Bass solo with no chordal background info

[pocket_groover]

I'm soliciting opinions/ideas about bass solos with only either no drums/just drums in the background ie, with no chordal information like a guitar or keyboard going on. Is it preferrable to emphasize the root on the beginning of each measure or are there ideas about how to imply the root in the solo? In a blues scenario for instance when the chords are just I-IV-V, can you safely stray away from the basic blues progression during your solo? In the blues scenario, I've found that it's easier for the rest of the band to come back in when I'm playing the root note at the beginning of each measure, then everyone knows where the turnarounds are. Comments?

Thanks!

[JimK]

Originally Posted by pocket_groover

I'm soliciting opinions/ideas about bass solos with only either no drums/just drums in the background ie, with no chordal information like a guitar or keyboard going on.

That gives you mucho freedom.
[quote=pocket_groover]
Is it preferrable to emphasize the root on the beginning of each measure or are there ideas about how to imply the root in the solo?[ /QUOTE]
IMHO, playing the Root at the beginning of each bar would be lame. See above!

Originally Posted by pocket_groover

In a blues scenario for instance when the chords are just I-IV-V, can you safely stray away from the basic blues progression during your solo?

Not sure if you can 'safely' venture...sometimes 'playing without a net' is what you want(especially with no chords). I'm no soloist, but this seems like an opportunity to get 'outside' & maybe suggest tonal centers vs. strictly sticking to I-IV-V.

Originally Posted by pocket_groover

In the blues scenario, I've found that it's easier for the rest of the band to come back in when I'm playing the root note at the beginning of each measure, then everyone knows where the turnarounds are. Comments?

Of course it would be easier for them 'cause that Root would be a landmark...again, a decent solo probably wouldn't hit those landmarks on Beat 1 of each measure. To me, that smacks of thinking in 1-bar 'phrases'. Try to think of longer phrases...2-bar or even 4-bar AND don't even think of where the barlines are...play across them. If your bandmates don't know where you are...give e'm a nod when you feel you're at the turnaround leading into the next verse(or maybe the drummer can clue them in).



***EDIT***
There's also the groove solo...you would probably hit the roots(more or less) on Beat 1.
IIRC, MIke Dimin once had a lesson on this kinda 'solo' back when he wrote lessons for Bass Frontiers magazine. You can ask him in his personal Forum!

[Jace The Bass]

also when your soloing without any chordal inst. try playing rhythmic phrases of the melody as when the drummer solo's you could actually hear parts of it in his solos.
Another is what JMX said by playing phrases which are 2 bars or 4 bars or whatever is good especially when there's like II-V-I 's all over ala Joyspring

[JimK]

Originally Posted by Jace The Bass

try playing rhythmic phrases of the melody as when the drummer solo's you could actually hear parts of it in his solos.

There's a version of "Mr. PC" on one of Derek Trucks' early albums(his 1st or 2nd)...when the drummer solos, you can actually hear him "playing" the melody, you know exactly where he is. Pretty cool.

BTW, I ain't no JMX!

[pocket_groover]

I realized I made a mistake in my description. I meant hitting the root at the beginning of each chord change. I agree, the root on the beginning of each measure seems "lame" as JimK says. Given this situation, any comments?

The rhythmic melody idea seems interesting...gotta try it sometime; also the "complete freedom" idea seems good too.... I"ll have to listen to "Mr PC" as well.

Thanks for the comments, guys!

[Matt Ides]

If you are soloing w/in the tune w/ no chordal instrument I would keep your solo around the key or harmony/melody of the tune.

if not, explore all you want. Try to avoid roots all the time. If the group doesnt know where you are it is always good to count them back in.

Also, it is good to let the drummer know what your up to solo wise so he can get outta the way if he needs too.

Matt

[slybass3000]

You don't have to emphasize the roots all the time because there are others notes as important as root. The third and the seven of each chords are very important as melody and harmony. Use those instead as target notes,your solos are gonna be much more melodic.
SB