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solo bass at open mic?

#42
whatizitman said:
OK so I told my wife, and she was all "uhhh...you have to run the songs by me first LOL". She thought it odd enough that she is worried it wouldn't go over. I'm trying not to be perfectionistic about it. The goal for me is to have an excuse to get up and play, and introduce myself to the world as a guy who can both sing (adequately) and play some bass (mediocre). Nothing fancy.

That said, she has a point. I want the ratio of suck to my mediocre abilities to be acceptable. Which means the bass should be at least somewhat interesting. Soooooo... I goofed around with a few songs, and realized this is going to take more preparation then I thought. I can fairly easily sing and play roots for most typical covers, as well as my own songs (they're not too complex). But for songs with at least some melodic bass will need some additional work.

Psychokiller. Fun bass line that helps move the song (thanks, Tina!). Vocals in my range. I can even do a good David Byrne impression, if need be. Recognizable enough song, I think. Shorten up the intro and outtros, emphasize the vocal parts, and I think it would be ok.

So now I'm on the hunt for more songs where the bass is part of the hook, but not too fancy shmancy. Any ideas?
Click to expand...
Boris the Spider - always a fun one
It's Not Funny Anymore - Husker Du - nice bass line
Powerline - Husker Du (notice a pattern)
Next Girl - The Black Keys
Anything bluesy
 
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#43
mbene085 said:
My general experience with open mics has been that the only people who take them seriously are the people playing at them. In other words, play to have fun. This isn't American idol. Nobody is going to rip into you or broadcast your failures for the nation to watch if it goes poorly. Nothing ventured, nothing gained!
Click to expand...

Yeah, that's kinda how I see it. OTOH, musicians can be a hostile bunch. Ever been to a songwriter's showcase? WOW. That's why I'm only thinking open mic, and not an open jam. No way am I ready to venture into something like that. I can play with others ok, but I don't have the cajones and skills for that just yet.
 
#44
whatizitman said:
OK so I told my wife, and she was all "uhhh...you have to run the songs by me first LOL". She thought it odd enough that she is worried it wouldn't go over. I'm trying not to be perfectionistic about it. The goal for me is to have an excuse to get up and play, and introduce myself to the world as a guy who can both sing (adequately) and play some bass (mediocre). Nothing fancy.

That said, she has a point. I want the ratio of suck to my mediocre abilities to be acceptable. Which means the bass should be at least somewhat interesting. Soooooo... I goofed around with a few songs, and realized this is going to take more preparation then I thought. I can fairly easily sing and play roots for most typical covers, as well as my own songs (they're not too complex). But for songs with at least some melodic bass will need some additional work.

Psychokiller. Fun bass line that helps move the song (thanks, Tina!). Vocals in my range. I can even do a good David Byrne impression, if need be. Recognizable enough song, I think. Shorten up the intro and outtros, emphasize the vocal parts, and I think it would be ok.

So now I'm on the hunt for more songs where the bass is part of the hook, but not too fancy shmancy. Any ideas?
Click to expand...

Love Will Tear Us Apart.

It's a really party song, to lift the mood in a bar - but it's simple, and would definitely get people's attention.
 
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#45
whatizitman said:
So now I'm on the hunt for more songs where the bass is part of the hook, but not too fancy shmancy. Any ideas?
Click to expand...

I've done all of these with just a singer and very basic drumming (ie where I told the drummer if I heard anything more than the absolute minimum of fills, I'd be inserting his sticks somewhere the sun don't shine)

Springsteen's 'Fire'.


Ben E. King's 'Stand By Me'.


Rita Moreno and Animal's 'Fever'.


Sam Cooke's 'Summertime'.
 
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#47
Wood and Wire said:
Love Will Tear Us Apart.

It's a really party song, to lift the mood in a bar - but it's simple, and would definitely get people's attention.
Click to expand...

Good suggestion! Gonna have to look up the words. The only lyrics I have ever been able to make out from the original recording was the chorus LOL.

EDIT: Hmmmm. That got my brain going... What about Love Vigilantes? I loved the original, and I loved Iron and Wine's version. I wonder if that would work for a bass cover? Joy Divison/New Order had some interesting bass lines and tones.
 
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#48
whatizitman said:
Good suggestion! Gonna have to look up the words. The only lyrics I have ever been able to make out from the original recording was the chorus LOL.

EDIT: Hmmmm. That got my brain going... What about Love Vigilantes? I loved the original, and I loved Iron and Wine's version. I wonder if that would work for a bass cover? Joy Divison/New Order had some interesting bass lines and tones.
Click to expand...

If you have a loop pedal, look up Girls Against Boys cover version of She's Lost Control : one bass is playing the original melody bass part, the other bass is playing a power chord on the downbeat (aping the aerosol can / synth drum on the original track).
 
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#49
Wood and Wire said:
If you have a loop pedal, look up Girls Against Boys cover version of She's Lost Control : one bass is playing the original melody bass part, the other bass is playing a power chord on the downbeat (aping the aerosol can / synth drum on the original track).
Click to expand...

I don't have a looper. But this thread is reminding me that I probably should get one at some point. Baby steps. Baby steps.
 
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#50
Just discovered this thread, and looking to do the same thing myself - solo bass and voice at local open mic night. Even mean to do Springsteen's "Fire", too. But here's a couple of others I'm working on:


Posted them on here, shared with friends, haven't yet gotten up the nerve to attempt to perform live. But loving the suggestions!
 
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#52
Oddly said:
I've done all of these with just a singer and very basic drumming (ie where I told the drummer if I heard anything more than the absolute minimum of fills, I'd be inserting his sticks somewhere the sun don't shine)

Springsteen's 'Fire'.


Ben E. King's 'Stand By Me'.


Rita Moreno and Animal's 'Fever'.


Sam Cooke's 'Summertime'.
Click to expand...

Another I'm meaning to try again (used to do with my last band):
 
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#53
I bought my favorite amp from a guy who did that quite a bit, however he was from the 70s/80s and was able to be speaking from his soul doing slap-jazz instrumental medleys of top 40 tunes and a bit of his own melodies all tossed together into his own Jack Salad. I watched him steal a few wives and girlfriends at the height of the "no slap bass allowed era". Do it, but do you.
 
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#56
skwee said:
I've done an Every Breath You Take/Stand By Me medley in this format. Totally works. Oh, and consider a reverb pedal for your instrument in this situation. Works wonders, and reminds people that there is beauty in low tones.
Click to expand...

Oooh good song medley suggestion. Both are either high or wide in vocal ranges, though. Not sure I could pull it off, but I'm gonna try it out at home. It would be better than either one alone, I think.
 
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#59
skwee said:
I've done an Every Breath You Take/Stand By Me medley in this format. Totally works. Oh, and consider a reverb pedal for your instrument in this situation. Works wonders, and reminds people that there is beauty in low tones.
Click to expand...
Yeah, I keep reading "no reverb on bass" here, because it "muddies up the mix" - except when the bass is "the mix". :p
 
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