The bigger question is what/who does it take to play or write a bass solo that someone other than a bass player wants to listen to and really enjoys like a good solo from a “lead” instrument. And how many great examples are there?
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Double Bass Is Double Bass a Solo Instrument?
- Thread starter Bruce Lindfield
- Start date
I think within improvised music and "New Music" there are quite a few examples of solo material that interests non-bassists. Of course it is another small-sh group of people but enough to support the work world wide. Nearly every bassist involved in New Music, free jazz and improvised music has a solo release out there. My solo sells as well as my other work.
Well, technically any instrument can be a solo instrument if it's the only one playing.
As far as the questions of "should you", "will people like it", and "can you make a living as a soloist"...well, in my case the answer is "no" to all three, but the number of people who are successful has increased greatly in recent years.
As far as the questions of "should you", "will people like it", and "can you make a living as a soloist"...well, in my case the answer is "no" to all three, but the number of people who are successful has increased greatly in recent years.
13 year gap in posts. Awesome. Where is the zombie kitten?
Going back to the OP... "classical music" as recognized by most, is music composed from about 1750 to 1920 (being generous here) on to paper and interpreted from there. Back then the DB was different. Different strings, sound, setups, etc made it less agile or audible as a solo instrument with the ensembles of the day than it is today. One can write the same thing about the guitar family instruments. They didn't write as much soloist material back then, and new stuff composed since mid-20th century isn't called "classical".
Going back to the OP... "classical music" as recognized by most, is music composed from about 1750 to 1920 (being generous here) on to paper and interpreted from there. Back then the DB was different. Different strings, sound, setups, etc made it less agile or audible as a solo instrument with the ensembles of the day than it is today. One can write the same thing about the guitar family instruments. They didn't write as much soloist material back then, and new stuff composed since mid-20th century isn't called "classical".
Totally agree, in the "classical" days they were dealing with thick gut strings that were not smooth, a high action, a more scratchy nasal sound, and softer. It would have been hard to impress anyone, I mean, I know Beethoven was impressed with Dragonetti, but there is no way he could have sounded as wonderful as today's bassists.
After meeting and witnessing Dragonetti's virtuosity, Beethoven wrote more difficult bass lines in his orchestral works, however he didn't write a double bass sonata, so I'm guessing he was thinking, OK this is great, the double bass can certainly play more than simple Oom-Pah Oom-Pah lines, however, it's still not a solo instrument.
As an EB and URB and EUB player, soloing is melodicaly and artisticaly interpreting a melody. It can be classical, jazz, country, blues, gospel. It is the treatment of the sound. In my opinion there is too much URB soloing trying to sound like a cello. All thumb position wanking. Just play a cello already. This is a BASS. Personaly I like doing an arco solo at church and haveing a long low open E rattle the windows. Substitute for a pipe organ low pedal.
".......All thumb position wanking. Just play a cello already...." 
Bass solos are incredibly important! When else am I as a (bass playing) listener and 95% of the rest of the audience going to get a good chance to walk to the other room, go take a P!$$, and get another beer?????
Bass solos are incredibly important! When else am I as a (bass playing) listener and 95% of the rest of the audience going to get a good chance to walk to the other room, go take a P!$$, and get another beer?????
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When the drummer solos...".......When else am I as a (bass playing) listener and 95% of the rest of the audience going to get a good chance to walk to the other room, go take a P!$$, and get another beer?????
"As a matter of fact, it sounds quite pleasant as a solo instrument"
