Solo bass piece for contest

Alex · #1 03-19-2006, 01:31 PM

I have to play a solo bass piece for this IHSA solo contest. I don't know what to play.

It would preferably be something funky with room for improvisation, or with straight up improvised parts. It also has to be something jazzy, or at least have some musical merit. It also has to be published, and I have to have the sheet music for it.

Moonlight sonata - No, too short.
The chicken - No, too repetative, not enough room for improv.

Any suggestions?

SundanceChile · #2 03-19-2006, 01:39 PM

One of Bach's Chorales?

Alex · #3 03-19-2006, 01:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FretlessFreak

One of Bach's Chorales?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alex

Something Funky...

**Vorago** · #4 03-19-2006, 01:55 PM

Hmm, what about funking up a standard and using a loopstation. Start with the bassline, then the theme, improv all you want, add some extra stuff, etc

I think being creative will give you extra points over those who just learn to play a song by heart.

Jay Terrien · #5 03-19-2006, 01:58 PM

Play "Judging By The Size Of Carnie" and then sit back and watch the audience maul you into pieces!:
http://www.myspace.com/jayterrien

LOL!!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alex

I have to play a solo bass piece for this IHSA solo contest. I don't know what to play.

It would preferably be something funky with room for improvisation, or with straight up improvised parts. It also has to be something jazzy, or at least have some musical merit. It also has to be published, and I have to have the sheet music for it.

Moonlight sonata - No, too short.
The chicken - No, too repetative, not enough room for improv.

Any suggestions?

d8g3jdh · #6 03-19-2006, 02:01 PM

Donna Lee?

Alex · #7 03-19-2006, 02:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scott Zoltok

Donna Lee?

SundanceChile · #8 03-19-2006, 02:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scott Zoltok

Donna Lee?

+1, it really isn't as hard as it looks. Just up and down the scale with a few accidentals here and there. And who says you can't funk up Bach?

d8g3jdh · #9 03-19-2006, 02:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alex

Jeez, that's your response to someone trying to be helpful? No wonder your cred has been elevated to minor annoyance...

Where's my medicine?

Alex · #10 03-19-2006, 02:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scott Zoltok

Jeez, that's your response to someone trying to be helpful? No wonder your cred has been elevated to minor annoyance...

Where's my medicine?

Well, that song is just so cliche (for solo bass) and annoying. Ya know?

SundanceChile · #11 03-19-2006, 02:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alex

Well, that song is just so cliche (for solo bass) and annoying. Ya know?

Explain yourself naive! Are you calling Charlie Parker or Jaco Pastorius "cliche and annoying"?

Alex · #12 03-19-2006, 03:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FretlessFreak

Explain yourself naive! Are you calling Charlie Parker or Jaco Pastorius "cliche and annoying"?

Maybe not cliche as a whole, but, yes, annoying.

BassManPatsFan · #13 03-19-2006, 03:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alex

Maybe not cliche as a whole, but, yes, annoying.

cliche as a half?

-The Non Minor Annoyance Alex

tappingtrance · #14 03-19-2006, 03:55 PM

I would say pick a tune that has a nice head that maybe you can do a nice chordal melody on - All the Things You are lays nicely on the bass as does Autumn Leaves - both are jazz standards and you can play as inside or out on them as you wish. Also, the Bach idea is always great - his first Prelude in C from the Well Tempered Clavier is cool or G minor Sonata but that is tricky to get up to speed.

SundanceChile · #15 03-19-2006, 04:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tappingtrance

Also, the Bach idea is always great - his first Prelude in C from the Well Tempered Clavier is cool or G minor Sonata but that is tricky to get up to speed.

Not to hijack, but isn't the Chromatic Fantasy based off of WTC?

BassManPatsFan · #16 03-19-2006, 04:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FretlessFreak

Not to hijack, but isn't the Chromatic Fantasy based off of WTC?

Not Prelude No. 1 in C Major IIRC

As for other suggestions, since you claim to be "loaded", I'd say go with Vorago's idea and go buy a loopstation. I've been dreaming of the day when i can loop my bass lines, chords, melodies, and solos all over each other. For the kind of performance you're talking about, it sounds like it would be cool because it kinda brings a new light to solo bass.

Have fun,
-Alex

tappingtrance · #17 03-19-2006, 04:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FretlessFreak

Not to hijack, but isn't the Chromatic Fantasy based off of WTC?

I ave not heard that they are related - which one might it be from?

SundanceChile · #18 03-19-2006, 04:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tappingtrance

I ave not heard that they are related - which one might it be from?

I read on TB the other day that Chromatic Fantasy was based off some kind of Bach piece, so now I'm trying to figure out which one.

Alex · #19 03-19-2006, 06:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BassManPatsFan

cliche as a half?

-The Non Minor Annoyance Alex

solo bass pieces like that in general, I mean.

Alex · #20 03-20-2006, 11:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BassManPatsFan

As for other suggestions, since you claim to be "loaded", I'd say go with Vorago's idea and go buy a loopstation. I've been dreaming of the day when i can loop my bass lines, chords, melodies, and solos all over each other. For the kind of performance you're talking about, it sounds like it would be cool because it kinda brings a new light to solo bass.

Have fun,
-Alex

Dude, my mom isn't going to go out and just buy me a loopstation randomly. Having money doesn't mean that you have to spend it.

I asked my teacher if I could do that anyway, and he said no.