Double Bass What's your song song?

[Remyd]

Since my bass is in the corner of my living room, people often ask "play me a song". I had usually played a jazz standard or bit of an etude, but recently I have been picking up melodies of a bunch of folk tunes and using them as material to improv.

What song do YOU play when someone says "play me a song"?

 

[saltydude]

I usually just do the Salty shuffle cause most (not all) are just bass lines so I give em the custom licks. However I might give them some STP Interstate Love song perhaps.

 

[MattZilla]

Sgt. Pilcher

 

[sean_on_bass]

My go to's tend to be Blue Monk and You Are My Sunshine.

 

[Scott Lynch]

Days of Wine and Roses? Or I may just improvise a melody on a Bb or F blues.

 

[jasonrp]

I usually just do the Salty shuffle cause most (not all) are just bass lines so I give em the custom licks. However I might give them some STP Interstate Love song perhaps.

Interstate on an upright? That's got to be a workout.

I'll usually play something recognizable like Hound Dog or Blue Suede just to explain that when I say, "slap bass" it isn't like Flea's or Claypool's slap bass. A lot of times I'll get asked to play something (usually Stray cats) once they figure out what sort of music I do, so I break out Rumble in Brighton or the strut

 

[saltydude]

Interstate on an upright? That's got to be a workout.

Lol. You're absolutely right. My bad TB dudes. Unfortunately I'm another victim of not realizing what forum I'm posting to. Ixnae on the ongse.

 

[Who da Ville]

What song do YOU play when someone says "play me a song"?

People actually ask you to play??? When people get near my bass, I sometimes feel they're afraid I might pick it up…universal dis-interest.

 

[bassfran]

"The Star Spangled Banner", if they're serious.

"Money"-Pink Floyd , if they're annoying.

 

[Fretless55]

Can't go wrong with "Mama's lil' baby"...

 

[KUNGfuSHERIFF]

 

[Fretless55]

Yeah, right... Of course everyone wants to hear a crowd pleaser like Shostakovich , but to truly expand their horizons I'll stand firm with "Mama's lil' baby"

 

[Remyd]

"The Star Spangled Banner", if they're serious.

"Money"-Pink Floyd , if they're annoying.

Really? I'm so, so, so bored with that Floyd line - worse than Mustang Sally.

 

[KUNGfuSHERIFF]

I'd rather not prolong the lifespan of minstrelry, thanks. Stuff like that doesn't go over well at my family gatherings.

 

[Remyd]

What song do YOU play when someone says "play me a song"?

People actually ask you to play??? When people get near my bass, I sometimes feel they're afraid I might pick it up…universal dis-interest.

They do. I make all kids 12 and under play an open A. The looks I get when they hear are gold.

"No, pull as hard as you can, really!"

 

[bassfran]

Really? I'm so, so, so bored with that Floyd line - worse than Mustang Sally.

Exactly- that's the whole point.

I liken this to the civilians that will tell a comedian in mixed company to, "Say something funny."

I'm not your trained monkey. Come out to a gig and buy a drink and I'll be there playing all night long. I don't show up at their job and say, "Create a spreadsheet for me.", on demand.

Family, little kids, etc. are the exception. Shorties always, ALWAYS love a bass fiddle and you're right-on- when their eyes widen and they feel the power of the instrument for the 1st time it's a lovely, beautiful gift.

 

[Roger Davis]

I usually noodle about and add a few Gomez slurs to show the wonderful sounds you can get from a DB. If I play an actual tune I like to do 'I'm Beginning to See the Light'.

 

[Jay Corwin]

I wish I had a song. I'm terribly nervous to just play a diddy in front of someone like that. In the context of a band, I feel much better.

 

[DrayMiles]

My go to's tend to be Blue Monk and You Are My Sunshine.

Every time I see Ron Carter playing solo, he always plays you are my sunshine.

 

[Jloch86]

My Favorite Things or C# blues