Hey all!

I begin my 4 month rotational assignment in Washington DC today (Why I am sitting here in my PJ's looking at basses I can't afford is another issue...). I am taking this time to get some great practice time in, and am taking some stuff down with me. I thought it was an interesting exercise in minimization, given that I have a whole closet full of gear & instructional books, & worth posting. What are your essential texts, i.e., if you had to move temporarily & did not want to haul every music book you owned.

1. The Improvisor's Bass Book (Chuck Sher) - this book is jam-packed with information, only drawback as I see it is the self-discipline required to work through it.

2. 110 Studies for the Double Bass (reading it on electric) - for practicing reading, making a classical etude sound good on electric, etc.

3. Standing in the Shadows of Motown (the life of Jamerson) - I wanted to work my way through this book & learn some of the ways Jamerson transitions between chords. I received it as a gift several years ago & have not had the time to play through it completely.

4. The Real Book - I want to use this to play a few melodies, and try out some ideas from books 1 & 3.

5. A blank manuscript book

So, what are your essential books?

Best,

Ian

Those are all good resources. I'd add Chuck Sher's Jazz Piano book, tons of good information on chord voicing and jazz harmony. Also Piston's Harmony, still the standard at a lot of Conservatories. Oh yeah, and the Charlie Parker Omnibook is great, a bunch of transcriptions and you can get it in bass clef.

essential texts

1: metal hammer
2: viz
3: readers wives

Don't forget "The Evolving Bassist" by Rufus Reid. It's worth it for the string-skipping exercises alone.

Subscribed

The Jazz Theory Book - Mark Levine
The Real Book (Sixth Edition) - Hal Leonard

...and a vast collection of music.

Thanks for the tips!

+1 about the Charlie Parker Omnibook. I own it & use it often.

I'll have to pick up the evolving bassist by Reid & Piston's harmony. I've heard these mentioned several times before.

Any more hints are greatly appreciated! I have time & some spare change for texts - just have to sit down and learn them!

imp

Anthony Vitti's Finger Funk Workbook volume 1 + 2.

If you are into latin music at all check out The Latin Bass Book by Oscar Stagnaro. One of the best laid out instructional bass books of any genre.

My thirty year old copy of the Real Book, assorted theory books and transcriptions, assorted books for working on sightreading. All books have something to offer, most I see as launching points for ideas to experiment with. Some you remember forever others you use and fade to back of the brain.

If you are into latin music at all check out The Latin Bass Book by Oscar Stagnaro. One of the best laid out instructional bass books of any genre.

Yes, this is a great book. I used it when I was studying with Oscar and, unlike swing based styles where no book can really tell you how to improvise, it gives you an excellent definitive outline for various Latin styles.

Other books I've used lately: The Well-Tempered Clavier vol. 1 and 2, Anthony Vitti's Sight Reading Funk Rhythms, and whatever random tough-looking sheet music I get my hands on.

Real Book - Hal Leonard

Real Book - Hal Leonard

I prefer the actual Real Book, you get some different tunes including some Zappa. Nicer on the eyes as well, that Finale 'Real Book' font or whatever the hell it is looks terrible.

Whatever the hell I'm working out of at the time, plus a real book and manuscript paper.

I've heard that the Jazz Theory book by Mark Levine is amazing.

I've not seen the real book before, but I'll have to check it out.

Any of these recommended for people who are extremely lousy at reading music?
Particularly Nitti, Reid, or Stagnaro?

I've heard that the Jazz Theory book by Mark Levine is amazing.

I have it and I love it so far. There's a section on how to practice scales that is really getting me excited about practicing...an hour with this book will seem like five minutes.

The only downside is that there are a lot of piano examples he uses to explain things which can be a bit of hinderance, but other than that I would recommend it to anyone whos serious about practicing harmony