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Is it weird to not want a solo?

autodidact

autodidact

Mar 13, 2011
2,054
101
#1
I joined this band about a month ago that plays a sort of punk/stoner rock kind of thing, think Clutch or Queens of the Stone Age. I guess their last bass player wasn't too great because I learned 10 originals in 2 weeks and they were all pretty basic. I'm constantly getting the "wow you're awesome" kind of comments from them which is cool I don't mind it. However the other day the drummer suggested I take a "crazy bass solo" during a song and we ended up discussing with everyone how I, the bassist, didn't think the music really supported a crazy solo and that I was happy just doing my fills and spicing up the basic riffs. They looked at me like I had a second head. Is it really that strange?
 
#2
I decline solos a lot. It's not uncommon at all. I've known a lot of other bassists who feel the same way we do. I think it just has something to do with a lot of bass players' demeanor. We chose bass for a reason, y'know?

Not universal, of course, but pretty common, I think.
 
#3
Lo-E said:
I decline solos a lot. It's not uncommon at all. I've known a lot of other bassists who feel the same way we do. I think it just has something to do with a lot of bass players' demeanor. We chose bass for a reason, y'know?

Not universal, of course, but pretty common, I think.
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That's good to hear. I don't mind taking solos in the right context but mine have always been more melodic in nature. They have shredding, tapping, and/or slapping in mind which i dont think really fits into our stuff. I don't want to force it, you can always tell if someone's not into their solo
 
#5
"Simba...my loyal guide, I have been here 40 days and 40 nights and drums NEVER stop...Why?"

"Well bawana Dick, when drums stop, we must endure bass solo." :D:rolleyes::D
 
#6
autodidact said:
I joined this band about a month ago that plays a sort of punk/stoner rock kind of thing, think Clutch or Queens of the Stone Age. I guess their last bass player wasn't too great because I learned 10 originals in 2 weeks and they were all pretty basic. I'm constantly getting the "wow you're awesome" kind of comments from them which is cool I don't mind it. However the other day the drummer suggested I take a "crazy bass solo" during a song and we ended up discussing with everyone how I, the bassist, didn't think the music really supported a crazy solo and that I was happy just doing my fills and spicing up the basic riffs. They looked at me like I had a second head. Is it really that strange?
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Clutch and QOTSA...so just stoner thing, no punk. ;)

What kind of crazy bass solo are we talking about? You have your Billy Sheehan bass solos, your Les Claypool bass solos, your Geezer Butler bass solos, your Cliff Burton bass solos...LOL

Take a listen to Corrosion of Conformity's "My Grain". Mike Dean has a bass solo towards the end of the song that's about as tasteful as it gets and really fits in with the kind of music you're describing.
 
#7
My guitarist is constantly trying to get me to solo. Honestly, I hate it. My playing is already pretty busy (while remaining tasteful, mind you) compared to most players, so to give me a solo really doesn't leave me much room to do anything different than what I'm already doing in a song. It ends up sounding exactly like what I'm already doing, minus the other parts playing along.

Also, my band doesn't really comp me the way I'd want them to if I were to take a solo. My guitarists always want to drop out and let me be the only thing playing, but that's not how I roll. I want them to continue doing what they're doing, but just quieter and simpler. Unfortunately, they either don't seem to grasp this concept or don't want to.
 
#10
I might do a solo fill if asked and if I had time to plan for it. I just can't create a solo on the spot unless it's a more complex variation of the line I'm already playing with some little add-ons.

Seems kind of cheap but I'm no Sheehan.
 
#13
I'm happy with my solos being when the guitar drops out for a bar, leaving me to groove with the drums on a riff. I've got two guitarist, one who's phenominal on leads, both great singers; I'm more than happy to comp and support what they're doing cause they're so awesome.
 
#15
Sometimes we try and encourage other musicians to step outside of their comfort zone in an attempt to make them a better or more confident player. Being goaded on can get old real quickly, especially if it's something that you just have no interest in doing.

The few times I have been pestered I've made it abundantly clear that it isn't something I want to be doing, it's not why I play music, am in a band or have ever picked up the instrument in the first place.
 
#18
I've always felt that solos are only good if it serves the music. Solos are often too "self serving" putting the player ahead of the music and the music is what's most important.

Beyond that, I feel that I'm soloing all the time on bass. I'm adding melody as well as rhythm if I'm doing it right.

That being said, I occassionally take a solo and usually for the wrong reason(s):

  1. I'm badgered to the point where I give in. This will inevitably make me mad and make play a "Take a bit of THIS" solo. I actually kinda like those types when they happen, but should I really be playing out of anger???:hmm:
  2. It's needed because we need to "fill time". I think you didn't learn enough tunes.

Be who you are. Take the solo or not. If they don't get it, that's their thing to deal with. They may never get it, anyway.
 
#19
only way i can relate is a cover song my band plays by Moe "Happy Hour Hero"

there's a part in there where i play a "solo" but really it's just me playing the songs groove by myself for a few bars ... more of a "breakdown" if you ask me. But it fits the song. To your note "it's the same thing i'm doing in the song"

but it sounds awesome on it's own
 
#20
jmattbassplaya said:
My guitarist is constantly trying to get me to solo. Honestly, I hate it. My playing is already pretty busy (while remaining tasteful, mind you) compared to most players, so to give me a solo really doesn't leave me much room to do anything different than what I'm already doing in a song. It ends up sounding exactly like what I'm already doing, minus the other parts playing along.

Also, my band doesn't really comp me the way I'd want them to if I were to take a solo. My guitarists always want to drop out and let me be the only thing playing, but that's not how I roll. I want them to continue doing what they're doing, but just quieter and simpler. Unfortunately, they either don't seem to grasp this concept or don't want to.
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+1. I can relate to this. Sometimes I feel there's a spot for a solo, and I'll start to solo, but the guitar player just doesn't pick up on it and moves along. If he does pick up on it, he'll stop playing too. Oh well, we'll work it out. I think it's important for every one to listen while playing.
 

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