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Bass Solos?

#41
Greevus said:
..."NIB" by Sabbath...
Click to expand...

I'd agree with this, but I've also got to throw in my vote for just forgetting the solo thing altogether. If you've got the chops, then that's great, but like others have said... it's a party/cover band. People are going to hear and dance to songs they already know and like... stick to moving butts and not other musicians and I think you'll find the entire ordeal that much more enjoyable.

Also... when has a chick ever come up and said to you "that was some bass solo"? ;)
 
#46
I'd just have the drummer start with a nice beat, do an intro solo piece and segue into a song.

Only takes about 30-45 seconds, you get your solo ya-yas, andthe crowd gets an interesting solo bit.

"Anotherone bites the dust" would be cool to intro to. You could start with the drummer giving a faster jazzy beat, start your solo way up in the register, and both of you could slow down/lower the register until you just drop into the opening groove.

that's be $50.00
 
#50
I hope you don`t mind taking the opinion and thoughts of a rank ameuter,my friend...

Even though I can`t (as yet)play most of the songs with those incredible basslines that just make us all go *said under one`s breath* "Damn.DAMN.DAMN!! " I can still recognize a super chunky and powerful bassline in a given tune. No comment on the bass solos things here. I guess they are cool depending on the situation at hand.

How about some really,really solid and active basslines?(ala RHCP). What just floors me about the well-written bassline is how it can almost play counter to the melody/guitar/vocals by nice fills and variations on the song`s beat and rhythm. :hmm: Not sure I`m a `splainIN right,Lucy. :p

...how about these?
"No Such Thing" - John Mayer (phenominal bassline,IMHO)

"All I Want" - Toad the Wet Sprocket (makes this pop-ballad bassalicious)

"Year of the Cat" - Al Stewart (simple and sweet...but movin`!)

"From the Beginning" -Emerson,Lake & Palmer (original accoustic is my fav but...hard rockin`electric version?)

"Don`t Dream It`s Over" - Crowded House (who doesn`t love this 80`s icon?? )

"Another Day" - Paul McCartney (just about the perfect bassline--does it all! Have your cake and eat it too!)

"Under the Bridge", "Otherside" - Red Hot Chili Peppers (just because...)

"It`s My Life" - No Doubt (80`s Talk Talk cover still has one cool bassline.The bass is the star in this one)

"Stuck In the Middle (With You)" - Steelers Wheel (cool,retro-sounding song with sweet bassline)

I realise your band has to play what your audience/crowd likes and wants as well as the band playing music that defines them. Just one fledgeling bass player`s opinon(for what it`s worth).The proverbial $0.02 worth,I guess.

Good luck!
HosMan
 
#51
I think a lot of people when they imagine a bass solos, they can only imagine someone slapping, which, yes, is tacky and doesn't mix with 90% of the genres that exist. Anyhow, I play a lot of fills, which I think, is well suited for bass. Fills like Sheehan or Chris Barker. It works.
 
#52
If you do solo, keep the drums in. Nothing ruins the flow and groove of a song like a drumless bass solo. I think that's the biggest problem with bass solos. You have to at least have drums, and its typically better if you can get the guitarists to drop back slightly, to let you stand out but still keeping the harmonic progression strong and going.

edit: My best solos were always done in "Sunshine of Your Love." After the guitar solo, we'd play the chorus bit, but the small break would be extended a few beats, and the drummer and I would trade off filling/soloing in that space. Its a lot cooler, IMO, if you're working with someone else instead of being on your own.
 

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