Bass solos. Crank 'em up?

First time I heard Stanley I was shocked ... I'd not heard anything like it. Actually, I still haven't...

Yes, me too, Stanley Clarke was a revelation for me, there's also a few other bass players I think I haven't heard anyone sounding or playing like they do, Jack Bruce and John Entwistle, both have unique styles and sounds :)

I always liked the bass fills in "My Generation", very much John's trademark style :)

Here's a solo from the late John Entwistle playing with some great rock legends on stage in 1990 ;) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xTEmldzx1xE (bass solo start at 4:13)
 
However, if a louder bass solo is what ye seek:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=enIzgC5E7Hk

How is that for a bear walking on it's hind legs, lol?

Slapping is one way bassists can cut through, though it can get old fast. I read an old interview where Paul McCartney was saying he couldn't do what he called "bumthwacking", which I thought was a fun name for it.


Yes, me too, Stanley Clarke was a revelation for me, there's also a few other bass players I think I haven't heard anyone sounding or playing like they do, Jack Bruce and John Entwistle, both have unique styles and sounds :)

I always liked the bass fills in "My Generation", very much John's trademark style :)

Here's a solo from the late John Entwistle playing with some great rock legends on stage in 1990 ;) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xTEmldzx1xE (bass solo start at 4:13)

What a bizarre lineup - Keith Emerson,Skunk Baxter,Joe Walsh, John Entwistle and, of course, Simon Phillips, who it seems now plays drums whenever there's a collection of top musos. Seemed like he forgot that the bass solo was John's spot and decided to make it his own - I can't believe it when top players walk all over someone else's solo like that.
 
Slapping is one way bassists can cut through, though it can get old fast. I read an old interview where Paul McCartney was saying he couldn't do what he called "bumthwacking", which I thought was a fun name for it.

I find it entertaining and fun to play. Thumping, slapping whatever you want to call it, I think it seperates the rhythmic styles from the more melodic ones, and everybody has their preferences. But as a drummer, I have always been attracted to that style, with all it's syncopations and rhythm patterns that you can develop along with "popping". It's just fun. However, as far as volume to bass solos, I would put it as number one, picking (Mc Cartney's patented style) as number two and finger as the most muted and subtle. I don't think there is any one orthodox way to play the bass, although I have had discussions with university lab jazz students and been almost convinced that it had to be finger style with an upright acoustic bass (grin). But then I reminded them that that instrument was originally designed for a bow (haha).
 
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