I've been teaching private students for the past 15 years (Bass and Piano), but this year a new wrinkle has been thrown in...I've been asked to take a few BG students at Bellarmine University, where I also teach classes in Orchestration and Jazz Harmony. My question is about preferred bass method books.

In my private teaching, I use my own method, which is slightly different for each student, and I will continue to do that in the collegiate situation... BUT, I am also required to turn in a syllabus with information on the method book(s) used, and I am at a loss at the moment as to what method book to choose for this purpose. Basically, I'm looking for something that will provide a solid foundation in reading and physical technique. I could use a DB method book for this, but would rather use a BG method if there is an acceptable one out there.

Any/all serious suggestions welcome.

Thanks,
Chris

Check ou the Evolving Bassist by Rufus Reid. "A comprehensive method in developing a total musival Concept for the aspiring jazz bass player." It's for DB but i use it for BG just the same.

I like those two Berklee books:

Rich Appleman: Reading Contemporary Electric Bass Rhythms

http://www.bkstore.com/berklee/press/appleman.html

Joseph Viola: Chord Studies for Electric Bass

http://www.bkstore.com/berklee/press/viola1.html

Originally posted by 2BitBassPlayer
Check ou the Evolving Bassist by Rufus Reid. "A comprehensive method in developing a total musival Concept for the aspiring jazz bass player." It's for DB but i use it for BG just the same.

This is what I studied out of for my collegiate lessons. Well, that and the Simandl.

Chris A.:rolleyes:

Chris, _The Evolving Bassist_ and Simandl's 30 Etudes are what I usually use with bass guitar students.

Thanks for the replies everyone. I think I'll go with a mixture of Simandl, Rabbath, and Reid. I'd like to add some J.S. Bach 2 part invention transcriptions, but every time I do a search for them, all I come up with is a version that is put out with a mixture if Standard Notation and TABZ, authored by JOSQUIN DES PRESLEY. I find both the TABZ part and the cutesy nickname too annoying to consider. Does anyone know of any STANDARD NOTATION ONLY editions of the 2 part inventions? When I practice them myself, I always just read from the piano score, but this won't work for my students.

Thanks in advance.

Chris

I have the Josquin Des Pres transcriptions of Bach's Cello Suites. It's good, basic reading material if you ignore the tablature (the man has an extremely odd aversion to open strings).

I'd recommend the Appleman "EB Rhythms" book, if only because it presents students with some inkling of the rhythmic hijinks that they'll be getting themselves into if they ever venture outside of jazz and 8th note rawk. The book starts off with basic walking lines and gets progressively more complex, with syncopated rests, odd time signatures, etc. A lot of the lines are notated in both a "fast" time signature with large note values, and a corresponding "slow" time signature with the note values halved. They sound the same, but the former are much less intimidating to read. A nice touch.

The electric bass instructor in my university uses a book called "Basic electric bass" for reading and playing patterns and grooves. It contains various patterns that are finally combined into an etude at the end of each section. It's not bad.

Authors: James Progris w/ Lucas Drew, editor.

Although I cannot remember any specific titles, I think the books by Ed Freidland would be well worth checking out.

I think Gary Willis' <b>Fingerboard Harmony</b> is a good book too.

Originally posted by Marty Forrer
Although I cannot remember any specific titles, I think the books by Ed Freidland would be well worth checking out.

When I started trying to play Jazz, I found Ed Friedland's "Jazz Bass" to be the most helpful (most practical) - it has a picture of a Carvin 5-string BG on the front.

No tab and lots of notated examples as well as a CD to play along with.

I have since leant it to other struggling electric bass players who have come along to Jazz workshops I attend.

I am releasing a Bach two part inventions for bass guitar book soon.I have taken arrangements i worked out for the limitations of the 4 1/2 octave 7 string bass and for the 9 string. The book will include exact fingerings and practice methods. To view an excerpt of Bach two part invention #1 on 9 string in quicktime movie format (3mb) send me your email address and I'll send you the 30 second excerpt. It is a great way to develope two hand independence.









QUOTE]Originally posted by Chris Fitzgerald
Thanks for the replies everyone. I think I'll go with a mixture of Simandl, Rabbath, and Reid. I'd like to add some J.S. Bach 2 part invention transcriptions, but every time I do a search for them, all I come up with is a version that is put out with a mixture if Standard Notation and TABZ, authored by JOSQUIN DES PRESLEY. I find both the TABZ part and the cutesy nickname too annoying to consider. Does anyone know of any STANDARD NOTATION ONLY editions of the 2 part inventions? When I practice them myself, I always just read from the piano score, but this won't work for my students.

Thanks in advance.

Chris [/QUOTE]

These are the books I consider the best out there for electric.



Technique;

1) Willis's Fingerboard harmony is great a probally appraochable for a short turm..

2)Joe debartlilo(something like that)serious electric bass is a overly complete and longturm version.

3)Anthony Vittis Book are all the best for there individual topics (Slap,Finger funk)

Essensial Musical conseps;

1)Ed friedland walking bass lines is very well presented.

2)(wilis's book could strattle the line over here one fo the reason its so great)

Reading;


1) For getting a grasp on 16th nots reading Vitti's reading funk rhythms cant be beat(hard!)


2) a normal cello version of the bach etudes.

3) Stinnets Paul chambers transcriptions then the Omni Book

4)The new berklee bass reading book.


If I was to pick the esensials


Edfriedland wlking bass

Willis Fingbaord harmony

berklee faculty reading


AJ

Originally posted by Chris Fitzgerald
I'd like to add some J.S. Bach 2 part invention transcriptions

http://www.mutopiaproject.org/cgibin/make-table.cgi?searchingfor=invention

Transcriptions are great .Knowing how to play them is where the work is. I have transcribed Bach two part inventions and put together a method for bass players to play them so they sound close to a piano performance. I haven't seen anyone else offering this material. I'll email a preview quicktime movie,and take advance orders on the method from those who are interested in true two handed independence on bass guitar.

Most of them work fine on extended range basses without having to change anything too much. The fingerings can be a bit tricky though. But yes, you need to keep in mind the proper phrasing that Bach had in mind as they were written for harpsichord. I don't think that Chris was planning on teaching them as tapping exercises though. Generally they're taught as duets on string instruments.

Originally posted by ole Jason
Most of them work fine on extended range basses without having to change anything too much. The fingerings can be a bit tricky though. But yes, you need to keep in mind the proper phrasing that Bach had in mind as they were written for harpsichord. .

so the fingerings can be a bit tricy.... will you send me a video or quicktime movie of you playing Bach two part invention #1 with your fingering ? I'll send you a video of me playing the same piece. You sound like you have them down ,so maybe you could help me improve on my fingering concept..

Originally posted by Ninestring
so the fingerings can be a bit tricy.... will you send me a video or quicktime movie of you playing Bach two part invention #1 with your fingering ? I'll send you a video of me playing the same piece. You sound like you have them down ,so maybe you could help me improve on my fingering concept..

meow!




:rolleyes: Geez, Gary, lighten up!

Actually, I'm working on #4. When/if I work on #1 I will be glad to send you a transcription with my fingerings. I'm not capable of recording videos on the computer, sorry. My email is jason_sturgill9@eku.edu if you'd like to send me the video.

p.s. let's keep the condescending attitude to a minimum from now on sweety :)

I put in a few years developing two hand independence on a single fretboard tuned in fourths. I take the work seriously.

There is no condecending "tone" to my last post. To say fingering Bach two and three part inventions is a bit tricky is an understatement. .To clarify to anyone reading this , I am talking about performing these pieces as a pianist does.

I worked out fingerings for these pieces and there are some comprimises when you are restricted to 7 strings. Even with 9 strings there are times when you end up with both hands on the same string.

If you have already played these pieces ,I would like to see what you are doing. You can most likely make some suggestions . If that is having a condecending attitude ,i would only be directed to someone who says they can do something ,but can't. I have been accused of that a number of times on Talk Bass. I think some of you use the term "Troll " Unfortunately for them, I can do what i say I can do. If you play two part inventions well,then I do apologize if I come across as condecending.

I made a quicktime movie and to keep just one minute looking and sounding like a video recording require 17 megs (9 compressed). I had email difficulties and can only send 3 megs. I sent you a 30 second excerpt.The audio is intact, but the visual drops frames.

I am releasing a book and DVD on my way of approaching Bach two part inventions. It was my hopes to find other bassists doing this to get some feedback. Your post indicated you "had them down" already. I did a search for Bach,and this thread came up.

I never said I "had them down". geez haha.

Originally posted by ole Jason
Most of them work fine on extended range basses without having to change anything too much. The fingerings can be a bit tricky though. But yes, you need to keep in mind the proper phrasing that Bach had in mind as they were written for harpsichord. I don't think that Chris was planning on teaching them as tapping exercises though. Generally they're taught as duets on string instruments.

Look-i am not here to start trouble. I am trying to find out who does what,and if anyone is going to be interested in a method to make playing two and three part inventions easier.

You write as if you know that one doesn't have to change anything too much out of experience) and the fingerings can be tricky.

With the right approach, the fingerings aren't tricky. I am not attacking you, nor anyone else here. If I tell you that pulling "G's" in an F-22 is tough, you might assume I have flown one.I haven't.although I did sit in the cockpit of an F-16 for about 30seconds(on the ground).

I sent you an excerpt of Bach two part invention #1 played on a 9 string bass. Ifit's what you are into,then maybe we can have a constructive dialogue.I play # 4 as well. If you play them,then we have something in common.I stated I have fingerings for this music and you posted that you seemed to know all about it. If you are farther along than I am with this bit,I could use your input.

Uhhh, guys? Can I get you to put your d!cks away and notice that Chris asked about bass method books? Would that be ok? Great.

Now, I don't care how well written, or how hard or easy, your books on "Tapping Bach's Two Part Inventions for 7 and 9 String Basses" are, they are NOT what I'd call a great idea of a method book, is it?

Well Id like to pull this thread back ontopic and say.....


Blackbird.....Nice Avatar...


Love the bean

AJ

Simandl 30 studies (not the New Method, which my double bass students use) is a great book. For me it illustrates a lot of things they need to learn, i.e.
-reading isn't scary
-music can be in many keys and time signatures
-reading involves looking for melodic, rhythmic, and harmonic patterns
-reading leads to fingering solutions
-phrasing and dynamics are part of interpretation

I also really like Bruce Haughton and Tom Warrington's "Essential Styles" books with play along CD's. Great variety of styles, with the subtleties of each well-explained.

Gary Willis' "Fingerboard Harmony", David Baker's "Bass Clef Inspirations and Expressions", or the Berklee Chord Studies for trombone (now electric bass) are great for learning the fingerboard, as well as getting a good grasp on hearing jazz harmony.

Ed Friedland's Working Bassist's Toolkit, for a lot of great general information, as well as some jobbing "secrets".

And many more, but those are a good start.
LM

I second the Simandl reccomendation. The Rufus Reid books are great too. Percussion books may be of some use if your students are going to be playing much latin or funk.

Originally posted by Pacman
Uhhh, guys? Can I get you to put your d!cks away and notice that Chris asked about bass method books? Would that be ok? Great.

Now, I don't care how well written, or how hard or easy, your books on "Tapping Bach's Two Part Inventions for 7 and 9 String Basses" are, they are NOT what I'd call a great idea of a method book, is it?

Chris asked about Bach two part inventions.I have a method book that makes playing two part inventions on a bass guitar easy. You need 7 strings to even get close to playing them correctly. The two part inventions were written for the piano student.,The whole point of them is to facilitate two hand independence.. There is no "tapping" here, it is touch "piano style playing". You have no qualifications to be judging what is a good idea for a Bach method book. . Nobody asked your opinion. There are players who want to do more.Why do you get in their way?

Originally posted by Ninestring
Chris asked about Bach two part inventions.I have a method book that makes playing two part inventions on a bass guitar easy. You need 7 strings to even get close to playing them correctly. The two part inventions were written for the piano student.,The whole point of them is to facilitate two hand independence.. There is no "tapping" here, it is touch "piano style playing". You have no qualifications to be judging what is a good idea for a Bach method book. . Nobody asked your opinion. There are players who want to do more.Why do you get in their way?

How many more long time members are you going to attack? Do it in someone else's forum.

Thread closed.

Chris A.:rolleyes: :bassist: