Soloing Bass

Chili · #1 06-19-2006, 05:22 PM

Hey all, is it just me or is it alot harder to solo on bass than guitar, if someone keeps rythm for me and i am playing guitar, i can come up with something simple that sounds good, it seems like on guitar, u can just put a little distortion on, go up an active and play what u were playing before and itll pass as a solo, but with bass u really have to put ur all into it, is it possible to play something nice and relaxing (clean) or something making up a bass solo on the spot, like i can come up with stuff i'm really praud of in a jam, but when it comes to doin a solo i go blank, can anyone give me some tips on how to solo better?

Correlli · #2 06-19-2006, 08:37 PM

Study the rhythmic design of melodies.

Melodies are built on a series of tones (scales amd modes) and rhythm. practice rhythm combinations by tapping on your lap, using the left and right hand.

werbo1 · #3 06-19-2006, 09:56 PM

I agree with Kiwi. Learn the melodies and the rhythms. What notes are key to the melody, what rhythms are essential? LEarn what really goes with the song.

Also, with the rhythms i find it helps alot to vocalize them. Notes are really less than half of a well composed solo

kevinb · #4 06-19-2006, 10:06 PM

Yeah I agree with the tips these guys are giving you. You can really make a solo using just one note switching rhythms around. I wouldn't suggest using this in a gig situation but it's a good practice technique that will help you to think more melodically and keep your solos fresh.

In answer to your question though: No. Bass is not harder to solo on. If you're relying on distortion and octaves to solo on guitar then you're not thinking melodically enough there either. My guess is that you play rock and in rock, bass solos can sometimes be kind of funky. They tend to stay down low and go really fast. Keep in mind though that a good bass solo consists of what a good guitar solo does. You can utilize your upper fretboard just like a guitarist can. Don't put yourself in a stereotypical bass boundary. Think like a guitarist or a saxaphone player or whatever it is you need to solo as well as they do.

I would also have to suggest lessons because having a private teacher does wonders, especially when it comes to soloing.

Chili · #5 06-20-2006, 06:20 AM

cool thx guys, i dont really play much rock, the only reason i sed that about guitar is becouse i dont play guitar, i only no basic chords and thats about it, and i can seem to come up with better sounding solos than i can on bass which i practice a hell of alot of, soloing seems to be my week spot.

can yous give me a good place to start with the rythmic design of melodies

Correlli · #6 06-20-2006, 09:59 PM

http://www.drummersbible.com/

I'm using this book at the moment. highly practicable and comes with two CD's of drum grooves. The book has all the drum notation so you can program your drum machine and work out hundreds of other variations.

There's also this naet little PC based metronome. I use it all the time. great for building a sense of rhythm. Can't remember who put me onto it, but it's great.

http://www.pinkandaint.com/weirdmet.shtml

thewanderer24 · #7 06-21-2006, 11:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chili

can yous give me a good place to start with the rythmic design of melodies

You need to practice playing melodies. Learn to play the melodies on your bass from songs you like. Focus on not just the notes, but the timing, the phrasing, the accents and dynamics. Start learning solos on your bass that you hear other instruments like Sax or trumpet playing. Sing a song you like to sing, and try to make your bass sound like what you are singing.

These are just a few ideas. Learn your scales and modes (and how they apply to different chords) and learn your fretboard.

Chili · #8 06-22-2006, 06:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thewanderer24

You need to practice playing melodies. Learn to play the melodies on your bass from songs you like. Focus on not just the notes, but the timing, the phrasing, the accents and dynamics. Start learning solos on your bass that you hear other instruments like Sax or trumpet playing. Sing a song you like to sing, and try to make your bass sound like what you are singing.

These are just a few ideas. Learn your scales and modes (and how they apply to different chords) and learn your fretboard.

Cool thx for the advice, i've been learning the notes on the fret board for a while now, i never thought of learning other instruments solos, ill get to work on that, i feel like am askin alot lol, but can you give me some good songs with saxaphone in them or trumpet to learn from plz?

thewanderer24 · #9 06-22-2006, 11:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chili

Cool thx for the advice, i've been learning the notes on the fret board for a while now, i never thought of learning other instruments solos, ill get to work on that, i feel like am askin alot lol, but can you give me some good songs with saxaphone in them or trumpet to learn from plz?

Seriously, it's about what you like, not what I like. Find solos that speak to YOU on any instrument. Pick one to start and really try to learn it. And again, don't just focus on the notes, focus on the phrasing, the dynamics, the timing, etc. Practice singing it while you play it.

When you've really practiced to the point that it's second nature, it'll be part of you.

I will tell you, it's hard to transcribe solos at first. The more you do it the better you'll get at it.

Kickin'Fruit · #10 06-23-2006, 09:13 PM

If I'm right in assuming Chili has something to do with the Chili Peppers, try listening to Flea's bass in the song Tearjerker or I Could Have Lied.

Chili · #11 06-24-2006, 05:36 AM

yeah i can play them both, and thx again for everyones advice