Just bass and voice??

[Grumry]

Just use tons of effects and play it like a guitar.

 

[Sonicfrog]

This is one I keep meaning to perfect.

 

[zontar]

There's some other musical instrument stuff at the start--but then it's just bass & voice
try this-

 

[grillman]

Richard Bona and Bobby McFerrin set the bar pretty high. Good inspiration though

 

[gsquare]

That sounds like an amazing opportunity!

 

[Matthew Fisher]

Richard Bona and Bobby McFerrin set the bar pretty high. Good inspiration though

That is so awesome. Transporting.

And now for some random remarks on a more earthly plane: 1) On a very pedestrian note, he's using a capo there. 2) Some people say "why not just play guitar if you're going to play up the neck", but the timbre is different. It's still bass. 3) Players like Richard Bona show the value of a boutique instrument like a Fodera. As much as I love the Fender/Squier sound, I've never heard anyone get that palette of sounds from a Fender. 4) That "pretentious single cut" (an inside joke) is gorgeous.

 

[PJSim]

 

[bassman10096]

Sunny (Sunny?) by Bobby Hebb. 60s, bass and vocal run the show.

 

[Frank Tuesday]

Check out Rob Wasserman - Duets. The whole album is bass and vocals. Here's one track.

 

[Spidey2112]

You have a couple of options - you can play some chords, or just the basslines - I would think anything with a prominent line could work. Even "Money" by Pink Floyd could be interesting.

Why just 'or'? Chords AND baselines, not too much of either, would make a tasty combo alongside a great singer...

 

[40Hz]

A few songs I've done with just bass and fenale vocalist that worked out really well were:

• Summertime
• Me and Bobby McGee
• The Wind Cries Mary (use chording on this one)
• Fever
• Easy Money (great piece for showing off your jazz stylings!)
• Cry Me a River
• Dear Prudence
• Still Crazy
• Your Song
• Such a Night (especially good with fretless and just the right amount of mwah on those brilliant down slides Dr. John put in there. done right you'll get a few laughs and big smiles from the crowd all the way through it. )

 

[Adam Johnson]

Tim Carey and Amanda Taylor. Best vocals bass duo I've come across...

 

[RockNRollRanter]

As someone who's accompanied her vocals on guitar countless times and also happens to play bass, I don't see this being impossible at all. Actually, I've been trying to arrange some things that way because every Tom, Richard, and Harry has done the vocals/guitar thing. Could be a nice change-up, vocals/bass.

I would think that the best songs to arrange this way would be songs that are kinda drone-y on guitar so arranging them on bass could not only be easier, but also make the song "punchier," if you will. I just arranged the song I'm attaching here (this very version...DADAAD tuning...hmmmm...) for vocals and bass. Works pretty well in my eyes. I'll probably record it soon--if I do, I'll share. Maybe it'll give you some inspo.

 

[Bodeanly]

Great thread! My only advice: if you decide to play Under Pressure, make sure you don't accidentally play Ice Ice Baby.

 

[Sonicfrog]

A few songs I've done with just bass and fenale vocalist that worked out really well were:

• Summertime
• Me and Bobby McGee
• The Wind Cries Mary (use chording on this one)
• Fever
• Easy Money (great piece for showing off your jazz stylings!)
• Cry Me a River
• Dear Prudence
• Still Crazy
• Your Song
• Such a Night (especially good with fretless and just the right amount of mwah on those brilliant down slides Dr. John put in there. done right you'll get a few laughs and big smiles from the crowd all the way through it. )

40Hz/// Would that be the Paul Simon "Still Crazy"??? I've been meaning to work that into my set on guitar, but I am just not getting it right. Never thought about doing it on bass!!!

Oh, another song I do on just bass.... "Tea In The Sahara" by the Police. Simple bass line, but very effective.

 

[Double E]

This guy has collaborated with many vocalists on his you tube channel... great stuff, his virtuosity really shines.





DUOS! - YouTube

 

[johnp352]

read this all the way through, and yikes! nobody has mentioned a "simple" blues. One of my top 3 songwriters is Willie Dixon, and there's not a single WD tune that couldn't be done this way. Take one you know (or think you know ....and see where it takes you. Some absolutely beautiful soulful lyrics, lots of room to improvise too..

 

[Camarillo]

Wow. I didn't expect so much material!

 

[HaphAsSard]

I was thinking about songs in this minimal line up, the only things that comes to my mind is Fever (Peggy Lee or Elvis Presley). Do you have other examples?

In case you're not aware of Petra Magoni and Ferruccio Spinetti's "Musica Nuda" project, definitely look them up for some inspiration:
musica nuda - YouTube
I've seen them live and, while I didn't/don't like everything they did/do (I find her annoyingly self-indulgent and not respectful of the song at times), they're worth checking out. Well, he goes arco a lot, but still.

"Tea In The Sahara"

Me too! I also threw in "Moon over Bourbon Street" that same gig.

A similar thread:
Would just an acoustic bass and solo singer be to boring?

 

[jmlee]

Also, check out Karen Young and Michel Donato (below). For some years I've done a jazz duo for restaurant gigs, just chromatic harmonica and upright bass. The space is incredible and such fun!