Top 10 Bass Solos That You Must Listen To

Everyone may start at a different level in music, but we can all benefit from taking a look at the best of the best and studying their habits, their techniques, and simply the things that make them the best of the best.

Bass solos aren’t the most common thing, but when they do come up, they tend to be crafted from a different creed than your average guitar solo.

In this article, we’ll list the top 10 bass solos that are a must hear. Note: not all tracks will be outright solos, and not all tracks will be on record (some may be live performances).

In no specific order:

Song 1: 2 in Me by Haji’s Kitchen

Haji’s Kitchen may not be the most well-known band, but they certainly took the grunge trend and turned it into a technical, progressive metal lesson in musicianship.

Song 2: YYZ by Rush

Geddy Lee is considered one of the greatest bass players of all time, and for good cause, too; he is. Lee is living legend, and his playing is more than astounding; at times it is even inhuman.

YYZ is one of, if not the best, bass performances of all time on record.

Song 3: Apostrophe by Frank Zappa

Cream may not have been known for being the best musicians, but Jack Bruce certainly shows in this improvisational jam with Zappa that he definitely has the chops to play with the best.

Zappa was a legend, and his music has yet to be emulated. And that’s a good thing—we don’t want anyone to try.

Song 4: Dance of Eternity by Dream Theater

Dream Theater are world renowned gods of heavy metal music. They take the impossible and make it possible. While John Petrucci tends to get much of the spotlight, in Dance of Eternity, John Myung shows that he not only has chops that are just as developed, but that he can write a mean bass solo as well.

Song 5: Heart of the Sunrise by YES

Another band that helped push progressive music into new territory, YES is one of the most talented acts of the past thirty years. The solo in Heart of Sunrise just goes to show the virtuosity is hard earned, yet has its benefits.

Song 6: Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin) by Sly & the Family Stone

Slap bass is one of those techniques that is fun if you know it, and amazing if you can master it. This track goes to show what mastery truly is.

Song 7: Billy Sheehan Bass solo (featuring Paul Gilbert)

Billy Sheehan has played with some of the greatest musicians in the world, and for good reason. This video goes to show that speed isn’t only achieved with a pick, and it isn’t only for guitarists, either.

Song 8: 21st Century Schizoid Man by King Crimson

Another piece of music that is masterfully crafted, and yet another beautiful performance by King Crimson, 21st Century Schizoid Man is arguably their best song to date.

Song 9: Kindergarten by Faith No More

While this isn’t the most advanced solo, it is a solo written with great taste and goes to show how a solo should be written; to fit the song.

Song 10: Something by The Beatles

The greatest band of all time, and one of the most influential bands to ever play music, The Beatles have done everything; including written some of the most tasteful bass lines ever.

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