Solo instrument?

You lost me on the 2nd part.

But it can be used as both. For example, Jaco Pastorius. He plays with a band, but to me, I consider it a solo bass band. If that makes sence. He has melodic chops, and still holds down a groove (Kuru).

Seriously, check out some Weather Report. The first song I heard by them was "Birdland" and it changed my life completely.

Mark Wilson

 

Just like guitar has "lead" and "rythym"...

 

Get a baritone.

 

I'll give you some advice that won't get me flamed.

IMO (but I'm sure everyone here will agree with me): Don't play bass. Only idiots and losers play bass. No one likes bassists and no one ever will. Play guitar. That's the cool instrument.

 

The bass can be used to provide a groove, or it can come out and shine.

...But, a bass does not sound "great" alone.

Bass sounds boring without guitar and drums the same way a guitar sounds thin without drums and bass.

I'm not saying you can't play it by yourself, I do when I can't get a practice together, but you're going to want other people soon.

I've yet to hear a soloist that doesn't put me to sleep.

(What do I know... I'm 16...)

 

I play alone most of the time. I just jam along with CDs.

But I'm not so hot on solo bass music...

 

...

Are you serious?

The bass is essentially THE supportive instrument that links with percussion/drums to provide the motion for the music.

If you're planning on playing bass alone, you better shed like a mofo if you want people to even give you a second of listening time.

 

I can't agree with that. I agree that it's easy for a solo bass performance to be a snoozefest, but it's all in how you approach it. A rock guitar solo with no backing would be pretty lame. You'd be like, "Shut the F up Donny, you're out of your element". It just wouldn't work out of context. But a classical guitar solo piece, on the other hand, can be exciting and full, because the approach is different. I think that Victor Wooten, for one, has a strong and interesting solo approach on the bass. When my aunt first heard him she said that you'd think a solo bass album would be boring, but it's not. Even non-bassists can get into it! I'm sure there are other good soloists as well, but I'm not too familiar with them. Dominique Di Piazza also has done some good stuff. Lots of guys do good solo guitar. I've even heard exciting drum solos.

 

Portnoy does good drums solos. I think the best drum solo I've seen was a break down in YYZ and Peart did this awsome one IMO. His toms sounded really good and tight and he played xylaphone in the middle of it. Unfortunatly I don't know how to play or even spell xylaphone. All I know is that it starts with an 'X' from watching Seasame Streat.

 

You were close. Xylophone. The X is pronounced like a z.

 

Yeah. Why the hell did they always choose xylophone as the 'X' word on Seasame Street anyway? I mean, it's not even pronounced like an X. They should have chose "xeroderma pigmentosum" or something. Choosing xylophone just confuses the kids.