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jhatpro Heavyweight Member
Joined: 17 Mar 2002 Posts: 10204 Location: The Land Beyond O'Hare
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Posted: Sat Jun 09, 2018 9:15 am Post subject: Bass and Drum Solos |
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What are your thoughts on when and how often bass players should solo.
Same question about drummers.
I ask because I lead a small trad (Dixie) group and I like to spread the solos around but I don't want to let democracy outweigh musicality. _________________ Jim Hatfield
"The notes are there - find them.” Mingus
2021 Martinus Geelan Custom
2005 Bach 180-72R
1965 Getzen Eterna Severinsen
1946 Conn Victor
1998 Scodwell flugel
1986 Bach 181 cornet
1954 Conn 80A cornet
2002 Getzen bugle |
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Speed Veteran Member
Joined: 13 May 2015 Posts: 295 Location: Mississippi
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Posted: Sat Jun 09, 2018 11:00 am Post subject: |
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Despite being a longtime bass player (as well as playing trumpet), I think bass and drum solos should be infrequent and last for just a few bars. They can add interest to a song if done well. If the goal is to entertain the audience - or to be invited back for a return engagement - my inclination is to use them, but minimize them.
On the other hand, if the drummer or the bass player is the leader, the audience will likely expect some solos from them.
Bottom line is that a little goes a long way, IMHO.
Take care,
Marc Speed |
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jhatpro Heavyweight Member
Joined: 17 Mar 2002 Posts: 10204 Location: The Land Beyond O'Hare
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Posted: Sat Jun 09, 2018 12:13 pm Post subject: |
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Thanks, Marc.
Yeah, I agree but I always worry about limiting a fellow player's creativity.
I just emailed the guy who'll be on bass for our next gig and asked if he like to solo a lot, not much, or just keep the groove.
I included the set list so if he does want to jump in I'll know which tunes. _________________ Jim Hatfield
"The notes are there - find them.” Mingus
2021 Martinus Geelan Custom
2005 Bach 180-72R
1965 Getzen Eterna Severinsen
1946 Conn Victor
1998 Scodwell flugel
1986 Bach 181 cornet
1954 Conn 80A cornet
2002 Getzen bugle |
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Speed Veteran Member
Joined: 13 May 2015 Posts: 295 Location: Mississippi
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Posted: Sun Jun 10, 2018 2:31 pm Post subject: |
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A tourist once landed in a third world country. As he was getting off the plane, he heard this rumbling, rhythmic drumming echoing through the hills. He asked an airport porter about it, who replied, "Very bad when drums stop."
The tourist caught a taxi into town. The windows were down and during the entire drive he continued to hear the sound of the drums echoing through the hills. He asked the cabbie about it, and the cabbie replied in hushed tones, "Very bad when drums stop."
The tourist checked into his hotel. Standing at the front desk, the the sound of the drums were driving him crazy. He angrily shouted at the check-in clerk, "Are those blasted drums ever going to stop?!?" The clerk looked down, wanting to avoid eye contact with the tourist and warily replied, "Very bad when drums stop."
About that time, the drums stopped. For just a moment where was complete silence, and all the locals turned eastward toward the hills. The tourist looked at the clerk and asked, "What happens now?"
The clerk replied, " Very bad when drums stop."
He paused and added, "Now come BASS solo."
Take care,
Marc Speed |
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jhatpro Heavyweight Member
Joined: 17 Mar 2002 Posts: 10204 Location: The Land Beyond O'Hare
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Posted: Sun Jun 10, 2018 2:33 pm Post subject: |
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Rim shot! _________________ Jim Hatfield
"The notes are there - find them.” Mingus
2021 Martinus Geelan Custom
2005 Bach 180-72R
1965 Getzen Eterna Severinsen
1946 Conn Victor
1998 Scodwell flugel
1986 Bach 181 cornet
1954 Conn 80A cornet
2002 Getzen bugle |
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homebilly Heavyweight Member
Joined: 24 Dec 2010 Posts: 2199 Location: Venice, CA & Paris, France
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Posted: Sun Jun 10, 2018 10:21 pm Post subject: |
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I find that bass solos are a good time to check my email
_________________ ron meza (deadbeat jazz musician) & (TH 5 post ghost neighborhood watch ringleader)
waiting for Fed-Ex to deliver a $50 trumpet to my door. shipping was prepaid by seller of course!
http://ronmeza.com
http://highdefinitionbigband.com |
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jhatpro Heavyweight Member
Joined: 17 Mar 2002 Posts: 10204 Location: The Land Beyond O'Hare
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Posted: Sun Jun 10, 2018 11:31 pm Post subject: |
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Oh, that's cryogenic, man!
I think we're going to observe some of the advice found here, especially the part about the stop time and footballs.
http://jazzbackstory.blogspot.com/2014/10/the-bass-solo.html _________________ Jim Hatfield
"The notes are there - find them.” Mingus
2021 Martinus Geelan Custom
2005 Bach 180-72R
1965 Getzen Eterna Severinsen
1946 Conn Victor
1998 Scodwell flugel
1986 Bach 181 cornet
1954 Conn 80A cornet
2002 Getzen bugle |
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jazz_trpt Heavyweight Member
Joined: 25 Nov 2001 Posts: 5734 Location: Savoy, Illinois, USA
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Posted: Mon Jun 11, 2018 5:29 am Post subject: |
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It kind of depends on the gig.
For my sets, where I'm doing 8-10 minute tunes, I'll try and make sure the bass player gets a couple of cracks. Definitely not on every tune. Drums, maybe trade 4s/8s on a few tunes and give them their own space on a flag-waver at the end of the set.
But that's for a crowd that is used to that sort of thing.
If it were more of a casual (like playing at a wrinkle ranch), or playing for dancers, I would try and keep that stuff to a minimum. _________________ Jeff Helgesen
Free jazz solo transcriptions! |
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jhatpro Heavyweight Member
Joined: 17 Mar 2002 Posts: 10204 Location: The Land Beyond O'Hare
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Posted: Mon Jun 11, 2018 5:30 am Post subject: |
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Good advice, Jeff! _________________ Jim Hatfield
"The notes are there - find them.” Mingus
2021 Martinus Geelan Custom
2005 Bach 180-72R
1965 Getzen Eterna Severinsen
1946 Conn Victor
1998 Scodwell flugel
1986 Bach 181 cornet
1954 Conn 80A cornet
2002 Getzen bugle |
|
Back to top |
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