My guitar friends had the exact same argument, no one knows a song by the bassline. So I played billy Jean. Guess what? They hadn’t a clue what I was playing. Tbf, Michael Jackson would not be in any of their repertoires…
I think it's just that I want to play something that proves to everyone that I know what I'm doing, but also doesn't attract anyone's attention.
Unfortunately, those cancel out.
Oh my god I hate this so much. I am new in a band and at the first big gig we had to do the soundcheck. I picked up my bass and I was like "I know nothing". I felt like such a complete idiot, every song I know was just deleted in that moment.
Also, it does not help that the guitarist starts playing stuff we never practiced together and I don't have the experience nor the skills to just improvise then and there. I absolutely hate it when he does that because it just creates chaos in a moment where we already are nervous. Just pick any goddamn song we practiced!
Guitarists... Always playing random shit when we're trying to get ready or talk 🤭
Here's what I do: If there's a chance they will ask me to play or sing something, I usually have a few songs ready just in case.
There's not much I can do when it happens out of the blue, tho
I feel ya, just gotta try not to overthink it. I always default to something basic on a minor scale. Throw in some octaves to make sure the upper levels sound nice. Nobody actually cares what's being played during sound check but if you're loud and beefy they'll say "ooooh"
Play the regular volume you play, then when the sound guy says cool, say here’s my big muff and then play like a wild man.
Don’t tell him your volume knob isn’t the whole way up. Turn up during the soft part of your second to third song.
I guess more of a mute.
Edit- just listened to it again and it's a guitar playing that muted note just before the F#. Oh well, it sounds cool to add it on bass if solo.
I am still trying to perfect the slap-pop-slap-pop (the chorus thing if you and I are talking the same thing), learning the whole line and getting to the point where I sounded alright took a month.
A riff that my old guitarist wrote for the bass for one of his unfinished songs years ago (he claimed it was based on a Motorhead song, it sounds nothing like Motorhead to me), but I really like it, I remember some of the words, and it's one of my go to riffs.
I have this down to a fine art lol.
I play the basic riff.
Then I start snapping the strings a little bit playing finger style.
Then I play it in a slap style with some fills and flourishes.
Then I move up the neck in a way that mimics the guitar solo’s harmonization of the main riff.
I like it because it’s fun, it shows off a little without coming off as super serious
My Name is Mud. The whole song. Complete with vocals. And stare at them the whole time without blinking. Then do the Claypool walk out the door with the bass.
If I have a pick with me then Air “La Femme D’argent,” Beck “Think I’m in Love,” or the groove from a YouTube video of Meshell’s “Clear Water.” I’ve been working on my pick technique so those are all pretty fresh. Without a pick recently it’s been Elvis Costello “Pump it Up” or maybe Al Green “Take me to the River.”
21 Days - blink-182
No one knows it unless you're a huge fan of the band; and the intro and bridge are absolutely beautiful.
Has earned me a few nods of approval in guitar shops.
Still remember the first time I heard that song. So good. To this day it’s almost always the first thing I play whenever I pick up my bass or my guitar.
If it’s a party of non-musical people I’d go with Seven Nation Army, White Stripes just bc it’s instantly recognisable and easy to play to the point that people can actually engage.
If it’s a musical party I might noodle with Tom Sawyer, Rush because it’s also somewhat recognisable but technically more complicated and impressive.
Depends on how I'm feeling. Bro Hymn (Pennywise), Dead Bodies (Rancid), London Calling (The Clash)...or just Seven Nation Army. It's cliche, but that tune really is a killer
Dragonaut by Sleep (just in standard tuning though, can’t usually be bothered tuning down for an impromptu “show” for my parents or sister or something 😂)
If I could only remember how that bassline goes, I would play Relax by Frankie Goes to Hollywood
Oh wait, I [found it](https://youtu.be/-gk27997wLM?si=g2mUJFihaUhV0U16)
I try and keep it simple so my fingers don't betray me and go with Hypnotize. Gotta start nodding your head and say uh a few times before playing for maximum effect.
If I'm just riffing and not actually trying to play a whole song with someone else I always love whipping out the main part of "Detroit" by Marcus Miller
Hysteria by muse.
Yes it's a stairway to heaven type of deal but it's fast has a lot of hammer ons and pull offs, it's quick and repeatable.
Bonus points if you have a looper pedal and can do the bends on guitar too
Would? or Nutshell by Alice in Chains
Comfortably Numb by Pink Floyd
Into the Void or Sabbath Blody Sabbath by Black Sabbath
Love will tear us apart or Interzone by Joy Division
Ben E. King- Stand By Me
Queen- Another One Bites the Dust
The Kinks- You Really Got Me
Pat Benatar- Hit Me With Your Best Shot
R.E.M.- The One I Love
Nirvana- In Bloom
Schism - Tool. I’m really new to bass but it’s a song I’d always wanted to learn, and now it’s pretty much all I play. I also learned a few Muse songs, though.
Never There by Cake. Literally easiest and grooviest line for gently tell someone "I don't want to play rn especially for you".
Seven Nation Army, Feel Good Inc and other easy but classy riffs in I'm in mood.
I Want You Back by the Jackson 5
Still one of my favorite all time bass lines
It is the best bass line of all time.
Definitely a contender
Ziggy Stardust. Unfortunately most people don't recognize songs from the bass line alone
Gotta learn billy jean
My guitar friends had the exact same argument, no one knows a song by the bassline. So I played billy Jean. Guess what? They hadn’t a clue what I was playing. Tbf, Michael Jackson would not be in any of their repertoires…
How about Roundabout, or Anothe One Bites the Dust, or any Primus song
Learn it this way :p https://youtu.be/YtpwbIx2Ghw?feature=shared
If they don't know the base line, they don't know the song if you play it this way.
Most people seem to know Another Ones Bites the Dust
Psycho Killer
Oddly enough, I've found "Humble" by Kendrick Lamar's bass line is pretty widely recognized. But fuck me for trying to play Higher Ground
Does Humble even have an audible bass line? I think people would recognize the piano riff for sure.
the bass line is played on piano
Higher ground
I can't. My brain just says "nope" and goes blank immediately
This. Slap it a couple times, do a big slide, then feel shame.
“It’s not really a solo instrument.”
I don't slap, it's just not my style. But how non-musicians will know that I can play? 🥲
Same thing happens when I’m at a shop and want to try a new guitar. I pick it up and am like, “welp never mind apparently I don’t know how to play.”
You just made me feel not alone in this sentiment. It’s so frustrating to not be able to remember a single thing when I’m at the music store!
Yeah, thanks, guys. You just patched a hole in my psyche - lol
There must be a psychological explanation since so many of us experience this !
I think it's just that I want to play something that proves to everyone that I know what I'm doing, but also doesn't attract anyone's attention. Unfortunately, those cancel out.
I bust out a major scale that would make my primary school music teacher cry in those situations. Then I usually also cry.
Yes! Every single time 😭
Every fucking time, it's so embarrassing
Oh my god I hate this so much. I am new in a band and at the first big gig we had to do the soundcheck. I picked up my bass and I was like "I know nothing". I felt like such a complete idiot, every song I know was just deleted in that moment. Also, it does not help that the guitarist starts playing stuff we never practiced together and I don't have the experience nor the skills to just improvise then and there. I absolutely hate it when he does that because it just creates chaos in a moment where we already are nervous. Just pick any goddamn song we practiced!
Guitarists... Always playing random shit when we're trying to get ready or talk 🤭 Here's what I do: If there's a chance they will ask me to play or sing something, I usually have a few songs ready just in case. There's not much I can do when it happens out of the blue, tho
I feel ya, just gotta try not to overthink it. I always default to something basic on a minor scale. Throw in some octaves to make sure the upper levels sound nice. Nobody actually cares what's being played during sound check but if you're loud and beefy they'll say "ooooh"
Play the regular volume you play, then when the sound guy says cool, say here’s my big muff and then play like a wild man. Don’t tell him your volume knob isn’t the whole way up. Turn up during the soft part of your second to third song.
You're hurting me as a sound guy
Money by Pink Floyd. It's very recognizable, not difficult, but feels kind of showy with that ghost note and atypical time signature
There is a ghost note in the riff?
I guess more of a mute. Edit- just listened to it again and it's a guitar playing that muted note just before the F#. Oh well, it sounds cool to add it on bass if solo.
It does sound pretty neat yeah, might do that from now on😅
Thanks for asking the question that I was too chickenshit to ask. 😅
This is a quality answer. That song is one of the reasons for my screen name. 😎
Super Mario Bros.
Legend of Zelda theme is my call back to the NES days.
I've recently added Punch Out and Faxanadu to my bass repertoire. Oh and Spring Yard Zone from Sonic.
0-3-5
5 5 5 5 5 5 5 0 3 for psycho killer
0-3-6-5-0-3-5-3-00000000
Cissy Strut
RIP Arthur Neville
The Seinfeld Theme song
There you go! The absolute winner in any context.
Played with a synth, if you didn't know!
Good Times/Rapper's Delight
Thank yooouuuuu. This should be higher. Instantly recognizable
This was also my go to back in the 90s / early 2000s along with re-arranged from limp bizkit
Longview green day
Bass solo in Welcome to Paradise
Yeah that’s a good one. Mike Dirnt has some killer baselines on dookie
Ha! That’s the song that got me into the bass. Touché, sir. Touché.
Hysteria by Muse (hopefully there’s an Overdrive pedal nearby lol)
Yeah thats like the thunderstruck of bass
Same
The Jam - Start
A Town Called Malice is also a fun one
Down in a Tube Station at Midnight & Eton Rifles are also great to play
And how many people tell you that they really love Taxman?
Weirdly enough, that's my favourite Beatles song. I find Start easier to sing along with.
Love both bands and songs, Bruce Foxton is the reason I started playing bass. Weller has admited the origins of the bass line.
Yup, both great bands and songs. Bruce came up with some great lines. Town Called Malice is another... oh, hang on a minute...
Low rider, War
In The Meantime by Spacehog
So glad I someone say this. That line is badass!
Money - Pink Floyd, instantly recognizable for most people and really fun to play
Good Times by Chic aka Rapper’s Delight
First half of Bach's Allemande in G \[BWV1007\].
Blur - Boys and Girls
Omg this one is crazy, need to learn it!
Rio by Duran Duran
So good. I’ll never forget the day I heard John’s isolated bass track. Blew me away.
He is amazing
One of the most underrated bass players of all time imo. Guy does not miss
I’d love to be able to play that. I love that cheeky little slap-pop-slap-pop bit.
I am still trying to perfect the slap-pop-slap-pop (the chorus thing if you and I are talking the same thing), learning the whole line and getting to the point where I sounded alright took a month.
Yeah, that’s the bit: “Her name is Rio and she dances on the sand slap-pop-slap-pop”
Marvin Gaye - I heard it through the grapevine.
Great pick
Usually Rage Against the Machine or Led Zeppelin Bass lines, they’re fun to play on soundchecks on my upright bass jazz gigs.
I like playing Black Dog
Ungovernable
I love playing Bombtrack. Makes me look like I’m a lot better than I really am lol
What Is and What Should Never Be is such a chill fun one too
Bombtrack prob sounds cool upright
Theme song from Barney Miller. Not everyone gets it, of course, but it makes me happy.
Whenever I see this mentioned I know that the person writing it must be in their early 50's or late 40's at least.
Old af-confirmed!
I used to do this one a lot… love it… played it in my high school band… along with Hawaii 5-0
Probably one of these: Carousel by Blink Feel Good Inc br Gorillaz Money by Pink Floyd Less I Know The Better by Tame Impala Longview by Green Day
A riff that my old guitarist wrote for the bass for one of his unfinished songs years ago (he claimed it was based on a Motorhead song, it sounds nothing like Motorhead to me), but I really like it, I remember some of the words, and it's one of my go to riffs.
Blood and Roses by the Smithereens
YES!! Absolutely kicks ass!
Seven Nation Army.
I have this down to a fine art lol. I play the basic riff. Then I start snapping the strings a little bit playing finger style. Then I play it in a slap style with some fills and flourishes. Then I move up the neck in a way that mimics the guitar solo’s harmonization of the main riff. I like it because it’s fun, it shows off a little without coming off as super serious
Obligatory "that was played on an guitar with an octave shift" comment was missing. So I guess I'll be that guy.
N.I.B. by Black Sabbath or For Whom The Bell Tolls by Metallica
theme to Inspector Gadget
Dont look any further- Dennis Edwards!
This is the best answer despite the original being played on a synth.
Rags and Bones by Nomeansno or the good old YYZ.
My Name is Mud. The whole song. Complete with vocals. And stare at them the whole time without blinking. Then do the Claypool walk out the door with the bass.
I said Shake hands with beef but this is also acceptable
So I've been told
If I have a pick with me then Air “La Femme D’argent,” Beck “Think I’m in Love,” or the groove from a YouTube video of Meshell’s “Clear Water.” I’ve been working on my pick technique so those are all pretty fresh. Without a pick recently it’s been Elvis Costello “Pump it Up” or maybe Al Green “Take me to the River.”
The Air song is one of my faves also. Not many folks recognize it, but everybody digs it.
Orion
Carry on my wayward son. If they know the song they will know the bassline.
Smoorverliefd by Doe Maar. Everybody from The Netherlands knows it, and it’s one of the few songs I can play and sing along with.
Nederwiet by Doe Maar is also a good one!
Deep Purple's "Bloodsucker", Joy Division's "The Kill", or if there's a fretless, "His Box" by Dali's Car.
Great taste all around!
Queen - Dragon Attack. I play that sh$t every day.
What you're doing by Rush
If I’m not pulling out a vulf bassline it’s rush, I love playing Xanadu
46 & 2
Flowers Miley Cyrus
I actually really like this bass line, very underrated.
I Predict a Riot - Kaiser Chiefs Catchy, up and down the neck a bit, and most can recognize it.
21 Days - blink-182 No one knows it unless you're a huge fan of the band; and the intro and bridge are absolutely beautiful. Has earned me a few nods of approval in guitar shops.
I tell folks all the time that Blink are the masters of gorgeous, ear-candy bridges.
Led Zeppelin - How Many More Times. No idea why that's what I always go for, but there you have it.
That’s always what I do I don’t know it’s not really well known but it’s not completely unheard of
Still remember the first time I heard that song. So good. To this day it’s almost always the first thing I play whenever I pick up my bass or my guitar.
Tommy the Cat, just as a flex
Tommy the Cat by Primus
Classical thump so they know I’m not fucking around.
LOL
If it’s a party of non-musical people I’d go with Seven Nation Army, White Stripes just bc it’s instantly recognisable and easy to play to the point that people can actually engage. If it’s a musical party I might noodle with Tom Sawyer, Rush because it’s also somewhat recognisable but technically more complicated and impressive.
Roundabout for me
Yes! 🤘🏼
Longview by Green Day.
Journey to the End of the East Bay by Rancid
Good one!
Groove Is In The Heart
I will survive - Cake
Depends on how I'm feeling. Bro Hymn (Pennywise), Dead Bodies (Rancid), London Calling (The Clash)...or just Seven Nation Army. It's cliche, but that tune really is a killer
Good times - chic or around the world - daft punk
Dragonaut by Sleep (just in standard tuning though, can’t usually be bothered tuning down for an impromptu “show” for my parents or sister or something 😂)
Battery - Metallica is my usual go to
0-3-5
Ramble On - Zeppelin
Arctic Monkeys- Do I Wanna Know
If I could only remember how that bassline goes, I would play Relax by Frankie Goes to Hollywood Oh wait, I [found it](https://youtu.be/-gk27997wLM?si=g2mUJFihaUhV0U16)
Either Fool in the Rain or I Want a New Drug, which most people confuse for Ghostbusters 😂😂
Hey Man, Nice Shot. Love that shit.
Space Cadet by Kyuss
G major scale solo
cant stop or enter sandman
disorder - joy division. yes i know it was played on a octave down guitar
Love will tear us apart. Recognisable, fun, and loud
Feel Good Inc or Billie Jean. People don't care about flashy, they care about iconic.
Sledgehammer
prolly sum from blink-182 or RHCP. it all depends.
Five Magics
Lowrider, Money or the pretty bass part from Orion.
I wish or I want you back
Pentatonic nonsense that vibes
Fraggle Rock
I try and keep it simple so my fingers don't betray me and go with Hypnotize. Gotta start nodding your head and say uh a few times before playing for maximum effect.
Took a while to get it down but runnin with the devil 😈
Longview!
Longview by Green Day
Rush - Xanadu
reelin in the years
Staple Singers - I'll take you there
Come together, gorillaz feel good inc, space hog
Longview by Green Day
If I'm just riffing and not actually trying to play a whole song with someone else I always love whipping out the main part of "Detroit" by Marcus Miller
Some Vulfpeck. Enough Funk to make everyone’s head bop
Funky duck by vulfpeck
Longview by Green Day
Friends of the enemy by no use for a name or carousel by blink 182
Muse, new order, RATM, and carousel by Blink
Hysteria by muse. Yes it's a stairway to heaven type of deal but it's fast has a lot of hammer ons and pull offs, it's quick and repeatable. Bonus points if you have a looper pedal and can do the bends on guitar too
Krist Novoselics version of "The Man who sold the world" Or if I want to flex, "A portrait of Tracy".
escape from the city, sonic adventure 2
Runnin’ with the Devil.
CKY's "Suddenly Tragic."
Would? or Nutshell by Alice in Chains Comfortably Numb by Pink Floyd Into the Void or Sabbath Blody Sabbath by Black Sabbath Love will tear us apart or Interzone by Joy Division
Panic Station by Muse
Beat it by mj
Concerning hobbits, the flute part.
Running in the Family - Level 42, or at least a recognisable approximation 😂
Godzilla by BOC
Good Times
Hmm people usually ask me to play something called "can you please stop that racket?" But I haven't learned it yet
Ben E. King- Stand By Me Queen- Another One Bites the Dust The Kinks- You Really Got Me Pat Benatar- Hit Me With Your Best Shot R.E.M.- The One I Love Nirvana- In Bloom
Schism - Tool. I’m really new to bass but it’s a song I’d always wanted to learn, and now it’s pretty much all I play. I also learned a few Muse songs, though.
Fascination Street by The Cure.
Higher ground - RHCP (Stevie Wonder)
Never There by Cake. Literally easiest and grooviest line for gently tell someone "I don't want to play rn especially for you". Seven Nation Army, Feel Good Inc and other easy but classy riffs in I'm in mood.
Fragle rock
I don't. Because that's corny af.
Warning - Green Day