Simple SLAP/FUNK Bass Lines That Make The Song!

[fretlessman71]

So a while back I posted this thread: http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=439715

An unqualified success! I culled what I thought were the best suggestions from that thread and made a 2-disc compilation that I give to my students, hoping to get them excited about a song with an easy and fun bass line. It's worked wonders, and I thank all of you who participated.

I'd like to do the same thing, but from a slap/funk technique standpoint. Problem for me is that I can't seem to think of a single song. I've been staring blankly at students who ask for suggestions on songs to learn (it's a simple mental block, I'm sure).

So wouldja help me out again? Here's the criteria:

1) The bass line must be simple. (read: pretty darned easy to play)
2) The bass line must be obvious.
3) The bass line must be fun to play.
4) The bass line must "make the song".
5) The bass line must utilize "slap/funk" technique.

PLEASE help me out with this! Thanks!

 

[masonsjax]

The RHCP covers of "Higher Ground" and "If You Want Me To Stay" spring to mind.

 

[Lesfunk]

Thank You For Lettin Me be Myself Again_ Sly and the Family Stone

 

[CharlieDog]

RHCP - Tell Me Baby

 

[Roy Vogt]

Brick House-The Commodores

 

[Ric Fish]

 

[Scatterblak]

I win!

 

[Ric Fish]

Okay so that's not simple exactly, but hey.

 

[fretlessman71]

Gonna give this a bump... hate to see it die so fast...

 

[rojo412]

While they sound a lot more complicated than they really are, 311 have a lot of great basslines that utilize good techniques and are relatively easy to learn.

"What Was I Thinking?"
"Come Original"
"My Stoney Baby"
are 3 songs that I'd check out.

P-Nut (bassist from 311) stole a lot of ideas from Mark King, who is an amazingly complicated slapper. The bassline from "What was I thinking?" is almost identical to Level 42's "Love Games".

RHCP has a ton of stuff, too. The albums "Mothers Milk" and "Blood Sugar Sex Magik" being the more melodic ones for bass with slap.

 

[bassplayerbob]

Boogie oogie oogie-taste of honey
Shakey ground The temptaions version, nice simple funky slap line.
End it with Glide by Pleasure just to mess with them!

 

[pjornales]

One slap bass line that is really easy to learn is the Seinfeld theme song.

 

[JimK]

Boogie oogie oogie-taste of honey

Not slapped...except at the very end of her bass break.

 

[bassplayerbob]

Not slapped...except at the very end of her bass break.

All these years playing that riff slap style, oops! She has a very strong pluck on the octaves, i always thought it was a slap line,my bad

 

[funkybassinator]

this



EDIT: oops it aint slap but it is funk so I hope that's close enough.

 

[Kipaste]

Here you go

 

[SMILEYSIXX]

Play That Funky Music by Wild Cherry?

 

[phillipkregg]

Here's one of my favorite simple lines (warning Explicit Lyrics):

 

[Kipaste]

How did I forget this the first time?

 

[pstyle]

Here's one of my favorite simple lines (warning Explicit Lyrics):

I was about to post the same thing. First slap bass line I ever learned.