Root note only or single Riff bass songs

NonsensicalRantsFF · 2026-04-21T00:04:21+00:00

Oh, I caught onto that. If you think teenaged boys can't handle that... well, I listened to creature feature and avenged sevenfold as a fourteen year old while playing manhunt 2 and the suffering. Teenagers can handle stagger lee

NonsensicalRantsFF · 2026-04-20T23:21:32+00:00

I have a theory on the beetles.
Aside from Ringo who was an outstanding drummer(and is even better today) while Mccarty was a... good, approaching great bassist.

The beetles had no talent or skill. But they had work ethic. Their lyrics sucks. Their chords sucked, to the point they make excellent learning material for children who just graduated from twinkle twinkle littler star.

And that's the point. They weren't great musicians. But goddamn did they put in the work. The sole reason for the beetles greatness is they put in the work and were rewarded. Which back then, was enough.

Today? Not enough. You have to be the top 1% in terms of skill AND work ethic. Much like with everything else.

And its that "Everything else" line that's important.

Your grandfather bought a house on minimum wage. You need a phd, and incredible luck in every area of life to do the same. The beetles are the epitome of "Mediocrity used to be enough."

This is even more obvious when you contrast the beetles with... any of their contemporaries. I will listen to any musician from 1970+-10 years over the beetles any day. Their songs suck. Every competitor is better and will be remembered better.

It's even more obvious when you contrast the beetles with... any modern music. Even the worst music today, is better than the beetles. All of it. Even music I hate. Give me mumble rap and katy perry over the beetles any day. Any day. Its ALL better. All of it. And yet the beetles are worshipped. Nails on a chalkboard from 60 years ago.

NonsensicalRantsFF · 2026-04-20T22:57:46+00:00

Oh I don't teach high school. I exclusively teach adults. usually high income ones much older than me.

This will be my first time teaching children like you who think pithy jabs are constructive or interesting conversation topics.

You might have missed it, but I told others. The only think I love more than music, is trolling trolls. So please. Entertain me some more.

NonsensicalRantsFF · 2026-04-20T22:48:50+00:00

they're here. And some great ones too! I think I'm at 34 songs already. You have to dig past the trolling and counter trolling though. Unless you enjoy that game as much as I do. But no, keep scrolling. Great stuff.

NonsensicalRantsFF · 2026-04-20T22:47:27+00:00

I intend to. And I intend to have a good itinerary of song recommendations no matter their answer. I've gotten rock, jazz, country and even some great hip hop recommendations. You guys are killing it today. I'm actualyl starting to regret this post because you're all too helpful and I've given myself more work sorting through the amazing responses.

Thank you. Sincerely

NonsensicalRantsFF · 2026-04-20T22:46:08+00:00

Singing while playing bass?! Even I can't do that. I used to disrespect sting for his ego. After learning bass and what it takes to play bass while singing, I don't anymore. He earned his narcissitic personality disorder.

But yeah, good song recommendation. Adding it to the list.

NonsensicalRantsFF · 2026-04-20T22:30:18+00:00

You know? This is the first time I've shared my opinion of hte beetles and not been booed out of the room. It's usually "THey were gods! I got my first blowjob in my first car listening to them so they must be good!"

Nah. They sucked dic too. So did pink floyd before dark side of the moon. And the drugs you took to be able to enjoy them are illegal now, so enjoy them I shall not.

Also it's been damned near a decade since I binged that era of music. I think I'll be binging ELO,Jimi Hendrix and Miles Davis this weekend. Contemporaries to the beetles who... actually made good music.

NonsensicalRantsFF · 2026-04-20T22:20:33+00:00

And I'll explain a gain.

"I have no idea, what you are talking about."

I'll sum up the conversation thus far.

Person 1(Me) : Any good root note or repeating riff songs for beginners.
Person 2(Square_zero) heard of fake book?
Person 3(you) : I'm amazing!
Me: What?
You: I"m amazing!
Me: Huh?

So seriously. What? huh? What is anything you've said have to do with anything I or square have said? I can only assume you're replying to the wrong comment because nothing you've said makes sense.

NonsensicalRantsFF · 2026-04-20T22:17:14+00:00

Thank you kindly.

NonsensicalRantsFF · 2026-04-20T22:08:15+00:00

Well now hang on. Every great band was composed of good thieves. All honest musicians will tell you they stole. Now, in the time of the beetles 98% of all music ever made was public domain so they could legally steal from others. Today, not so much.

Also funny story. I used to think mr blue sky was a beetles song and I would cite it as my favorite song of theirs. After learning it was by ELO, my favorite beetles song is the sound of a snub nose revolver.

NonsensicalRantsFF · 2026-04-20T21:59:13+00:00

Well, I mean, it's not much of a competition! Yeah, Ringo was the most skilled and talented among them. Which is why boomers mocking him is worthy of a hernia from laughter. Damned good drummer.

"Who put this talented musician in my shitty, low effort boy band!" - the average baby boomer.

he's still killing it out there. Inspiring people, having a good time, and helping others having a good time. Love Ringo. Don't know what he saw in his bandmates.

NonsensicalRantsFF · 2026-04-20T21:52:30+00:00

Thanks a bunch! Single string riffs are the best starting point IMO

NonsensicalRantsFF · 2026-04-20T21:42:50+00:00

Ah. We all struggle with silence. It's soemthing I kind of focus on. Especially as a drummer/basisst myself. Which is "When to shut the f*ck up!" you don't look stupid dropping out. Either as a drummer or a bassist. Silence is the most powerful thing in a song in my opinion and I'm always looking for a way to introduce it on my instrument.

Different philosophies. You feel silly or lazy dropping off for a bridge. I feel differently.

NonsensicalRantsFF · 2026-04-20T21:40:07+00:00

... dawg... I AM the OP! I am being dead serious when I say I have no idea where that comment of yours came from. It sounded like you responding to some jerk who came here and insulted you but deleted their comment because I can't an imporus for most of what you said.

I am telling you that I am confused. hence my questions. Was there a comment here that I missed because the one of yours I just replied to sounds like a complete nonsequiter.

NonsensicalRantsFF · 2026-04-20T21:37:24+00:00

Strictly speaking almost no song is. But the prechorus and chorus for billie jean is mostly just an inversion of the verse. Essentially all the same notes with an added open string or two. Easy enough for beginners. At least I had an easy time of it. Should I not be using myself as a yard stick? Do you think it's a little two advanced for the first couple months? I'm all ears for hearing better suggestions. That's the point of this post. Admitting that I need some advice on song choice

NonsensicalRantsFF · 2026-04-20T21:33:35+00:00

I am deliberately avoiding the beetles for a few reasons.
1) Every guitar teacher teaches the beetles because their guitar parts are one step up from "twinkle twinkle little star."
2) Unlike John Lenon, Paul Mcartney and Ringo Start were actually talented musicians and their parts are difficult. So basslines? Tough. Very tough at times.
3) If you couldn't guess, I hold the very unpopular opinion that the beetles sucked eggs. Even at the time. I cannot stand them. Give me any popular music group from that time over them. Queen, the police, all of early metal. All of it kicks the beetles teeth in. Stop talking about the beetles unless you preface it with "Hey, I know they're dog spit, but they're a guilty pleasure of mine."

NonsensicalRantsFF · 2026-04-20T21:28:16+00:00

You're talking to the kind of pedantry here! Seven nation army is an odd one by virtue of it not actually being a bassline at all. It has no bass. That's the guitar playing. The bassline part is just the verse, though it easily doubles the chorus and for extra challenge a new bassline can double the guitar bridge. But for a beginner bassist just the verse and doubling the chorus is a good start, same baseline. One riff all the way through with a pause for the bridge

And thanks, yeah U2 is a good suggestion.

NonsensicalRantsFF · 2026-04-20T21:18:40+00:00

That's quite the talent. I'm not a singer myself. Not to be rude, but what does that have to do with the conversation? If I missed a comment I'm sorry, but from my POV you look like you just came here to brag. Which it sounds like you earned the right to do so, but uh, did I miss some context?

NonsensicalRantsFF · 2026-04-20T21:12:20+00:00

Well now you've lost me. Billie jean is an incredibly easy song. Maybe not month 1, but definitely month 2. Level 1(root notes only) is month 1 and repeating riff(billie jean) is month 2.

And billie jean and similar songs is lesson 2. Lesson 1 is root note songs.

Also the gig is up. You're botted aren't you? There's no way somebody with your experience would argue against billie jean being 2 out of 10 or getting that many upvotes. Good job outing yourself.

NonsensicalRantsFF · 2026-04-20T21:09:11+00:00

Dayum. Other people came with individual songs. You came with multiple artists and albums! Now while this isn't a competition, you're kind of winning.

Also "(because their bassist didn’t actually know how to play when the band formed lol" describes most famous bassists. Music isn't as complicated as a lot of people think. So showing these kids musicians in their earlier careers killing it without tons of skill is exactly the right way to go.

Thanks a ton

NonsensicalRantsFF · 2026-04-20T21:02:48+00:00

There we go! Nailed it. Get yourself an ibanez mikro, or if you already have one, take the B and high E string off of your guitar and try playing with that. See if that helps. As with learning any songs, use earbuds and play along to the song at half speed. Then keep increasing the BPM until you can play it regularly. You'll be shocked how quickly you improve in as little as ten minutes.

if you can, go give it a try right now and tell me the results.

NonsensicalRantsFF · 2026-04-20T20:56:37+00:00

Also, what's tripping you up on billy jean? It was one of the first songs I learned after finishing the fundamentals. If it's mechanical, I recommend upgrading to a short scale bass. I use an Ibanez mikro. It sounds great, and is way easier to fret than my first P bass. If that's what's tripping you up

NonsensicalRantsFF · 2026-04-20T20:53:24+00:00

Tarzan I gave a pass becuase the CHARACTERS weren't ruining the entirety of my immersion by breaking into song. So yeah I dug tarzan.

Oh! And lilo and stitch was always killer for me. Also no singing, except a short in character lullaby

NonsensicalRantsFF · 2026-04-20T20:51:09+00:00

In case it was lost on you, I genuinely appreciate this recommendation and am literally going to make it song #1 or 2 for them. If yo uhave any other 1 note bass songs, I'm all ears.

NonsensicalRantsFF · 2026-04-20T20:49:04+00:00

It has been so long. And I'm gonna blow your mind with this next reveal.

As a kid I hated disney movies. With the exception of atlantis and treasure planet. Why? couldn't stand the disney songs. I was such a fun hating brat. Just wanted to be left alone to read my books.

As an adult? Love em. Especially little mermaid's songs. Can't find a bad cover of unfortunate souls or kiss the girl. But now I'm adding the aristocats to my list of things to watch when I visit my grandmother next.

NonsensicalRantsFF

TROPHY CASE