Style Pieces

Brought to you from the pages of Bass Guitar Magazine and in association with the ICMP, these style files will help you to play in a variety of genres, with songs written in such a way that basic, intermediate and advanced players can all get something out of them.

They are particularly ideal for anyone looking to do an audition, each having a lot of groove playing, a few little twists and in each, a little room for you to improvise, stretch out and perhaps solo to make your own statement on them.

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Style File #1: Skattershot (Ska – BGM Issue 48)

Skattershot is a great fun track to play along to. It has an interesting, syncopated bassline which locks in with the drummer and the guitarist’s offbeat skank. There are a few technically tricky parts, so it should hold some challenges for those of you with fast fingers and there’s room for a short bass solo, so you can explore some options and bring your own style to the tune.

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Style File #2: The Ealing Feeling (Brit Funk BGM Issue 49)

The Ealing feeling is a wicked slice of early 90’s Brit funk, inspired by the likes of Jamiroquai, Incognito and the James Taylor Quartet. Lots of disco octaves, 16th note funk and a little bass solo feature should give you lots to groove on.

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Style File #3: Ghetto Upgrade (Hip Hop BGM Issue 50)

‘Ghetto Upgrade’ draws on hip hop / contemporary R&B and Jazz stylings to create a phat, sticky R&B groove that’s very tricky to reproduce. It’s a real groove workout, playing a feel that sits between swung and straight and that plays off the laid back feel of the drums and Oli Rockberger’s keyboard’s hip-hop bounce.

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Style Files #4: Post Xmas Blues (Jazz Blues BGM Issue 51)

Post Xmas Blues’ draws on jazz and fusion ideas, taking a simple and very common form in Jazz, (the Bb Jazz Blues) and playing around with ideas of syncopated rhythm in the main menlody and also featuring extended sections for your own improvisations.

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Style Files #5: Standstill (Electronica BGM Issue 52)

‘Standstill’ has turned into something of a monster. It starts out mixing sampled percussion loops and live drums with acoustic sounding instruments (think Pat Metheny with a bit of programming) It then turns into a full-on dance type track, but with a fusion guitar solo, and ends with a more straighahead rock feel. It started as very simple idea…

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Style Files #6: Love to Love You (Blues BGM Issue 53 – coming in late March!)

Love to Love You is a shuffle tune inspired by the raw, energetic style of blues that Stevie Ray Vaughan was loved for. It’s fairly straightforward for a bassist to play, but requires great time, tone and feel. This is one for you to really lock in with the drummer and groove on from start till finish!