Sans accompaniment

[Russ Chandler]

Following on from a brief discussion I had on Facebook what do we think are good tunes that work well without an accompaniment?

 

Most of the standard repertoire works OK on it's own without another banjo or piano behind them but to be honest a lot really need a backup in some form or other to sound best. Mr Jollyboy is a good example.

 

Which tunes do you think work best as true solos?

[thereallyniceman]

Many of Frank Lawes solos, like the Hot Frets I played recently, seem to have a lot going on and sound fine to me as a "solo".  I also like Red Hot Shivers and Progressions. Morley's Palladium March seems to go down well too as a solo too...  I shall have a think ! 

 

[Russ Chandler]

Ooooh! Rugby Parade is one that works well. Forgot to mention that one.

[Mike Moss]

OTOH, "Freckles" by Joe Morley gets a solid beat going on, "Jumbo Rag" by Bert Basset makes a very good use of the bass especially in the trio section, and "Carry On" by Alfred Kirby works great as it incorporates a walking bass line. "Return of the Regiment" also sounds nice as a solo, and I like "Ad Astra" sans piano or 2nd banjo just fine.

[Steve Harrison]

Have a look at my arrangement of Calliope Rag, it's in the photo section. I've added a walking bass line to it in much the same way as a ragtime guitarist might play it....Steve