How To BASS SOLO - 4 Techniques

#bass #tutorial #jazz #soloing #paulthompson
This video studies the sweet science of BASS SOLOING and four approaches you can use to find more creative ways to solo on YOUR bass. With thanks to Milt Hinton, Jimmy Garrison, Charles Mingus, and John Patitucci, for the assist on this video (and my overall playing). Check this out! It will make you think about soloing in a new way on your next gig!!
00:00 Intro
00:47 Technique 1
01:34 Technique 2
02:50 Technique 3
04:04 Technique 4
06:56 Outro
Website: www.paulthompson.us
Instagram @pdbass74
Twitter @pdbass74

[@caurnelmorgan4934]

Yes! Punctuate low. Showcase the power of the bass. No other instrument can compete at the bottom.

[@insidejazzguitar8112]

Consummate musician and teacher

[@pdbass]

And STUDENT! Thank you for watching!

[@manracmolactrac]

I play sousaphone in a street band, and often scramble when my turn comes up. Good advice, and very well presented. Thank you.

[@Below-Average_Joe]

Your channel is a joy. Beyond music, I believe you are a great example of someone living a meaningful life. Thank you for all of the knowledge you share.

[@pdbass]

Thank you!! It is a work in progress for sure (the channel AND my life). LOL.

[@drbassface]

Rhythm first and putting notes to that rhythm. Wise indeed. Great topic, playing, and communication! Love it!

[@Stabacs]

Hearing you play somehow gave me the impression if the woody smell of instruments like your bass. It is just something about this woody tone. I love it. 😃

[@PharaohLawLess1]

The upright bass is probably my favorite instrument to listen to

[@duster8373]

hello, low-end friend

[@b.rodclark7349]

Low punctuations... yes indeed! Thanks much for this.

[@jazzbrew68]

Man... that Open demo grabbed and held my attention. I also love Hybrid... by throwing those roots in there the audience can grab on to where you are. I haven't started soloing yet (still walking/crawling) but this was great. Groove!! Also, whenever I have a rough practice session and wondering why I'm doing this... I hit your channel and listen to you playing tunes. The joy you have the music hits me in my chest and I'm back at it again. Thank you man. I appreciate what you do.

[@sweetegg]

Great video, love your style. Also really good tip about punctuating low notes like a horn player does high notes! Interesting stuff.

[@jogood42]

this was a really dope episode I've been enjoying the videos on your channel.

[@senemorcaykalyoncu6369]

54 YEARS OLD AMATEUR BASS PLAYER HERE...SOLOING IS A SPECIAL ART IN ITSELF I THINK...1ST OF ALL, YOU DON'T HAVE TO BE A BASS VIRTUOSO TO MAKE A GOOD BASS SOLO...WHAT YOU NEED IS : YOU GOTTA HAVE AN IDEA ( A SOLO IDEA ) THEN CONCEIVE IT, AND PUT IT OUT...ALWAYS TAKE RISKS...DON'T FORGET : YOU MAY MAKE SOME MISTAKES WHEN SOLOING...THIS IS NORMAL AND NATURAL...DO NOT PANIC WHEN YOU PLAY A WRONG NOTE...MILES DAVIS ONCE SAID TO STEVE STEVENS ( WHO PLAYED EVERYTHING PERFECTLY IN HIS GIG ) THE BRILLIANCE COMES FROM YOUR MISTAKES...LEARN TUNES, LEARN MELODIES...ALWAYS LISTEN TO EVERY KIND OF MUSIC...PRACTICE EVERY DAY AND BE A GOOD LISTENER...GOOD LUCK WITH YOU MY DEAR BASS FELLAS...

[@kyleetie5608]

PD u r a monster player! 👍🏼

[@mikebassy]

Your playing on Solar sounds great

[@winc2006]

Thanks for all your musical knowledge and insight on us and also bringing back the classic jazz and funk musicians back into relevance!

[@pdbass]

Thank YOU for the super!!

[@RootsBassCanada]

Love the open technique.

[@scraprot1114]

The blues version of the last solo type was phenomenal

[@andymelendez9757]

Nice hearing you play!

[@FrancoGrimoldi]

Your take on #3 was killing!

[@pdbass]

Thanks, Franco!

[@tehbertl7926]

What's really interesting is that in techniques #2 and #3 you time your breathing with the little pauses in the solo, like a horn player breathing in between phrases. Feels like you're really approaching this from a horn player's angle!

[@pdbass]

Good catch! I'm big on the phrasing thing. Will be a video on that at some point!

[@frankbreen4206]

I came here to say the same thing! I'm sure you are singing the phrases in your head

[@pdbass]

@@frankbreen4206 😎

[@christophervandegriff1011]

I’ve been playing electric fretted & fretless Bass for 54 years now. I started playing Upright Bass 3 years ago. I would say that I’m an above average to pretty darn good electric Bassist. Still just a beginner on Upright even tho I play fretless Bass, it’s not the same. I’ve studied & studied & am always learning. My point is, this is the very best, most informative video on Bass soloing I have ever seen & I’ve seen a ton! Well done! I think about 800 light bulbs went off before you even got to number 4! Excellent video. Thanks!

[@pdbass]

Thank you!! Thanks for watching!

[@dolcik271]

Love your lessons so much. Thank you for every episode you upload!

[@ishvara_meditations7654]

Great lesson.

[@dtfoel1230]

yeah man

[@StevenDoyleLuke]

Really valuable info, Man!

[@froggyleggy]

one of my favorite vids so far pt!! good to hear you play and hear your thought process

[@zororosario]

Learning all the time , thanks neat lesson Cheers

[@petermanley7525]

Another top quality video, many thanks.

[@markharc7615]

1:38 maximum level bass face= achieved!! Nice!

[@hahabass]

Dude, I knew you were good... but D'YAM! You're a badass!!!!!

[@Noah_The_God]

Thank you bro I needed this

[@Oscaraha]

Great, thank you so much maestro!

[@paulhaynes561]

I always just play a variation on the melody -- might sound simple but it's always worked for me.

[@BassPlayerNcl]

This is fantastic advice! I love your tone too, bassman! Thank you so much forbthd incredible videos 😊✌️❤️🎵🎶

[@user-sb6uf1pk9t]

Punctuate low! Thank you I needed that

[@swingbass05]

Thank you for this. You've encouraged me to start looking into soloing different ways again, when before I was too afraid to do so.

[@paulpaul00]

Great lesson! Excellent playing and killer tone!

[@billkennedy3407]

Great channel! Good information on this one. I never feel like my solos are saying anything special. This is a helpful video because it opens up some new approaches. Go Steelers!

[@nilkilnilkil]

i need to get an upright one day ...

[@teddypantelas]

Loved it! You mean every note when you play and it’s beautiful to hear. This was very enjoyable and informative in opening the minds of musicians on any instrument. Especially the bass. Why certain names are put to a bassist playing lines, Melodies, expressing him/herself makes no sense as you pointed out. It’s called improvisation. You’re helping so many by doing what you’re doing, it’s just great to witness. Keep it going, doing some good in the neighborhood.

[@danieljones1822]

Paul I love your stuff, you have a fan here in Canada. I am not a jazz guy but I have learned so much from you that I have put to my other projects

[@AnthonyOnBass]

I hope you don't mind the words of some random dude... but I've watched a handful of your videos (and you always have some of the best topics!), but the second I heard you play the first few notes - oh my God - you are an amazing musician and soloist! Thank you and peace!

[@pdbass]

Thank you!! I appreciate it and appreciate you taking the time to let me know. Thanks for watching!

[@thesongwritersdropin2565]

Thanks Paul. This is great . There was something you said about putting the rhythm first and then crafting the notes around it that got my attention. I solo occasionally and was not to keen on it until the other week where I approached it differently by starting out sparsely like a guitarist would do and then built it up with more rhythmical ideas as I went along. its like the space in the notes gave me the chance to feel it more deeply and it spoke to me. Thanks so much for this video .Extremely helpful as always

[@josephperreault997]

Amazing player. Beyond my skill and comprehension but it's cool.

[@nicholasholcomb7400]

This is the first channel I go to for bass knowledge always 🙏🏻

[@josephromano7867]

Such great stuff on your channel every time thank you so much for sharing your inner soul to us.

[@pdbass]

Thank you!

[@OlBillyBobBoy]

Great video, I've got some transcribing to do!

[@planetb1ue168]

I found this video so interesting it was surprising how fast the video past

[@hansabass]

Tnx! 👊😎

[@mikeln111]

great stuff! #1 pitfall there; some other player thinks you’re not soloing and jumps in part way through, #3 is great on when on a harmonically or rhythmically complicated tune, and the rest of the rhythm section drops out unexpectedly… or when everyone else seems to have lost the form of the tune….

[@TheBassfresh]

best one yet!

[@butterboydan]

your one dope cat man.

[@daveamico990]

I love incorporating harmonics!!! Punctuate low 👍 maybe outlining chords by tip toeing around the scale and then modulate and leave it hanging (or something unexpected). I try not to think too much about it in the hopes of capturing the energy of the moment. I have been caught off guard and was happy to have a pocket compass or patented standard handy.

[@mikebassy]

Hello Paul , Rock tour ? I have an EP coming asap with my version of Solar ha ha . Coincidentally. Just uploaded a rough mix of Trinkle Trinkle from davEP . Will be checking out your latest video this week. Thanks as always

[@garryfimister6878]

Very nice advice about concepts for soloing.That bass sounds Great ! Looks amazing as well, is it a Pollman ?

[@pdbass]

Yes, it is--1972. Thanks!

[@tonymickens8803]

Thanks for the Vid My Brother, you took me Back to my High School days in Band class back in 76, I Cut My Teeth on an Upright at 14 before playing my 75 Fender Jazz, If it Weren't for Dr. Crisp my Music Teacher, I Wouldn't be the Bass Player I Am Today. @pdbass

[@halmycroft194]

This is super, super helpful stuff! I know that when given a solo I have a tendency to 'punctuate high' and get busy with fills as fast as I can manage (not all that fast lol) - following my guitarists and perhaps unconsciously in emulation of Cliff Burton. However, outside of soloing I love leaning into the lower, ballsier timbre of my instrument. Also, one of my favourite bass solos ever is technically undemanding and leans heavily into a low punctuation... and it's absolutely DEVASTATING. I'm off to have a rethink of some parts. Thank you for this video :)

[@Chumbawumba1000]

Man i play guitar, but i still found this useful

[@caurnelmorgan4934]

Same here.

[@pedrobaeztorres4401]

What is the make&model is your bass,it sounds fantastic,thanks

[@pdbass]

Thanks, Pedro! It's a 1972 Pöllmann Gamba.

[@HomeOnTheRange]

When they ask me to take a bass solo, they say, make sure it's solo we can't hear it.

[@faubusmingus5982]

Do you know any good bass teachers in nyc?

[@pdbass]

I know a few. Hit me up: email, Insta, or Twitter.

[@dtfoel1230]

Had to watch again - punctuate low -

[@arkram_68]

Just be Joe Dart ON THE FENDER BASS I learned being Joe Dart With No Logic and Some minor music theory But yeah I have the Joe Dart essence

[@urwholefamilydied]

why does your bass sound so "buzzy"

[@pdbass]

Various reasons: 1) my technique 2) my fingerboard needs planed 3) I'm using a camera-mounted shotgun mic that's pointing directly at the fingerboard 4) The buzzing makes it funky

[@fulwoodphantom]

So! You just play any note 🤣

[@yigitcengil2465]

How to bass solo: "Just don`t " -A fellow bassist.

[@yigitcengil2465]

All jokes aside, this was a great video.

[@Komatik_]

Said bassist, be it you or a friend, is ultimately right. The way humans perceive music is just that it's the low end that gets us moving, and it's the way most bands in most genres are built. Bassist starts noodling, you have no low end provider but the keys. In an electric context, that's fine. But let me tell you, where the bass guitar and upright have a smooth, unobtrusive, mellow sound, the piano's has all the subtlety of kicking in the door, which makes it hard to keep the groove up on that while the soft, unobtrusive sound moves up and tries to noodle. The logistics just almost never add up to anything except the tune stopping dead in its tracks and most of the band dropping out. As a listener, it's just not fun. Which isn't to say there aren't amazing ways to highlight the bass. Especially in more riff-driven music, drop the band out, have the drummer just hit time with a single smooth-sounding drum, and have the bass riff going. Next go around, drummer returns to the whole drum comp. Third time, band comes in. I guarantee you, barring some truly inspired leadwork or bit of singing, those few bars will be the most impactful of the whole tune, all by just paring things down, showcasing what's already there and focusing on the drums' and bass' power of moving people.

[@pigup2]

Let the whale sing through you 🐋

[@RatzoBHarris]

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solar_(composition) Miles Davis did not compose "Solar."

[@pdbass]

Thanks, Ratzo!