Would you go to a solo bassist's performance?

Matt Till · #1 03-19-2007, 03:17 PM

Before you vote, let me elaborate.

- ONLY a bassist
- No looper, No delay, He/She is the only melodic/rhythmic source
- Amazing amazing bassist, hell, it can even be your favorite bassist ever.
- 20 to 30 minute set (hell, let me know if you'd call for an encore)

My vote, is no. I would be so bored with it, no matter how good they were. Before anyone accuses me of any bias, I just plain dislike SOLO music: guitar/piano/drums: Unless that "solo" person is controlling samples/looping/etc, I get super super bored, even with a looper I get bored quick.

I could sit through about 3 minutes of a Wooten doublethumpathon, but him jamming with the Flecktones, on a good tune, I could listen to that for a long time. I think it's mainly the concept of another person pitching in ideas.

But this isn't which would you perfer, I made a poll because I'm honestly curious.

Ibanezzer · #2 03-19-2007, 03:24 PM

I would really dig a solo bass performance, just listening to my instructor play and show me things is really sweet. He's into jazz and plays a lot of stuff that I would never have thought of w/ a bass.

canopener · #3 03-19-2007, 04:16 PM

No. I don't like solo acoustic acts, and I don't think I'd like a solo bass act any better.

funkalicious101 · #4 03-19-2007, 05:03 PM

i would.

hell, i could watch michael manring play selene for days

Matthew Bryson · #5 03-19-2007, 05:13 PM

Sure. But, I'd like it better if they had a drummer. (I know, you said ONLY bass - I'm still saying yes)

It would have to be the right bassist though. I couldn't watch Vic Wooten solo for more than two minute either.

Now, Steve Bailey operating that fretless six string thing the way he does could probably keep me transfixed for as long as he wanted to keep playing!

Christopher · #6 03-19-2007, 07:49 PM

Depends on the bassist and the material.

But like Matt, I'm not sure if I actually like too much solo *anything*. For example, the thought of listening to a solo piano recital for an hour doesn't exactly fill me with joy, even if it was stuffed with Liszt/Chopin pyrotechnics.

IconBasser · #7 03-19-2007, 08:00 PM

hell yeah!!!

BassGod · #8 03-19-2007, 08:03 PM

The only solo stuff I can take for an extended period of time is classical piano, so I voted no.

Graeme

HomeBrewTJ · #9 03-19-2007, 08:45 PM

god, no.

superbassman2000 · #10 03-19-2007, 09:19 PM

i think this poll is too broad...I think it is too much of a generalization because double thumbing is a technique, not a song style, genre, or song. its like asking "who would watch their favorite guitar player play with a pick?"
same thing with tapping, which (imo) gets the same derision. sure, if someone just taps out something along the lines of Billy Sheehan, than I probably wouldn't be interested. However if someone were to go one stage and tap out Satie's Gymnopedies, I would go see it. If a bass player started playing his bass in a Charlie Hunter style, I would go see it.
Plus I think skill is a factor that is left out--I bet if Jaco came back from the dead and went on a solo bass tour that was getting rave reviews of him playing before his mind started to go, many people would go see him. If Wooten tapped out a song that really struck a chord in you, you'd go see him.
To say that you would not go to any solo bass performance no matter what sounds to me like one is saying "I won't go see Herbie Hancock play solo piano, because I've heard Beethoven on solo piano and its just not funky enough"

markjazzbassist · #11 03-19-2007, 09:29 PM

no. i'd only go to see a solo bass if they were using a looper and effects too.

**Josh Ryan** · #12 03-19-2007, 09:59 PM

Depends on the music, so assuming they were playing something I like, I'd say yes.

lemur821 · #13 03-20-2007, 12:27 AM

Absolutely. I love solo performances because it's a chance to hear every nuance of the instrument and the player, and often to hear exciting ways of playing that don't get showcased in a band. The clarity in a solo performance is just amazing. In a band you get to hear what an instrument sounds like when it's muscling its way through all kinds of sounds, but alone you can hear the parts that don't come through. I wouldn't like a 30 minute wankfest, but there's a big difference between a solo in a song and a solo performance.

On the other hand, the electric bass isn't one of the instruments that just seems made for solo work (like the flute, erhu, classical guitar, saxophone, lute, and whatnot), since its tone is usually a little unclear or abrasive. If you can find a good long-term sound, I'm all over it.

All_¥our_Bass · #14 03-20-2007, 01:04 AM

Yes. I'd go, but I'd expect to see loopers and effects. In fact I'd actually want that.

DJ-Jazzy-Jay · #15 03-20-2007, 01:32 AM

if it was one of these guys, yes: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o8Fo4j6usBs , http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lz0sEC3dF9k

Bruce Lindfield · #16 03-20-2007, 03:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DJ-Jazzy-Jay

if it was one of these guys, yes: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o8Fo4j6usBs , http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lz0sEC3dF9k

Interesting question and two very good examples of what can be done....?

So music is basically about melody, harmony and rhythm - and there's no reason that can't be provided by any instrument. Of course it may be harder and easier to do, on some than others.

So to take those examples - Victor Wooten plays tunes/melodies - he adds interesting harmonies and funky rhythms, wrapped up in a unique technique - what more do you want?

So of course nobody wants to hear bass lines on their own for a long time and that's the thing about why this question is asked.

Most bass players aren't up to providing melody harmony and rhythm all by themselves and making something interesting out of it and this is why a lot of people will answer no - as they can't imagine doing all this.

They can imagine the "music store slappers" they have heard who are dull boring and irritating...and so will put down the idea of solo bass.

There are very few bass players who have the harmonic and rhythmic knowledge, along with the ability to incorporate this with a recognisable melody - but it can be done, as we see from these clips.

And why not celebrate that, rather than being dismissive of the whole concept?

Celebrate the fact that there are great musicians like Victor Wooten, who have all that knowledge and ability....but just happen to play bass!

Jazz Ad · #17 03-20-2007, 03:50 AM

Solo bass is a very difficult performance. Few people can achieve it with success.
Instruments like piano or guitar make things much easier.
I've seen Michael Manring, Yves Carbonne, Steve Lawson and wasn't bored for a second.
Many others were annoying as hell after 10 minutes.

dancehallclasher · #18 03-20-2007, 04:49 AM

is it free?

**Bryan R. Tyler** · #19 03-20-2007, 06:36 AM

I've already done it. Saw Manring play a solo set (around an hour of playing, probably a little more) without the use of a looper. Fantastic show.

hawaiianbass · #20 03-20-2007, 07:14 AM

I would go only if I knew they were good. If it was some high school kid probably not but a college recital yeah.

CK