The greatest bass lines to learn ?

[musicbassman]

So.... I've finally got round to learning Rhythm Stick. It's a monster bass line I've been meaning to learn for a while.

Any other ideas for great bass lines to study?

(I'm planning on 'What is Hip?' next)   

[HengistPod]

Rhythm Stick is a fun one when you finally get it to flow.

I like a lot of Geddy Lee's lines - many of them use patterns you're familiar with, but used in ways you might not have thought of.

For example, "Circumstances" has a great signature riff, as does "Freewill" which also includes a nice solo section with variations on a theme.

Stevie Wonder's "Sir Duke" is the one I currently have on my "to figure out" list.

[ahpook]

The one that makes you happy

 

[ambient]

1 hour ago, musicbassman said:

So.... I've finally got round to learning Rhythm Stick. It's a monster bass line I've been meaning to learn for a while.

Any other ideas for great bass lines to study?

(I'm planning on 'What is Hip?' next)   

I’ve got a transcription of what is hip if you want it. It was an exam piece at uni.

[Coilte]

One of my favourites is ..."You're The One That I Want"...from Grease.

 

Edited November 13, 2018 by Coilte

[musicbassman]

40 minutes ago, ambient said:

I’ve got a transcription of what is hip if you want it. It was an exam piece at uni.

Thanks Ambient - for me, working out the line for myself entirely by ear is all part of the learning process.

[Graham]

5 hours ago, Coilte said:

One of my favourites is ..."You're The One That I Want"...from Grease.

 

Love playing that

[Maude]

Currently trying to get The Real Me by The Who nailed. Being in a Mod band with quite a following on the scene people will notice if it's not bang on so near enough isn't good enough. It's like a three minute, hundred miles an hour solo. 

[Delberthot]

8 hours ago, musicbassman said:

So.... I've finally got round to learning Rhythm Stick. It's a monster bass line I've been meaning to learn for a while.

Any other ideas for great bass lines to study?

(I'm planning on 'What is Hip?' next)   

Occasionally I have to learn songs that I don't like for wedding gigs so I always have something ready at the end that I enjoy playing. At the moment it is this version of What Is Hip - I find it easier to play than the original despite being a lot faster

 

[PawelG]

Vulfpeck - Dean Town is a good workout. 

[musicbassman]

2 hours ago, Delberthot said:

Occasionally I have to learn songs that I don't like for wedding gigs so I always have something ready at the end that I enjoy playing. At the moment it is this version of What Is Hip - I find it easier to play than the original despite being a lot faster

 

Jeez - that is seriously quick !!

[kevvo66]

We've recently started playing ,run to the hills, number of beast,Steve Harris is monster bass player ,and it's hell of a workout for your fingers and there's no one to touch him in his style of playing,  and we all love playing them as none of us have for years 😀👍

Edited November 13, 2018 by kevvo66

[Dood]

Click on my signature image for a link to my Spotify playlist with countless great bass lines in. You can even add your own favourites too!

[Ricky 4000]

11 hours ago, HengistPod said:

Stevie Wonder's "Sir Duke" is the one I currently have on my "to figure out" list.

I'm currently learning / practicing that one (thanks to that nice man "Mark" at talkingbass.net, for the fancy instrumental section) ... struggling with playing at the dusty end though, and that's me at only 80bpm -- never mind getting up to the full 107!

"I was made to love her" is a bit of a mission / labour of love, but not too bad... although to be fair I'm not playing that at full-speed yet, either.

Hendrix's bassline under "All along the watchtower" is on my bucket list too. 👍

Edited November 14, 2018 by Ricky 4000

[kevvo66]

Bach cello suite I'm still working on that one it's a swine it's probably gonna haunt me till I get it spot on, which could take some time!!!!! 

[SICbass]

16 hours ago, Coilte said:

One of my favourites is ..."You're The One That I Want"...from Grease.

 

Isn‘t that originally with  a pick? Which, if it is, would make it even trickier (for me at least).

[xgsjx]

Wynona's Big Brown Beaver by Primus is an immensely fun song to play, especially the instrumental parts of the song.

 

 

[ezbass]

Rio by Duran Duran is good fun. Kate Bush’s Babooshka, although not fast, has some interesting note choices.

[Japhet]

Used to do this in a band with a female singer (which is kind of essential). Just love this bass line.

 

[Stylon Pilson]

Some of the basslines that I most enjoy playing in my current band:

• Let's Dance (David Bowie)
• Start (The Jam)
• Maneater (Hall & Oates)

S.P.

[chris_b]

You want good bass lines?

Start at the beginning of Motown and work forwards. Same with Stax.

Same with Aretha Franklin, Chic, Keb Mo, Incognito, Steely Dan, Little Feat, the list of good bass lines goes on. . . . .

[Barking Spiders]

My approach is to improving is to master my bucket list of bass. This is around 150 tunes which includes Rhythm Stick and Sir Duke. I'd recommend a few more Stevie Wonder tunes like Masterblaster and I Wish. Other great ones to have under your belt are Club Country by The Associates, Kajagoogoo's Too Shy, Level 42's Love Games & Hot Water, Life in Tokyo & European Son by Japan and some lines that were actually done on a Fairlight esp Hyperactive  by Thomas Dolby

[mikel]

Depends what you want to play or the style you want to have. If the part has techniques, phrasing or style that you would never use in the music you like to play then I dont see the point in learning to play it.

[fretmeister]

17 hours ago, Maude said:

Currently trying to get The Real Me by The Who nailed. Being in a Mod band with quite a following on the scene people will notice if it's not bang on so near enough isn't good enough. It's like a three minute, hundred miles an hour solo. 

Play the WASP version.

 

Johnny Rod did a better job than JE did!

Heresy I know - but it's true.

[fretmeister]

I'm currently trying to nail Zoot Suit Riot by the Cherry Poppin' Daddies.

 

I've got to perform it on 15th December so I should really do more practice. Rehearsals are going reasonably well though.