beginner theory book recommendation...

[joey232]

hi there!

i'm about to start playing bass guitar (4 strings). I know a lot about harmony and note reading stuff because I already play the piano...

So what I'd need is rather a lot of technique instruction of how to play basic rock and pop bass... the easy stuff, no jazz or slap or so on....

Can you recommend any theory books that are good?

Thx!!

[Asher S]

My all time favorite general instruction book is The Total Jazz Bassist by David Overthrow And Tim Ferguson. It comes with a CD of example/practice tracks. Very clear explanations of a lot of important theory, much of which is relevant for rock/blues (I know you wrote "no jazz").

[pearcey]

The Jazz Theory Book by Mark Levine is excellent. My bass teacher says it is considered to be the reference book for theory in his college. A little bit piano-oriented, and it gets a bit complex but I can't imagine a better book about any subject.

Also a Jazz book despite what you said. If you play piano tho and know a lot about harmony, a basic rock and pop theory book would be a bit simple for you I think.

[SSINTENSE]

Well I think the question is how advanced are you at playing piano? If you know about harmonizing across the scale of the piano and know all the modal patterns then yea a basic rock pop book will be useless to you.

On top of what the above posters said, I would also recommend Serious Electric Bass by Joel Di Barteolo.

http://www.amazon.com/Serious-Electr.../dp/1576238830

It helped me considerably with my ability to harmonize and broke that habit of only looking at one section of the bass when playing a certain chord but looking at the fretboard as a whole.

[WhiteKong]

this is my summary of this topic so far.

Topic creator: "Whats a simple theory book about basic rock & pop, no jazz or slap."

other posters: "Try this college level jazz book, it's a bit complicated."

[Grank]

Basic ... I started from nothing and found Bass for Dummies was a good start ... but it maybe too basic for you as I had no theory experience at all and didn't rerally know what a bass was ....

It covered
- basic theory - which you probably already know
- selecting a bass - which you have already done
- basic bass care - which would probably be covered in your manual
- two finger, thumb on pickup technique which someone could show you or would be on YouTube I guess.

reading that it may actually not be what you want after all ....

[Nabby]

Eh, Bass for Dummies helps a good bit for theory/making grooves. You can just skip a few chapters though, they're nothing but bad bass puns, and just the bas(s)ics(haw haw) for people who still pronounce bass as the fish. I'd say go get it from a library, but not so much buy it.

[SSINTENSE]

@WhiteKong: Well I mean the guy IS asking for a theory book. The first thing I learned about theory was in Bass Guitar for Dummies a few years ago but knowing that he played piano and can harmonize that is probably going to be really monotonous once he gets the hang of the technique. Just sayin.

[Bulltrout]

Originally Posted by Asher S

My all time favorite general instruction book is The Total Jazz Bassist by David Overthrow And Tim Ferguson. It comes with a CD of example/practice tracks. Very clear explanations of a lot of important theory, much of which is relevant for rock/blues (I know you wrote "no jazz").

That's one of my favourites as well. Excellent book.

[jonster]

Joey232,

Your piano background will definitely be a big plus with your bass playing (or any other instrument you ever decide to explore). Let me know if I can be of any help with the transition. Feel free to send me an e-mail or check out my website. Good luck!

Jon Liebman
www.JonLiebman.com

[Timlr]

+1 on any David Overthrow. I came to bass theory from a limited knowledge of chord structure from piano and was able to teach myself through the use of his books. Particularly the "Beginning/Intermediate/Mastering Bass Guitar" series.

[kb9wyz]

I would say for what you're looking for that there isn't a book that is really gonna do what you want. I mean the "easy" stuff is really push down on string, pluck, repeat. As for proper muting of the other strings, and for plucking technique, just search the threads. And practice. A bunch.

Then download every Beatles song ever played on the radio. Listen to the basslines. You are now an expert on basic rock & pop basslines.

[kb9wyz]

Oh, and don't dis on the jazz. Simple jazz improv technique will get you very far in rock and pop. Just stay away from the chromatics and you'll be fine.

[Shooter McGavin]

Another vote here for "The Total Jazz Bassist" by David Overthrow!