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Looking for some good basslines to learn


rpsands

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So I've been on a song-learning kick lately, trying to push my skill envelope a little bit. Recently, I've learned Come Down by Bush (super easy), Still Remains by STP (tough, tougher coming up with my own fills), and Soul to Squeeze by RHCP (substituting the more basic riffs for some of the wanky fills toward the end that I couldn't figure out).

 

Anyway, I hope that gives a rough idea of my skill level. Soul to Squeeze was probably the hardest song I've learned, period, though I am working on Lounge Act (nirvana) right now and that's pretty rough :)

 

And so the question: Can I get some suggestions for good, fun, moderately difficult, and if possible distinctive basslines to learn? Stuff that is in standard tuning receives extra points, and stuff that you'd play at a party for people in my age group (25-30) also is cool.

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Thanks fellas :) Nice to expand my musical horizons a bit.

 

I totally forgot about Incubus, RSB. Great call there. I spent a long time learning a good amount of Pardon Me last year, and it was pretty challenging then despite being a simple song. It was a heck of a lot of fun though.

 

White Zombie I think is a bit beyond my physical endurance at this point -- their lines are rarely terribly complicated but damn are they fast and notey!

 

Stevie Wonder songs always have amazing basslines, will have to see if I can do some of those :)

 

Some other good suggestions here! Thanks guys.

 

I would say that what I'm looking for is songs that challenge me and help me think in new ways for writing my own stuff --- new ways to make cool use of intervals, etc. And also provide a solid rhythmic workout.

 

And honestly, a little vanity of wanting to have cool sounding {censored} to whip out at guitar center or whatever ;) Heh.

 

I've been working on RATM's Killing in the Name Of, and that is one damned recognizable bassline :)

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songs-in-key-life-stevie-wonder-cd-cover

Thread closed.

 

esp Sir Duke. Not too hard to play but a real beotch to figure out by ear. Sounds harder than it is and impresses those at the local music store who are banging out Higher Ground for the 4,765th time. :D

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A couple albums that I think have killer, different sounding basslines but would probably develop your skill at some techniques:

 

Mr. Bungle- the self titled

Faith No More- Angel Dust

 

In particular Angel Dust is great for fingerstyle stuff, pick stuff, and slap/pop stuff; it's all over the place. Songs like "Crack Hitler" are simple note choice wise, but take a lot of endurance to play the whole way through... heck, learn all FNM, it's all good stuff!

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Faith No More- Angel Dust


In particular Angel Dust is great for fingerstyle stuff, pick stuff, and slap/pop stuff; it's all over the place. Songs like "Crack Hitler" are simple note choice wise, but take a lot of endurance to play the whole way through... heck, learn all FNM, it's all good stuff!

 

 

Huge +1

 

They are hands down my all time fav band. I have the album cover to The Real Thing tattooed on the back of my right calf.

 

Angel Dust is their high point (in a career chock full of them IMO), and a great tune from it to learn is Kidnergarten... bass solo with a flanger, what's not to like?

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Huge +1


They are hands down my all time fav band. I have the album cover to The Real Thing tattooed on the back of my right calf.


Angel Dust is their high point (in a career chock full of them IMO), and a great tune from it to learn is Kidnergarten... bass solo with a flanger, what's not to like?

 

Dude, I spent a month or so learning FNM songs gearing up for a possible tribute band (that never came together) but during that time I learned a hell of alot that's for sure. One thing about Billy Gould I didn't realize is how tricky the timing of some of his fills is. Like "Falling to Pieces" sounds simple enough, but that song is tricky to totally nail timing wise, let alone technique wise...

 

Basically point being- learn some Faith, it'll make you a better bassplayer! :thu:

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Dude, I spent a month or so learning FNM songs gearing up for a possible tribute band (that never came together) but during that time I learned a hell of alot that's for sure. One thing about Billy Gould I didn't realize is how tricky the timing of some of his fills is. Like "Falling to Pieces" sounds simple enough, but that song is tricky to totally nail timing wise, let alone technique wise...


Basically point being- learn some Faith, it'll make you a better bassplayer!
:thu:

 

Indeed. I learned a ton of their stuff for the same reason, hoping to put together a tribute act, only to learn that the only thing more scarce than musicians who want to play FNM, is fans that would pay to see a tribute band play them.

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Huge +1


They are hands down my all time fav band. I have the album cover to The Real Thing tattooed on the back of my right calf.


Angel Dust is their high point (in a career chock full of them IMO), and a great tune from it to learn is Kidnergarten... bass solo with a flanger, what's not to like?

 

Kindergarten is my favorite Faith No More song. It gives me goosebumps every time I listen to it. :thu:

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So true. Annoyingly they down tune 1/2 step, but great basslines.

 

 

Why is that annoying? A lot of bands do it, it makes singing a little more natural for some singers, it has nothing to do with trying to be heavier or anything.

 

You could cover it in standard tuning using the same fingering positions and chords and most people wouldn't even know.

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Why is that annoying? A lot of bands do it, it makes singing a little more natural for some singers, it has nothing to do with trying to be heavier or anything.


You could cover it in standard tuning using the same fingering positions and chords and most people wouldn't even know.

 

 

It's annoying when you're trying to play along with the song and you sound out of tune to them.

 

After being out of practice for a long time I found my hand cramping during Joy Division's "Isolation." That could be a good song for strength training. The opening riff of Rancid's "Rejected" is good to build up fast synchronization btwn. left and right hands. "Small Scale Wars" by Citizen Fish should be just fun to play and you get to funk out w/ it. "Money" by Pink Floyd. The album "Musical Bones" by Lee Perry and The Upsetters is a must for everyone here - even if you don't like reggae or want to play it you should hear it. I'm going to try to play some Scratch Acid and get back to you on what's best in terms of practice material, but if you have the album "The Greatest Gift" you should be able to find something you like.

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