skej21 Posted March 1, 2012 Share Posted March 1, 2012 So, on the 31st of March 2012 it is national 'Learn To Play Day' (organised by 'Music for All'). The aim of the event is for individuals across the nation who have always wanted to pick up an instrument and learn to play, to get a free lesson at one of the places involved with event, on their preferred instrument without having to purchase one. A "taster" if you will. As part of this event, I will be holding a bass workshop for a small number of individuals who want to learn to play the bass. However, time is limited and I need to really figure out which bass part/s I can feasibly teach in the time allocated. Ideally, the bass line needs to be a riff/ostinato. While I can think of a few, I dont feel that they are the most inspiring and would really appreciate it if you guys could name a bass line that fits that criteria that really inspired YOU to pick up the bass! Any ideas? Hopefully, I can get a fair few and cater for all tastes (because there is bound to be one or two who say 'I dont like *insert prepared bass part*, have you not got something else?') TIA Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Earbrass Posted March 1, 2012 Share Posted March 1, 2012 Lord Of Light (Hawkwind - Space Ritual) might be suitable. Good bass riff but pretty simple. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doddy Posted March 1, 2012 Share Posted March 1, 2012 [quote name='Earbrass' timestamp='1330612911' post='1560372'] Lord Of Light (Hawkwind - Space Ritual) might be suitable. Good bass riff but pretty simple. [/quote] I'm sure that the majority of people that will turn up (which I'm guessing will be mostly teenagers)will instantly recognise it and be inspired. I always find that a lot of people are impressed by ".....Teen Spirit". A simple 12 bar blues pattern (1,3,5,3) always goes down well too. Other than that,if you know lots of tunes it is easy to find something that they like and could play. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
louisthebass Posted March 1, 2012 Share Posted March 1, 2012 Anything Bruce Foxton played with The Jam Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Highfox Posted March 1, 2012 Share Posted March 1, 2012 This one http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ylOCIP54PIQ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RhysP Posted March 1, 2012 Share Posted March 1, 2012 [quote name='Doddy' timestamp='1330614235' post='1560405'] I'm sure that the majority of people that will turn up (which I'm guessing will be mostly teenagers)will instantly recognise it and be inspired. [/quote] That made me laugh while simultaneously making me feel very old as it was one of the first things I ever played in a band with school friends. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skej21 Posted March 1, 2012 Author Share Posted March 1, 2012 (edited) [quote name='Doddy' timestamp='1330614235' post='1560405'] I'm sure that the majority of people that will turn up (which I'm guessing will be mostly teenagers)will instantly recognise it and be inspired. I always find that a lot of people are impressed by ".....Teen Spirit". A simple 12 bar blues pattern (1,3,5,3) always goes down well too. Other than that,if you know lots of tunes it is easy to find something that they like and could play. [/quote] Yeah, I already had blues walking bass in my list, but its a bit predictable/boring/uninspiring. I also don't like doing it in isolation, because I think it helps to perpetuate the stereotype of 'blues has to sound like this *plays arpeggiated major triads*'... I think it's something that should be covered in a lesson within a series of lessons, so that you can explore breaking those rules once they've been laid out. I'd much rather have them playing an isolated song that they will go home thinking 'I want to listen to/play more of that!' Also, trying to find an alternative to the ever-popular [i]Seven Nation Army[/i]! Edited March 1, 2012 by skej21 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Earbrass Posted March 1, 2012 Share Posted March 1, 2012 (edited) [quote name='Doddy' timestamp='1330614235' post='1560405'] I'm sure that the majority of people that will turn up (which I'm guessing will be mostly teenagers)will instantly recognise it and be inspired. [/quote] OK then, how about the "Deal or No Deal" theme? Edited March 1, 2012 by Earbrass Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
malbass Posted March 1, 2012 Share Posted March 1, 2012 Doesn't get much simpler or easy to recognise that "Another One Bites The Dust". Drove my parents mad with that one when I was starting off!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leftyhook Posted March 1, 2012 Share Posted March 1, 2012 The Stealer by Free. Andy Fraser. sliiiiiiiide, bom -bom! http://youtu.be/ssZtFzrWSVE Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hobbayne Posted March 1, 2012 Share Posted March 1, 2012 Another vote for Bruce Foxton, the sound affects album was played to death in my house when i was 15. Maybe Pretty Green or Start. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clarkpegasus4001 Posted March 1, 2012 Share Posted March 1, 2012 (edited) Roundabout by Yes http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YPOTg-7pV64 Edited March 1, 2012 by clarkpegasus4001 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pikeman Posted March 1, 2012 Share Posted March 1, 2012 Happy Jack by The Who. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bilbo Posted March 1, 2012 Share Posted March 1, 2012 Some of the 'starter fodder' ones that were around in my day were: Peaches - The Stranglers The Chain - Fleetwood Mac (theme from Grand Prix) Can't Hurry Love - Phil Collins Dallas 1 P.M. - Saxon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cosmo Valdemar Posted March 1, 2012 Share Posted March 1, 2012 [quote name='clarkpegasus4001' timestamp='1330616163' post='1560457'] Roundabout by Yes http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YPOTg-7pV64 [/quote] For a beginner?! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thor Posted March 1, 2012 Share Posted March 1, 2012 Sunshine of your Love - Cream Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xgsjx Posted March 1, 2012 Share Posted March 1, 2012 (edited) The basslines taht got me into bass are rather well known: 2nd half of "The Chain" - Fleetwood Mac New Years Day - U2 The Void - The Beatles Oh, & loads of Talking Heads! Edited March 1, 2012 by xgsjx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JellyKnees Posted March 1, 2012 Share Posted March 1, 2012 I was going to suggest something from the Stranglers early period, but Bilbo beat me to it with Peaches..the 'kids' might even recognise it from Sexy Beast. How about Money by Floyd? or Word Up by Cameo? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clarkpegasus4001 Posted March 1, 2012 Share Posted March 1, 2012 (edited) [quote name='Cosmo Valdemar' timestamp='1330616878' post='1560475'] For a beginner?! [/quote] Gave me something to aspire to...... ok, ok I misinterpreted the question! Another One Bites The Dust - Queen Edited March 1, 2012 by clarkpegasus4001 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul torch Posted March 1, 2012 Share Posted March 1, 2012 Was going to suggest The Chain but it's already gone. How about Once In A Lifetime - Talking Heads. Rock-solid 2 note groove. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lowdown Posted March 1, 2012 Share Posted March 1, 2012 Back in the day, the first tune i had to learn for the opening number of my first gig with my first band was 'Nivram'.. Good grief and it sounds like Jazz i thought. My Dad offered to play it if i could not manage to learn it quick enough and i could slip on after.... Garry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skej21 Posted March 1, 2012 Author Share Posted March 1, 2012 [quote name='JellyKnees' timestamp='1330618300' post='1560502'] I was going to suggest something from the Stranglers early period, but Bilbo beat me to it with Peaches..the 'kids' might even recognise it from Sexy Beast. How about Money by Floyd? or Word Up by Cameo? [/quote] Yeah, Stranglers is a good shout. I considered Money by Floyd, but felt 7/8 is probably not the kindest of things to introduce a total beginner to! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JellyKnees Posted March 1, 2012 Share Posted March 1, 2012 [quote name='skej21' timestamp='1330620614' post='1560555'] Yeah, Stranglers is a good shout. I considered Money by Floyd, but felt 7/8 is probably not the kindest of things to introduce a total beginner to! [/quote] Just don't tell 'em! I could play it long before I knew what 7/8 was... Another idea, how about Guns of Brixton? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skej21 Posted March 1, 2012 Author Share Posted March 1, 2012 (edited) [quote name='JellyKnees' timestamp='1330621516' post='1560594'] Just don't tell 'em! I could play it long before I knew what 7/8 was... [/quote] Unfortunately, I know a guy who still can't play it in time and he's been playing for 10 years... He also plays the intro to 'White Room' in 4/4. It's like he's stuck in it! I'm not saying 7/8 is potentially beyond any of the beginners, I just want to keep it simple because if i factor in a possible stumbling block (even a small one like an odd-time/compound time signatures/tricky rhythms etc) the chances are it will end up creating an issue. Edited March 1, 2012 by skej21 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4000 Posted March 1, 2012 Share Posted March 1, 2012 None of them. I picked up bass because nobody else would play it. I wanted to be lead guitarist. I thought that's why everyone picked up bass? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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