Slap Solo - Over Changes!!

WJGreer · #1 08-05-2006, 12:32 AM

We play this instrumental tune called "Soulglo". I take the third solo in it, and I typically do a fingerstyle solo. I admit that I have struggled with the melodic statement I want to make over these changes, however. On the particular night we pulled this recording, I decided to do a slap-style solo instead. I wasn't sure how I felt about it at the time, but upon hearing the recording, I like it and think I might stick with this approach.

Let me know what you think. Unfortunately I don't have a great recording of the solo using the fingerstyle approach for comparison. The bass solo begins just before the 3-minute mark. The other solos are great too.

Bonus points for identifying the effect.

FaithNoMan · #2 08-05-2006, 12:41 AM

Sounds mighty handsome to me

...I was going to say "envelope filter" but maybe it's some sort of ring mod instead??

aesir6 · #3 08-05-2006, 12:59 AM

It does sound pretty sweet! I love the whole song. But of course I love the bass most.

NJL · #4 08-05-2006, 01:13 AM

I like it!

emagdnim · #5 08-05-2006, 02:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WJGreer

Bonus points for identifying the effect

Phaser?? nice solo

Alun · #6 08-05-2006, 03:17 AM

Very nice.

Effectwise, I'd say either a phaser or a talkbox/vocaliser of some kind?

Cheers,
Alun

WJGreer · #7 08-05-2006, 08:01 AM

Thanks, everyone. It is an envelope filter - but a certain type. Can anyone guess?

Alan Vorse · #8 08-05-2006, 10:24 AM

Good stuff. Line 6 Filter Pro?

WJGreer · #9 08-05-2006, 10:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by harmolodic

Good stuff. Line 6 Filter Pro?

Thanks! Not a Line 6 - good guess though.

Think "vowels".

EricTheEZ1 · #10 08-05-2006, 11:00 AM

I think the solo was alright, but it barely sounds like a bass. I'd say most people wouldn't realize it was a bass unless you told them.

OscrDGrch · #11 08-05-2006, 11:29 AM

Will,

I think it sounds great because your solo continued to move the song higher. Approaching the passage with slap added a great percussive sound, which was especially nice because the drummer was laying back to give you space. Additionally, the envelope filter added dimension and emphasised the melody of your slapped notes. To me, this song is the perfect vehicle for slap playing and wild effects (did anyone else have a dry signal?!?). I'm sure the crowd got in to it too as it is f-unky!

Cheers,
McE

WJGreer · #12 08-05-2006, 11:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OscrDGrch

To me, this song is the perfect vehicle for slap playing and wild effects (did anyone else have a dry signal?!?).

Ha! Excellent point. I think the kick drum might have been dry, that's about it. Thanks much.

ThumbyAche · #13 08-05-2006, 11:59 AM

Nice, I haven't seen you guy's around town... I'm gonna have to check you out. My band is Battery Park. Are you guy's on myspace?

fretless Bob · #14 08-05-2006, 12:09 PM

ooh! I like the melody, and i bet that went down really well that night,

i quite like the slapped solo with the envelop filter, and you do a little chording at the end that ireally like as well.

nice one!

Dave

WJGreer · #15 08-05-2006, 12:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ThumbyAche

Nice, I haven't seen you guy's around town... I'm gonna have to check you out. My band is Battery Park. Are you guy's on myspace?

We have the www.finadupa.com site, and are working on MySpace now. Keep checking. We're playing monthly at Redfish in Boulder and Herb's in Lodo (where this was recorded) along with a few others sprinkled in. Come by sometime.

Quote:

Originally Posted by fretless Bob

ooh! I like the melody, and i bet that went down really well that night,

i quite like the slapped solo with the envelop filter, and you do a little chording at the end that i really like as well.

Thanks, Dave. Much appreciated. The guitarist wrote the tune, it does have a nice hook.

marc40a · #16 08-06-2006, 02:05 PM

MXR?

Mutron?

Basshole · #17 08-06-2006, 03:23 PM

Loved it. Although I don't have the fingerstyle solo to compare it to.

My one point would be that the Sax also took a solo with an effect, and that perhaps yours should be straight-up for contrast. Overall, I loved the band, and the music. Saved it to my computer, and it will probably end up on my Ipod. Very enjoyable.

Work on the myspace page...while I'm among the older generation that thinks that social networking sites like myspace is for retards (I simply am among those who "don't get it"), the marketing expert in me knows just too damn well how important and powerful it is in marketing yourself today.

Thanks for the good music.

WJGreer · #18 08-06-2006, 04:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Basshole

(I simply am among those who "don't get it"), the marketing expert in me knows just too damn well how important and powerful it is in marketing yourself today.

Thanks for the good music.

Thank you very much for the kind words. If you really like it, PM me and I will send you a couple of the other good takes from that show.

You definitely have a point with regard to the contrast against the sax solo. Maybe next time I will do the slap approach, but dry, to see how that goes. Also - we have this recording on a 16-track and aren't quite done mixing it. I think the guitar is overtaking the sax in that solo and we need to back it off a bit.

Somebody asks for our myspace page just about every time we play. Clearly it's a vehicle that people care about. I will start thinking more actively about it.

Oh, and by the way, everyone, it's a NYC Bassballs.

higgi · #19 08-08-2006, 04:13 PM

Sounds great, I like that envelope filter sound.

MikeyFingers · #20 08-08-2006, 05:44 PM

Awesome song, great solo (I especially love that effect), I love the whole thing!
Do you have any more recordings of the band available?