Marc S Posted February 13, 2018 Share Posted February 13, 2018 This is a great topic. It's really got me thinking about songs with minimal bass, but bass which is an essential component of the song| You often hear the saying "less is more" and in music terms, it has taken me a long time to realise how true this is Enjoying this thread, and looking forward to seeing / hearing more suggestions Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
casapete Posted February 13, 2018 Share Posted February 13, 2018 Here's another great song where the bass is pretty sparse throughout, with the exception of a slight wig-out in the middle section! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris_b Posted February 13, 2018 Share Posted February 13, 2018 Here's another. . . great Tim Drummond bass line. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EliasMooseblaster Posted February 13, 2018 Share Posted February 13, 2018 I'm going to go out on a limb and suggest a Who song. Yep, with John Entwistle on bass and everything: Admittedly this is dredging right down to one of the few good tracks off probably their weakest album, but even though the bass tone is completely over the top, the playing is surprisingly restrained, especially by The Ox's standards. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cosmo Valdemar Posted February 13, 2018 Share Posted February 13, 2018 2 minutes ago, EliasMooseblaster said: I'm going to go out on a limb and suggest a Who song. Yep, with John Entwistle on bass and everything: Admittedly this is dredging right down to one of the few good tracks off probably their weakest album, but even though the bass tone is completely over the top, the playing is surprisingly restrained, especially by The Ox's standards. For the first couple of minutes anyway 😂 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EliasMooseblaster Posted February 13, 2018 Share Posted February 13, 2018 3 minutes ago, Cosmo Valdemar said: For the first couple of minutes anyway 😂 Ssh! I assumed nobody would have time to listen closely to all these clips beyond the first 60 seconds... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank Blank Posted February 13, 2018 Share Posted February 13, 2018 I had to... 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ivansc Posted February 13, 2018 Share Posted February 13, 2018 Used to do that one when I had a duo years ago. Great tune & a rather nice groove. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hobbayne Posted February 13, 2018 Share Posted February 13, 2018 No mention yet for John McVie and his simple but effective two note bass line on this track. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jazzmanb Posted February 13, 2018 Share Posted February 13, 2018 Simple and a bit sparse but exceptional Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Browning Posted February 14, 2018 Share Posted February 14, 2018 Albatross (Fleetwood Mac) takes some beating. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stewblack Posted February 14, 2018 Share Posted February 14, 2018 Can I join in? Some wonderful suggestions here and so much I can learn from all of them. This little gem also springs to mind 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marc S Posted February 14, 2018 Share Posted February 14, 2018 1 minute ago, stewblack said: Can I join in? Some wonderful suggestions here and so much I can learn from all of them. This little gem also springs to mind Of course you can join in Stew Now there's a bass line that's proof of the addage "It's just as much about the notes you leave out"..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cuzzie Posted February 14, 2018 Share Posted February 14, 2018 Is no one going to say mustang sally.......?! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stewblack Posted February 14, 2018 Share Posted February 14, 2018 Just now, Marc S said: Of course you can join in Stew Now there's a bass line that's proof of the addage "It's just as much about the notes you leave out"..... Cheers! Even the middle 8 is reasonably sparse and just one change between verse and chorus. I'm learning this for a band right now and cannot wait to play it live. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
King Tut Posted February 14, 2018 Share Posted February 14, 2018 STING Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marc S Posted February 14, 2018 Share Posted February 14, 2018 3 minutes ago, King Tut said: STING Yeah, he's already been mentioned King Tut His careful choice of notes is quite under-rated IMO "Walking On The Moon" is just so simple, yet brilliant (of course, there are plenty of other examples too) 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Johnny Wishbone Posted February 14, 2018 Share Posted February 14, 2018 Just remembered this belter! 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul S Posted February 14, 2018 Share Posted February 14, 2018 Oh yes.^^ 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grassie Posted February 14, 2018 Share Posted February 14, 2018 The funkiest one-note bass line ever? 😊 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bassbiscuits Posted February 14, 2018 Share Posted February 14, 2018 On 12 February 2018 at 23:45, josie said: Not sure why I just went back to early Dire Straits with good headphones, but I've been blown away by the sparseness of John Illsley's bassline on "Ride Across the River". It's a dark broody song, and one can easily see a heavy bassline working well, but there's nothing at times, and then two notes on an off-beat, and then three notes where your ear fills in the next three that should be there but aren't. Perfect "play the rests as well as the notes", and "less is more". Any other suggestions for perfect minimal bass? John Illsley That's a brilliant song - I've been learning it on guitar too (Mark Knopfler's playing on it is also very sparse and tasteful). It's a lovely, dark brooding song, and thankfully the complete opposite to Walk of Life... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris_b Posted February 14, 2018 Share Posted February 14, 2018 We used to play Girl Like You by Edwin Collins. Practically a one note bass line for 4 mins. I used to read a book during that one. Audiences liked it though. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul S Posted February 14, 2018 Share Posted February 14, 2018 One of the best voices ever. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bassbiscuits Posted February 14, 2018 Share Posted February 14, 2018 On 13 February 2018 at 08:31, NickD said: Above, by Mad Season... the whole album. I'd bought it because of the Alice in Chains/Pearl Jam connection, but John Baker-Saunders' lines are the star, it's just an exercise in letting every individual note breathe. I recall back when it was released, it was the only non-Jazz/Fusion release that I ever saw get a 5 star review in the American Bass Player magazine. More than 20 years later it's still sublime (YMMV). There's an album i haven't heard in a while - it was brilliant tho wasn't it? Must get on Amazon and find a copy... 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tinyd Posted February 14, 2018 Share Posted February 14, 2018 On 12/02/2018 at 23:45, josie said: Not sure why I just went back to early Dire Straits with good headphones, but I've been blown away by the sparseness of John Illsley's bassline on "Ride Across the River". It's a dark broody song, and one can easily see a heavy bassline working well, but there's nothing at times, and then two notes on an off-beat, and then three notes where your ear fills in the next three that should be there but aren't. Perfect "play the rests as well as the notes", and "less is more". Any other suggestions for perfect minimal bass? John Illsley That's a nice bassline, very reminiscent of a reggae "one drop" line. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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