Intermediate Guides

Intermediate Bass Songs: Take Your Playing to the Next Level

Bass player during a gig

Ready to move beyond beginner basslines? These intermediate bass songs will challenge your technique, improve your timing, and introduce new grooves. Whether you’re into rock, funk, or metal, this list has something for you!

1. What Makes a Song “Intermediate” on Bass?

If you’ve mastered the basics and can play simple basslines confidently, you’re ready for the next level! Intermediate bass songs typically include:

  • ✅ More complex rhythms – Syncopation, groove variations, and faster tempos.
  • ✅ String crossing & position shifts – Moving across the neck smoothly.
  • ✅ Basic techniques – Hammer-ons, pull-offs, ghost notes, or slap bass.
  • ✅ More active bass parts – Stepping beyond root notes into melodic playing.

2. Top 10 Intermediate Bass Songs to Learn

1. “Money” – Pink Floyd

  • 🎵 Why It’s Great: Uses a unique 7/4 time signature, walking bassline, and syncopation.
  • 🎸 Techniques: Timing control, groove consistency.

2. “Come Together” – The Beatles

  • 🎵 Why It’s Great: Iconic groove-based bassline with slides and syncopation.
  • 🎸 Techniques: Groove, slides, muting.

3. “Hysteria” – Muse

  • 🎵 Why It’s Great: A fast-paced galloping bassline that tests stamina and precision.
  • 🎸 Techniques: Finger speed, endurance, alternate plucking.

4. “Under Pressure” – Queen & David Bowie

  • 🎵 Why It’s Great: A famous syncopated bassline with hammer-ons and groove.
  • 🎸 Techniques: Hammer-ons, groove feel.

5. “Longview” – Green Day

  • 🎵 Why It’s Great: One of the most recognizable punk basslines, using fills and slides.
  • 🎸 Techniques: Finger dexterity, slides, rhythmic consistency.

6. “Super Freak” – Rick James

  • 🎵 Why It’s Great: A funky octave bassline that locks in with the drums.
  • 🎸 Techniques: Octaves, groove, muting.

7. “Roundabout” – Yes

  • 🎵 Why It’s Great: Features a complex intro riff and melodic fills throughout.
  • 🎸 Techniques: Fast plucking, finger independence.

8. “Schism” – Tool

  • 🎵 Why It’s Great: Uses odd time signatures and dynamic phrasing.
  • 🎸 Techniques: Rhythmic control, fretboard navigation.

9. “Billie Jean” – Michael Jackson

  • 🎵 Why It’s Great: A tight, groovy bassline that demands precision.
  • 🎸 Techniques: Muting, ghost notes, rhythmic accuracy.

10. “Aeroplane” – Red Hot Chili Peppers

  • 🎵 Why It’s Great: Features slap bass, slides, and fast runs.
  • 🎸 Techniques: Slap & pop, slides, ghost notes.

3. Tips for Learning Intermediate Bass Songs

  • 🎯 Start Slow – Play at 50-75% speed before trying full tempo.
  • 🎯 Use a Metronome – Helps lock in timing, especially with syncopated rhythms.
  • 🎯 Break It Down – Learn difficult sections separately before putting them together.
  • 🎯 Play Along with the Track – Helps develop feel and groove.

4. Next Steps: Keep Improving!

💬 Which song are you learning next? Drop a comment below and let’s talk bass! 🎸🔥

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Jake Skudder

Jake is an SEO-minded Football, Combat Sports, Gaming and Pro Wrestling writer and successful Editor in Chief. Most importantly, he is a Bass and Guitar player with over 20 years of experience of both. Currently, he is using an Ibanez Talman Bass and Trace Elliot Series 6 715 Bass Amp when playing in his punk band Creature Arcade. Jake has more than ten years of experience covering mixed martial arts, pro wrestling, football and gaming across a number of publications, starting at SEScoops in 2012 under the name Jake Jeremy. His work has also been featured on Sportskeeda, Pro Sports Extra, Wrestling Headlines, NoobFeed, Wrestlingnewsco and Keen Gamer, again under the name Jake Jeremy. Previously, he worked as the Editor in Chief of 24Wrestling, building the site profile with a view to selling the domain, which was accomplished in 2019. Jake was previously the Editor in Chief for Fight Fans, a combat sports and pro wrestling site that was launched in January 2021 and broke into millions of pageviews within the first two years. He previously worked for Snack Media and their GiveMeSport site, creating Evergreen and Trending content that would deliver pageviews via Google as the UFC and MMA SEO Lead. Jake managed to take an area of GiveMeSport that had zero traction on Organic and push it to audiences across the globe. Jake also has a record of long-term video and written interview content with the likes of the Professional Fighters League, ONE and Cage Warriors, working directly with the brands to promote bouts, fighters and special events. Jake also previously worked for the biggest independent wrestling company in the UK, PROGRESS Wrestling, as PR Head and Head of Media across the social channels of the company.

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