Basic but essential solos

[SevenReasons]

I'm currently working as a bassist out on a ship gig and for the last year and a half i've been away from my upright. I just got back for a holiday and bought a Eub to take with on my next gig. I'd only been playing upright for about 7months before i left, but pretty steady in school. So i'm looking for a good place to pick up again now that i've got my scales and intonation back a bit. Looking for some good begginer solos to get my chops back on. I listen to way to much Christian McBride when i'm away, i'm thinking.... not the best place to start again:-)

[Bass Catcher]

I would recommend checking out Paul Chambers. His solos are usually fairly straight-forward. I did his solos on Blue Train off of John Coltrane's Blue Train album and Blues by Five off of one of Miles workin' steamin' - can't remember which one.

[seragos]

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[TroyK]

Leroy Vinegar is about as basic, but essential as you can get.

Major Holley has some nice, tasty solos.

I'm a (maybe "the") fan of Butch Warren. Check out the solos he played with Monk in 63 and 64, like for instance on the Big Band and Quartet double CD. A far cry from McBride, but perfect time feel and taste and very approachable solos and hip as all get out.

[Jeremy Allen]

Originally Posted by TroyK

I'm a (maybe "the") fan of Butch Warren. .

Then there are two of us! I love his playing.

For good "basic" solos, I think Slam Stewart can't be beat. He bows and sings, which means his ideas are very clearly recorded; and you can just as easily learn the solos and play them pizz if you don't want to do the arco thing.

Also, a lot of Oscar Pettiford's stuff is short and to the point (and, it should be said, a lot of it is extended and very difficult!). You could check out Volker Nahrmann's book of OP transcriptions and track down the recordings to learn them with. That's a great thing for anyone to do at any point in their career, actually.

[TroyK]

Originally Posted by Jeremy Allen

Then there are two of us! I love his playing.

Not to derail, but I'm DEEP into some BW listening and research right now. Look for some posting when I get a little further along. Great attack, time feel and phrasing. The nuts and bolts of great, soulful early 60's jazz bass.

Also, right on with the Slam Stewart singing arco solos. I was thinking the same thing on the Major Holley solos. "Joshua Fit The Battle Of Jerico" from Coleman Hawkins "Hawk Alive at the Village Gate" is like that too. Loads of fun.

[SevenReasons]

Thanks all!!

[chicagodoubler]

Not to be ignored- horn solos can really open your ears up to different ideas. Trumpet solos are a great place to start, especially early Chet Baker and Early Miles.

Having a common vocab with horn players/ pianists can really get you kudos on a gig...

[mr.hughes]

A great place to start, if your ear isn't as quick as you'd like it to be (like mine) is Todd Coolman's 'The Bass Tradition' book. 36 transcribed solos and discography of where to get those solos. First solo is Jimmie Blanton's duet with Duke Ellington on 'Body And Soul'. Also has some grooves and walking lines - like Ray Brown on Quincy Jones' 'Killer Joe'.

[SevenReasons]

Thanks for the tips guys. I've been mainly an electric player these last few years so all i've really been transcribing is horn solos. Especially chet baker!!! His stuff sounds so good on a fretless! Was looking to study the more traditional stuff to help with my double bass playing. Thanks for all the tips guys!!

[Mike Arnopol]

The older and more experienced I get, the more I love Wilbur Ware. When I was a kid, all I wanted to do was sound Like Scott LaFaro. I completely missed out on cats like Wilbur, because I thought they sounded too primative. Check him out on Sonny Rollins Live at the Village Vanguard. I think he was more of an ear player, but he's doing all of the right stuff. Simple sounding, but if you analyze it, very sophisticated.

[jgbass]

When I transitioned from electric to upright, I listened to a lot of Ray Brown. One of the best albums at that time: We Get Requests.

[koricancowboy]

ISRAEL CROSBY!!!!

[jahan]

I can't believe that one of the first bassists mentioned wasn't Oscar Pettiford. He's very accessable. His ideas are very melodic, and he swings. I suggest starting with the sides he recorded with Lucky Thompson. The instrumentation is guitar, bass and tenor sax, so the recordings are very clear. Tricrotism is a great place to start.

[Kaspar Vadsholt]

Wilbur Ware's solo on "Softly.." from Sonny Rollins Live at Village Vanguard is for me a tremendous place to start. It's a model example of technical simplicity meeting sophiticated rhythmical ideas and motifs, all executed with tremendous feeling and musicality.

[whypeb]

I find Mingus a true inspiration when putting my own soloing in place,but please check out Dan from the ESbjorn SVensson Trio.I am still trying to get my hands on some dots for these guys.

[damianerskine]

Slam Stewart was always so lyrical and tasty, but never blowing crazy chops or anything. Might dig him (first guy to scat and solo, I believe)

[Eric Swanson]

Here's a tasty string of musical moments that is not too hard to finger: Paul Chamber's solo on "Teenie's Blues" (Blues and the Abstract Truth, Oliver Nelson)...

[matthewbrown]

First, how did you get the ship gig? Second, you should check out Chuck Bergeron's solos on his album (he's got some other great players on it); he's got great time, arrangements kick ass, and he sounds awesome on some pieces that feature his bass prominently.