If you are just starting out on the electric bass and want to play a fun bass riff or just want to know the best easy and fun songs on bass, this is your post!
In this post we are not going to enter into that debate. But to show you what, in our opinion, are the easiest bass songs, and the ones you should start with if you want to be a good bass player.
It’s true, the cliché that playing bass is easy does exist. And, in part, it is a reality that cannot be denied (another thing is that, as in all instruments, there are songs and “songs”). But, although there are very famous songs that are easy to play with the guitar, as in the bass it is common to play from note to note, it seems that it is much easier.
The history of the bass guitar shows us how some of the most famous songs are instantly identifiable thanks to their bass line.
That’s why there are songs that, despite their simplicity, everyone knows them and, of course, every musician knows how to play them.
You don’t have to be a virtuoso to be attractive. What’s more, often the easiest and simplest things are the most popular, and what everyone remembers, dances and sings along to.
Moreover, often these catchy and easy songs are so because they have an easy and fun bass.
So here are some of those easy songs that everyone has played at some time with whatever instrument, and that you should learn too.
Sin duda, y como no podía ser de otra manera, nos vemos obligados a empezar con una de esas canciones tan fáciles, que incluso se ha convertido en un himno de fiestas y celebraciones: Seven Nation Army.
Seven Nation Army (The White Stripes)
Undoubtedly, and how could it be otherwise, we are forced to start with one of those easy songs, which has even become an anthem for parties and celebrations: Seven Nation Army.
Okay, yes, being rigorous, Jack White doesn’t play this song with a bass, but with a guitar and an octave pedal. But it is so associated with the electric bass that it is already a classic for any beginner bass player.
Anyway, do you want to know how to play this song on bass? There are hundreds of tutorials on YouTube with which you will be able to play it in a matter of minutes.
The song with which we have opened this article is very good. But we insist that the original melody is not a bass line.
Walk on the Wild Side (Lou Reed)
Who hasn’t heard Lou Reed’s Walk on the Wild Side?
Really, if you know someone who doesn’t hear this magnificent bass line, they have a problem.
This legendary song composed in 1973 never goes out of style. It travels through the ears of different generations as one of the most memorable songs of all time.
And perhaps, in part, it is all due to the simple rhythm and the attractive melody of the double bass, and that anyone is able to remember.
A very easy song to play on bass. Especially with a fretless.
Stand By Me (Ben E. King)
The next bass song we propose you, or rather, bass line is: Stand By Me by Ben E. King.
This easy bass song is one of the first songs that any bass player starts playing almost by instinct.
In fact, this song may have the most played bass line on any instrument.
Do you know how to play it yet?
Every Breath You Take (The Police)
Every Breath You Take is one of the best known songs of the legendary British band The Police. A sentimental anthem, and one of the easiest songs to play on bass.
As you may have noticed, Sting plays one of the easiest bass lines ever. So much so that it can even be a bit boring.
So why do we include it? Because it’s perfect for practicing rhythmic pulsation, and awakening that metronome inside you.
This bass riff is a clear example of the most basic function of bass in music: to be the link between rhythm and melody under a simple metric pattern.
And why is it important to learn to play it? Well, because this way you reinforce your rhythmic sense while getting used to your new instrument.
Also, if you know how to play this song, you will learn to play many other songs that follow this same easy bass pattern. For example With Or Without You by U2.
No Woman, No Cry (Bob Marley)
Finally, within our selection of the 3 easiest bass lines, we are going to include one that nobody usually talks about in the world of the four strings.
A very easy song that anyone can play on guitar or bass, and that undoubtedly has another of those melodies known worldwide: No Woman, No Cry by the great Bob Marley.
In this song, the bass plays a fundamental role to reinforce the rhythmic and melodic sense of the whole song.
If you still don’t know how to play it, we recommend you to take a look at the following video, because it is a very good base to move on to more complicated songs.
Here is a list of easy and perfect songs to learn the electric bass.
It is true that these songs are not learned in 2 minutes, but believe us, they are ideal to get you started on the bass, and take the step towards more difficult songs.
Come Together (The Beatles)
Come Together is a song with a brutal rhythmic sense, and undoubtedly one of the most known and covered songs of the magical The Beatles.
With a rather slow tempo, and a simple and powerful bass line, Paul McCartney manages to create a unique atmosphere, on which the rest of the instruments and vocals revolve.
We like to recommend this song to all beginner bass players because at first glance it’s scary.
Going from playing consecutive and monotonous notes to giving movement to the left hand seems like a lot.
But this is like when you get your driver’s license and they send you out on the highway for the first time. The first few minutes you feel strange, but you quickly realize that you are capable of much more. You just have to try and take the leap.
So take it from us, the Come Together bass riff is one of the easiest and most fun ways to lose fear of your instrument.
Here we leave you a video with the tablature so you don’t skip a note:
Another One Bites the Dust (Queen)
Finally, Another One Bites The Dust (the legendary Queen song), is another one of those easy bass songs that every beginner bassist should know.
If you have learned to play Come Together first, and you have almost mastered the rhythmic pulse with Every Breath You Take, this song will be very easy to learn.
Look at this fender precision bass playing!
But more importantly, it has a fun and simple funk pattern, which will improve your rhythmic feel, as well as familiarize you with disco music where the bass is the undisputed protagonist.
So, far from being boring, the bass can be exciting even playing 4 notes. Which is very important, as it makes you feel motivated from day one.
Thus, anyone who is able to learn to play these 7 songs on the electric bass, will be able to play hundreds of easy songs from other bands and styles.
Our recommendation is that, if you are just starting out on the bass, you should practice them in the order we suggest.
In this way you will improve your fluency with the instrument, and you will create a solid base to continue improving your technique progressively.
Of course, if you want to go deeper, we invite you to sign up for our Free Online Bass Guitar Course for Beginners, and don’t miss our Bass Tabs section.