Playing solos like a guitarist

[theflying007]

See if anyone can help me out with this one.... When I was a little kid I started playing bass, but was not that good at it yet.... Then I started playing guitar and got better and better at it. Now, more than 30 years later I'm back at playing bass again. I'm the kind of bassguitarist that any guitarist loves: steady, reliable and I know how to fill up the holes when the guitarist freaks out. (We play rock, blues, clasical hardrock). Here's my problem: everytime I want to do some little funny stuf, a little solo or whatever, I always find myself sounding like a guitarist and not like a bassguitarist. I'd like to put in some of these nice little harmonics, a few chords here and there, but I can't get this nice bass feel, I guess I have too much guitar experience... So, is there any place where I could find some nice solo tabs (doesn't have to be Jaco Pastorius) or is there anybody who could teach me some tricks?

Thanks a lot guys!

[steveb98]

Your description of yourself you sound like you are still a guitarist. Didn't you solo as a guitarist? The scale sources are the same, the arpeggios are the same, the key centers and everything are the same. I would say your problem won't be helped by getting some transcribed solos, you need to listen to spend a lot of time listening to bass players. You need to get the feel for the instrument, that job one on bass is holding down the bottom for the rest of the band. To work with the drummer to support the rhythm while at same time outline the harmony so if the other band members drop out the audence still know where in the song the band is. Soloing is a very small part of playing bass and most bass player never solo or very rarely. Sure there are the heros like Jaco, Marcus Miller, and Jazz legends that are know for their solos, most bass players build their representation by making songs come alive with a great bassline.

[Red Wonder]

Originally Posted by theflying007

: Here's my problem: everytime I want to do some little funny stuf, a little solo or whatever, I always find myself sounding like a guitarist and not like a bassguitarist.

That's because bass and guitar are completely separate instruments, completely different entities, and played by different types of musicians.

[jady]

Here ya go http://www.lucaspickford.com/transbass.htm

Lots of transcriptions of famous bassists. Its standard notation though, If you read tab solos you will end up sounding like a guitarist IMHO.

[theflying007]

Yeah, well Steve..... I know what a bassguitarrist's job is, and I think I do that quiet well. I didn't plan to solo the whole gig to pieces, but I'd just like to have some tiny little surprises in between... And yes, I did solo as a guitarist (and think I'm not bad at it), but if I do anything simular at a bass, it still sounds like a guitarsolo. And to red wonder: I wouldn't like to limit myself to that. Drummers and bassists are completely diferent musicians aswell. For example: Jaco Pastorius used to be a drummer and still, he wasn't that bad on the bassguitar...... Maybe anyone can help me with some tabs, just to get going or maybe a website with interesting stuff?

Thanks a lot

[theflying007]

Ah, and to Jady: Thanks a lot!!

[FretlessArt]

The guitar experience is an asset for your left hand but not for your right hand. If you are still using a pick then you are in trouble.

I think most of what you want to accomplish comes with right hand technique. It helps to record yourself playing to determine what you like and dislike as the tape never lies.

Practice your scales, alternating your first and middle fingers, and try to add dynamics in your attack to create phrasing.

For a recovering guitarist, now playing the bass, I recommend listening to Dave Larou from the Dixie Dregs / Steve Morris Band. The relationship between his bass playing and Steve Morris's guitar playing is very artistic and fun to listen to. (Southern Steel, Steve Morris Band.)There is a bass solo on this disc that utilizes several right hand techniques that I find inspirational.

FretlessArt

I hate to be the guy to rain in here, but sounding like a guitar, in the context I read, may not ALWAYS be such a bad thing. Is it that you hate the way your solos sound right now, or is it that you feel the pressure of others trying to get you to solo like a bassist instead of a guitarist?


FWIW, Steve Swallow made his career out of anchoring down songs like a bassist, then soloing like a guitarist. There's nothing intrinsically wrong with doing that, if it's YOUR style.

[MistaMarko]

I had a jazz gig today where it was like open solos and I took at least 20 improv bass solos and nothing was below the 12th fret...I mean...face it...bass is too low to have crisp fingerstyle solos way down on the neck unless your slap unless you want to clash with other instruments.