bass guitar for dummies

[62Walnut]

I started here with a search for the Dummies book. This is from having seen it in shops and being impressed by the content, as much as my limited knowledge can take into account anyway.

Secondly, I've just read a great interview with the author on another site and this gives a little more insight into the book and its ideas.

http://bassplaying.com/?q=node/47

I'm now going to check out the Overthrow series, as recommended by SBassman and others. It sounds good. If it's now being produced in DVD format, that would be a great help too. Sometimes, rading, or hearing, or even both is not enough, you have to actually see something for it to make sense.

Walnut

[ALiP BoB]

I'ma gonna add one more book that really Intrigued me when I was browsing through a local Music store.

http://www.amazon.com/First-Bass-Ult...4389779&sr=1-1

What do you guys think?
I don't know but there's a quote by Steve Bailey at the back praising the book
http://www.amazon.com/gp/reader/0879...22#reader-link
Read it. (Press the right arrow a few times to view the back page)

Edit: The Dave Overthrow book's contents page seems to have a lot of content covered.

[Flintc]

I've been getting quite a lot out of Patrick Pfeiffer's book (Bass Guitar for Dummies). It moves fairly quickly, and tends to read so easy that I keep realizing I can't play what I just sort of coasted past in the last few pages, so I have to keep going back.

The writing is clear and easy to understand, but the message is always the same: Drill, drill, drill. Put in the time. Don't avoid what you're having trouble with. Can't read sheet music? Get a bunch of sheet music and read it until it's so memorized you're not reading it anymore. Then get new sheet music. Don't know all the notes in every chord? Start with majors, then minors, then dominants, then diminished, then augmented. Then do it over and over again. Don't know your scale forms (major scales starting with index, second, and fourth fingers)? Pick a song you know and play it using all three scale forms, everywhere on the neck you can put it. Locked into a key because you rely on any open strings? Figure out how to eliminate opens, then play that piece at every fret as far up the neck as you can.

A book can present this stuff, and make it clear enough so that you know if you're doing what the author intends. And if it's well presented, your practice time is spent more efficiently. But you can't become competent by reading a book.

[MarkMyWordsXx]

if you really dont know anything about bass its probablty worth it. it jumps from really basic stuff to musical notation, so if you cant read your sol in some parts. i cant remember if theres tab in it too but i remember feeling like it skipped around alot

[jbirdfl]

A couple of things "Dummies" had which I liked (and which I didn't see mentioned here) are that the music is presented in all formats (not just notes or tablature), and that examples of MANY styles are presented for reference. This was very handy for expanding my musical knowledge and exposure to what different styles are out there.

[tjh]

Originally Posted by jbirdfl

A couple of things "Dummies" had which I liked (and which I didn't see mentioned here) are that the music is presented in all formats (not just notes or tablature), and that examples of MANY styles are presented for reference. This was very handy for expanding my musical knowledge and exposure to what different styles are out there.

Complete Idiots Guide ... does this as well ... just enough to give me the basic flavor of each, and make me dangerous ... FWIW, I just picked up Complete Idiots Guide to MUSIC THEORY ... just a quick browse through so far, but it too looks like a winner ... on a side note, I just pulled out BGFD for a brush up pass ... it will be interesting to see what I forgot, and how I have progressed from going through it several months back

[Joe Nerve]

I bought the book because a few years back a took a few lessons from Patrick Pfiefer. I shopped around here for a teacher for a while, and thought he was the best even though at the time I was looking for a bargain and he was one of the most expensive. I felt I really got my money's worth for the 3 or 4 lessons I took. He also called me from time to time with gig referrels.

Haven't really checked the book out (even though I have it) because it seemed real beginnerish, but knowing what I know of Patrick I don't think it can be anything other than top notch.

Thanks for reminding me I've got it, I might as well read the dang thing now.

[Dsmalls]

I borrowed it from the library and I didn't really care for it. I've been playing for 7 or 8 years and the content was too cookie-cutter and basic for me. For a beginner, maybe it's good, I don't know. I didn't care for the riffs that were on the CD.

IMO, if you want a complete bass method for a beginner/intermediate/advanced, check out The Complete Electric Bass Method by David Overthrow. Better riffs, better music theory, better everything. All of course, IMO.

[ALiP BoB]

Originally Posted by Dsmalls

IMO, if you want a complete bass method for a beginner/intermediate/advanced, check out The Complete Electric Bass Method by David Overthrow. Better riffs, better music theory, better everything. All of course, IMO.

Ok, so that's one vote for Dave Overthrow. Anybody else?

[fearceol]

Originally Posted by Dsmalls

the content was too cookie-cutter and basic for me. For a beginner, maybe it's good, I don't know.

I assume, as the title suggests that this is exactly the type of person it is meant for.

[Steve Harris Is]

Originally Posted by Joe Nerve

I bought the book because a few years back a took a few lessons from Patrick Pfiefer.

I too have taken a couple lessons from him and he's a GREAT teacher and just an all around awesome guy with an infectious personality(and a classic accent!).

The book is the best for beginners and intermediates in my opinion and although I am playing more 6 string guitar of late I plan on taking another lesson from Pat in NYC soon.

Buy the book!