• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Killer Joe - solo guidance, please

Bass Momma

Bass Momma

Dec 25, 2017
447
799
#1
Seems like a lot of versions of Killer Joe, bar Ron Carter's, don't have a bass solo. If you play this, do you solo? And if so, any tips on keeping that groove going while you're soloing? YouTube has a video of someone doing a "killer bass solo" over this tune... except I wouldn't have known he was playing on Killer Joe.

I've been told we're playing this at the jazz jam on Wednesday... on which topic, we've been going weekly, having fun, falling on our faces at regular intervals, and being made to feel really welcome. And looks like I've found my new, LOCAL, teacher. Lucky, or what?
 
  • Like
Reactions: kobass and noeinstein
#2
If you take the solo, tell the chord instrument (piano / guitar ) to continue playing the main groove figure during your solo. The "1 2&" comping figure. Also tell the drummer to keep playing! Maybe they can keep a light ride cymbal going, or go to brushes on the snare.

Keeping some kind of groove I think is a good courtesy during a bass solo. After all the bass player has been working VERY hard during the other solos to keep the groove going... why is it that everyone stops playing when it's time for the bass solo? rude.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Bass Momma
#5
Once I had to take a solo on Killer Joe. I decided that since the other instruments where expanding the expectations of key center and melody, I'd expand the expectations of time and played a solo out of meter. Yea.... it didn't go well.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back