ChunkyMunky Posted August 24, 2015 Share Posted August 24, 2015 It's not too bad trying to find material to impress other bassists and perhaps to a minor degree, other musicians. How about impressing non-musicians? I've got an interview for a dental university and surprise, surprise - I've got to take my bass up to show dexterity. I was originally set on doing the Michael Jackson track 'Speed Demon'. Anyone who's played that can testify as to how difficult the 32nd note flurry on the chorus is. Maybe not... All of this leads me to wonder - what would you play to impress a stranger who's probably not a musician? I'm thinking of going for groove rather flash. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cameronj279 Posted August 24, 2015 Share Posted August 24, 2015 Sir Dukes always a good option. Has groove and the unison part is fairly flashy. Although as far as 'impressing non-musicians' goes. Even the most basic of slap stuff seems to impress so many people. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yorks5stringer Posted August 24, 2015 Share Posted August 24, 2015 (edited) Anything by "Spooky Tooth" should go down well....... and in a more helpful mode, how about something with some nice harmonics? Edited August 24, 2015 by yorks5stringer Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fleabag Posted August 24, 2015 Share Posted August 24, 2015 (edited) Try the bass line to Kenny Loggins ' Footloose ' ( original Nathan East bass line ) Not flash, just tasty, but easy to finger (ooer matron ) The non chorus bits are by the by, its just the chorus that tap dances along nicely So the vid is some guy just covering the chorus. Not too keen on his tone, but thats just personal taste For those too hip or young to remember footloose, dont worry about it [url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Au96KTuGRPo"]https://www.youtube....h?v=Au96KTuGRPo[/url] Edited August 25, 2015 by fleabag Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ambient Posted August 25, 2015 Share Posted August 25, 2015 I think playing something they know, rather than a bass line. Even if it's a 'well known' bass line, chances are they won't know it. Something by Bach, or a simple chord melody thing maybe ? Just the melody and a few bass notes, That would be more impressive for me, if I was a non-musician. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fleabag Posted August 25, 2015 Share Posted August 25, 2015 Something by Bach ? Perfect https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IfeISS_jt08 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ambient Posted August 25, 2015 Share Posted August 25, 2015 I have some transcriptions for Bach's Inventions. They sound great and aren't hard, they're mostly inversion based. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fleabag Posted August 25, 2015 Share Posted August 25, 2015 I reckon that Tull bach ripoff bass line would sound the nuts on a big ole double bass Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blue Posted August 25, 2015 Share Posted August 25, 2015 Nothing flashy or fast impresses me. Groove, timing and soul does. There are guys that can lay down a 1-4-5 blues progression done right that gets my interest before Sir Duke. Blue Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rikki1984 Posted August 25, 2015 Share Posted August 25, 2015 (edited) [quote name='blue' timestamp='1440474843' post='2851059'] Nothing flashy or fast impresses me. Groove, timing and soul does. There are guys that can lay down a 1-4-5 blues progression done right that gets my interest before Sir Duke. Blue [/quote] Yes but the question was for something that will impress NON musicians and, rightly or wrongly, fast/flashy is what they will see as impressive. Edited August 25, 2015 by Rikki1984 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lojo Posted August 25, 2015 Share Posted August 25, 2015 Do you know who the interviewer will be ? Maybe you can google them, their social media may give away what genre they like. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoeEvans Posted August 25, 2015 Share Posted August 25, 2015 The question is, what kind of musician would a dentist be? I would say that you want to show that you're calm, steady, capable of long study and careful practice, relaxed under pressure and able to carry off quite tricky pieces of work in a reliable way. So maybe something not too fast and flashy but with some delicate twiddly bits, as elegant as you can manage and not in any way giving a 'party animal' vibe. Bach sounds good to me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CamdenRob Posted August 25, 2015 Share Posted August 25, 2015 If you need to impress a non musician stranger I'd take a guitar instead... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FuNkShUi Posted August 25, 2015 Share Posted August 25, 2015 [quote name='Rikki1984' timestamp='1440481713' post='2851071'] Yes but the question was for something that will impress NON musicians and, rightly or wrongly, fast/flashy is what they will see as impressive. [/quote] Have to agree. We have a running joke where during the one song we have where we all get our introductions and a few bars to solo, i dont actually play a single note. I play a percussion triplet that moves up the fretboard and the crowd seem to appreciate that far more than if i played something which was actually impressive to another musician. Its ridiculous and i do wince a bit at the thought there is another bass player in the crowd. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ambient Posted August 25, 2015 Share Posted August 25, 2015 Something melodic, something they will go away whistling to themselves. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bassace Posted August 25, 2015 Share Posted August 25, 2015 A few fills, perhaps? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zenitram Posted August 25, 2015 Share Posted August 25, 2015 Take it to the bridge! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toneknob Posted August 25, 2015 Share Posted August 25, 2015 Just play root notes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ras52 Posted August 25, 2015 Share Posted August 25, 2015 [media]http://youtu.be/epEQhxslprE[/media] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Norris Posted August 25, 2015 Share Posted August 25, 2015 Strange that they are asking for a bass demo, but if it's a demonstration of dexterity they are after I'd bear that in mind when choosing your piece Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fleabag Posted August 25, 2015 Share Posted August 25, 2015 [quote name='toneknob' timestamp='1440494872' post='2851171'] Just play root notes. [/quote] And promise to play the root, the whole root, and nothing but the root. So help you God Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ras52 Posted August 25, 2015 Share Posted August 25, 2015 Something by Matching Molar? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fleabag Posted August 25, 2015 Share Posted August 25, 2015 And they just keep coming ... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lozz196 Posted August 25, 2015 Share Posted August 25, 2015 To impress a non-musician stranger, play something that they are likely to know. Another One Bites The Dust, Billie jean, Down In The Tube Station, Eton Rifles etc, anything where the bassline is a prominent lead in the song. Widdling away on a very techinical part that they don`t know may make them think oh he knows what he`s doing, but play something they know, oh he must be good. It`s amazing how people work that way - play something mainstream and they usually think you`re much better, cos as "it`s famous" it must be difficult. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charic Posted August 25, 2015 Share Posted August 25, 2015 Another one "bites" the dust? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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