Coolest bass lines using the fewest notes.

[T-Bay]

So many to choose from but this stands out for me:

 

It just fits the song perfectly. Just three different notes and five notes in each phrase.

 

[Dan Dare]

Papa was a Rolling Stone comes to mind. Just 3 notes but a belter.

[Beedster]

1 note

 

 

[Reggaebass]

Not many notes on the main groove to this, a great one to play 

 

[Frank Blank]

 

[Dad3353]

Two notes (I think it's Marty Balin on bass here, not Jack Casady...)....

 

 

[Jay2U]

I like this one a lot, like so many Misfits songs.

 

[Old Horse Murphy]

Still love this one. Just perfect to my ears 

 

 

[Hellzero]

1 hour ago, Dan Dare said:

Papa was a Rolling Stone comes to mind. Just 3 notes but a belter.

Usual mistake, it's a 4 notes bass line, it starts on a G#, which is where lies the mistake.

[chris_b]

Fabulous Thunderbirds

 

 

 

 

 

Sly and the Family Stone 

 

 

 

 

Canned Heat

 

 

 

Elmore James 

 

 

[Jay2U]

I also love the simplicity of the songs by SACK (don't mind the guitar).

 

[Lozz196]

Simple Minds doing Waterfront 

 

 

[lowdown]

22 minutes ago, Hellzero said:

Usual mistake, it's a 4 notes bass line, it starts on a G#, which is where lies the mistake.

 

 

Yes, four notes....Although, I think it is in 5 flats (Bb Minor), making the pickup note on the intro an 'A' natural. 

From then onwards, it's a four bar phrase with the 'A' natural at the end of the four bar phrase.

I think that's right?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[toneknob]

 

[lidl e]

 

 

[Woodinblack]

These two notes

[Cosmo Valdemar]

2 hours ago, Jay2U said:

I like this one a lot, like so many Misfits songs.

 

The bass on the original always makes me think of a gobbling turkey.

[Cosmo Valdemar]

Anything by Andy Fraser. The master of space and time.

[Dan Dare]

2 hours ago, Hellzero said:

Usual mistake, it's a 4 notes bass line, it starts on a G#, which is where lies the mistake.

 

Usual patronising tone... I've re-listened to it and you are partly correct. The first note of the phrase actually varies. It is G# at the start, but once the song begins, it is sometimes G natural.

 

 

[Old Man Riva]

 

[Old Man Riva]

You could also include Hallogallo by Neu!, but, for me, this sounds like Simple Minds before Simple Minds … 

 

 

[Shaggy]

Most of this is pretty much a groove on open E.  The wonderful Mr Barry Adamson 😎

 

 

[linear]

 

[Jay2U]

Talking 'bout simple...

 

[steantval]

Ace - How Long