Bass Solo (blasphemy, I know)

[Rad Synner]

Hey guys,
I know this is mainly a guitar forum but im working on a song right now and I just feel like doing a bass solo instead of a guitar solo. I gotta say Cliff Burton is one of my idols along Syn so I wanted to ask you all: Whats the difference between a bass solo and a guitar solo.
I know it may seem like a dumb question at first BUT I dont want to be that guy who just grabs a bass and plays it like its a guitar. While guitar will always be my main axe, I still enjoy jamming on my bass and I want to take it to the next level in my songs. I dont want it to just copy paste the same sections as the rythm guitar also. So basically, I want to have your point of view on bass solo and what you would or wouldnt do!
Still, I know this is a guitar forum but im still waiting for Johnny to open the Johnny Christ School so here I am. (Come on johnny, just do it already) Plus I just love this community and love what you all have to say!

 

[idssdi]

check out someone like flea or billy sheehan, They may give you some inspiration. I don’t mind a bass solo at all btw as long as its good. Maybe Johnny can get his own section here xD

 

[Christopher Lonski]

Bass soloing is NOT blashphemy! A bass solo, especially in rock and metal, is a GREAT change of pace. The biggest thing piece of advice I could personally give is to give the solo, regardless of what instrument it is, the space to solo. Every instument has its place in the sonic spectrum at any given moment in a song. Make sure you just dont clutter the mix up with complex guitar and drum parts. I dont know the exact music setting you’re going for but my general advice would be to keep the drums and guitar really spacious and simple. A good example of this would be like the solo to “Dancing Dead”. I would also solo more on the higher notes of the bass mostly. You can get away with the lower notes, but the reason that guitars and vocalists are usually soloing is because they are in the “solo register”. Like the octaves that they generally play in are good ranges for solos. It’s kind of just what the ear likes to hear. Also check out some of the great solo bassists in other genres like Victor Wooten, Marcus Miller, and Jaco Pastorious. Just listen and feel how they approach bass soloing and take mental or actual written notes. You cant go wrong with those dudes. Godspeed sir!

 

[Rad Synner]

Thanks Christopher! that was very insightful! ill definitely gonna check out those bassist and take note of what you said! thanks again!