Best beginners bass theory book?

[The1bassist06]

Im looking to really start learning theory. I wanna be able to write my own basslines and solos and be a overall good bassists.

A little info. Ive played for about 3-4 years. I know 0% theory. I can play some pretty technical songs but this does not help me at all as far as writing my own stuff.

When I was at guitar center yesterday, right before I was leaving I picked up a bass theory book and was looking through it and reading the first couple pages of it and I had no idea of what anything they were talking about(I think it was for more advanced players). So Ide like a book that will explain the stuff to me pretty good and not just briefly. And I would also like a book that had it written in tablature and sheet music.

[1dgbass]

I have bass guitar for dummies. For me it was a great place to start. Leaned alot. Eases you into the process very painlessly. I also have piano for dummies. Check out amazon. You might be able to get it for like $5.00.

Peece.

[The1bassist06]

Originally Posted by 1dgbass

I have bass guitar for dummies. For me it was a great place to start. Leaned alot. Eases you into the process very painlessly. I also have piano for dummies. Check out amazon. You might be able to get it for like $5.00.

Peece.

Erm..I typically dont like those books Any other suggestions. Does Hal Leondard got any good beginner bass theory books? I got some Hal Leondard funk tabs books and there awsome

[Want a 9]

You might try the book "Music Theory for Dummies". It seems like a pretty decent book to me. I bought a copy last year.

It covers music theory in a more general sense: for example it covers theory about chord construction on guitar, which the basics still apply to bass, piano, etc. It discusses the development/comstruction of the major and minor scale patterns. Scales are important for bassist also. It discusses counting time, time signatures, tempos.

More importantly for you it discusses song writing even to the basics of creating an entire symphony for horns, wood winds, stringed instruments, bass, etc.

When I took bass lessons my teacher told me the best thing I could to understand how bass fits in the song with other instruments was to learn how to play piano. Well I haven't taken piano lessons yet and it's been more than 15 years since then, but now I wish I had of learned piano. If you understand how music fits together on the piano you can apply it to many different instruments.

Heck learn to play simple songs on guitar and even that will help you with your bass playing.

Oh learning scales and modes will allow you to understand what you are playing when you do play fairly technical basslines and solos.

I started out on bass and have really only played the bass. I can say though I have realized how much stuff I am missing out on by not being able to play guitar or piano. That is my two cents worth of input.

NOTE: I do refer to the guitar and piano chord diagrams every now and then to visualize they way a certain chord is built and where each note falls with in a chord. Remeber a bassist can play the root note of a chord, the 3rd note of a chord, the 5th note of a chord, or even a note that isn't in the chord at all and the bass note will still fit in the context of the song.

[macribas]

A very pragmatic approach is Ed Friedland's Bass Method:
http://www.amazon.com/Leonard-Bass-M...5603798&sr=1-1
There is a thread praising it here:
Massive big-up to Ed Friedland's bass method
Especially if you already play, this is the book for learning theory as it applies to the bass. The reason why it is so good for what you're looking for is that it does not throw a lot of theory concepts at you. You go learning piece by piece and the concepts are introduced as they make sense into what you're learning. I am now able to sight read bass music thanks to this book. It only talks about tabs in the middle of the second book. Tabs make you lazy, in my point of view. Get this book.

[Steady Eddie]

Mentioned this book many times before on similar threads:

Theory for the Contemporary Bassist by Tracy Walton

Great book.

[tobie]

Originally Posted by Want a 9

You might try the book "Music Theory for Dummies".

I was going to suggest something similar - a straightforward theory book, regardless of instrument. Once you understand that (it really does not take that long - you don't want to do your masters in theory) then you apply it to the bass.

Understanding chord structures is an excellent start and there are a gazillion books and websites that offer more than what you need.

[ryano]

Edly's Music Theory for Practical People is a great theory book IMO. Not bass specific.

http://www.edly.com/mtfpp.html

[tobie]

I've started with Mel Bay's Theory & Harmony for Everyone years ago (http://www.melbay.com/contents.asp?P...q=&r=&s=&next=) - excellent choice!

You might also want to check this thread: Theory book geared towards the bass guitar.

[MalcolmAmos]

IMO the basic fundamentals of music theory is where we should start then apply that to our instrument.

If you would like a bare bone dirt simple theory approach to music. Help yourself to the following.
http://www.ibreathemusic.com/forums/...ad.php?t=11975

Study theory a little each day on top of what you are doing now.

Have fun.

[jmac]

I highly recommend this book: Harmony and Theory: A Comprehensive Source for All Musicians

http://www.amazon.com/Harmony-Theory...9027333&sr=8-1

If you do purchase this book I also recommend getting a book of staff paper. Then you can complete the lessons in the book of staff paper; instead of marking up the lesson book. That way you can complete lessons more than once.

[Staccato]

Originally Posted by macribas

A very pragmatic approach is Ed Friedland's Bass Method:
http://www.amazon.com/Leonard-Bass-M...5603798&sr=1-1
There is a thread praising it here:
Massive big-up to Ed Friedland's bass method
Especially if you already play, this is the book for learning theory as it applies to the bass. The reason why it is so good for what you're looking for is that it does not throw a lot of theory concepts at you. You go learning piece by piece and the concepts are introduced as they make sense into what you're learning. I am now able to sight read bass music thanks to this book. It only talks about tabs in the middle of the second book. Tabs make you lazy, in my point of view. Get this book.

+1

Started into the 'complete' edition w/ 3 CD's in the last two weeks! It's a good 'un.

[Droot]

Originally Posted by The1bassist06

Erm..I typically dont like those books Any other suggestions. Does Hal Leondard got any good beginner bass theory books? I got some Hal Leondard funk tabs books and there awsome

Although others may already have pointed this out, and if so I say +1, the Dummies book is by far the best money spent for a bass book in this man's humble opinion. If I could only have one book this would be the one (I have hundreds).

Droot

[251]

Originally Posted by ryano

Edly's Music Theory for Practical People is a great theory book IMO. Not bass specific.

http://www.edly.com/mtfpp.html

+1.

[AddictedtoBass]

Originally Posted by The1bassist06

Erm..I typically dont like those books Any other suggestions. Does Hal Leondard got any good beginner bass theory books? I got some Hal Leondard funk tabs books and there awsome

I have the Hal Leonard book listed here. http://www.amazon.com/Leonard-Bass-M.../dp/0793563836
It is books 1,2 and 3 combined and the price is right. It is the book my instructor uses for my lessons, and I have found it to be pretty comprehensive.

Also, check out this website. http://www.studybass.com/ He has lessons on theory etc... on there. I thought the website was pretty good.