Hello all. I am not really a newbie to bass guitar playing, or even musicianship. I'm classically trained, and I value the need for rigorous study of the instrument.

Right now I've hit a barrier. I really need to make an instantaneous connection with the notes on the neck (no...I have never used tabs and I absolutely refuse to. I always learn my parts by ear).

The point is, I really want a bass guitar book with NO tabs, only notes. I want to plow through the exercises just so I can really grasp the neck of the instrument. Once I understand the connections, I'm sure I'll be fine.

Any suggestions on an exercise book with preferably NO tabs, only notes? Thank you.

Reading Comtemporary Electric Bass by Rich Appleman..

A Berklee Press Book. Once you can read and find your away around the bass a bit this is definately the book to get.

Reading Comtemporary Electric Bass by Rich Appleman..

A Berklee Press Book. Once you can read and find your away around the bass a bit this is definitely the book to get.

Another Berklee Press Book might help to Chord Studies for Electric Bass. It is also by Rich Appleman. It is standard notation, but has string and finger suggested.

If you look books authored by Jazz players there usually isn't TAB. Ray Brown, Ron Carter and other have books.

Also checkout bassbook.com They have a great selection of bass books and have sample pages availabe for most so you can see how the book is notated.