What kind of accompaniment do you want to support your bass solo?

longfinger · #1 07-10-2009, 11:33 AM

I often get the impression when playing with my buddies in a jazz context, that they don't really know what to play or do during a bass solo. Often everyone just stops playing (well thanks, I did not stop playing during your solo.), save the drummer who goes into quiet+simple mode. This sounds really weak. (Even weaker if they start to chat!)

What kind of accompaniment do you all prefer during a bass solo?

Do any of you use a volume pedal or pre-amp on your belt to boost up your decibels during a solo so the others can play and participate without drowning the bass out?

standupbassman · #2 07-10-2009, 12:22 PM

In a big band setting with two bassists at every gig I have the other guy turn up my amp a little bit. Essentially he is a volume pedal. As for the rest of the band, I like the horn section to play on beat 1 and the and of 2 on every chord change, more than anything it helps me keep my place and it usually sounds pretty cool. Also I have the pianist stop playing all together

emilio g · #3 07-10-2009, 12:35 PM

In school a couple times I was rehearsing with my combo and my teacher was there checking it out. When the bass solo came around the piano dropped out and the drummer went to "just keeping time" on a closed hi-hat.

So my teacher jumps up, stops the tune, and very politely explained to group that the bass is an instrument too, just like piano, sax, trumpet, and all the other ones. Therefore, when the bass player solos, the rest of the rhythm section should comp and interact just as much as any other solo. But, for that to work, the band can't play too loud, and the bass player has to play clearly.

Part of the problem that day was the band would give up on comping for me before the solo even started. The other part of the problem was I was not being clear enough! It brings the Red Mitchell quote to mind

"Simple isn't easy"

Also, sometimes it helps to hip the band members to Don Thompson. He's a bass player, so when he comps on piano he knows exactly how to be creative without interfering.

PDK · #4 07-10-2009, 01:28 PM

Honestly this has been an issue with me for a while. I do not like not having any comping in the background. I also hate when the drums almost drop out. I realize the volume needs to come down but it's nice to have a foundation to rely on. How would the guitarist feel if I stopped playing during his solo. He probably wouldn't like it. Just remember dynamics are key to make solo's and all around playing exciting to more than just the band.

Nathan Parker · #5 07-10-2009, 01:37 PM

I think it's situational. I agree that things have to be a bit more quiet and you have to play pretty clear ideas, but the rest varies. As long as it sounds good, I'm okay with it. If I had it my way all the time, I would only solo on blues tunes, and the whole group would drop out in the first chorus, and then the drums would come back in with 2&4 on the hi-hat, then piano, etc... Ala Sam Jones on "Sack of Woe" from Live at the Lighthouse. But, that's just me.

ole Jason · #6 07-10-2009, 01:56 PM

I prefer to have someone comping because you can interact with the harmony of the changes without having to 'imagine' them being there. It's cool to be able to hear the changes in your head but it's nice for the audience to actually hear that you're playing in tune and really working through the song.

If a drummer moves to a simpler beat that's fine but I don't like it when they drop out completely. I like to move the beat around and it's more effective when more than one person is involved imo.

mtto · #7 07-10-2009, 10:11 PM

The whole band dropping out for a bass solo can be cool occasionally... but it gets old really fast if you're playing solos on most of the tunes.

I think the only way around this is to talk to the band, either off the bandstand, or to say "keep playing!" right then and there. They need to be re-educated.

I sympathize with the louder instruments not wanting to cover the bass solo. One thing I do is play almost all of my solos with the bow. This is obviously a big commitment, but it accomplishes a few things: 1) the difference between the bass walking and the bass solo is very clear, 2) arco is louder and cuts better, so the band doesn't have to worry about covering you so much, 3) it sounds more like a melodic instrument (horn or voice) to the audience. The bow is the old-school volume boost pedal for us.

I still love playing pizz solos, but I do it rarely in comparison these days.

jlilley · #8 07-10-2009, 11:48 PM

I really feel like I need the rhythmic input from the other members of a group for my solos to be there best. Most of my playing these days happens in a trio setting with acoustic guitar and percussion, so volume isn't that much of a issue. After playing with the same guys for a couple of years, they realize how much better everything is if they take part in my solos. Using space and letting other instruments take part in my solos (and in turn taking part in other's solos) was one of the greatest lessons I learned while studying with David Friesen.
Cheers,
John

fdeck · #9 07-11-2009, 01:13 AM

Once I was playing duo, and the pianist dropped out for my solo, then he got into a conversation with a patron and forgot about me.

So I simply wrapped it up with the head and ended it after a while.

What I like first and foremost is variety. Most of the bands that I play with want a bass solo on every tune, so I imagine it gets monotonous for the audience if it's always the same format. If they leave me hanging too often, then I reserve the right to be as obnoxious as I want.

Marcus Johnson · #10 07-11-2009, 02:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fdeck

Once I was playing duo, and the pianist dropped out for my solo, then he got into a conversation with a patron and forgot about me.

I had the same thing happen, quite recently, with a pianist who should know better. I don't mind playing unaccompanied bass solos, but when the pianist starts yammering with a guest, that's it.

In this case, I bailed on the tune we were playing, and played an arco version of the "Jeopardy" theme. It got the attention of everyone (and a good laugh), including the pianist, who sheepishly got back into the game after I finished. Got the point across.

Dave Irwin · #11 07-12-2009, 08:55 PM

Should be the same that happens the rest of the time. Musicians should be listening.
If I'm playing lines down low, then less is more but then I might play up high emphisizing certain chord extensions which lose effect if there is no chord underneath.

Marcus Johnson · #12 07-12-2009, 09:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave Irwin

Should be the same that happens the rest of the time. Musicians should be listening.
If I'm playing lines down low, then less is more but then I might play up high emphisizing certain chord extensions which lose effect if there is no chord underneath.

That's all true. But, on occasion, I stop playing entirely during another musician's solo, and I expect them to handle it. I'm lucky that I play with people who hear that way too. I've heard drummers play beautiful melodies, so I don't think it's unfair to ask me to define the melody,harmony, and rhythm simultaneously. Other times, I'll initiate eights or fours, or threes and fives, but true solos, no accompaniment, and see what happens. I like that.

There's no one answer to the original question. Whatever's happening right now is the correct answer. If I wanted to preconceive every minute of a gig, I'd just join a cover band. If you don't thrive on chaos a little bit, then you probably shouldn't play jazz for a living.

fingers · #13 07-12-2009, 10:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marcus Johnson

There's no one answer to the original question. Whatever's happening right now is the correct answer. If I wanted to preconceive every minute of a gig, I'd just join a cover band. If you don't thrive on chaos a little bit, then you probably shouldn't play jazz for a living.

+1. Well said.

Treyzer · #14 07-13-2009, 02:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marcus Johnson

Whatever's happening right now is the correct answer. If I wanted to preconceive every minute of a gig, I'd just join a cover band.

This is so well stated! +1 again

Hopefully, every playing situation will be different. In terms of how others comp behind me or choose not to comp behind me, every thing is on the table as long as someone doesn't completely STB...(sh$# the bed). What may have worked last night will probably not work tonight. For me, that is a good thing. I don't want the music to be the same every night even if we play some of the same tunes!

As musicians, if we are collectively light on our feet, we will be making music together. Obviously, the better the musicians, the better the collective choices will be.