Soloing over Spain...

Naminator01 · #1 10-23-2007, 06:44 PM

Ok, basically I got a 7 string bass, I joined band in which there are these horrible guitarist which can't pick the same string they are fretting, turns out I have to play lead guitar of Spain on the 7 string bass.

Everything is easy until I get to the dreaded solo, I have decided I am improvising the solo whatever it takes.

Do any of you musicians know what I should brainstorm on or at least what chords I should work on?

All your input would be greatly appreciated....

winstonthecat · #2 10-23-2007, 11:31 PM

Why are you playing with guitar players who don't know how to play? There are usually plenty of guitar players to pick from.

I don't know the song "Spain" so can't help you there.

Audiophage · #3 10-24-2007, 07:16 AM

Usually the best chords to work on are the ones in the song.

DocBop · #4 10-24-2007, 08:30 AM

Doesn't sound like you should be griping about the guitar players. What chords to work on, try the ones in the song. Grab a lead sheet and start learning the song.

CrazyArcher · #5 10-24-2007, 05:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by winstonthecat

Why are you playing with guitar players who don't know how to play? There are usually plenty of guitar players to pick from.

I don't know the song "Spain" so can't help you there.

What?! Here you go then: the song itself starts at 0:54.

smeet · #6 10-24-2007, 05:24 PM

Maybe this tune is too hard for this group???

In any case, start out by playing the melody over and over, embellishing it a bit more each time. Eventually you will move away from the melody into improvisation territory. If you get lost, fall back on the melody.
Just keep your ears open.

winstonthecat · #7 10-24-2007, 10:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CrazyArcher

What?! Here you go then: the song itself starts at 0:54.

Thanks for the education. I'm more into rock, punk, folk, etc... so this isn't in my realm of listening or playing.

As to the OP.....I may be wrong here, but I agree w/ smeet that from the description of your band, this might be over your head at this time. Better to play something simpler that everyone can play (or find players to better match your level)

Have fun!!

Joebone · #8 10-24-2007, 10:51 PM

my suggestion - quickly get some recordings of accomplished musicians blowing through this tune, and try to grasp how they tackle it. At a minimum, you'll get some feel for the energy and feel that work with this tune, and whatever you manage to grab in the way of harmonic content will be a learning experience. Go to the source - Chick Corea's "Light as a Feather" album (Polydor, circa. 1972?)

But I've gotta say, this is an ambitious tune for folks who don't have a solid grounding in jazz and blowing over ii-V-I patterns. Nevertheless, if you're committed to going for it, I'd recommend a crash course in listening -- and prior advice to start with embellished melodic motifs is also quite sound.

Good Luck!

Joebone · #9 10-24-2007, 10:53 PM

one more obvious point - instead of just practicing a bass line and the unison line at the end of the head, make sure you work the chords as well on bass - that will definitely help you get oriented.

grovest · #10 10-24-2007, 11:57 PM

When you say what chords, I'm guessing you are asking for a reduction from the lead sheet... a simplification that harmonically fits with the changes but simplifies your solo. Well, I don't know the song that well and the book I have that contains it is out on loan.... If you mean just literally, 'what chords?' I'd ask if they aren't already written on the chart. You have the advice already to embellish the melody. That's good advice. To put it another way, once you have completely internalized the melody and changes - assuming you have some other experience in this genre - there's a good chance you'll "hear" your solo intuitively. If not, you may just need more repetitions- or maybe not. I don't know about your bashing the guitarists. If it's really that bad, this group sounds like a dead end for you. If it's not really that bad... well (just think what they say about you?). Sorry, but... we are all at different points, and Spain is a tough tune regardless.