bass guitar for dummies

Holk · #1 12-30-2006, 06:29 PM

Hello,

Just wanted to get some input if anyone thought this book (bass guitar for dummies) is worth the purchase?

I'm a few months old as a player and starting to run out of ideas on how to progress and need a little guidence and thought a book might be useful.

Thanks in advance.

SBassman · #2 12-30-2006, 06:32 PM

I've looked at it. It's not bad, but I think you can do better.

Check out the
David Overthrow Electric Bass series, published by the National Guitar Workshop.

I think it's excellent.

vcs700s · #3 12-30-2006, 06:56 PM

My wife bought it for me for Christmas. It has an audio CD with it. So far I am impressed. I would recommend it. Lots of info.

metalbass777 · #4 12-30-2006, 07:43 PM

I have this book and it is very good. Don't let the name fool you. It's got 300+ pages of useful info. I highly recommend it!

tjh · #5 12-30-2006, 08:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Holk

Hello,

Just wanted to get some input if anyone thought this book (bass guitar for dummies) is worth the purchase?

I'm a few months old as a player and starting to run out of ideas on how to progress and need a little guidence and thought a book might be useful.

Thanks in advance.

I reccomend it often ... bought it cheap on Ebay and it was worth every penny, if not several times what I paid for it ... it was written with me in mind ... and that scares me ... dont thnk its a cakewalk, or just for beginners ... I will be going back through it again, after I finish "The Complete Idiots Guide to Playing Bass Guitar" ... paid a lot more for this book, all of the price of one lesson ... cant go wrong with either, if you learn one thing you didnt know, its worth it ... but if you are new, you will not only learn a LOT, a lot will be over your head to grow into ... JOFOF (just an opinion from an old fart)

JAUQO III-X · #6 12-30-2006, 09:00 PM

Here's another very informative book for beginning Bassists.

http://www.amazon.com/Complete-Idiot.../dp/1592573118

ALiP BoB · #7 12-30-2006, 09:19 PM

Complete Idiots Guide Playing Bass Guitar vs Bass Guitar For Dummies vs David Overthrow Electric Bass series.

Who wins. Heard good things about the dummies and Overthrow books all over Talkbass. For COMPLETE beginners.

JAUQO III-X · #8 12-30-2006, 09:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ALiP BoB

Complete Idiots Guide Playing Bass Guitar vs Bass Guitar For Dummies vs David Overthrow Electric Bass series.

Who wins. Heard good things about the dummies and Overthrow books all over Talkbass. For COMPLETE beginners.

Well The Complete Idiot's Guide to Playing Bass Guitar
by David Hodge

was just released a few months ago.(and we all know how long Bass Guitar For Dummies by David Overthrow have been around) I have checked both books out(I have a copy of Hodges book in my house at this moment) and they both would be perfect for any one wanting to learn about the Bass guitar.

arbarnhart · #9 12-30-2006, 09:54 PM

"Dummies" has become a brand that people look for and it sells well so the publisher can go after some of the better authors for a given subject. They have a format that works that they ask the authors to follow. They approached me about a book on a software development tool a few years ago so I got a little insight into how they do things. I passed on it because there was no way I could put in the amount of effort they required in the allotted time. Don't let the name fool you; they have high standards.

JAUQO III-X · #10 12-30-2006, 10:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by arbarnhart

"Dummies" has become a brand that people look for and it sells well so the publisher can go after some of the better authors for a given subject. They have a format that works that they ask the authors to follow. They approached me about a book on a software development tool a few years ago so I got a little insight into how they do things. I passed on it because there was no way I could put in the amount of effort they required in the allotted time. Don't let the name fool you; they have high standards.

Exactly.

SBassman · #11 12-30-2006, 10:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ALiP BoB

Complete Idiots Guide Playing Bass Guitar vs Bass Guitar For Dummies vs David Overthrow Electric Bass series.

Who wins. Heard good things about the dummies and Overthrow books all over Talkbass. For COMPLETE beginners.

After the first book, the Overthrow series is beyond Beginner. There are 3 books - Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced, and by the end of the series it really does present a very good, concise yet effective tour through bass playing.

I have looked at lots of materials over the years, and many are good, and many have at least Portions that are good, but pound for pound, I really think the Overthrow series is among the best out there. Very complete and very effective.

JAUQO III-X · #12 12-30-2006, 10:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SBassman

I have looked at lots of materials over the years, and many are good, and many have at least Portions that are good, but pound for pound, I really think the Overthrow series is among the best out there. Very complete and very effective.

Have you had a chance to check out The Complete Idiots Guide to Playing Bass ?(and no I'm not being sarcastic)

RareBear · #13 12-30-2006, 10:31 PM

I'm holding off for Bass Guitar for Total Knuckle-dragging Morons.

SBassman · #14 12-30-2006, 10:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JAUQO III-X

Have you had a chance to check out Complete Idiots Guide Playing Bass Guitar ?(and no I'm not being sarcastic)

Not yet.

tjh · #15 12-31-2006, 12:10 AM

as mentioned, I have both ... and have been through Dummies (<--ME) once ... and am 3/4 of way through Idiots (<--- ME AGAIN) ... I have found some flaws in Idiots, such as incorrect note/chords, and some illustrations referred to that are not present, etc ... but it is still very informative ... bottom line ... I would get them both, AND the Overthrow Series (I will put that on my list after Idiots) ... but I would do it in the same order that I did ... Dummies, Idiots, then ?? ... I am not exaggerating how much Dummies helped me ... I am not a beginner, in fact I first played over 35 years ago, but took almost 30 years off after that ... I never took the time to learn anything other than the songs I needed to learn for a touring band back then ... now I am 'Dummying' up and doing it right ...

... look at the price of each book as the price of one lesson ... you will have 2 VERY long lessons, with ability to go back over and over at your own pace ...

Holk · #16 12-31-2006, 06:17 AM

wow, post a thread - go to sleep - wake up - reap the great advice

Thanks a bunch for the great answers, you convinced me and I've just now placed an order for the book.

Greatly appreciated!

Pruitt · #17 01-02-2007, 01:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SBassman

I've looked at it. It's not bad, but I think you can do better.

Check out the
David Overthrow Electric Bass series, published by the National Guitar Workshop.

I think it's excellent.

Bass Guitar for Dummies is an excellent reference book. Mr Pfieffer did a great job with it!

I have all of Dave Overthrows series of books (there are 8 in all at this time, I believe). They are all very good. He has also started releasing DVD's of them recently. I've taken lessons from him off and on over the years. He's a great guy, teacher and an excellent bassist! He definitely gets my recommendation also.

charles92027 · #18 01-02-2007, 11:07 PM

You can always request it at your local library - if you want to try before you buy. If they don't have it they can request it from other libraries. The CD is sometimes missing, but not always.

azathoth · #19 01-03-2007, 10:41 AM

Dave Overthrow all the way.

I've used his books and he's quite good.

Holk · #20 01-03-2007, 11:56 AM

quick question purely out of curiousity as I've already ordered and it's on it's way.

how is the book structured? Is it for example in lesson-format or maybe sections like chords-section and scale-section and so on?