Hi all,

I'm wondering if anyone knows any good pieces of music for solo jazz electric bass. I recently picked up the Jaco Pastorius classic "Portrait of Tracy" and have enjoyed it greatly, but I am struggling to find any decent solo pieces of a similar level to learn.

Any pointers would be greatly appreciated, as I am fairly new to the genre.

Thanks. S

You may want to listen to the guys who were influenced by Jaco and utilized harmonics to do their own solo bass stuff. I know there are numerous artists out there who have done that sort of thing, like Wooten or Stu Hamm.

If you are hooked on the Jaco thing, then I say listen to Weather Report, because solo bass stuff is cool, but a band full of tremendous, innovative all star musicians is really something else.

Michael Manring - Good luck, heh
Jean Baudin - Some great and challenging but not unreachable two handed tapping pieces
Victor Wooten - I don't really like his style or compositions, but they are impressive and there is a good transcription book with most of his best work in
Jeff Schmidt - Untouchable style
Steve Lawson - If you like live looping, check this guy out
Stu Hamm - A pioneer, a bit boring now though
George Smed - Some brilliant two handed tapping covers and also some nice originals, a little easier than Jean Baudins work

When I auditioned for college, I did a chord melody version of "Goodbye Porkpie Hat", and the teacher quite liked it. If all else fails, grab a fakebook and try chord melody versions of some standards, it can be kinda fun as long as it's not too cheesy.