Why no bass solos?

[Jixzer]

DISCLAIMER: I'm sure this has been mentioned before, but the search engine kinda sucks. :)

I'm just curious as to why there are no bass solos. There are definite parts in the songs provided that would qualify (Sabotage comes to mind). I know the bass player get the "Groove", but still.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not complaining, I'm just curious why this was left out or overlooked. Maybe it could be included in future DLC or Rock Band 2 in the FAR FAR future. :)

Anyone agree?

[Ningles]

I wish they put in the bass solo at the beginning of N.I.B. by Black Sabbath, it's such a great part of the song and gives the bass player that kick ass feeling over everyone else.

[TheBends]

because they don't want you to play bass solo. they don't put out bass solo tour.

[Ardius]

I wish they put in the bass solo at the beginning of N.I.B. by Black Sabbath, it's such a great part of the song and gives the bass player that kick ass feeling over everyone else.

That is isn't meant to be part of the original song. Its actually a seperate bass solo called "bassically" and it was mistakenly mixed onto NIB. So nothing is missing from that song.

[NX013]

I agree, I'd love to see My Generation, the most epic bass solo ever. Or te live version of Closer to the Heart by Rush from the Different Stages album, would have to be a cover though........again. Still the solo should be one of the funnest

[SemperFi]

What about the begining of "I'm so sick" and the begining of "Are you Gonna be my girl"?
Both start out with the Bass alone...the closest thing to solo is...well, alone.

[grim88]

There's also a solo in Run to the Hills. What he's asking though is why doesn't the screen turn blue with a percentage counter and bonus at the end.

[SpaankThru]

It would be cool to have bass solos in song, but I know the reason why harmonix did not put bass solos in

They are trying to make the game as realistic as possible (i am not saying it is 100% realistic) and as every rock or metal fan knows, there are barely any bass solos in music. Bass solos are mainly in jazz, and from the last time i check, this is Rock Band, not Jazz Band

[SaltyDawg]

It would be cool to have bass solos in song, but I know the reason why harmonix did not put bass solos in

They are trying to make the game as realistic as possible (i am not saying it is 100% realistic) and as every rock or metal fan knows, there are barely any bass solos in music. Bass solos are mainly in jazz, and from the last time i check, this is Rock Band, not Jazz Band
What?!? BUZZ!!! WRONG ANSWER!!!

There is a bass solo in almost every song in Rock Band (if not in every song). As has been posted, the screen doesn't turn blue and you don't get a bonus at the end, but there is a place in almost every song that they could have made that happen if they wanted to.

No bass solos in real life rock, LOL. Now I've heard it all.

[supa_ordie]

What?!? BUZZ!!! WRONG ANSWER!!!

There is a bass solo in almost every song in Rock Band (if not in every song). As has been posted, the screen doesn't turn blue and you don't get a bonus at the end, but there is a place in almost every song that they could have made that happen if they wanted to.

No bass solos in real life rock, LOL. Now I've heard it all.


LMFAO, that was hilarious. There are bass solos in almost any song you hear nowadays

[SpaankThru]

What?!? BUZZ!!! WRONG ANSWER!!!

There is a bass solo in almost every song in Rock Band (if not in every song). As has been posted, the screen doesn't turn blue and you don't get a bonus at the end, but there is a place in almost every song that they could have made that happen if they wanted to.

No bass solos in real life rock, LOL. Now I've heard it all.

are you kdding me? the only basslines that ive heard in rock band that even resemble a bass solo are im so sick and dani california. Its called a FILL not a solo, learn the bass dip****.

[Jixzer]

Yes, to be clear, I was speaking of the blue background and a percentage counter. I just thought it would be a good idea to let the bass player make use of the solo buttons if he/she has them.

Now Spaank, I don't want to get into an argument, but there is a fine line between what is considered a fill and a solo. A fill is usually only a few bars long (2-4). However, you break into a full verse (8-12 bars depending on style), that could very well be classified as a solo regardless of how repetitive or simple the part may be. Being a veteran Baritone Sax player in a jazz band, anything over 4 or 5 bars classified it as a solo..not a fill. And finally, if you think about it, some of the guitar solos in Rock Band barely qualify as solos.

Regardless, I still think it would be a good idea to give the bass players something to have fun with that wouldn't be too overly difficult to code in.

[SpaankThru]

yea jixzers, im not saying there arent bass solos in some songs, but im saying is that a lot of people who are posting are saying theres a bass solo in every single song, and also i dont think there should be little blue spaces because basses are NOT ment to solo, they keep the rythme. Bassist are supposed to keep the beat when the guitar is doing there thing. When the guitarist is not "doing there thing" a bassist goes into a very small soloish thing, called a fill. Some song have short little fills, some have long. This is what i think a bass solo is ----> http://youtube.com/watch?v=4dWb-aCWR8U

[Fudily]

We could just get some Primus into Rock Band, as I'm sure that would solve the problem.

[SpaankThru]

We could just get some Primus into Rock Band, as I'm sure that would solve the problem.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uva_FrpLU6M this is what we need

[SaltyDawg]

are you kdding me? the only basslines that ive heard in rock band that even resemble a bass solo are im so sick and dani california. Its called a FILL not a solo, learn the bass dip****.
I know what a fill is, and I know what a solo is. There are plenty of solos in Rock Band (and in just about every rock song out today).

You're way, WAY off base if you're trying to make a claim that there are no bass solos in real life. And I think you've been pretty much put in your place on that matter already, so I won't address it further.

[SaltyDawg]

yea jixzers, im not saying there arent bass solos in some songs, but im saying is that a lot of people who are posting are saying theres a bass solo in every single song, and also i dont think there should be little blue spaces because basses are NOT ment to solo, they keep the rythme. Bassist are supposed to keep the beat when the guitar is doing there thing. When the guitarist is not "doing there thing" a bassist goes into a very small soloish thing, called a fill. Some song have short little fills, some have long. This is what i think a bass solo is ----> http://youtube.com/watch?v=4dWb-aCWR8U

Maybe in YOUR band a bass is only meant to keep the beat for the guitarist, but in most bands out there, the bass player is actually a talented musician who would leave the band if he never got a chance to solo.

[SemperFi]

Bassist are supposed to keep the beat when the guitar is doing there thing.

I think I may have found one of those online players that never lets the OTHER Guitarist choose Guitar and quits if he has to play Bass even for one song....:rolleyes:

[mikemo57]

When I am playing Bass guitar in Rock Band sometimes the screen says, "Bass Track". What does this mean? Is this kind of a solo?

[SpaankThru]

Maybe in YOUR band a bass is only meant to keep the beat for the guitarist, but in most bands out there, the bass player is actually a talented musician who would leave the band if he never got a chance to solo.

Ok, you must not be a bassist. I am a bassist, if you havent figured that out, and i have never done a bass solo. And as a matter of fact, I don't really want to. Without a bass supporting the beat in a band, the band will sound really ****ty. Bassist will go into either short, medium, or long fils, not solos. Solos are for guitarists not bassist

Now there is no reason to talk anymroe since ive proven my point

[skullpit]

How awesome would this be?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cK2hruTkUVA

[Glaurung]

I can't get to Youtube from work so I don't know if this is one of the songs that has been linked, but if they ever make Maxwell Murder by Rancid available to download, it would be a real shame if there was no bass solo indicator. That's one of the best bass solos I know off the top of my head.

[NattyLight]

The Maxwell Murder bass solo (http://youtube.com/watch?v=wiObCHW1TPY)

The whole bass line of the song is pretty fun. (http://youtube.com/watch?v=1bimNMiz250) This song needs to be on rock band.

[Jixzer]

Ok, you must not be a bassist. I am a bassist, if you havent figured that out, and i have never done a bass solo. And as a matter of fact, I don't really want to. Without a bass supporting the beat in a band, the band will sound really ****ty. Bassist will go into either short, medium, or long fils, not solos. Solos are for guitarists not bassist

Now there is no reason to talk anymroe since ive proven my point

Honestly dude, the only thing you have proven is that you have got to be one of the most narrow minded musicians I've met in a long time. No, I'm not a "Bassist" but I have played bass lines my whole life as either 1st chair Tuba in a symphonic band to a Baritone Saxophone player in a jazz ensemble. Any band worth it's salt is going to do what it can to show the talent of all it's members. In my jazz band days, we had improv spots where EVERYBODY soloed; all three trumpets, all 3 trombones (including the bass trombone), all three saxophones (alto, tenor, and baritone), the guitar player, the percussionist, and believe it or not...THE BASSIST.

And for the record, tempo is kept by the percussionist, not the bassist...at least in every band I've ever been in. I'm not playing down percussionists because I know that is not their only role...but it is an important one.
Think about it, just before a song it's always the drummer counting off clicking his drum sticks. I've never had a bassist pluck 4 times just before the music started. The bass is used to fill in the full scope and range of notes in a particular key and gives the band/song a fuller sound. If all a bass was used for was to keep time, then you should never play more than 4 or 5 notes repetitively for the entire song. So if you are playing in F, you could just play F F F F F F C C F F E E C C F F on the on-beat (4/4) and you would be fine (my note chart is song/genre dependent). But I hope you are better than that...or at least hope your band demands more than that from you.

If you are a bassist in real life and you have never played a solo, then that's your loss, but don't spread your self-diminishing propaganda here.

[HPLabonte]

It would be cool to have bass solos in song, but I know the reason why harmonix did not put bass solos in

They are trying to make the game as realistic as possible (i am not saying it is 100% realistic) and as every rock or metal fan knows, there are barely any bass solos in music. Bass solos are mainly in jazz, and from the last time i check, this is Rock Band, not Jazz Band

man, i've never heared a bass solo, ever!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TVl39LBZGMw

[AllMe]

Ok, you must not be a bassist. I am a bassist, if you havent figured that out, and i have never done a bass solo. And as a matter of fact, I don't really want to. Without a bass supporting the beat in a band, the band will sound really ****ty. Bassist will go into either short, medium, or long fils, not solos. Solos are for guitarists not bassist

Now there is no reason to talk anymroe since ive proven my point

WOW! You must have a crappy drummer.

[Jixzer]

man, i've never heared a bass solo, ever!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TVl39LBZGMw

That wasn't a solo, he was just keeping the band in beat.... pfft. :)

[skullpit]

How awesome would this be?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cK2hruTkUVA

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[TheCrimsonSaint]

Ok, you must not be a bassist. I am a bassist, if you havent figured that out, and i have never done a bass solo. And as a matter of fact, I don't really want to. Without a bass supporting the beat in a band, the band will sound really ****ty. Bassist will go into either short, medium, or long fils, not solos. Solos are for guitarists not bassist

Now there is no reason to talk anymroe since ive proven my point

I'm just gonna add a third opinion to the mix. I'm also a bassist, and though this may be because my biggest influence is Steve Harris (bassist from Iron Maiden, for those who don't know), I find "keeping the beat" for my band supremely boring. I like to play along with melody. Sure, I'll glue the band together if I have to, but typically I make my part as fun as possible. Now, that's not to say that I won't hold the beat in some songs, but I can't believe that you don't want to do anything other than that. As a fellow bassist, take my advice: try playing something more than repeated quarter and 8th notes. Edit: If you're talented, then there is no reason not to solo.

[AllMe]

I sincerely hope the "there's no such thing as a bass solo" idiocy is over. That being said, there sould also be drum solos and vocal solos. It would be an awesome way to boost points. While we are at it why don't we throw in some unison bonus and big endings(for points) in the vocal area too. Those of us with 1 man bands sing/guitar are at a major disadvantage.

[Jixzer]

I sincerely hope the "there's no such thing as a bass solo" idiocy is over. That being said, there sould also be drum solos and vocal solos. It would be an awesome way to boost points. While we are at it why don't we throw in some unison bonus and big endings(for points) in the vocal area too. Those of us with 1 man bands sing/guitar are at a major disadvantage.

Agreed, at least half way. I'm all for drum solos (Won't get fooled again anyone), but vocal solos? I guess it's possible, but since most singers are the front-person (yea, I know...PC sucks) I don't really see the need. Of course, that's comparing real life to a video game. However, the singer in game does have the opportunity to increase points doing the rhythm parts between verses...Bass and Percussion have nothing (outside of the 6X multiplier). :)

[AllMe]

Agreed, at least half way. I'm all for drum solos (Won't get fooled again anyone), but vocal solos? I guess it's possible, but since most singers are the front-person (yea, I know...PC sucks) I don't really see the need. Of course, that's comparing real life to a video game. However, the singer in game does have the opportunity to increase points doing the rhythm parts between verses...Bass and Percussion have nothing (outside of the 6X multiplier). :)


Have you tried blowing into the mic for the percussion parts while playing GGaHT on the guitar??? I didn't think so. I'm not being a snot or anything but those few points are the difference between 700,000 and 1,200,000 fans! It is not easy I'll tell ya:(

[NattyLight]

AllMe, aren't these bass solos?


The Maxwell Murder bass solo (http://youtube.com/watch?v=wiObCHW1TPY)

The whole bass line of the song is pretty fun. (http://youtube.com/watch?v=1bimNMiz250) This song needs to be on rock band.


What's with your elitist attitude as we. Music is art and entertainment and if people were to strictly stay in a box as long as you,we wouldn't even have rock music.

[Lord SIlverfish]

soloing means more than just playing alone, or playing a prominent part. It also implies that you are carrying the melody, and it usually implies you are improvising. There are little to no bass solos in this game, stuff like sabotage/I'm so sick is NOT a solo, anymore than a ryhthm guitar line is. The only track I can think of right now that could pass for a solo is the bassline under the guitar solo in war pigs, but the guitar is already soloing there.

Mr Bari sax - that instrument jumps between bass and harmony/melody all the time, its not a valid comparison. Trading solos is more of a jazz band thing than a rock band thing.

The reason there are no bass solos is because not very many rock songs even have them. That's the job of the guitar.

[adogbiga35]

i personally want a bass solo but i like the drums,mic,and lead guitarist solos but they need bass solos

[Jixzer]

Silver, I'm not saying this game is loaded with bass solos. What I am saying is that those parts that are or could even be considered solos COULD have the blue background and give the bass player an opportunity to use the solo buttons if he/she so chooses. That's all. It could be done and I'm sure you would get few complaints.

[GreyFoxx]

I want to have a drum solo where I can just go crazy on the drums, but it has to sound good. Sometime that is different than doing the same patten throughout the song.

[m00p]

lol cus of their were bass solo's this would be Cliff Burton Hero. It'd be like an Anthnesia(yes i know i cant spell)Re-mix

[Venom359]

That being said, there sould also be [...] vocal solos.


[...], but vocal solos?

Personally, I've really wanted to see Tribute by Tenacious D in this game explicitly for the gibberish/scatting/whatever you want to call it. There's one in particular with no instrumental backing that I think could work for a vocal solo, if they really wanted to include such a thing. :)

As for bass solos, I was also disappointed in 'Bassically' not being in N.I.B. I was one of the people under the impression that they were the same song. In fact, that's really the only reason I bought the Black Sabbath pack. :(

[Lord SIlverfish]

Silver, I'm not saying this game is loaded with bass solos. What I am saying is that those parts that are or could even be considered solos COULD have the blue background and give the bass player an opportunity to use the solo buttons if he/she so chooses. That's all. It could be done and I'm sure you would get few complaints.

You will be hard pressed to find examples of bass solos in the current song selection, and there aren't that many bass solos in rock music at all anyways. I agree that if there is an actual bass solo, the solo cue would be nice. I don't think that there is any place to do so right now.

[NX013]

I think it's obvious why bass players can't use the solo buttons, real bass players upstrum, solo buttons count as down strums. :D

[Jixzer]

I think it's obvious why bass players can't use the solo buttons, real bass players upstrum, solo buttons count as down strums. :D

AAAAAAAOOOOOOOOHHH! That nails it.

[Tr0gd0r]

this may be off topic but do u guys know how to play the bass solo tour? ecerytime i go to solo tour under my guitar controller icant figure out how to play bass

[grim88]

there's no solo bass tour.

no one respects bassists.

[Jixzer]

I do, that's why I want bass solos. :)

[BlaqueSpyral]

As a real life bassist I'd love to not only have some bass solos in the game, but a solo bass career as well, lol, it doesn't happen often, but just look at Les Claypool!

it's true that the bassists don't always get the respect they deserve, but thats just the life we live, if you want the spotlight, learn to sing or shred, or learn some crazy bass stuff, Manring style lol.

[AllMe]

Everyone here seems to forget that we are NOT playing the bass here. We are playing with a plastic toy!
The issue I'm trying to get across is that by adding bass "solos"(this does NOT have to be an actual solo...just an area in which you gain bonus points) it would make the game more interesting and entertaining. Same with drums and vocals...we are playing a video game here after all. The percussion points on the mic are nearly impossible to attain when you play/sing the harder guitar songs and if you switch to bass you are giving up the guitar solo points in exchange for the mic(blowing) points...and it's next to impossible to blow one beat while drumming another.
We are playing a video game and I just want more points!!

[malklavious]

A guitar solo's bonus points are just for a small portion of the song... but a bass groove 6x multiplier can be for almost the whole song!

[AllMe]

A guitar solo's bonus points are just for a small portion of the song... but a bass groove 6x multiplier can be for almost the whole song!

It's not the same when you have a one man band. You get no bonus of any kind in regards to vocals...no unison bonus and no big ending bonus:mad:
Only percussion bonus which stinks when you're using a mic stand.

[LtDansNutz]

Korn would be some GREAT DLC for you bass lovers.

[mrsexy]

Is everyone forgetting that YYZ (along with the rest of Rush's Moving Pictures will be released in the (hopefully) near future? That song has a pretty awesome bass solo...even if it doesn't give you any bonus points.

[Joe_Mama]

Holy crap, gravedig.

On topic: the YYZ bass "solos" are not really "solos"; I wouldn't count one- or two-bar fills as solos at all.

[packerfan8675309]

beginning of peace sells and souls of black or whatever would be good choices

[jtrousd]

Kill this thread!

[Oscar-Rio]

bass solos would be a nice addition. Although not many bands have songs where bass player has a solo. It's not as common as drum/guitar solos.

[Vilius]

I banish this zombie thread to the depths of Hades!

Also, Original post was on my birthday ;)

[logicalnoise]

go play panic attack on expert bass there's your solo....an 8 minute solo at that.

[JoshuaB81285]

Mudvayne's bass player plays more of a "lead bass" almost instead of "keeping the beat". He over-shadows the guitarist on many songs since his bass playing is more complex. They'd def. be fun for some "bass songs" in Rock Band.

[giroml]

I don't care if I don't get to solo. As a bassist I know that I am the backbone of the band and can single handedly push the band into the #1 scoring spot with my awesome groove. Bassism will always exist.

[logicalnoise]

I don't care if I don't get to solo. As a bassist I know that I am the backbone of the band and can single handedly push the band into the #1 scoring spot with my awesome groove. Bassism will always exist.

score wise yeah a bass player is more important in RB than a vocalist.

[SnowStrom]

I play real bass and sing in a band, and I tend to play complicated bass riffs and solo. Besides, any instrument can have a solo, just because bassists don't normally solo, doesn't meant the few solos that are in RB shouldn't count. The song Welcome To Hell by Sum 41 (which would be a cool RB song) has a short bass solo, but it's very much a bass solo.

So, Harmonix, even though you're probably not going to read this, please add bass solos, just put them in an update for the game or something.

[Soja]

Number of the Beast, Working Man, hell, YYZ must have five bass solos in it.

I don't know where this 'bass don't get solos' garbage came in. They're not demarcated in Rock Band, but that doesn't necessarily mean they're not there. There are a few guitar songs on which the solo is a joke, or where a more suitable section that IS more like a guitar solo isn't demarcated as one.

Drums have begun to get solos with songs like Painkiller, Spoonman, etc. The trend will likely continue. From a design standpoint, bassists probably don't get solos because the x6 multiplier is already a huge boon.