Your jamming with some friends. Someone says "Play something funky."

[Jhengsman]

Last time... Chameleon.

 

[xfretlessx]

No go to line, I get the drummer to nail a rhythm and then I improve over the top of that...way more fun than copping some other persons groove.

+1...ive always seen learning other peoples bass lines and such as kind of a waste of time. Plus, it doesnt take any creativity. the only way to get better at improving/jamming is to, well, do it. Thats what jamming is to me. taking a basic progression and having at it...or just totally making something up.

 

[crashonskis]

I just play what I like to call "generic slap line in A"

 

[Frankjohnson]

Shaky ground that transitions into superstitious...
and we do a medly of not fade away, into who do you love - we like to funk, shakyground/supersticious and bring it back into not fade away .....sometimes we throw hand jive in there too - a floor filler for about 15-18 minutes! ALWAYS!

 

[Eric Perry]

Jungle Boogie & Ain't No Stopping Us Now are the first two that come to mind.

 

[zeroncali]

Good Times-Chic

 

[Batmensch]

Just about any james Brown tune.

 

[Clef_de_fa]

Improv something cheese in E7

 

[mellowinman]

"Play something funky? I ain't your monkey! Give me ten dollars first, you cheesy lame flunky!"

I ALWAYS say that.

Then I find no one asks me to do that anymore.

 

[THE SAW]

Santiago-You mean Carol Kaye's bass line on the Stevie tune? (whole other discussion) That's a good one. Got it in my brain.

I have her bass line to the Cosby show memorized as well. (Called Hikky Burr- sp?) Anyone over 50 knows the show theme, but few will be able to recognize the bass line out of context. Easy and fun to play.

 

[phillybass101]

Loose Booty. Either by Sly and the family stone or Funkadelic.

 

[Brad Johnson]

What's your go to bass line?

Honestly, I don't have any friends who'd say that.


I have had people ask me to play my baddest bass line (strangers) and by the time I've finished visibly stifling the urge to LOL they usually have lost interest.

Okay, I'm usually not that blatant.


Short answer: I just play something off the top of my head. Whatever mood strikes me. Probably not an actual song.

 

[bassinplace]

+1...ive always seen learning other peoples bass lines and such as kind of a waste of time. Plus, it doesnt take any creativity. the only way to get better at improving/jamming is to, well, do it. Thats what jamming is to me. taking a basic progression and having at it...or just totally making something up.

You'd be surprised at how much learning other people's lines can be of benefit when it comes to improvising.

 

[T. Alan Smith]

I just improvise a groove that makes the booty move. I focus on the space for starters.

 

[FilterFunk]

Anything NOT slap

"Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin)" and any number of other Larry Graham slap bass lines work for me.

 

[Stilettoprefer]

Some random line that I made up forever ago after I started getting into learning theory. It's not impressive nor is it difficult haha.

 

[keiththebassist]

No go to line, I get the drummer to nail a rhythm and then I improve over the top of that...way more fun than copping some other persons groove.

+1

 

[Biggbass]

Thankyoufaletteinmebemyselfagain

 

[Nomadskills]

I'd have to fake the funk so I don't.

 

[LowNotes1]

"Play That Funky Music" by Wild Cherry. And then I ask forgiveness.