Alain Caron's Technique

[Phalanx]

I've been listening to Alain Caron lately and I've been really amazed at how his solos can raise the songs excitement level tremendously. But I haven't a clue how he does it, his lines sound like slapping but his soloing sounds like complete popping. Is that what he is doing, just popping?

[Led_Zeppelin678]

Stanley Clarke does that sometimes.

/super-informative

[HaVIC5]

Yeah I was listening to his version of Donna Lee, and I was really digging his solo (despite the incorrect changes being played on the synth). I'd love to know more about it if anybody knows, but it seems to be just a combination of slapping/popping/double thumbing.

[Phalanx]

oh yeah, here is the song im talking about http://eddegenaro.com/burners/hara/slamdclown.mp3

His solo is about 3/4s through

[Phalanx]

Yeah I was listening to his version of Donna Lee, and I was really digging his solo (despite the incorrect changes being played on the synth). I'd love to know more about it if anybody knows, but it seems to be just a combination of slapping/popping/double thumbing.

I thought it would be something like that, i think it's more down to the fact he pwnz0r.

It even rivals your version of Donna Lee :thumb:

[HaVIC5]

Well, now, I wouldn't say that. :p

But it certainly is an interesting take on it. I still prefer Jaco's over it, but I like it better than Vic's attempt.

[Left Shoe]

his line on "Double Agent" holy god, that is seriously one of the funkiest bass lines in existence

[Phalanx]

I really dig his fretless work, the tone he gets from his F bass is amazing, no wonder it costs something like $4000.

I like the intro to Trouble, it's quite funky and mind bogglingly complicated which is quite rare. And then the bit after where he is just doing mutes on the same string, sounds very cool

[Led_Zeppelin678]

That's friggin' awesome. I'll have to check this guy out again.

[HaVIC5]

Something bugs me about the line he plays on that Slam the Clown song. Slappings cool and all, but I think it would have been way more effective if the notes had more meat in them and he played it fingerstyle. Personal preference though.

[Left Shoe]

yeah im not digging this song and i usually like his work

[Phalanx]

I think it sounds good but I do agree with you, it needs a bit substance. Still a cool song though.
I wish I knew what album his song called "Basse" was on though cos I love that song

[mastrrbasser]

Something bugs me about the line he plays on that Slam the Clown song. Slappings cool and all, but I think it would have been way more effective if the notes had more meat in them and he played it fingerstyle. Personal preference though.

i see what you mean. Some finger style would make it sound beefier/smoother, but the slapping adds a lot of energy to it. And this track seems to be pretty damn energetic.

[Chris K]

Stanley Clarke does that sometimes.

/super-informative

I just pop with multiple fingers to emulate it when necessary.

[DemBonez]

His playing is great. I believe on Slam The Clown his solo is just straight double-thumbing, it seems he gets that timbre any time he attacks the strings hard (more so in the upper register). My favorite song from him is "Fat Cat" where he just kind of hides in the back of the melody until his solo 3:40ish into it when he comes out with his fretless tone.

[Pastorius]

Well, now, I wouldn't say that. :p

But it certainly is an interesting take on it. I still prefer Jaco's over it, but I like it better than Vic's attempt.

But you've gotta love Steve Bailey's harmonics underneath it...

[Left Shoe]

But you've gotta love Steve Bailey's harmonics underneath it...
you just gotta love steve bailey

[Pastorius]

you just gotta love steve bailey

I do love Steve Bailey he has crazy hands

[Alma]

Ill have to download some Alain Caron by the sounds of things!

His F-Bass' are freaking hot.