Best book to buy

bigchad64 · #1 05-25-2007, 09:25 PM

I have been playing by ear for 18 years. (I feel like I'm at confessional). I'm comfortable with a bass in my hand, but really want to grow in my understanding of Chords, modes, putting lines together, etc. I've never learned how to read music and know very little theory. I'm sure I've developed bad habits that need to be broken to grow further.

Any suggestions for resources to learn more about bass playing?

**Freddels** · #2 05-26-2007, 05:30 AM

I can't say enough good things about Ed Friedland's books. I'd suggest getting the method books. You can get all 3 bundled together as one.

http://www.amazon.com/Leonard-Bass-M...0178743&sr=8-2

ColoradoBass · #3 05-26-2007, 07:43 AM

+1 on Ed Friedlands stuff.. and his slap bass dvd http://www.musicdispatch.com/item_de...?itemid=320322
is very good as well.

I also like Bass Guitar for Dummies.
http://www.dummies.com/WileyCDA/Dumm...t-HOBBIES.html
The book breaks things like scales and chords and modes down in a very easy to understand manner using standard notation, tab and diagrams. Its also very easy to read and moves along in a linear fashion with each chapter building on the last.

trasser · #4 05-26-2007, 09:14 AM

"Unleash the f'in burgers" by Yngwie Malmsteen.
Sorry, couldn't resist

+1 on Ed Friedland from me as well

DocBop · #5 05-26-2007, 10:49 AM

There are so many books that cover that info hard to say. I would say might be worth a few lessons. I think the key for someone like you is to start relating the theory to the basslines and songs you know already. Too many book are written for beginners on bass and that isn't you. You already have the ear, now you mainly need to start putting labels on what you hear.

BassWombat · #6 05-26-2007, 03:48 PM

+1 on the Bass For Dummies book. While there is a lot of very basic stuff, the "dummies" approach to scales/modes (as ColoradoBass described) was really helpful for me.

For me instruction books are a bit like music: they can have all the content in the right place, but unless they talk to you in a way that works for you then you're wasting your time.

I've never really had a good look at Ed Friedland's stuff - sounds like I should