how to fill the hole left by a soloing guitarist

scottfeldstein · #1 11-07-2011, 08:03 PM

What are some effects and effect-assisted methods one might use to "fill in" the sound when your 3-piece bands guitar player goes in for a solo?

I suggested an octaver in a previous discussion. Some said they use it just that way. Others were horrified at the very idea. So how do you handle the hole in the sound?

Octaver? Kick in the Fuzz pedal? Just play harder?

TheBasicBassist · #2 11-07-2011, 08:08 PM

Depending on what the song calls for, I'll make the line simpler (less syncopations, less staccato notes, let the notes "lead into" each other more,) though I've also used effects such as my Aguilar Octamizer, or JAM pedals OD hi-gain option. Once again, any of these options depend on the context of the song/composition. Remember, during solos the soloist is the most important, and though it's important to provide good voice-leading, and counterpoint behind said soloist, you really have to let him/her shine.

Catbuster · #3 11-07-2011, 08:09 PM

Me? I just go and play an *interesting* fill that take sup more space.

scottfeldstein · #4 11-07-2011, 08:10 PM

An excellent point about letting the soloist shine.

Still, some rock "solos" are really just jammy interludes where all musicians kick it up a notch until the singing starts again.

k2aggie07 · #5 11-07-2011, 08:16 PM

Depends on the songs. On some I'll try to make it more of a duet, like on things that are less structured or more free form sonic solos. When you do it right you weave something together. I like to try to start runs when he's finishing a phrase that will culminate in the "breath" between my lead's phrasing. John Paul Jones was excellent at this.

Others that are more riff based or structured solos that need that drive to them I'll add some fuzz to "fill it in". I've also been playing with the use of a chorus effect. I've found that chorus is one of those things that can fill up some sonic space without people keying on it as "something new" or different in the mix. It just sounds like more.

BassBob1 · #6 11-07-2011, 08:27 PM

Depends. I don't use effects and also haven't played with just one guitarist in a while. I usually either play more note such as, counter melodies. Or I'll play octaves or chords.

xikbastard · #7 11-07-2011, 08:29 PM

i just kick in a dirt pedal to somewhat match the vol of the riffing gitar just a tad notch down. the dirt pedal eq is a bit more treble, high mid and blended with my regular bass tone. so it has the bass bottom end and a searing high dirt pedal. seems to work.

and my guitardist also bi-amping and has a volume pedal to engage the volume of the other amp when he wanted to solo and another one for riffing and blend in between, i can match the scooped sounding of the amp that he uses for riffs somewhat.

AltGrendel · #8 11-07-2011, 08:37 PM

I've noticed that Jack Bruce would play the same line up an octave.

Marty Forrer · #9 11-07-2011, 08:44 PM

In my trio, I get the guitarist to play solos that incorporate chords, even if they're only doublestops or triples, rather than single note stuff. It sounds a lot fuller. I also get the drummer to come up a notch during the solo. I keep the bass doing what the bass is doing so the thread of the song doesn't get lost.

scottfeldstein · #10 11-07-2011, 08:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AltGrendel

I've noticed that Jack Bruce would play the same line up an octave.

That's an interesting idea. I might try that, octaver or no.

bassbrad · #11 11-07-2011, 09:48 PM

2 of my main gigs are power trios so I really get to stretch I use several solutions using various effects and other times just playing something that fills more space. Effects that I use are Chorus, Flanger, distortion that does not overpower the guitar, Akai UniBass, several pitch shifter patches on the Zoom. I some times play busier, play a chordal part or add harmonics.

Jhengsman · #12 11-07-2011, 10:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AltGrendel

I've noticed that Jack Bruce would play the same line up an octave.

That is similar to what Master Wooten suggest in the Groove Workshop DVD and The Music Lesson book. Go higher and softer to leave a hole for the soloist and as it ends you build back up to the main groove. But that probably works best in a jazz context in other genres a soloist may feel that you are leaving them unsupported

audiomitch · #13 11-07-2011, 10:46 PM

I like to just dig in deeper with the drummer. Without the guitarist gumming things up, we can really lock it in.

Josh Pelican · #14 11-08-2011, 06:45 AM

I would go for boost with the volume set slightly higher than unity. if you need another effects, grab something like an LS-2.

etoncrow · #15 11-08-2011, 06:49 AM

have the guitarist use a "looper" to keep the rhythm guitar part in the mix while he solos and kick it out when he returns to the rhythm rift.

Rob Martinez · #16 11-08-2011, 06:52 AM

8 string bass or 12 string bass. That is what Tom Petersson of Cheap Trick uses for such situation.

champbassist · #17 11-08-2011, 07:48 AM

In my 3-piece, when the singer/guitarist used to take a solo, I'd say I took up the role of something of a cross between a rhythm guitarist and a bassist, i.e. I played power chords which would, frequency wise, be in the lower range for a guitar (and higher than usual for a bass) and I kicked the distortion on. Simple as that.

schmig · #18 11-08-2011, 07:59 AM

Pin the bottom end down with some sort of simple vamp that doesn't distract. Maybe give a little more kick on first beat of bar.

Toastfuzz · #19 11-08-2011, 07:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AltGrendel

I've noticed that Jack Bruce would play the same line up an octave.

Sweet tactic that I also use alot. I never realized I picked it up from Jack, but theres a very good chance.

Also the octave-up fuzz of my Oxide pedal with a hefty amount of clean blend fills in the holes, and the gate gives it some extra bite to emphasize the rhythm while the guitarist is doin his thing all over the fretboard

scotch · #20 11-08-2011, 07:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheBasicBassist

Depending on what the song calls for, I'll make the line simpler (less syncopations, less staccato notes, let the notes "lead into" each other more,) though I've also used effects such as my Aguilar Octamizer, or JAM pedals OD hi-gain option. Once again, any of these options depend on the context of the song/composition. Remember, during solos the soloist is the most important, and though it's important to provide good voice-leading, and counterpoint behind said soloist, you really have to let him/her shine.

/thread