What's your 'Hey, the bass player's here' lick?

[bassintheface]

Nothing specific......

 

typically I'd play all across the bass to ensure the EQ is set right for the room and correct volume - typically it'd be bits of scales / arpeggios etc, hit the 'dirty' switch to make sure the OD is set ok and EQ'd ok also etc.

 

That's usually me done except for soundcheck - if we're doing drum / bass soundcheck then we might chuck in some of Donny Hathaway's 'The Ghetto', or maybe 'I'm a mover' by Free, or even 'Canned Heat' by Jamiroquoi - for full band s/check it would likely be something like 'The Weight' by the Band that has all vocals, plus guitars and keys also.

 

I'll warm up backstage.

[TrevorR]

For me it’s usually the bass line from Thin Lizzy’s Dancing in the Moonlight. If I’m trying a bass out in a shop it’ll also be the bass li e from a couple of folk songs my band did back at university, just coz the muscle memory still means the notes naturally fall under my fingers.
 

And the French horn melody line from The Theme to Star Trek: Deep Space Nine - which is a lovely tune. Only ever once had a shop assistant say, “Hey, wait a minute, is that…?”

 

Edited February 17, 2023 by TrevorR

[Muzz]

If my drummer's anywhere near ready (and he always is, as I set up last), it's Fool In The Rain, just to get him to join in with that fantastic shuffle...we don't play the song, much as I'd like to...

[dmccombe7]

I've just remembered one that i have used at punk venues and its Gotta Getaway by SLF. Not coming from a Punk background i definitely like the early SLF basslines.

Dave

[three]

18 hours ago, gjones said:

The Sailors Hornpipe.

 

I heard some guy throw it casually into a bass solo once and I said to myself, 'That guy doesn't take himself too seriously but it still sounds cool'.

I think that would be Gerald Johnson playing with the Steve Miller band - 'threw some pretty cool shapes while he did it too.  I've seen it on some very old concert footage.  There's an allusion to it years back on Talkbass, with some footage of Gerald with Dave Mason - playing a P with a left-handed body and right-hand neck with the strings inverted.  Great player and very cool...):

 

https://www.talkbass.com/threads/shu-ba-da-du-ma-ma-ma-ma-on-midnight-special.883441/

 

 

[nilorius]

There's a lot of songs, i can't name one.

[Franticsmurf]

I usually just play pentatonic scales or whatever song the band plays as a general sound check. We went through a period a few years ago where it seemed that at every club gig we played, the last song the DJ played before we went on was 'Simply the Best' so got into the habit of playing that bassline. I like the idea of playing Money - on of my favourite Floyd songs and one we occasionally play.

[bass_dinger]

20 hours ago, bassbiscuits said:

Also quite partial to Rhythm Stick at soundchecks...

That's a flex right there! 

 

 

[bass_dinger]

For me, Crazy Little Thing Called Love. 

 

Made all the more fun when the rest of the church band know it, and have played it at an open air festival (to trick the audience into liking us...).

 

Billie Jean is also fun, when the stick- swinger is warming up

[Marky L]

When checking if my dirty crunch setting is good I'll pop out a little bit of Killing In The Name.

[SteveH]

Usually play the theme tune from "The Professionals"  or

" Ramble on" or a bit of " Rhythm stick" 

[Reggaebass]

3 minutes ago, SteveH said:

Usually play the theme tune from "The Professionals

Loving that one, I’m adding it to my list 👍

[SumOne]

A couple of mine have already been mentioned: Good times/rappers delight & groove is in the heart. 

 

Also, always partial to 'express yourself', 'peaches' and that hook in 'I shot the sheriff'. 

[Paul S]

Just remembered one I used to play years ago - the theme to Inspector Gadget  

[jimmyb625]

If we're sound-checking, I'll usually play the opening run from our first tune, as it covers the entire range that I'll use during the set. 

 

Sometimes, I'll play some really bad slap bass, mainly to annoy the drummer. 

[Reggaebass]

1 minute ago, jimmyb625 said:

Sometimes, I'll play some really bad slap bass

I’m really good at bad slap bass 😁

[dmccombe7]

I could do bad slap too if that's an option. 

Dave

[Waddo Soqable]

5 minutes ago, dmccombe7 said:

I could do bad slap too if that's an option. 

Dave

I bet I could do it worse... 

[Waddo Soqable]

Surprised no one's had the Barney Miller theme...

Myself and the guitarist of the day sort of worked out a kinda version of it once 

[dmccombe7]

27 minutes ago, Waddo Soqable said:

I bet I could do it worse... 

So what you're telling me is that you can play worse better than me 

Dave  

Edited February 17, 2023 by dmccombe7

[Waddo Soqable]

3 minutes ago, dmccombe7 said:

So what you're telling me is that you can play worse better than me 

Dave  

Err.. Hang on a mo while I just think that one thru.. 😁

[dmccombe7]

3 minutes ago, Waddo Soqable said:

Err.. Hang on a mo while I just think that one thru.. 😁

[gt4ever]

22 hours ago, upside downer said:

The three I'd usually pump out were Don't Give Me No Lip Child by Sex Pistols, She Bangs the Drums by Stone Roses and Bug Powder Dust by Bomb the Bass.

Oh man not heard bug powder in years, thanks!! The Kruder & Dorfmeister mix of it is legendary too.

[Waddo Soqable]

"The very worst of Slap Bass" would make a fab competition I reckon...

Mark King could be the presenter, he'd love it.. Honest... 

[dmccombe7]

8 minutes ago, dmccombe7 said:

So what you're telling me is that you can play worserer better than me 

Dave  

Corrected