Just bass and voice??

[39-Bassist]

I would do a acoustic bass and get a nice chorus pedal instead of delay pedal, play some picking and chords and make it fun but tasteful....but that is my taste...anyway have a fun time...

 

[CryingBass]

Maybe look into some of Esperanda Spalding doing both? Not sure how often she does songs uno

 

[Matthew Fisher]

Check out Jackie Allen & Hans Sturm's "Landscapes: Bass Meets Voice". There are a few samples on cdbaby here:

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

Also check out Andres Rotmistrovsky on YouTube. He does a lot of duo videos with different (and very talented) female vocalists. Here's one:

 

[matante]

These are fun gigs to do. My weapon of choice is usually a fretless jazz, but use what is comfortable for you. You get to play some very melodic lines, chords, and other cool avenues as a lead voiced instrument in such a setting. Most songs can be adapted, so step away from the support role and carrying he melody of the tune.

Don't think bass, think song. Jaco showed us how to do that with "Donna Lee". You don't have to play a million notes, just flow with the song and have a musical experience with your singer.

An electric upright would be really cool in this setting as well. Switch back and forth, keep it interesting....

I have to disagree with you, not from direct experience, but from watching a handful of performances on youtube. If the singer is asking the bassist to do the gig, and not the guitarist, there's a reason for that. There's an interesting dynamic there between a high pitched female vocal and the low pitch of the bass. That dynamic is ruined when the bassist starts tapping and playing chords high up the neck. It becomes something like, "That was nice, but he may as well have played guitar." If it were me, I would embrace my role as the bassist, play it straight to make her sound as good as possible. Play in such a way that a guitarist cannot.

 

[nuhckes8]

I've had to play my bass as the only instrumentation in a church choir when the other musicians couldn't make it. Truth is the hyms with the busiest chord structures sounded more interesting than the simple ones. Go for it.

 

[BunchyMutt]

SKATING POLLY


EDIT: meant to qualify: yes, it has drums, but the bassist fills a melodic and rhythmic role for most of it, with the exception of the solo, maybe, that I still thought of it in terms of voice and vocals

 

[JGbassman]

I have to disagree with you, not from direct experience, but from watching a handful of performances on youtube. If the singer is asking the bassist to do the gig, and not the guitarist, there's a reason for that. There's an interesting dynamic there between a high pitched female vocal and the low pitch of the bass. That dynamic is ruined when the bassist starts tapping and playing chords high up the neck. It becomes something like, "That was nice, but he may as well have played guitar." If it were me, I would embrace my role as the bassist, play it straight to make her sound as good as possible. Play in such a way that a guitarist cannot.

I think you missed my point regarding this. Regardless of instrument, tastefully playing passages, using an instrument to build and texture does not always mean playing a million notes, walking on other musicians, or turning on the spotlight at all times. Poor playing is just that, regardless of instrument. Adjust to the situation, converse musically, and flow with song. If I play a melody while playing bass, it is approached as such, and done tastefully. Not once did I mention anything about tapping or playing high on the neck. A seasoned player will play with taste, adding flavor when needed. It would be pretty boaring and musically void of substance for the bassist to "play his role" and pedal quarter notes, droning on during a song with no musical content besides the singer singing.

The simple point I'm making is that you have to carry the melody and rhythm when playing as a singular instrument. Playing in second position will help you cut through, and you can still use you lower notes to fill in. without knowing what the singer actually wants, I'm sure it's not a droning player sticking on roots below the fifth fret all night. Anyway, I by no means am trying to put you down, I feel you just missed my point and felt the need to clarify myself.

 

[matante]

I think you missed my point regarding this. Regardless of instrument, tastefully playing passages, using an instrument to build and texture does not always mean playing a million notes, walking on other musicians, or turning on the spotlight at all times. Poor playing is just that, regardless of instrument. Adjust to the situation, converse musically, and flow with song. If I play a melody while playing bass, it is approached as such, and done tastefully. Not once did I mention anything about tapping or playing high on the neck. A seasoned player will play with taste, adding flavor when needed. It would be pretty boaring and musically void of substance for the bassist to "play his role" and pedal quarter notes, droning on during a song with no musical content besides the singer singing.

The simple point I'm making is that you have to carry the melody and rhythm when playing as a singular instrument. Playing in second position will help you cut through, and you can still use you lower notes to fill in. without knowing what the singer actually wants, I'm sure it's not a droning player sticking on roots below the fifth fret all night. Anyway, I by no means am trying to put you down, I feel you just missed my point and felt the need to clarify myself.

I get you. I was mostly replying to your suggestion of Jaco's Donna Lee, which is a million notes including harmonics.

You can look at the OP's arrangement as being one instrument and a voice, or you can look at it as two instruments, a bass and a voice. I choose the latter and I'd approach it much like the left hand/right hand of a solo piano piece. (Of course the left hand should be interesting.)

 

[GrooverMcTube]

Maybe I'm an oddball, but as the singer in our band, I always sing when I play bass. When I practice alone it sounds pretty melodic to me. However, I've noticed when it is just me and the drummer, drums bass and vocals are a little Spartan, a bit sludgy on the low end. In that case I usually switch to acoustic guitar (sounds great through an Ampeg V4-b, btw). I would think bass and a female vocalist could sound pretty killer, moreso if you can harmonize with her.

 

[JGbassman]

I get you. I was mostly replying to your suggestion of Jaco's Donna Lee, which is a million notes including harmonics.

You can look at the OP's arrangement as being one instrument and a voice, or you can look at it as two instruments, a bass and a voice. I choose the latter and I'd approach it much like the left hand/right hand of a solo piano piece. (Of course the left hand should be interesting.)

I only used Donna Lee because it was one of the first time the bass was playing in a role such as a sax or trumpet, stepping out of its place of support. As far as I'm concerned as brilliant as Jaco was, he chronically overplayed most of the time he wasn't soloing. He had some cool and awesome milestone during the early weather report years, but he totally overstepped his role during his stint with Joni Mitchell and Pat Methany during live shows. Jaco was a genius, but often lacked in taste, especially when in competition with other players. For me, Jamerson was the king of taste and groove. If I could be schooled by one guy, that's my choice.

Sometimes it's not about the notes, but the space you put between the notes that count.

 

[radioface]

Check out Sheila Jordon.

 

[Jack Butler]

Morphine

 

[Sin Nis]

man there was a chick on youtube cant remember her name but it was kinda cool she had some effects on the bass at times but it can work if you think out side the box brother

 

[micguy]

Sade had a bunch of tunes that'd work great for bass and voice.

I'd do that gig in a heartbeat - partly for the adventure; I'm sure you'll learn a heck of a lot in a very short time.

 

[MultiScaleMale]

It definitely can be done, but isn't as easy as voice / acoustic guitar. Definite opportunity to be creative.

 

[PsyDocHill]

My new gig is similar. It's just me, on bass guitar, & a female vocalist. Granted, she's also a pianist, but we alternate roles between supportive, melodic, & everything-in-between playing. I'm loving this so much I'm no longer looking for a band. It stretches my creativity to the limits, which ultimately will make me a better player. Go for it!

 

[elgranluis]

Go for it. I'd have to add that there needs to be some sort of percussive timing element, be it a drum sample, a tambourine, claves, etc. It sounds like amazing fun (of course, a couple of rehersals beforehand).

Hell, this is in my to do list!!!

 

[de@n]

Esperanza Spalding....

 

[DaveB in VA]

 

[ERIC31]

This one was just insane but wonderful.



Also I suggest using a chorus pedal for this sort of performance. It will give you a very pleasing solo sound IMO. Good luck!