• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join freeLog in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Double Bass Need help picking a "standard"

my instructor told me that I need to pick a "standard," something upbeat that people would dance to or something. I'm not entirely sure what he meant, so maybe you guys could recommend some? What are some songs that every gigging jazz musician (or musician in general) should know?
 
Well, that's gotta be "Satin Doll" . . . if you can stand playing it or hearing it yet again.

But mine is "Alone Together," which I find a lot more interesting with its A section, which is 14 bars in a minor key that resolves to a major chord. People are never gonna dance to my music anyway.
 
There must be 1,000 lists of "jazz tunes you should know" on this site and others. However, if you are going to work with this tune for a while and really get inside of it, why not pick a tune you have heard before and enjoy listening to? This will be much more enjoyable and productive than if you shed my favorite tunes.

If you are not that familiar with the standard jazz repertoire, then spend some time and check it out. A great place to start is Miles Davis' 1956 session for Prestige (as mentioned already). These were released as Workin', Cookin', Steamin', and Relaxin'. All are great, essential recordings for jazz musicians and loaded with fine examples of the standard rep.
 
..
But mine is "Alone Together," which I find a lot more interesting with its A section, which is 14 bars in a minor key that resolves to a major chord...

Ever noticed that the changes to the bridge of "Alone Together" are exactly the same as the changes to the bridge of "A Night in Tunisia"? I can't help but quote whichever one we aren't playing at the time in my solos. Fortuantly no one is listening to my solos, so I haven't been called out on it yet.

OP, if you don't know what he means by "standard", you've got some reading and much more important, so listening to do. YouTube, Rhaposidy, Slacker Radio, Spotify all free sources of performances of every song ever performed. Start with the list you were linked to, then spend a day listening and pick something you dig and make it yours.