Bass Guitar for Dummies vs Hal Leonard Bass Method (Complete Ed.)

Fretful · #1 03-22-2008, 08:57 AM

I basically know nothing about playing bass and want to start with a book before going on the search for an instructor. I'm looking for a book that is comprehensive as much as it is easy to understand.

Of these two books, which do you think is better for an absolute beginner? Please vote.

Orangeclawhamme · #2 03-22-2008, 09:15 AM

I voted for the Hal Leonard book because it is spiral bound and, therefore, will stay open to the page you are reading from. On the other hand, the "Dummies" book may have more tips on factors that do not involve playing the bass, e. g., selecting an instrument, caring for it, etc.. I just got the Leonard book yesterday and have not had the opportunity to get into it too much. I thumbed through the "Dummies" book at the book store.

I imagine that posters who actually know how to play will have much better insight into this than I do.

By the way, Amazon has a pretty good price for the Leonard book, probably any other ones, too.

sublime0bass · #3 03-22-2008, 09:21 AM

I don't care for hal leonard, or Mel Bay (the latter doesnt know how to hold a pick)

Dummies by Pfeiffer is an awesome book about becoming a well-rounded bass player

I use it as an autograph book

So far I have victor wooten, anthony wellington, and les claypool

redstrand · #4 03-22-2008, 09:23 AM

I got both...the more info the better.

The Hal Leonard book is the best cause it lays flat. Any book written by Friedland(sp) is great.

Fretful · #5 03-22-2008, 09:32 AM

Um, are there any other advantages to the Hal Leonard other than "it lays flat" or "open to the page you are reading from"? These are quite trivial, in my opinion.

I'm more interested in the book which provides better learning material to the beginner bassist.

dragoon419 · #6 03-22-2008, 09:36 AM

My vote is with the Dummies guide.

The Dummies series of books is very good, regardless of your subject of interest. Dummies for bass is well paced and comes with a cd to play along with. I'm not sure if the Hal Leonard has a cd, as I have never used it.

Fretful · #7 03-22-2008, 09:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dragoon419

I'm not sure if the Hal Leonard has a cd, as I have never used it.

I believe the Complete Edition comes with 3 CD's, as stated on Amazon.

kevinmoore73 · #8 03-22-2008, 09:44 AM

I have both, and if I had to pick one it would be the Hal Leonard book.

Fretful · #9 03-22-2008, 09:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kevinmoore73

I have both, and if I had to pick one it would be the Hal Leonard book.

Is there a particular reason why you would choose this over the other?

LowDown Hal · #10 03-22-2008, 09:57 AM

With an instructors help

We first used the Volume I of Hal Leonard. This taught notation and reading as well as some simple rythmn <sp?>.

From there we went to Rufus Reid's the Evolving Bassist. Which is introducing me to theory and the writing of bass lines while continuing to develop reading.

I don't know what comes next ????

jsmw · #11 03-22-2008, 10:05 AM

I vote for The Complete Idiot's Guide To Playing Bass Guitar, by David Hodge. Great endorsement from Dan Lakin on the cover.

kevinmoore73 · #12 03-22-2008, 10:06 AM

I like that the Hal Leonard book has more and longer "songs" in it, while the Dummies book just has short clips. I guess that's easier to do when the Hal book has three CDs and the Dummies book only has one.

I also prefer the order in which the material is presented in the Hal book better.

ProfGumby · #13 03-22-2008, 10:10 AM

As an aside....if you like the dummies book, or any book like it that is not spiral bound, you can take to someplace like CopyMax Or any printing place. They can cut the binding off and spiral bind any book for a small fee.

We used to do that all the time with music books, song books, prayer books and study bibles when I worked for OfficeMax...

Bassorama57 · #14 03-22-2008, 10:11 AM

I've never seen the Hal L. book, but I did review the Dummies & gave to my daughter as I'm overseas. It's got one CD - mostly the author on bass, with drum accompanyment for time keeping. I've always been satisfied with the Dummies series, regardless of topic - Wiley does a good job getting of not only an expert, but someone who can write an entertaining and informative book. If the book has a flaw, it's simply that it sorta goes too fast - starts from zero and has you doing fairly robust rock/jazz/funk lines by the end - eg, about a year or two's worth of work in a single book. It does provide side-by-side tabulature and real musical notion, but he has to move through the music theory stuff quickly. I'd get the Music Theory for Dummies as well to pair with it - so you understand the "why" - which is particularly useful for a bassist as often you're often just given chord progressions to work with.
Another cheap trick - and I always keep one of these in my pocket - is to get a "gripmaster" with the "rough riders" on it. Get the light tension - no matter how manly you are. The biggest impediment for the new student is callous build up - you can only play so long then your fingers blister. This little gem (about $14 from MF or any guitar shop) will give you something to do when you're away from your axe and really help your playing.

dulouz · #15 03-22-2008, 04:07 PM

I really like the Hal Leonard book. I have been teaching out of it for several years now. It is a very well rounded approach that is laid out in a logical pedagogical progression. Once you have gone through all three volumes you will have been exposed to several important concepts to bass, you will also have developed a solid foundation for reading.

phektus · #16 03-23-2008, 07:42 PM

I have both. Dummies book I like to skim and read over and over again, as reference. Hal Leonard I'd like to go over with one lesson at a time.

Infernal Affair · #17 03-24-2008, 10:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by phektus

I have both. Dummies book I like to skim and read over and over again, as reference. Hal Leonard I'd like to go over with one lesson at a time.

Totally. I also have both, and they compliment each other very well. The Dummies book is great for reference. Whenever I want to just look something up really quick I go to it. The Leonard book has more exercises to play and feels like it's teaching you step by step.

dlloyd · #18 03-24-2008, 12:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fretful

I basically know nothing about playing bass and want to start with a book before going on the search for an instructor. I'm looking for a book that is comprehensive as much as it is easy to understand.

Of these two books, which do you think is better for an absolute beginner? Please vote.

Quite honestly, don't wait to get an instructor. You will advance far more rapidly with a good teacher than you will by teaching yourself.

As far as the books go, they're both good, although the Dummies books are more aimed as reference. Get the Hal Leonard book first and supplement it with the Dummies book.

Fretful · #19 03-24-2008, 12:44 PM

I'm a bit concerned about the amount of content covered in the Hal Leonard book. It only has 144 pages of material vs 360 pages covered by the "For Dummies". In addition, I've seen sample pages of the book through Amazon Online Reader and it seemed very brief in it's wording. Yet, many are still recommending it over "Bass Guitar for Dummies".

Is there content the "Dummies" book is covering that the Hal Leonard has nothing of? Am I missing something?

Caimanson · #20 03-24-2008, 12:49 PM

I agree, get a good teacher first. Sure learn as much as you can before your first lesson, its a good idea anyway.

I got the Hal Leonard book a while ago, and found the 2nd and 3rd parts more useful since I wasn't a beginner. Good points about it is that the examples on the CD use existing musical styles and are never a bore. Definitely good for exposing you to the main bass styles out there from the beginning. It's a book that keeps things fun.

In my experience I've needed more than one book to understand certain topics, they're useful but no substitute for a real teacher.

I've yet to see a method book that beats a teacher when it comes to things like basic technique that you don't really see properly taught. Right and left hand muting, floating thumb...