My main is a 75 shm. I solo very often due to limited and odd hours play time and do fine with it. Root rotting is very good to me now as i have completed most of the DoT crit aa's.

Soloing up to 50 will be no problem, past that you need to start to choose your targets a bit more carefully. Look for mobs that are fully slowable or rootable and either tank it or DoT it respectivly.

As far as race, i would suggest the troll/inny most because i chose barbarian and think a clicky snare would have been, and be, awesome. Though you should pick a race you like and want to run around as in game as well.

Alchemy is great. As stated you can make up to VI level potions from vendor bought items, look and see what ingredients are used in the higher level potions and save them and level in areas they drop.

Also shamans are great in a group or a duo, chances are you'll get invites if you /lfg while soloin.

Good luck with the shaman :-)