Simple, but hypnotic bass lines

[Ggaa]

If they ain't already here-
Walk on the Ocean
Bittersweet Symphony
Right Down The Line
It's My Life
Lovesong

 

[JW56789]

Let's see here . . . a repeating figure, bass line that almost plays itself, and just fits like a key in a lock:

 

[brianrost]

 

[SloFingers]

Awesome thread!
I declare you the winner of talkbass for the day!

I've played a lot of covers and adaptations over the years.
I have a soft spot for simple bass lines that especially need steadiness and intensity. Those bass lines that induce a hypnotic state when done right.

Here are some examples, drawn from my own history:












Please add more!

 

[Grinderman]

 

[Grinderman]

 

[Grinderman]

 

[Speakz]

From one of my favorite rock albums of the 90's

 

[bass4u]

 

[BlueTalon]

 

[TheDayMan]

Everything on this.

 

[Grinderman]

 

[Blueinred]

Some of the best examples of this are in dub music. Hypnotic is a part of the genre and the bass drives everything.



Other examples in R&B include stuff like this, where the bassline drives the song:



Here's a Latin example that I love (I'll often play the parts into my looper, and just play bass under it):



Here's a more "traditional" example by a band from Argentina:



One thing worth noting about all of these examples is that the drums are also very steady and all instruments that play a rhythmic role are locked in perfectly. Without this, it just doesn't work.

Dub and reggae are hypnotic because of all the SPLIFFS involved.

 

[mexicanyella]

 

[Bass Jones]

This is one I had to zone out and not think about or I would eff it up when we played it.


In another vein...

 

[Grinderman]

 

[Blueinred]

Now this really did hypnotize me.

 

[Grinderman]

 

[Grinderman]

 

[Grinderman]