As I've gotten older I'm less a fan of solos of any sort. Guitar solos can be the worst -- pure wankary. For a solo on any instrument to move me these days it needs to be tasteful and musical.
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Happy being a "Pocket or Groove"player?
- Thread starter pedulla-2007
- Start date
Pocket/Groove player here! I used to play in a band with the The late/great jazz drummer
Bubba Bryant Jr. drummer for the Temptations And many other elite! His words to me one night were “Ron you don’t play a lot of notes but you are a Bad Cat”. His kind words will never be forgotten.
Nobody gets hired because they are good soloist. They get hired because they make the music feel good.
Since you asked to be corrected, Jaco’s mental illness was his demise.
Cocky? Probably, but a professional bouncer should know how to handle unruly, unarmed patrons without killing them.
- Dec 21, 2007
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- Lark in the Morning Instructional Videos; Audix Microphones
Context is king. 10 piece soul band with horns - why would I solo? And I don't. Blues band? If I get called, I'll solo. Won't happen much over the course of a night.
Fusion band, lots of improv - I get called for solos on a lot of tunes. Especially when we play as a 3 piece. It's challenging and makes me stretch my musical vocabulary.
It's all fun.
I say "No Regrets" - sounds like you had a pretty cool grooving Musical career.
No regrets.
Egrets, though, are cool. Lots of Egrets.
Fusion band, lots of improv - I get called for solos on a lot of tunes. Especially when we play as a 3 piece. It's challenging and makes me stretch my musical vocabulary.
It's all fun.
I say "No Regrets" - sounds like you had a pretty cool grooving Musical career.
No regrets.
Egrets, though, are cool. Lots of Egrets.
But on a serious note, bassists rarely get hired for their soloing prowess versus good time and feel
Job 1: Play so the bass and kick drum sound like one instrument. Everything else is gravy.
I don't care who it is; bass solos suck.
Outside of that, some grooves need more notes and some need less. Sometimes the groove needs a different voicing in higher registers for a few bars. Point being: play the groove but dont let it become repetitive and boring; have variations available to designate different points in the tune.
Outside of that, some grooves need more notes and some need less. Sometimes the groove needs a different voicing in higher registers for a few bars. Point being: play the groove but dont let it become repetitive and boring; have variations available to designate different points in the tune.
Now that I am becoming an old guy, I am happy playing anything in any fashion. I even especially developed my "plain" playing style, next to no expression or flavor almost like Country. Back in the days I was a flash player in progressive metal bands. I'd use every technique and kids would be trying to film it at the show.
If you go to the opera, the solos are mostly by the sopranos, mezzo-sopranos and tenors, not the basses or baritones. And, I've never heard anyone complain.
A lot of good points have been made. Venue and audience are major factors too. The type of music makes the most difference, jazz solos most, but gets forgiven for it easier.
A lot of good points have been made. Venue and audience are major factors too. The type of music makes the most difference, jazz solos most, but gets forgiven for it easier.
I think people forget how important this role is, whether you are using an upright, or a guitar, or a furshlugginer jug to provide the bass line. The music does not work without it. I love playing jug lines on my bass. Huge smile. Can do it all dai.
I'm happy to be a pocket player. I play some fills, perform occasional mild displays of chops, and yes even a solo. But I'm first a foremost a pocket player and wouldn't have it any other way.
Last night I opened for Bonerama. Their bassist is a pocket player for sure. Most of the time he plays the sousaphone... but pocket all the way. He also played the most insane sousaphone solo of all time.
Soloing was never a reason I enjoy playing bass.
However, it is amazing what some players can do.
However, it is amazing what some players can do.
This is very valid. Jazz has been mentioned several times and it is a " solo oriented" genre.
When you think about it, how many other genres are as all over the map that way as jazz ?
And even in jazz, pop blues or what have you, notice how much time horn players sit there watching their chart or shoes before they get to play maybe just a note or three sometimes ?
Apparently they have come to terms with the discipline that goes with their role.
I think the " solo entitlement " mind set is more prevalent in less professional circles.
I would say the more professional and experienced a musician is, he strives to do what is needed, maybe a solo included. He knows he can play. He serves the music.
Some players seem to have to prove to themselves constantly how well or how much they can play. They are serving their own egos.
If discipline and restraint are a deficit or weakness, why are they so hard to do ?
Sure, some people are headliners or virtuosos who front a band. For most of us, we just aren't in that league. I promise you the ones who are know how to lay back and groove, and know when to do so and are happy to do so for the music. They didn't step on a stage one day and present themselves as the world's gift to music. They earned their status to have that privilege over time.
By the way I am proud to be a groove and pocket player. Yes I can take a solo, but it's no big deal.
A tight disciplines practiced band gives me chills and goose bumps. Endless flashery, meh.
This is pure speculation, but I wonder if most people that are really into playing solo bass never picked up a secondary instrument? I wonder if maybe many of them got bored holding down the fort, but had so much time invested into bass that they figured it's better to try to make it as a soloist on bass than to start over on a new, more generally acceptable instrument for soloing... By acceptable, I mean at least acceptable by the general public (since I don't personally know a single person who is into solo bass music who isn't a bass player)?
I don't mind taking a bass solo once or twice during a long gig. But if I were going to focus on being a soloist, I would way rather do it on my secondary instrument which is keys. I know the average listener would be able to digest that a lot more easily than solo bass.
I don't mind taking a bass solo once or twice during a long gig. But if I were going to focus on being a soloist, I would way rather do it on my secondary instrument which is keys. I know the average listener would be able to digest that a lot more easily than solo bass.
Not a big bass solo fan. Pocket all the way. I play in two bands with the same huge groovin' drummer . We've been playing together in various situations for about 15-16 years now, so way more fun just to hang out behind the horns and vocal and through down solid groove. I don't feel the need at all for bass solo in these bands, as they are already rhythm section rich, and kinda highlighted throughout the night organicly. Besides, we have a couple different songs we usually close the night with, that features each player. So for me, that is more than enough solo time.
The only solo i ever worked out was for Momma Don’t Allow so i could play something besides the regular line when it was my turn to play alone.
I respectfully disagree. I love listening to a well played bass solo. I have never been good enough to play that way, but I do very much enjoy watching and listening to the great players who solo well.
It’s my belief that the best players will hold down the groove, provide those needed variations that the above member points out, and also be able to solo well.
I think the only reason I don’t know how to play that well and haven’t mastered the necessary skills to do so is because for most of my life I have not made it a priority in my life to master the instrument. I was always satisfied with just playing songs. But I sure do enjoy listening to the great masters pushing the envelope and knocking down walls.
Just because I cannot do something doesn’t mean that to do that thing sucks.
There's no reason a good player can't or shouldn't take a solo. Just don't sacrifice groove. You don't need one in every song, but I don't ever have a problem with seeing a good player step out once in a while. Being a pocket player doesn't mean you have to stay in the background all the time.
