I've never played with a drummer who does it as simple as it's supposed to be. Kinda makes it difficult for me to do it with the right feel.
I personally HATE this song.
I personally HATE this song.
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Old Time Rock and Roll - song
- Thread starter SwitchGear
- Start date
This is what I do. Lay back during the verses, and pick it up in the choruses and solos.
This is great! I may "borrow" this
Not my favorite song either but many people love it. I've played it on drums in the past, not bass and I don't remember what the bass player did. I suppose we played it straight 8ths.
When I first saw the thread I could not get the tune in my head. I kept thinking of Keep Playing That R & R by Edgar Winter & White Trash. That's a lot more fun to play. Maybe you can convince the BL to switch songs?
When I first saw the thread I could not get the tune in my head. I kept thinking of Keep Playing That R & R by Edgar Winter & White Trash. That's a lot more fun to play. Maybe you can convince the BL to switch songs?
Back in the day the drummer and I would mimic the style mentioned in the lyric.
"Don't try to take me to the disco" we would play a quick disco feel....same with tango. I'm sure no one noticed but it did make us laugh and break the monotony a bit.
"Don't try to take me to the disco" we would play a quick disco feel....same with tango. I'm sure no one noticed but it did make us laugh and break the monotony a bit.
Very interesting that I've played the song many times before but never paid attention to the original bass line either 
but now I'm listening to it, what I play is very close to the original bass line. To me it sounds like it starts with the solid 8th notes, and gradually the accents come in, and the classic 5-7- root kind of movements etc.. I doubt the original bass player can play the exact same bass line again. Sounds like jamming after some point.
but now I'm listening to it, what I play is very close to the original bass line. To me it sounds like it starts with the solid 8th notes, and gradually the accents come in, and the classic 5-7- root kind of movements etc.. I doubt the original bass player can play the exact same bass line again. Sounds like jamming after some point.
I'm in only one band that plays this song periodically. We never play any song the same way once, so I couldn't tell you how we do this one. Probably best to simply go with the flow on this one...
This is what I call a "dollar song". Wish I had a dollar for every time I've played. Most recently had to cover piano too so it was left hand pounding out the eighth notes while the right was playing the piano part. You should have seen us do Turn The Page...keys AND digital sax...
I'm curious as to why you're commenting on a song you clearly have never heard of (which is amazing in and of itself). It's certainly not a praise tune.Not sure which specific song you have in mind. I took up music late in life.I was not a musician during the ole time rock and roll area, just a fan.
If you follow the chord changes that normally takes care of the movement the verse takes in it's rest, tension, climax and return to rest movement in the song. Like you say more seems to not be needed. But you feel there is something more that could add value.
You ruled out walking, but, a good ole country walk to the next chord may be the movement you are wanting. Experiment; the walk does not need to be on every chord change. Between verses or a walk to or from the chorus, may be what you are looking for.
In the Praise music I play I hunt for three note walks. If the piano or guitar has not taken the "space" I start throwing it in and if I do not get fish eyes from the guys that walk/run belongs to me.
Offered for what it is worth...
As to the OP's question, I also used to play it with walking 8ths. Usually I-iii-V in the verses, going up to I-iii-V-vii-I in the choruses.
It really depends on the instrumentation. If you have two guitars, bass, drums and keyboards, play it like the original. If you are in a guitar/bass/drums trio, you may need a little more movement during the lead break. It's not rocket science, try different things and see what works.
Kinda funny that this song came up on a "never want to play that song again" list, the same day that someone is looking for variations on how to do so....
I get that it's not a favorite, but it can be a fun tune. This is one the few tunes I can actually carry on vocals while playing: When singing, I keep it pretty straight, but if not or when backing the solos, I like to put a boogie spin on it.
I was playing with a power trio that had done this song for years before I joined. Theses guys liked things pretty much stock. It took the drummer a few passes to catch what I was doing and then he dug it.
I get that it's not a favorite, but it can be a fun tune. This is one the few tunes I can actually carry on vocals while playing: When singing, I keep it pretty straight, but if not or when backing the solos, I like to put a boogie spin on it.
I was playing with a power trio that had done this song for years before I joined. Theses guys liked things pretty much stock. It took the drummer a few passes to catch what I was doing and then he dug it.
Listening closely, it's not strictly 8th note roots. It skips some. Otherwise, I think it's a little boring. I usually try to keep the feel of the original recording, but with a little more movement. And if the other band members are taking liberties with the groove, I do as well. On the song it usually means a hybrid roots and accents like the original with more boogie woogie type movements between the changes, not strict boogie woogie or walking, just hinting at those in a rockin way.
It is our responsibility to take liberties, other wise we are just juke-boxes.
I take a lot of liberty. On every song. Whatever makes it groovier and still serves the song and employer.
IIRC, drummer keeps the song beat with his bass drum but modifies a bit with high-hat, ride, and snare. Bass pretty much follows the original but adds the "disco" octave note(double-timing the bass actually) and walks between the original notes using that "disco" method.Johnny Crab said: ↑
Play it similar to the recording but drummer & I throw in some disco drums & bass when he sings "Don't take me to a disco..." We have fun with it but make absolutely sure that the FELT timing is true to the tune and dancers.
This is great! I may "borrow" this
