Soloing Latin Style

[BassVirtuoso]

I have a solo in the latin song Too Late! The Mambo for jazz ensemble. It's basically me soloing over a groove in the latin section, but I'm having trouble getting ideas for it. I don't have any inspiration, since I don't think I've ever heard a latin bass solo that was just by itself. So, any of you guys with experience, what makes a good latin bass solo and do you know of any songs with one?

[EADG]

Just find the key and scale like anything I guess.


I dont know much about latin but I suggest something groovy with syncopated accents.

[Billie'sBouncer]

Listen to the song Spain - Chick Corea Stanley Clarke plays a solo in that song and it is awesome. Also listen to people like Michel Camilo, Anthony Jackson plays bass in a lot of his stuff it is really great playing. Also some other bands like Soulive, Fernando Knopf, Mamborama, Pan Con Bistec, and many others there is so many great latin/latin jazz groups out there. Use a lot of different rythems in your solo, dont just play it straight, try to learn the rythems they use in latin /cuban music like samba,songo, and listen to the drummers bass and snare.

[Sammy_L_D]

Latin jazz genres (ie. mambo) all have distinct feels (learn the style of the mambo for sure), but solos in Latin music "tend" to feel a little more abstract.

I usually find that solos in Afro-Cuban jazz tends to separate itself from these typical feels, and the feel even tends to fall right out of what the rest of the band is doing (often showcased well by the conga section). Play something melodic, and to the point (it's no time for pure wankery--just make the notes sound good). And don't worry too much about feeling the groove during the solo either--instead, towards the end of your solo, choose your notes wisely to work your bass line back into the pocket, rather than trying to touch base with the groove throughout the solo.

Check out some stuff by the Afro-Cuban All Stars if you need to hear what I'm describing.

Of course, failing all else, solo around the mambo groove; it'll work nicely.

[PaulSimonon]

Be Cachao except... on electric.

[naut]

"syncopated"

i say it like there's peanut butter on the roof of my mouth. "syncopated." "syncopated."

what is syncopated?

new peanut butter?

[EADG]

"syncopated"

i say it like there's peanut butter on the roof of my mouth. "syncopated." "syncopated."

what is syncopated?

new peanut butter?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syncopation

[naut]

uh...there was nothing about peanut butter in there. you should be banned for spamming irrelevant links.

[EADG]

uh...there was nothing about peanut butter in there. you should be banned for spamming irrelevant links.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peanut_butter

[nisakss]

I suggest you listen to Michel Camilo. Anthony Jackson plays with him and they have some really cool latin jazz songs with mind blowing solos by Anthony.

Anyhow IMO its best to solo in short phrases and not in prolonged sentences as you would normally in rock. Throw in a lot of fifths and thirds and solo backwards....i mean try going from high register to lower register and not from low to high.

Sorry if I made no sense.....:(

[naut]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peanut_butter

:chug:

[Radiobass81]

Do whatever you want, really, it's a solo.

But, to all who mentioned Michel Camilo, you're the best.

[BassVirtuoso]

^I do want to do what I want but my director, and apparently every judge I'll ever have is a hardass about it.

[HELLonWHEELS]

Who says you have to listen to other bassists. Just listen to latin music. I would say that Carlos Santana is one of my bigger influences and has made me a better bass player.

[Left Shoe]

Listen to the song Spain - Chick Corea Stanley Clarke plays a solo in that song and it is awesome. Also listen to people like Michel Camilo, Anthony Jackson plays bass in a lot of his stuff it is really great playing. Also some other bands like Soulive, Fernando Knopf, Mamborama, Pan Con Bistec, and many others there is so many great latin/latin jazz groups out there. Use a lot of different rythems in your solo, dont just play it straight, try to learn the rythems they use in latin /cuban music like samba,songo, and listen to the drummers bass and snare.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=huIcAdTbMbM JPs bass solo in this song is absolutely orgasmic

[nisakss]

http://youtube.com/watch?v=huIcAdTbMbM JPs bass solo in this song is absolutely orgasmic

Excellent. That was trully orgasmic..*cleans himself*

Check this out though. IMO it's even better:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=bXT07AnkYRE

[Left Shoe]

omg that trio is phenomenal


holy cow bass line at 5:03

[Son of Magni]

Who says you have to listen to other bassists. Just listen to latin music. I would say that Carlos Santana is one of my bigger influences and has made me a better bass player.

That's the first name that came to mind for me.

Stanley's solo mentioned earlier is more of a jazz solo without much latin feel imo.

[BassVirtuoso]

http://youtube.com/watch?v=huIcAdTbMbM JPs bass solo in this song is absolutely orgasmic

Oh my god, Chick Corea's call and answer with the crowd was probably one of the coolest things I've ever seen, they were so into it.

[peeted]

if you can find anything with Carles Benavent playing bass on its worth checking out.

[Sablate McNuff]

Only thing I can think of is the myxoldyian mode.

I'd say your best bet is to discuss it with your director, since he is apparently telling you that your ideas were wrong.