What do you think about when taking a solo?

[matty1039]

I imagine David Lee Roth doing a jumping split circa '83.

Same except:

I imagine David Lee Roth doing a jumping split circa 2013. (It is less impressive, just like my solo.)

 

[HamOnTheCob]

I think about how I wish they hadn't called me out for a solo.

 

[Dragan]

"Get over with it"

 

[Dragan]

I think about how I wish they hadn't called me out for a solo.

Totally.

 

[Marcus Willett]

This is probably apocryphal, but I'll share it anyway. Please bear in mind I'm paraphrasing...

This (just quoted a snippet of the post)

One of the ways I've tried explaining this to students of mine is that while you are speaking to someone you are unconsciously aware of words, pronunciation, syntax, grammar and all the other things that go into constructing sentences.

But you are not thinking about those things. You have an idea in your head and using those tools unconsciously to communicate your idea.

Music is basically that. You (should) learn all the information and internalize it to the point where you simply communicate your ideas. Just like with speech you had to (as a child presumably) spend a great deal of time learning those tools but eventually they were integrated into your subconscious and you don't think of them anymore, you just communicate your ideas.

There's a lot of ways to go about getting/developing these ideas...a whole other thread is warranted...but starting with quoting the melody, and then play with variations on that is an excellent way to start.

Having said all that, this mostly applies to a Jazz context. In general (just IMO) solos in a rock/pop/non-jazz context are different animals. Those tend to be either keeping the main groove going with slight variations (the old classic "Brown Eyed Girl" being an excellent example) or a brief flourish just to showcase the bass for 2 or maybe 4 measures.

Stepping outside of that for a bass solo in that context doesn't really work well, again IMO

 

[flyingfinbar]

How did I get here? I'm in a hardcore band!
Who trusted me with this responsibility?
How can I get out of here as quickly as possible?

 

[Tampabass]

Linda Ronstadt on roller skates. Is that so wrong?

 

[Tampabass]

Even Jaco played some rehearsed solos. Pat Metheny said (in general) his solos are half stuff that's he's worked on and half generated on the spot.

So it's ok, lol. I know people like to think improvising is all magic and muse, gifted form the heavens all the time... It's not always the case.

Even if not rehearsed, you tend to fall back on favorite patterns and riffs. I try to push against that.

 

[Spin Doctor]

Even if not rehearsed, you tend to fall back on favorite patterns and riffs. I try to push against that.

It's a personal choice to move ahead or stay the same.. Pushing should be part of the process...

 

[BucketOfFish]

Sing the melody in my head, if there is one.

 

[dr doofie]

How to end it.

A pick slide and a muffled scream has always worked

 

[dr doofie]

Hit the octave pedal and the tube screamer and show the guitar player(s) how it's done...

 

[dr doofie]

Linda Ronstadt on roller skates. Is that so wrong?

It is so right...

 

[br1qbat]

I have a short bass and drums solo spot in one of our originals. Lets me use the wah. So normally I am just concentrating on not doing the "wah mouth" where one's mouth wahs along with the pedal.

But seriously, I am trying to make sure the solo doesn't lose the feel and go too far from the upcoming riff and guitar solo.

 

[Kipp Harrington]

So i recently joined my first band and one of the songs on their setlist is Ben Harper's Steal My Kisses where the bass takes a solo towards the end of the song. While we were practicing it during a session it occurred to me that I don't really know what the idea is behind a bass solo in a "rock" type of setting. I know my grooves and scales, but what exactly is the bass player thinking in the song. So here's the question:


What do you think about when you take a solo?

I haven't been in the situation yet that required a bass solo… thank goodness! But when the opportunity arises, I think I will just feel the groove and have some fun. 95% of the audience will never know if I screw up anyway.

 

[GreyBeard]

I don't think about anything, I just play

 

[jmlee]

you were probably playing next to @jmlee

After serial solos at the local jazz festival (agh) I think I need a mop-up crew like they have at NBA games.

 

[BOOG]

After serial solos at the local jazz festival (agh) I think I need a mop-up crew like they have at NBA games.

 

[mrjim123]

"What do you think about when you take a solo?"

My first thought is usually, "Damn you, Bob!" I hate bass solos and my BL Bob knows this, but he sometimes calls one out anyways. When I listen to music I enjoy solos on just about any instrument, but bass is not one of them, especially when the bass solo is nothing more than a slapfest.

 

[bassrique]

When I do a bass solo I have a couple really smokn chicks in hot pants get on each side if me and really shake it. This keeps their attention and keeps people from leaving the building to smoke or go in the bathroom to do cocaine.

 

[Ronzo]

Linda Ronstadt on roller skates. Is that so wrong?

"Show some respect. That's ROLLERGIRL!"

Oh... that's not Linda Ronstadt... that's Heather Graham... never mind...