Help - Preparation for a live solo bass set...

[TIMBELTON]

Hey Guys

On the 28th later this month, I'm down to play a 1/2 hour solo bass set on the youth stage at a local community arts festival.

I have little experience playing solo pieces live and I was wondering if you guys could share some tips in order for me to sound good and in general play a good set.

I intend to play some Jaco, Wooten, Andy Saxton and Zander Zon pieces, as well as a couple originals.

Aside from playing with some compression, what other FX and EQ can you guys recommend?

In terms of it being a performance, what are the do's and don'ts for this sort of thing?

 

[MycooLeeyun]

Only advice I can give is to PREPARE. I have no experience with this kind of thing, but it sounds like a great opportunity! Good luck and let us know how it goes.

 

[JonnyAngle]

My only advice is to be entertaining. Take your set, and film yourself doing a dress rehearsal. You will think its great, but have a friend watch it and ask for advice.

There is nothing more boring than watching a solo artist plant their feet on stage and not move. I'm not saying that's you, but watch out for it

 

[MarthaSamira]

Half-hour of bass soloing can be excruciating. I would bring a loop pedal, an Ipod with some tracks and learn some good jokes.

 

[oniman7]

Bach Cello Suites are a fun piece Always wanted to change it up by adding some distortion and maybe some wah, cliff burton style.

 

[Rip Topaz]

1) Stay connected to your audience. Don't let yourself get so hyper-focused that you forget they are there.

2) The looper is a great idea, maybe compose something to break things up if it starts to feel slow. You can easily ad a thump-like percussion sound to play over. Sometimes having that is enough to get the audience grooving.

3) No one wants to hear a five minute bass solo, I don't envy you for playing for 30. Keep it interesting, and that doesn't always mean super-complicated or artsy-fartsy.

4) When all else fails, sing. Add a few lyrical parts, even if its just a made-up verse in the midst of your solo. Give the audience a second sound.

 

[Hactar]

1) Stay connected to your audience. Don't let yourself get so hyper-focused that you forget they are there.

This is huge.

Do not stare at your feet. Talk to the audience, joke around, and make eye contact when playing.

 

[TIMBELTON]

Cheers guys, I'm feeling a bit more confident now

Apparently there was virtually no-one watching the youth stage last year, so it might be hard to keep my audience innvolved

What are some good bassist jokes that I can tell to the audience?

 

[BawanaRik]

Burree and the Munsters theme. That will get you a couple of minutes.

 

[Shane Carter]

Get an old bass and put it on a stand in front and encourage the younger people to try it, you might encourage some future TB members. That's about all it took to hook me.

 

[TIMBELTON]

Hey All

Cheers for the advice. It didn't turn out as bad as I though it would. I had some issues with tone and I made quite a few mistakes, but I guess they are things to improve for nest time.

Here is a sneak peek at some of the stuff I played.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qwCFA1gfWMs&feature=plcp