Who cant stand bass solos?

[BrandonBass]

I dont mind if the solo is good(has a melody, hook, or groove) but I cant get into 99% of the bass 'solos' out there. I see alot of them and go 'wow, its really fast.....*yawns*' . Its the same thing with drum solos. As I bass player, I understand the importance of the rhythm section in a band, but when a bassist or drummer solos, their chops usually last longer than my attention span.

Afew of the solos I dig:

jason newsted's melodic thingy which some chorus on it

Stu hamm's solo w joe satch(only the first part)

Rancid - maxwell murder

I can prolly name much more guitar solos that I find enjoyable

[zachoff]

Generally dislike them but some are pretty rad... My Generation, for instance.

[EatADeadGoat]

There was one really cool melodic tapping solo on Youtube.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VEremP5vo-E

But yeah I agree. Most bassists try to be guitarists when they solo.

[tangentmusic]

The highlight at Yes concerts for decades has been Squire doing "The Fish".
Always brings down the house.

[RonGillman3]

It depends, like EatADeadGoat said they try to be guitarists. However, if it fits and has a good groove to it, even if it is fast, it is fine with me.

[Chasarms]

Having grown up in the 80s, when the "solo" was the rage for any instrument, I agree. I don't see the point. The only thing I can think of that I would prefer less than a bass solo is a drum solo.

I never really understood the guitar solo for that matter. Aren't guitarists soloing all the time?

I wouldn't call "My Generation" a true solo. It's more of an interactive arrangement the "features" the bassist. When done correctly, those sorts of things can be VERY cool.

[pathdoc2]

Got to agree with the original post, most bass solos leave me cold.

[Cycho]

I rarely like bass solos. I thought I was the only bass player to think so, but I guess not.

[Striver]

I'm reassured that I'm not the only one who views bass solos the same way the OP does. For a long time, I practiced thinking that I should be capable of soloing well. But, at the same time, I couldn't think of many bass solos that moved me in any appreciable way. I still want to have "good" technique, but no longer feel I need to be a super soloist.

[ffutterman]

Most solos aren't interesting, no matter the instrument, because many of them are fast and non-melodic or painfully slow and boring. However, there are few things as good as a well-executed solo. The drum solo in In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida, Ler LaLonde's guitar solo/intro to Toys Go Winding Down on HallucinoGenetics DVD, and the bass intro to Pink Floyd's Pigs (3 Different Ones) are some of my favorite examples. Two others that rock are The Warrior Comes Out To Play (SICK tuba solo) and Wynton Marsalis doing Carnival of Venice

[EatADeadGoat]

I personally think that a good bass solo is more about the mood. Guitarists can have their shreddyshredshred stuff - whatever.

But if the bassist can establish a mood behind the solo, it doesn't matter how technically complicated it is. Whether it's lively, mournful, creepy, strange, whatever. Bass solos are about the mood. Guitar solos are more for showing off virtuosity. Bass solos don't need to be overplayed like guitar solos do. Virtuosity will certainly add to what you can toss into the solo, but you don't need to be a slap/pop tapping prodigy.

BUT. Bassists and guitarists can often have rivalries when it comes to soloing. And so we try to emulate them to show them that we can do what they do, but better.

+1 to previous post. I agree on most points thar.

But Anesthesia (Pulling Teeth) is still among the greats.

[jaywa]

Yup. Hate to play em and refuse whenever requested.

Really don't much care to listen to them either.

[Antares]

Couldnt be bothered. I wont write off anything until i hear it. If its a good solo, i like it, bad solo, i dont. Simple.

[onosson]

I don't mind bass solos if the rest of the band is backing up the player, as they would a guitar or keyboard solo.

That's why Django Reinhardt insisted that the Hot Club of France get a SECOND rhythm guitarist - so that he would have TWO guitarists backing up his solos, as Stephane Grappeli had for his violin solos!

[MakiSupaStar]

Hate em

[Phalex]

Solo bass? I can dig it.

Bass solo? It depends on the context really. I don't like to play em, but I do like to hear them occasionally.

IMO the best bass solo is played on a doghouse bass. A nice up tempo jazz number where everyone gets to take a ride is my ideal bass solo type tune.

[Skitch it!]

I'm not a fan of them, I can't remember what the guy played half the time, that's not a good sign as far as getting with the tune is concerned. A few exceptions, mostly Jaco, but I think that's more to do with the fretless vibe, he could make it sing like a voice at times. Funny you should mention the Stu Hamm bit in the OP, one of the nicer ones I've heard too, there are a few, but I can't be A'd to remember them, that about sums it up.

Edit: But if there was one, that would be Gary Willis, no doubt about it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yFcDGR9q85I

[LiquidMidnight]

If they player really has something musical and important to say, they can be great. If they're just pegs to show off chops, then they are pointless.

Just like with any instrument, really.

[Passinwind]

On my last long term jazz gig I played a minimum of 20-25 solos a night -- no one left because of it AFAIK. When I was doing old school country for a while I soloed on about half the tunes, people kept dancing. Rock? Meh... Not a fan of just holding the groove and everyone but the drummer dropping out, but sometimes that's just what works.

In any case, I like the direction my improv band director in college gave me on the first day: "I just heard a solo, not a bass solo. I like that."

[billjr]

The bass soloing I do like is when the guitars and vocals drop out and the groove continues on with just the bass and drums. It's still more a rhythmic thing, just more melodic while maintining the groove. My two favorite examples are the solo in REO Speedwagon's 42nd Riverside Ave on the "You Get What You Play For" live album, and Blues Travelers "Alone" on the first live album.