Gazza 2905 Posted November 7, 2011 Share Posted November 7, 2011 I assume that most of us have been in this situation at least once in our bass playing lives. A friend comes round to your house one evening and they know you play bass, or maybe they spy one of your basses in the corner of the room. So they say to you:- [i]"Go on, - play me something"......[/i] Now, being a bass, you can't just trot out a load of songs like you can, on say, the guitar. So, I was wondering: What do you guys play when you want to impress someone? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Randy_Marsh Posted November 7, 2011 Share Posted November 7, 2011 I pull out some Clutterbuck and show them how good I am... I'm joking of course, I usually just play some nice melodic stuff like some Seth Horan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EssentialTension Posted November 7, 2011 Share Posted November 7, 2011 Mustang Sally. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Twigman Posted November 7, 2011 Share Posted November 7, 2011 Black Dog - it was the first bassline I ever learned and it's quite tricky Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
icastle Posted November 7, 2011 Share Posted November 7, 2011 I just point them to two storage units full of CDs, tell them to pick a disc and a track and busk it. The novelty soon wears off when they realise I can't be caught out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigthumb Posted November 7, 2011 Share Posted November 7, 2011 [quote name='Gazza 2905' timestamp='1320690271' post='1430092'] I assume that most of us have been in this situation at least once in our bass playing lives. A friend comes round to your house one evening... [/quote] Not happened yet!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ahpook Posted November 7, 2011 Share Posted November 7, 2011 never happened to me... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EssentialTension Posted November 7, 2011 Share Posted November 7, 2011 Never happened to me either - I lied about Mustang Sally - and if was asked I wouldn't do it anyway. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
discreet Posted November 7, 2011 Share Posted November 7, 2011 I just say... 'Bass isn't a solo instrument.' Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lojo Posted November 7, 2011 Share Posted November 7, 2011 Most likely just play mini bits of classic lines that everyone would know, anything from bilbos set would do it the chain, the wall, perhaps a bit of chic, depends who they where I guess Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gazza 2905 Posted November 7, 2011 Author Share Posted November 7, 2011 Well, I'm surprised that some of you have [i]never[/i] had a friend or a member of your family [i]ever[/i] ask you to play them something! But what about if you go into a shop to try out a new bass then? They'll probably be one or two customers, and the shopkeeper of course. Surely you feel under a little pressure to play something impressive. Or do you just noodle?.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Twigman Posted November 7, 2011 Share Posted November 7, 2011 [quote name='Gazza 2905' timestamp='1320692784' post='1430156'] Well, I'm surprised that some of you have [i]never[/i] had a friend or a member of your family [i]ever[/i] ask you to play them something! But what about if you go into a shop to try out a new bass then? They'll probably be one or two customers, and the shopkeeper of course. Surely you feel under a little pressure to play something impressive. Or do you just noodle?.. [/quote] I play a couple of my band's own lines and then just noodle.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
matski Posted November 7, 2011 Share Posted November 7, 2011 Something blatantly obviously recognisable to the masses: Billie Jean, Another One Bites The Dust, Money etc., etc., ad nauseum Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EssentialTension Posted November 7, 2011 Share Posted November 7, 2011 [quote name='Gazza 2905' timestamp='1320692784' post='1430156'] But what about if you go into a shop to try out a new bass then? They'll probably be one or two customers, and the shopkeeper of course. Surely you feel under a little pressure to play something impressive. Or do you just noodle?.. [/quote] I examine the bass and then play it unplugged. If I like it so far then I'll ask to amplify it. Then I play all the notes on each string to see it it plays evenly. Then I play it with right hand by the bridge, then right hand above pickup, then right hand over the end of neck, etc. I'm checking out the bass not performing for a load of onlookers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flyfisher Posted November 7, 2011 Share Posted November 7, 2011 Smoke on the water Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lojo Posted November 7, 2011 Share Posted November 7, 2011 [quote name='Gazza 2905' timestamp='1320692784' post='1430156'] Well, I'm surprised that some of you have [i]never[/i] had a friend or a member of your family [i]ever[/i] ask you to play them something! [/quote] I guess most close friends have seen us all play live, I have my music gear in a room that no guests would go in unless they have cause to , so a visiter who doesn't really know me would not guess I played anyhow Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clarkpegasus4001 Posted November 7, 2011 Share Posted November 7, 2011 (edited) Vas Dis or Handy - by Wishbone Ash, or sometimes, Roundabout - Yes Edited November 7, 2011 by clarkpegasus4001 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gazza 2905 Posted November 7, 2011 Author Share Posted November 7, 2011 [quote name='EssentialTension' timestamp='1320693413' post='1430177'] I'm checking out the bass not performing for a load of onlookers. [/quote] You're reading far too much into my question. I'm just curious as to what people consider 'cool riffs' I suppose; and thinking of examples of when they might need to play them. Me personally, I'm not in a band, & I'm too shy to play in front of anyone.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blademan_98 Posted November 7, 2011 Share Posted November 7, 2011 I usually play Money as I can play it with my eyes shut..... and that usually impresses not musical types Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EssentialTension Posted November 7, 2011 Share Posted November 7, 2011 [quote name='Gazza 2905' timestamp='1320694833' post='1430228'] You're reading far too much into my question. I'm just curious as to what people consider 'cool riffs' I suppose; and thinking of examples of when they might need to play them. Me personally, I'm not in a band, & I'm too shy to play in front of anyone.. [/quote] Sorry, I didn't mean to over-read it. If you want something I consider a cool riff then Chris White's line in The Zombies [i]She's Not There[/i]. I only say that one really because I was playing it yesterday. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
essexbasscat Posted November 7, 2011 Share Posted November 7, 2011 Come and see the next gig !! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Musky Posted November 7, 2011 Share Posted November 7, 2011 Unlike some others here I did actually get this a while back. My nephew wanted to take up bass so I pulled out a few of mine for him to choose one to borrow. And then he said it ... "So, let's see what you can do". My mind went blank and I started to noodle some half-hearted Jameson lines - not impressive enough. A brief foray into 'The Real Me' before realising it sounded crap with no drums. No good, I just couldn't think of anything. It felt like a bit of a nightmare, and what I'd imagine stage fright feels like. Never again. So to answer the OP's question - not very much at all! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrismuzz Posted November 7, 2011 Share Posted November 7, 2011 I usually just play an aggressive style little groove, then move on to some fast melodic metal kind of playing. Showcase a few of the effect pedals, and If feeling particularly confident I'll move higher up the neck and do some widdly stuff but not so much that I get caught out I sometimes knock out famous basslines or riffs, or stuff from bands I am/have been in too Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lee4 Posted November 7, 2011 Share Posted November 7, 2011 As my bass is kept under the bed,I would question what any of my friends are doing in my bedroom! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lojo Posted November 7, 2011 Share Posted November 7, 2011 [quote name='Gazza 2905' timestamp='1320694833' post='1430228'] You're reading far too much into my question. I'm just curious as to what people consider 'cool riffs' I suppose; and thinking of examples of when they might need to play them. Me personally, I'm not in a band, & I'm too shy to play in front of anyone.. [/quote] Someone mentioned the Zombies, yep that kind of stuff or any decent blues riff, dont worry about what people thinks cool, just enjoy playing Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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