Suggestions for bass solo to transcribe

emor · #1 03-22-2007, 09:05 AM

I've been taking lessons from a jazz player for a couple of months and have been given the assignment to choose and transcribe a bass solo. I have transcribed bass lines to a few R&B tunes, some walking jazz lines, and the head to a bop tune so far. I am looking for a fairly traditional tune with a melodic solo (not just walking), that will be somewhat challenging but not overwhelming--one in which the solo clearly plays over the changes--not too outside.

Thanks for the help.

-Kramer- · #2 03-22-2007, 09:08 AM

Maybe something from Paul Chambers? From a blues? I'll have to think about a specific example.

Stan Haskins · #3 03-22-2007, 10:32 AM

Slam Stewart's "I got RHythm" (he bows it, I guess you don't have to)
Jimmy Blanton's "Jack the Bear"
Leroy Vinegar's intro to "I've got the World on a STring"

These are all good, solid, harmonically simple suggestions

WalterBush · #4 03-22-2007, 10:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by -Kramer-

Maybe something from Paul Chambers? From a blues? I'll have to think about a specific example.

There are parts of "So What" and "Freddie the Freeloader" that sound like they're bass solos to me, but that could just be Paul killing time while waiting for the head to roll around again. Either way, they'd be pretty good, and chord changes don't get simpler than those tunes.

I'd recommend Mingus' "Haitian Fight Song" solo. It's long, but not technically complex, and follows the chord changes pretty closely. Plus, it'd impress the snot out of your teacher if you did it, and be a great learning experience.

Jeff Guevin · #5 03-22-2007, 10:48 AM

+1 for Slam Stewart's "I Got Rhythm" (I'm thinking of the duet recording with Don Byas, not sure if there's another).

Paul Chambers has a really nice 2-chorus solo on Blue Train.

emor · #6 03-22-2007, 11:24 AM

Thanks. I'll give those a listen.

Andy Allen · #7 03-22-2007, 11:32 AM

I think you probably want to chose a 'standard' (rather than a blues, for instance) so that you can compare the solo with the melody line and changes.

As well as those suggested I'd look out for any solos by Sam Jones - he's always harmonically and rhythmically solid, and would stand up to scrutiny once transcribed.

Ray Brown too, of course, although his solos are deceptively (devilishly?) complex.

Have fun - transcription is definitely a great way to learn, and while it may make you want to bang your head against the wall in frustration sometimes it yields great results, and a definite sense of achievement when done.

Andy

emor · #8 03-23-2007, 09:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WalterBush

I'd recommend Mingus' "Haitian Fight Song" solo. It's long, but not technically complex, and follows the chord changes pretty closely. Plus, it'd impress the snot out of your teacher if you did it, and be a great learning experience.

Which version of Haitian Fight Song?
Blues & Politics (8:22)
Charles Mingus Quartet + Max Roach (5:24)
Passions of a Man-Complete Atlantic Recordings (12:03)

Thanks

Bass Catcher · #9 03-23-2007, 11:11 AM

A Paul Chambers solo would be a good place to start. I like his blues solo on one of the Relaxin, Workin, etc albums. I forget which one it was - Blues by Five maybe?

Jeff Guevin · #10 03-23-2007, 12:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bass Catcher

A Paul Chambers solo would be a good place to start. I like his blues solo on one of the Relaxin, Workin, etc albums. I forget which one it was - Blues by Five maybe?

PC does a pizz solo on Blues by Five on Cookin', and does an arco solo on Ahmad's Blues on Workin'. I'm sure there are more on those albums.

Just listened to it, and that Blues by Five solo is nice. I'm gonna have to learn that one.

Bass Catcher · #11 03-23-2007, 12:31 PM

Blues by Five was the one I was talking about. Go for it - it was a nice solo that I did a while ago.

joel kelsey · #12 03-23-2007, 01:59 PM

There is a SuperBass track on Christian McBride's album Gettin to it. The tune is called Splanky, it is a blues. There are three great blues bass solos on that cut (Ray Brown, Christian, and Milt Hinton Ithink). I highly recomend transcribing the Ray Brown solo. Also, Whims of Chambers (Paul Chambers) is also a great solo. You really can't go wrong with Ray or PC, in my opinion. PC is sometimes hard to hear, but Ray is usually very clear.

Pcocobass · #13 03-23-2007, 04:52 PM

Also check out Paul Chamber's solo on "Pfrancing" from the album Someday My Prince Will Come. It's a blues (F I think) and he plays some really melodic lines.

The first solo you transcribe is always the hardest. The good thing is it becomes easier each time you do it.

Good luck,
Pete

fish slapper · #14 03-23-2007, 09:06 PM

Again, technically not a solo, but my teachers got me transcribing Paul Chambers opening form on "Trane's Slo Blues". We're working on blues walking and it's a great piece of that.

larry · #15 03-28-2007, 08:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by joel kelsey

There is a SuperBass track on Christian McBride's album Gettin to it. The tune is called Splanky, it is a blues. There are three great blues bass solos on that cut (Ray Brown, Christian, and Milt Hinton Ithink). I highly recomend transcribing the Ray Brown solo. Also, Whims of Chambers (Paul Chambers) is also a great solo. You really can't go wrong with Ray or PC, in my opinion. PC is sometimes hard to hear, but Ray is usually very clear.

+1

I transcribed most of the solo on "McThing" from the Benny Green "Testifyin'" CD Christian is on. He is awesome on the blues.

Rebo213 · #16 03-28-2007, 10:39 AM

Oscar Pettiford´s "Laverne Walk" in the album Montmartre Blues...

onefourfive · #17 03-30-2007, 03:44 PM

The title track from Blue Mitchell Sextet's "Blue Soul". A quick 12-bars at the end, but very tasteful. Great place to start!

BTW, great collection of songs. I believe that its Sam Jones on bass.

damonsmith · #18 03-31-2007, 01:17 AM

I suggest considering whether the jazz greats transcribed solos or made up their own. I know it is common procedure and it was an assignment, but....

fingers · #19 03-31-2007, 09:48 AM

Damon. I agree 100% with your notion. I am a big proponent of developing your own solo voice. That's when I'm always harping on the problems with 1:1 chord/scale correspondence and the like. That said transcription is good for 1) developing you ears 2) incorporating ideas you like into your own voice. Notice how I worded #2. I think the key is proper, guided use.

I agree though. If I hear another Bird lick or McCoy lick or whoever I'm gonna scream.

damonsmith · #20 03-31-2007, 01:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fingers

Damon. I agree 100% with your notion. I am a big proponent of developing your own solo voice. That's when I'm always harping on the problems with 1:1 chord/scale correspondence and the like. That said transcription is good for 1) developing you ears 2) incorporating ideas you like into your own voice. Notice how I worded #2. I think the key is proper, guided use.

I agree though. If I hear another Bird lick or McCoy lick or whoever I'm gonna scream.

- It is also good to make sure you can do it, so you don't just use it as a cop-out. Like a lot of people I worked on Ware's solo on "Softly...".
Still, I think it something to consider.