Thanks! I’ve just within the last year of playing started tackling a list. I’m getting close to 20 songs on it. A couple are quite challenging
When I was running a band we had the idea of having at least 4 hours of music prepared and ready to go all the time. Of course there was probably another 2+ hours of tunes we could pull out of our metaphorical ***es if you know what I mean. Tune we used to play. Also any decent musician should be able to fake through 12 bar blues based songs, Mustang Sally, I Feel Good, La Bamba, and stuff like that.
Respectfully, I don't consider the ability to "get through" a song I don't know to be anywhere near minimum level. You actually need some experience and training to be able to do it convincingly. There are plenty of people who have no idea how to play along with something unless they "know" it.
No. Now we're having fun on a weekend discussing things that don't really matter on Talkbass.
Respectfully, I don't consider the ability to "get through" a song I don't know to be anywhere near minimum level. You actually need some experience and training to be able to do it convincingly. There are plenty of people who have no idea how to play along with something unless they "know" it.
No. Now we're having fun on a weekend discussing things that don't really matter on Talkbass.
respectfully, this thread has nothing to do with skill level or how anyone gets through a song. It’s really just a simple question:
Enter your statistic in the poll. Do you know a boatload of material or not.
that’s the sum of the question
Or I guess just troll if that how you wanna spend your afternoon
Ooh, I have no idea. All of them? None of them?
I find I have to freshen them up before a gig, no matter what.
I find I have to freshen them up before a gig, no matter what.
