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Soloing

4

4stringfiend

Jan 15, 2012
90
1
SF Bay Area
#1
Hi there,
I'm starting to explore the world of soloing, most of my basis for bass playing is David Ellefson with his relentless pick attack and precise midrange sound. When I solo to a backing track or drummer I find that my solos are a little wonky sounding. Relentless 16th's and gallops sound a little off when the drums aren't quite as intense and there's more space. I figure this is something I can work out over time, as most things tend to work like that. But I was wondering if anybody may have insight on how to make solos work. Do I slow down? Or speed everything else up too? I was tihnking maybe guitar or keyboard playnig a progression could add more to the sonic space and make it fit better.
 
#2
I say slow down. Think in terms of melody- some notes get held out. There are also spaces. Phrasing is the technical term. Then through the course of your solo, gradually build speed (and intensity) up to the grand finale, where galloping could be perfect, then a quick denouement (a release of intensity), and out to the bassline.
 
#5
I agree with not too long- a short, dramatic, melodic solo will have a lot of impact. Going more than 24 to 32 bars is risking getting boring.

And I agree, even if a given improvised solo isn't earth-shatteringly dramatic, just the change in texture of hearing someone else solo is good. Listening to the same guitar player solo 15 times in a night can get boring even if he's excellent. I think it's a sign of rhythm section maturity for each member to step up for at least one solo during the course of a gig.
 
#6
I'm in a Tom Petty tribute band, and in the song Even The Losers I get to do a bass solo of 16 bars long. That's plenty of time for me. I use the D Major pentatonic scale, try to make it as melodic as possible, and towards the end I work it so that when the solo is over I seamlessly segue back into the groove. I'd say to keep your solos short, make it groove, try to impress the hell out of people, and make sure your bandmates support you while you're soloing.
 
#7
I had a producer tell me long ago that the best melodies are the ones that you can whistle... Speed is cool for about 2 seconds, but a well thought out melody is beautiful sign of a true musician. Phrasing =maturity. Always support the song not your ego. Tom Petty sure as hell knew all of this!
 
#8
HolmeBass said:
I agree with not too long- a short, dramatic, melodic solo will have a lot of impact. Going more than 24 to 32 bars is risking getting boring.

And I agree, even if a given improvised solo isn't earth-shatteringly dramatic, just the change in texture of hearing someone else solo is good. Listening to the same guitar player solo 15 times in a night can get boring even if he's excellent. I think it's a sign of rhythm section maturity for each member to step up for at least one solo during the course of a gig.
Click to expand...

Unless you're Willie Weeks on Voices Inside (Everything is Everything) :bassist:
 
#9
Listen to good soloists on other instruments and pay attention to how they phrase. Don't just unleash a barrage of notes, stop to take a "breath" .

It also is very helpful to have some effects on hand. What would your guitarist sound like if he just soloed direct into his amp all night? I'll use a little distortion, or a modulation of some sort (chorus or vib/trem), or a delay (it was good enough for Jaco) - something to make your bass jump out sonically a bit.
 

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