What Is Your Approach to Soloing?

[glenfong]

hey Matt,

"Fong" also means 'forward thinking'

[MEKer]

One simple assist to yourself is in planning it: I actually hum, whistle or just think of a melody that would work in a song I have targeted, I do the song over and over in my head, working it out, going into stuff I don't even know if I can play--all in pursuit of a cool melody. Then I try to play it. I force myself to learn it and rehearse it over and over until I got it down. In the end, nothing more than preparation.
Yes, extemporaneous solos are a different story, so doing an on-the spot-solo requires some scale/mode/interaction theory etc.
But for me, when I want to perform serious solos I approach it like writing a song as I described above.

[mattfong]

Originally Posted by glenfong

hey Matt,

"Fong" also means 'forward thinking'

Yeah I've been asking around for the meaning behind my name since neither me or my dad know haha.

I've also heard it means something like I will do great things someday. Which I guess is kind of like 'forward thinking.' Thanks!

So am I supposed to be the next Bird, but on bass or something?! Haha.

[MurvintheWalrus]

nice idea and approach david 1234

[nypiano]

For bass, you have to work within your technique but for my money the best way to work on any instrument is an integration of melodic phrases (that can have a harmonic component as in below ex) and creative rhythm. Especially in the case of bebop tunes where you want to sound melodic over a harmonic canvas that moves by quickly. Thinking about scales is only from the analytic point of view, you should jettison the scale restraint you have set if the melodic aspect supercedes it.

Take for example this section on It's Your Or No One

/Abmaj7/D-G7/Cmaj

You can focus in on the Ab to G aspect and play the Ab phrase starting on beat 2 with the second G phrase on beat one implying 3/4 rhythm below in eighth

Db Bb C Ab(up6th, Ab is dotted quarter)
C A B G (up 6th, G is dotted quarter)

Once you establish this melodicism and rhythmic movement you tend to be able to think of other better ideas in the same vein. But you have to work at it to try not to lose that same sense of good melody and economy

[ThunderLizard]

When I have to solo, I try not to get trampled as the crowd stampedes out the nearest exit.

[TheJohnG]

I try to talk the guitards out of it...
Wait a minute. Maybe that's why I have been playing punk rock for the last 18 years.
At the same time a good solo has a strong melody, and is climactic leading back into the song. Write it backwards, play it proud!

[RED5]

Tell me a story......

[nathanmcnathan]

I think there should be a megathread on all aspects of soloing - over changes, modal, using different key centres, blanket scales, free, everything like that. Mods?

[Treyzer]

I've been reading this thread on a Sunday morning after playing last night. I will be playing in a few hours today in a quintet setting. Just to add my 2 cents. There is a great book by Chuck Sher & Marc Johnson called Concepts for Bass Soloing. If you are truly serious about developing your solo vocabulary, this might be a very good point of departure. Let me say that I have no financial connection to this material. This text covers so much conceptual material in such an intelligent and meaningful way that will help any bassist who is dedicated to becoming a better soloist. The book also spends some time on jazz licks. There are many commonplace, tried and true, licks that can help you out. Doesn't mean you have to play them but you should know many of them as they are part of the jazz idiom. One final thought, I'm an older guy and I've played a long time.... Soloing is wonderful but typically bassists don't get hired on any level just for their solo chops. For those of you just getting started who can be overly impressed with speed; Time, feel and bass line construction are our primary responsibilities. If you really groove and have a great time feel, I can pretty much assure you that you will get hired over the guy who can play blisteringly fast solos and then rushes or drags when he is playing bass (comping). I love playing bass and soloing! Thanks to everyone who has contributed to this post. Aloha