Thanks guys, Will use the advice. Have just heard the bass solo
from "I'll take you there" in Mavis Staple's band. Quite like the style
the bassist plays. That may be a start for me. Hooroo, Dave

Well, as Brad said there's a lot more to it. But a good place to start is to "play the song", that is, use the melody, chord changes etc. as a jumping off, or "in", point and be creative. Take listeners on a journey..

Think of a solo as a journey, short story or chapter in a book. In that context having a great opening and closing is most important.

G'day again, Here's the link for that solo. It was on Australian TV
recently;



Thanks again, Dave

for me, solo'ing is about doing something that 'feels' within the melody of the song......not that I solo much!

i cant help you much as i have never in 40 years of playing taken a solo. honestly i kind of hate bass solos as to me the song dies when the solo begins ....same way with drum solos.

Yo Dave,
I was going to add a bit to what I said the other day but, I see Brad Mock put up a Good Post.
I'm still going to add my 2 cents.
You can use Vibrato, Hammer-Ons, Pull-Offs, Slurs, Grace Notes, a Question and Answer technique! Change the Rhythm and such!! You have many things you can do while you are Soloing! :^D
Black Hawk

Slowride by Foghat one of the in the groove solo's out there!! It makes the girls go wild...........just ask Dave!! Don

Good soloing do follow the chord changes. Keep in mind you do not always have to stay in the box. This is a great time to use chord subs and improv. You do not want to stray too far off because you also want the listener to recognize the song your playing especially on covers. A great example is Chick corea's version of "Autumn leaves". He steps out of the box just far enough to make the tune interesting without making the jazz standard sound unrecognisable.

Thanks everyone for the tips. While researching this I also found
a book. Anyone used it?

CONCEPTS FOR BASS SOLOING
The only book ever published specifically designed to improve
your soloing!
Includes 2 CDs of Marc Johnson soloing on each exercise (Marc
has been the bassist with Bill Evans, Stan Getz, Lyle Mays, etc).

Keep forgetting how wonderful the internet is for finding out
stuff!! Sat Lucky, dave

Yo Dave,
Wow, this seems like an awesome Book! I may look into getting myself one!! Yeah, the internet is KOOL!!
Bass of Luck to You! :^D
Black Hawk