I'm interested in buying a few different instructional books and/or DVDs but am a bit baffled at which would be the most beneficial so I thought I'd ask TalkBass members for help.

Two notes: First, before you tell me to get an instructor and take lessons, I may do so later but now I want to get started on my own. Besides the fact that for the cost of one month of lessons I can have materials that will keep me busy for several months. Secondly, I am well-aware that many of these items are available for less than the linked-to site or even used/on eBay etc., so I'll be shopping around after I decide which to buy.

And that's where you come in... If you have experience with or knowledge about any of these materials or the series mentioned, I would appreciate your commentary.


[1] Learning to Play: General instruction; I'd be interested in opinions about any of these or about instruction/practice with a CD/DVD, etc. in general.

Hal Leonard Play Bass Today Pack (http://www.guitarcenter.com/Hal-Leonard-Play-Bass-Today-Pack--Book-CD--941661-i1161488.gc)
(This is available as a book/CD/DVD pack for level 1 OR as a 2 book/CD pack for level 1 and 2)

Hal Leonard Bass Method Beginner's Pack (http://www.guitarcenter.com/Hal-Leonard-Bass-Method-Beginner-s-Pack--Book-CD-DVD--103213278-i1162156.gc)
(This is available as a book and DVD OR as a DVD alone. I'm not sure how this would differ from the first option)

Hal Leonard Fast Track Bass Method (http://www.guitarcenter.com/Hal-Leonard-FastTrack-Bass-Method-Book-1-CD-Package-100038355-i1160544.gc)
(This is available on CD with a booklet; there is a vol 1 and 2)

SMP Beginning Bass Guitar (http://www.guitarcenter.com/SMP-Beginning-Bass-Guitar-DVD-945995-i1162504.gc)
(This is a DVD)

ProLine Play Bass Today (http://www.guitarcenter.com/ProLine-Play-Bass-Today---Book-DVD-Pack--102337805-i1162109.gc)
(This is a book and DVD)


[2] Scales/Chords: I'd also like to pick up something specific to learning and understanding scales. A chart is ok but I expect that something that explains them is better.

Hal Leonard Bass Scale Finder (http://www.guitarcenter.com/Hal-Leonard-Bass-Scale-Finder-Book-102918646-i1158497.gc)
(Book)

Hal Leonard Bass Guitar Chords Book (http://www.guitarcenter.com/Hal-Leonard-Bass-Guitar-Chords-Book-900612-i1156534.gc)

Mel Bay Bass Guitar Chord Chart (http://www.guitarcenter.com/Mel-Bay-Bass-Guitar-Chord-Chart-907472-i1397466.gc)

Music Sales Gig Bag Book of Bass Scales (http://www.guitarcenter.com/Music-Sales-Gig-Bag-Book-of-Bass-Scales-100021985-i1173019.gc)

Carl Fischer Bass Grimoire (http://www.guitarcenter.com/Carl-Fischer-Bass-Grimoire--Book-DVD--908917-i1390862.gc)
(This is available as a book or a DVD or both together; I'm very interested in this as I understand it is both good for beginners and very comprehensive as well.)

Musician's Institute Chords for Bass (http://www.guitarcenter.com/Musician-s-Institute-Chords-For-Bass-Book-and-CD-907180-i1323167.gc)
(Book/CD)


[3] Other

Hal Leonard 101 Bass Tips of the Pros (http://www.guitarcenter.com/Hal-Leonard-101-Bass-Tips-of-the-Pros--Book-CD--102448370-i1161524.gc)
(Book and CD)

Hal Leonard Bass Fitness (http://www.guitarcenter.com/Hal-Leonard-Bass-Fitness---An-Exercising-Handbook-Book-100100063-i1158232.gc) (I'm likely going to get this book regardless of what else I get as it would seem useful no matter what. Other suggestions?)

Hal Leonard Music Theory Bass Method (http://www.guitarcenter.com/Hal-Leonard-Music-Theory-Bass-Method-Suppliment-Book-CD-942427-i1172051.gc)
(Book and CD)

MJS Complete Bass Guitar by Ear (http://www.guitarcenter.com/MJS-Complete-Bass-Guitar-by-Ear--2-CD-Set--949702-i1166668.gc)
(2 CD set - I'd be interested to know opinions on this particular product and/or product type in general)


I also plan to hit StudyBass.com and to use some of the bass instructional vids I find on YouTube but any other suggestions are appreciated.

TIA

For the first category I'd recommend the Hal Leonard Bass Method by Ed Friedland. Great method book, very comprehensive, and if you get all three volumes, you'll definitely see improvement if you're a beginning/intermediate player. I wouldn't get anything from the second category - I've never liked scale or chord compendiums because they never really give you any sort of practical application. Especially the Bass Grimoire - its way overly technical and filled with (in my opinion, anyway) incorrect jargon. Think of it as being given every single possible hammer, tool, nail, bolt, saw, etc you could possibly think of. Sure, they'd be nice to have, but you still have no idea how to build a house. Same thing.

The 101 bass tips book by Gary Willis is AWESOME. Recommended for any bass player's library.

Anything with Ed Friedland's name on it will be well written and good. I would also recommend getting a couple books from Carol Kaye as well. www.carolkaye.com . She's a crotchety old woman, so never attempt direct contact with her, but she pretty much invented the modern electric bass method books.

For the first category I'd recommend the Hal Leonard Bass Method by Ed Friedland. Great method book, very comprehensive, and if you get all three volumes, you'll definitely see improvement...

Anything with Ed Friedland's name on it will be well written and good.

Thanks for the advice re: Ed Friedland. I found the three volume "complete edition" with CDs but I'm having to be careful; apparently this product shares an ISBN with another HL product bearing a slightly different title and with another author's name. Perhaps I'll just order the volumes separately; so I can be sure of what I'm getting and, also, I can get packs with the DVD(s) too.


The 101 bass tips book by Gary Willis is AWESOME. Recommended for any bass player's library.

I'll be sure to pick up the 101 bass tips book.

Thanks for the recommendation against the grimoire as well.


I would also recommend getting a couple books from Carol Kaye as well.

I visited that link and found out a lot about Carol Kaye; it seems she leads a very interesting life.

Based on your advice, I'll pick up at least one of her books. Thanks!

Ok. I've narrowed it down. At present, I'm planning to go ahead and buy:

Hal Leonard Bass Method Complete Edition (Books 1, 2 and 3 + CDs) by Ed Friedland

HL Bass Method DVD by Friedland

Bass Fitness - An Exercising Handbook by Josquin des Pres

Bass Tab White Pages (http://www.bassplace.com/AR076.html)

I'm also looking at Carol Kaye's "How to Play the Electric Bass" book/CD and/or "Rock-Funk Bass."


I'd really like to know specific opinions on either this particular book or the concept of what the book covers for a beginner:

Hal Leonard Music Theory Bass Method (http://www.guitarcenter.com/Hal-Leonard-Music-Theory-Bass-Method-Suppliment-Book-CD-942427-i1172051.gc)
(Book and CD)

Here is a "Closer Look (http://halleonard.com/closerLook.jsp?id=695756&refer=item_detail.jsp%3Ftype%3Dproduct%26itemid%3D 695756%26keywords%3Dbass%2Btheory%2B%26catcode%3D0 0%26order%3D1%26refer%3Dsearch)" at this book on the Hal Leonard web site.

Worthwhile? It seems very comprehensive and interesting, however, it may also prove to be difficult at this stage.


Again, your thoughts and advice are appreciated.

TIA

I would not recommend How to Play the Electric bass for a beginner. Its not exactly a beginner book. It takes a pattern and then applies the more or less the same pattern to different styles of playing. More intermediate level. I would suggest Electric Bass Lines 1 & 2, and you can get the CDs, and all of this for about $10. You will learn various patterns right from the begining, some basic theory, and the books/CDs cover various styles. I also used her DVD for beginners as well. That was helpful and taught me proper technique. Rock-Funk is fun, just a CD and a booklet and it gets you playing right away.

The Bass Exercise book might be a little over your head right now. To me, its just a bunch of notes set out to play in different and often difficult positions. I would, personally, learn the basics and really, really know the fretboard before venturing into that book. Its not going to teach you scales, arpeggios, tunes, styles, or anything like that, if I remember correctly. I never got much of anything of it.

I learned the basics with Carol Kaye and Ed Friedlander books and CDs. Be careful not to overload yourself with too many methods. Two should be more than enough. I have more bass books I either will never use and/or or just got next to nothing out of, but anything by either of the above have stood the test of time and value.

The find some of the best, more informative reviews of books, CDs,products, and music books check amazon.com I have made some good buying decisions based on these reviews.

My 2 cents ... for a really good scale book that I've liked over the years, "Bass Guitar: Total Scales Techniques and Applications" by John Sternal. Can be used for all levels, from beginner to advanced. Honestly it is only bass method book that I find myself continuing to go back to, and I own a ton. It's not flashy or exciting, but if you really do everything the author suggests, you could use the same book for 10 years, going through all the different exercises in different keys, tempos etc.. You wouldn't want this as your only practice regimen however. Good luck.