Depending on the guitar player go order a drink from the waitress don’t forget to tip!
restroom stop maybe check your email.....
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What should the bass play during a guitar solo?
- Thread starter 51PRI
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restroom stop maybe check your email.....
I voted for "His own solo as well" like that Grateful Dead thing where everybody just kind of noodles around and once in a while something amazing happens but mostly it just sounds like trippin hippies noodling around.
But seriously, the correct answer is "it depends." So many factors to consider, not the least of which is instrumentation. E.g. if it's a bass/drums/gtr trio, you may need to fill out the sound a little more for solos. If there are keys and/or rhythm guitar, maybe you keep chugging in the groove. Pick your spots for fills carefully, like you're having a conversation with the soloist. But always, always keep that groove groovin, because nobody else can cover for that if you're off in noodle city noodling around.
But seriously, the correct answer is "it depends." So many factors to consider, not the least of which is instrumentation. E.g. if it's a bass/drums/gtr trio, you may need to fill out the sound a little more for solos. If there are keys and/or rhythm guitar, maybe you keep chugging in the groove. Pick your spots for fills carefully, like you're having a conversation with the soloist. But always, always keep that groove groovin, because nobody else can cover for that if you're off in noodle city noodling around.
Whatever supports the solo (or for that matter, the band) best. I'm torn up between option 1 & 2. If a drummer lays accents/plays certain fills, i'll usually follow him (or her) Just remember, when the solo is over, the bass brings the band back on track.
LOL for sure. I used to play with an amazing comper. He knew every inversion, chord progression substitution known to man and angels, and he soloed with that in mind. So we're doing "Softly as in a Morning Sunrise", and I am tailing him - changing the chords and progression to enhance his solo. So we worked our way over to Blue Bossa, done as a swing, then a couple of other similar tunes. Lot's of ii / V7's and tritones, chromatic subs. We're flying and having a great time. About six or so times through the tune, he gets this puzzled look on his face and gets me to come over where I can hear him. "Eh, what tune were we playing, again?" The guitar player, who kind of lays way in the background when the piano solos, overheard us. and totally lost it... Hey, it's jazz, man...
Depends. I usually keep the roots the same but add some subtle color notes or rythm changes. Don't forget to be minimalist sometimes. Sometimes a complimentary riff or unison part can really make things pop though. Imho, taste isn't something you can learn from an internet forum.
I like making some sort of dynamic change to set off the section. Maybe up an octave on some of the groove notes, maybe some glides where you didn't before, maybe some coordinated accents with the drummer. Not improvising or doing you own thing, but taking the thing that was there before and changing it up a bit. This can showcase the solo or instrumental section.
That's my vote. You are providing a reference for the audience and the guitarist. Hold onto the tempo and continue to provide the structure behind the solo.
a la Jack Bruce on Crossroads
start with the same bass part and gradually go crazy
Play fast. No one likes a half fast bass player.
...the song.
Really, imo it depends on the needs of the song.
Really, imo it depends on the needs of the song.
With yourself, just like the lead guitarist is. 
But really, there are various approaches I take when it isn't worked out in a jam. Mebbe the best is to kinda of break down to the tonic and octave on 1 & 3, and then come up under the soloist when you see where they are going.
But really, there are various approaches I take when it isn't worked out in a jam. Mebbe the best is to kinda of break down to the tonic and octave on 1 & 3, and then come up under the soloist when you see where they are going.
I voted for 'a new part', but my real vote is 'it depends'. A song like 'Smoking in the Boys Room' has the bass doing basically it's own solo during the guitar solo, and they have a nice interplay between them that I really love playing, but usually, it's good to just hang back and play what you have been playing, or maybe add some of the melody that the vocals had been providing, just as a hint... It Depends! lol
Yeah I would say really depends on the song & what everyone else does as well.
Either can work well if done right.
in my Original band it’s typically a previous part of the song with some accents / fills where appropriate. It’s not a hard fast rule though just what usually works well for us.
Either can work well if done right.
in my Original band it’s typically a previous part of the song with some accents / fills where appropriate. It’s not a hard fast rule though just what usually works well for us.
Loud.
The bass should play loud during a guitar solo.
The bass should play loud during a guitar solo.
