Hi all

I come from a guitar playing background but I recently took possession of my first electric bass - a lovely '72 Precision blonde......love it & it plays great!!

So far I've been tinkering away learning the basslines to a few of my favourite songs, but I'm still in my guitarist frame of mind, not a bassist's.

Can anyone suggest a few songs with decent basslines that will help me to start 'thinking' like a bassist? Songs to get me grooving rather than just playing like I would on rhythm guitar???

An example would be Brown Eyed Girl - not my favourite song by any means, but a lot of fun to play.

So throw your suggestions please!! (obviously nothing too complicated at this stage)

Ta

It's not a song suggestion, but I found the information on playing technique (string muting etc.) on this page very useful.

hth
rd

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http://ryanmead.net

OK....hold the bus!........play the way you find natural...do not go out of your way to change your style unless all you want to do is copy the classics and if so great but if not then stay original........make some drum loops up and jam to them but most of all get and play with a real drummer as this will improve your playing no end..........have fun!

The Chicken

This is a JB's track written by Pee Wee Ellis but it was made more famous by Jaco Pastorius.

It has a great groove and can be played in a simple way, but once the chords start to change you can find endless ways to play through it, limited only by your ability.

It will also require you to "think" like a bass player- being a guitarist myself I know what you mean about getting away from sounding like a guitarist playing bass! It can be done and is rewarding once you have the two hats to wear.

anything by james brown...

"Mr Pink" or "Kansas City Milkman"..... ;-)

Quote ryan mead:

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It's not a song suggestion, but I found the information on playing technique (string muting etc.) on this page very useful.

hth
rd

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You're right, that is very good. I can't believe how little information there was when I started to learn 23 years ago compared to today.
Although it is not easy by any means, the Motown book (Standing in the Shadows of Motown), which is about James Jamerson, is one of the best ways to hear how great bass works with pop songs. It comes with Cd's with and without the bass and ranges from easy to very difficult. A bonus is the variety of world-class bass players providing bass parts. And man could Jamerson kick ass on bass

'Peaches' Jean Jacques rights a mean Bassline

Hi Rags,

Like you I started on guitar but made a transition to bass. I loved it so much that it became my main instrument for many years.

The bass is one of those instruments where you play and people feel your playing. To get in the spirit of the bass get yourself the 101 Bass tips book and get yourself some inspirational cd's and dvd's.

For songs that you might both inspire you and get you thinking bass...

Beatles ... Taxman, Back in the USSR, Come Together

Rolling Stones ... I used to Love her but it's All Over Now, Miss You

The Who ... Won't get Fooled Again, Boris The Spider (hehe)

The Police ... Bring on the Night, I Can't Stand Loosing You and many more

The Blues Brothers ... their live cd's etc have a load of amazing classic soul, old school R&B and Blues standards that are full of amazing basslines that are full of feel and are fun to play.

Just remember to play with even dynamics ie no notes that dissappear or are much quieter than others and to stick to the beat. There are too many players out there who lag behind the beat to hide in the music and not contribute.

Best and enjoy,
octopussy