Sight reading question

[bennyblu]

Hi

When I sight read with the bass I come across "bass solo" bars.

These bars are empty except for the odd note every now and again and the chords over the top.

When I am improvising my solo, am I supposed to land on these sporadic notes or are they optional ideas for use in my solo should I wish?

An example of this (should anybody have a copy) is the tune "Alka Setzer" in Rock School Grade 5 bass book, bars 25-48.

Thanks in advance

[AcidFripp]

Originally Posted by bennyblu

Hi

When I sight read with the bass I come across "bass solo" bars.

These bars are empty except for the odd note every now and again and the chords over the top.

When I am improvising my solo, am I supposed to land on these sporadic notes or are they optional ideas for use in my solo should I wish?

An example of this (should anybody have a copy) is the tune "Alka Setzer" in Rock School Grade 5 bass book, bars 25-48.

Thanks in advance

Yes and no.
Yes, because I'd use them as optional ideas.
No because they've probably been written in for a reason.

In any case, I'd use them as a simple guideline.

[shadow_FIX]

Is this a big band chart? If so, my thinking is that they could be hits with the band to accentuate your solo. If not, then they could just be suggestions. Often times a composer will have a certain feel in mind that he wants the soloist to get across, and might clue you in a little bit. In this case, you can either take the suggestions literally or just use them as a guideline to build your own ideas.

Hope this helps!

[Schlyder]

After soloing over the bass solo bars for however many bars. And you come across a written section again, those notes are to be played as written. They are accent shots, or a certain hook, that is an integral part of the arrangement. You should work this out with the rest of the band how you want to deal with that section.