One Song Every Bassist Should Know

[TrevorOfDoom]

what one song do you think every bassist show know how to play?
i'm asking because i have a lot more time for woodshedding, and scales get reeeeeaaaaal boring after a while, so i figured i'd learn some new songs. ideally, i'm looking for songs to stretch my technique and change the way i see music. songs that i wouldn't normally have learned if it were up to me. so go!


for the record, the song i think every bassist should know is Ramble On, by Led Zeppelin
JPJ uses several little tricks that i know i never would have thought of. it's brilliant!

 

[Night Prowler]

"Chromatic fantasy" by Jaco Pastorius

 

[TrevorOfDoom]

"Chromatic fantasy" by Jaco Pastorius

 

[Hansel]

Portrait of Tracy - Jaco.

It's a benchmark of Bassisthood

 

[chroma601]

"Louie Louie" by the Kingsmen.

 

[knarleybass]

Free Bird

 

[knarleybass]

I have no idea how this happened, I am sorry, I only meant to post once... LOL

 

[GreggBummer]

"Chromatic fantasy" by Jaco Pastorius

I miss that Swedish sense of humor.

I nominate:

Brown Eyed Girl (Van Morrison) - This could get you some nookie at some point.

Time Is Tight (Booker T and The MGs) - Fun song that might get you a spot in that Blues Brothers cover band.

Tom Sawyer (Rush)- It is one of those songs that a band expects you to know... even if you never play it.

How Many More Times (Led Zeppelin) - Easy and fun to play LOUD!

Dragon Attack (Queen) - One of John Deacons best, and most underated, bass lines.

Orion (Metallica) - Great melodic bass line that I learned as newbie on the bass... I still play it today as a warm up.

The Trooper (Iron Maiden) - Good way to practice pumping out those Steve Harris triplets.

Cut The Cake (Average White Band) - Get Funky.

Barney Miller Theme (no idea who) - Someone is going to ask. You might as well know it.

Any AC/DC song - Everybody knows at least one.

The Seeker (The Who) - Thunderfingers held this band together. It was hard to pick just one Who song.

Sympathy for the Devil (The Rolling Stones) - You have to be able to sing the "woo woo" part too. Don't be afraid to vamp the line a little- it's a good time.

 

[Hansel]

Isn't "Time is Tight" by the shadows? Or did they cover it.. hmm

 

[Misterpogo]

Bombtrack and Killing the name of..

Both by Rage Against the Machine

 

[GreggBummer]

Isn't "Time is Tight" by the shadows? Or did they cover it.. hmm

You may be right about that... I am only familiar with Booker T's version.

 

[capnsandwich]

Smoke On the Water or Iron Man

 

[pbass2]

Good call on "Ramble On"

How about, "I'll Take You There", The Staple Singers

 

[Parabolic Box]

Smoke On the Water or Iron Man

+1

If you don't know those songs, something's wrong with you.

 

[Hansel]

+1

If you don't know those songs, something's wrong with you.

Right but, It's a song bassists should know not songs bassists are born with.

 

[wingnut]

Badge by Cream
Superstitious by Stevie Wonder
Back Stabbers by the O'Jays
Whippin' Post by the Allman Bros.

 

[Alun]

In practical terms - Johnny B Goode or another blues.

 

[PaleMelanesian]

My Girl.

 

[doctorjazz]

A standard 12-bar blues.

 

[fenderhutz]

The Tune Song

EEEEEEEEEEEE

AAAAAAAAAAA

DDDDDDDDDDD

GGGGGGGGGGG