Soloing live - volume question

kesslari · #1 02-14-2008, 05:37 PM

My current band is asking me to solo in a few places in our sets. It's not something I've done a lot of in the past , though I'm comfortable enough with my playing that I'm not terrified of embarassing myself, at least not permanently

But I'm running into a problem, and rather than try to reinvent the wheel, I thought I'd ask here.

I like to have my playing volume on full on the bass - get the most out of the instrument.
But my volume needs to come up when I solo.
I prefer "no pedals" for simplicity sake.
Boosting the mids on the bass gains volume (or apparent volume) but changes the tone.

How do you guys deal with this?
How do you get your volume up when you solo?
Any of you find a neat way to manage it without pedals?

I guess the other answer is to get the guitars to come *down*...

bigthemat · #2 02-14-2008, 06:58 PM

I set my volume at about a 7 on my bass. That way when I need to solo I just pop it up and bam, I am heard.

I personally don't think volume changes tone at all. Having my bass set a little quieter sounds no different that when it is full (except for the change in dB).

PocketGroove82 · #3 02-14-2008, 10:39 PM

Has your band ever considered lowering their volume when you solo? It doesn't work with every style or every song, but it's a cool effect if things drop down low for a soloist and then build back up over the course of the solo.

kesslari · #4 02-15-2008, 08:36 AM

Pocket, I think that's what we'll be discussing viz-a-viz arrangements at our next rehearsal.

OtterOnBass · #5 02-15-2008, 08:55 AM

What kind of solo are you playing?

1. Single instrument (a true solo) or bridge-type solo with limited instruments: I let their ears find me, I keep playing, adding more volume dynamics with my fingers.

2. Taking over the focus during a raging chorus: I've never done it live, but in practice I turn up my treble (there's a switch on my bass that goes passive/active/active with treble boost.) You need to get into the range of human speech for your bass to be the focus in the midst of the the full band. Adding mid/high distortion would help, but you'd need to use a foot-pedal or twist a knob on your amp.

DavidRavenMoon · #6 02-16-2008, 02:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kesslari

I like to have my playing volume on full on the bass - get the most out of the instrument.
But my volume needs to come up when I solo.

I just play at the same volume as when playing non solo... I just pluck harder and use a brighter tone. Traditionally when the bass player took a solo, everyone else stopped playing, except maybe the drummer. Or they played quieter. because the upright bass wasn't all that loud.

So just as you wouldn't over play during another player's solo, your band mates need to leave you some room during yours.

Check out some performances of bass players taking solos... there's a ton of them on YouTube.

When I saw Jeff Berlin a couple of times last year, he just played a little louder during solos, and a little softer during ensemble parts. It was never hard to hear him. Same thing when I've seen Stanley Clarke back in the day. He just played at the same volume, but everyone else dropped out.

j-bass-kreep · #7 02-19-2008, 10:52 PM

What I do when I solo is make sure my guitar player backs off a little.. and then I roll off the volume pot of the neck pickcup (Jaco style) If you have a two pickup bass you can pull this off. You get a nice honky tone thats great for soloing ...

cheapbasslovin · #8 02-19-2008, 10:59 PM

Just walk over to the guitard and kick him in the sack. Whilst he is doubled over recovering, perform your solo and by the time he recovers it ought to be about over. That'll work the first time.

acleex38 · #9 02-20-2008, 09:35 AM

Even when I'm not soloing, I'm thinking a good guitarist-aimed sack kick is a marvelous idea.

and no - I have no problem with any of the guitarists I've worked with - I'm just amused at the idea of sack-punting.

DavidRavenMoon · #10 02-20-2008, 02:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cheapbasslovin

Just walk over to the guitard and kick him in the sack. Whilst he is doubled over recovering, perform your solo and by the time he recovers it ought to be about over. That'll work the first time.

I just automatically play louder and faster than the guitarist! Oh and stand in front of them too!