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VIEW FULL LIVE VERSION : The Book Question once again (sorry)


steyr.caephus
07-01-2008, 06:27 PM
Hey brilliant bass players from around this world...

I am a 14 year veteran wind player (CLARINET & BASSOON, sax...). I studied music at the university level but decided to be an Aerospace Engineer instead (no, I don't regret it :smug:), but I have not been able to practice like I used to when I was playing in concertos and orchestra music and... Basically, I am looking for some books because my background has me gravitating towards book learning, so I really mean this. And what might seem obvious at this point I will affirm.

I know all the theory stuff (classical, jazz, Indian), but I need a book for bass to follow my intro tour with the Ed Friedland beginner method books 1-3 so I can furthure develope my mechanics beyond 1-2-4 finger style and playing major/minor triads up and down the neck. I picked up the John Patitucci Etude book but realized that my mechanics where not sound enough yet to play past the first page unless I played the stuff on bassoon!!:bawl::help:

Can anyone suggest a book that could get me closer to being able to play etude-like tunes on bass? I been doodling with song books and playing some stuff by ear that has come out recently (Radiohead, Erykah Badu, 'Reggae Riddims'), but I am obviously not getting the progress I am looking for from that alone. My main concern is mechanics and my love affair with John Myung, Anthony Jackson, Jaco Pastorius, John Pattitucci, Charles Mingus, Adam Nitti... lines along with my desire to play my favorite bassoon and cello concertos on bass at time most certainly dictate I improve them or I will really start to hate bass.:rollno: I don't really have time to get yelled at by a bass instructor for the next year or so, so I am primarily self-depended for the near future, so I appreciate any suggestions.

...Thanks!

Dave Muscato
07-01-2008, 06:33 PM
Not sure what you mean by mechanics... Do you need more work with sight-reading for bass, or are you talking about technique?

steyr.caephus
07-01-2008, 06:39 PM
Both actually...I would like to be able to read better and I would like to have my hands know what do do if I see certain patterns just like how I am fairly confident with what do do if I see a 1-5 or an octave (1-8) in the music. Thanks for the reply!

Dave Muscato
07-01-2008, 07:24 PM
Well, as with all things bass-related, lessons will certainly speed the process, and I can't recommend them highly enough. Practice & lessons together are how you get better. As far as sight-reading, I like Rich Appleman's books, and also Jim Stinnett's books.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0634013386
http://www.amazon.com/Chord-Studies-Electric-Bass-Technique/dp/0634016466/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1214958032&sr=1-2

http://jimstinnett.com/books.html

(Check out Reading in Bass Clef and Reading Bass Parts Vol I, II, and III.)

Gary Willis has some good stuff on technique - check out Fingerboard Harmony for Bass (http://www.amazon.com/Fingerboard-Harmony-Bass-Gary-Willis/dp/0793560438 ) and also check out this video (it's split up into several parts):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u82A7ILPKHE

Hope this helps. Practice and lessons, though, are the main things.

steyr.caephus
07-01-2008, 09:36 PM
Appreciate it Dave. I know lessons make the difference and I will be planning for them when I have more time for sure.

Dave Muscato
07-01-2008, 09:41 PM
Glad to help :) Talkbass is also a good resource, if you don't have time for lessons :bassist: