Essential bass books

Soverntear · #1 01-08-2010, 11:04 PM

Evening TB

So after going to 10+ bookstore to find slap it and finally ordering it at a music store. it got me thinking, what other bass books would you highly recommend?

Oric · #2 01-09-2010, 12:02 AM

Serious Electric Bass. It's some musical fiber. The exercises are infuriating, but if you stick at them, you will improve with your knowledge of the fretboard, scales, and chord tones. You do need to know how to read music (I wish I didn't have to say that, it's like suggesting a fiction novel and saying "you do need to know how to read though"), but it's really worth it. There's not much technique coverage in it either.

CDweller · #3 01-09-2010, 12:08 AM

Bach: Two Part Inventions for Piano

Play the bass (bass clef) parts- you'll get turned on to just how musical a bass can be.

Rudreax · #4 01-09-2010, 12:12 AM

It's not a bass book, but if you can read I'd suggest the Bach Cello suites transcribed for Trombone. If you get this, PLEASE follow the dynamic markings in the pieces, especially the prelude to the 1st (the piece everyone knows); simply playing it straight is not going to get you anything, and the piece sounds so much better if you following the markings.

Besides that, I'd suggest any etudes/studies book for trombone. It give you an idea of how to play melodically, and since trombone is in the same range as electric bass reading it won't be a problem.

This is all, of course, assuming you know how to read sheet music.

Jason Carota · #5 01-09-2010, 12:47 AM

Scott Hubbell's Fretboard Alchemy is an excellent book.

MisterV619 · #6 01-09-2010, 01:17 AM

If you enjoyed Slap It!, you'll really love the Anthony Vitti Slap books.
http://www.anthonyvitti.com/slapbassbible.html
http://www.anthonyvitti.com/slapbasssoloing.html

I liked the Vitti books better because I recognized some of the bass lines from songs I listen to.

z6e9n · #7 01-09-2010, 03:03 AM

Paul Westwood's Bass Bible

JimK · #8 01-09-2010, 06:22 AM

Standing In The Shadows Of Motown

Soverntear · #9 01-09-2010, 07:13 AM

great input guys, gonna have to check a couple of them out

also for new players
hal leonards bass method

Commreman · #10 01-09-2010, 07:44 AM

Look in the Jeff Berlin thread. A bunch of us have picked up Chord Studies for Electric Bass. It's very challenging, and pretty great!

mrnasty · #11 01-09-2010, 10:41 AM

Check out the "Bass Guitar Scale Manual" by Harvey Vinson, published by Amsco Publications. It shows in notation and tablature, scales and riffs, in open and closed positions, for major, minor, blues, sevenths and a few modes. Its an easy to use, easy to understand book that teaches you basic scale patterns that you can use every time you play.

CDweller · #12 01-09-2010, 11:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rudreax

It's not a bass book, but if you can read I'd suggest the Bach Cello suites transcribed for Trombone. If you get this, PLEASE follow the dynamic markings in the pieces, especially the prelude to the 1st (the piece everyone knows); simply playing it straight is not going to get you anything, and the piece sounds so much better if you following the markings.

Besides that, I'd suggest any etudes/studies book for trombone. It give you an idea of how to play melodically, and since trombone is in the same range as electric bass reading it won't be a problem.

Fantastic- getting this.

dalconthenovice · #13 01-10-2010, 11:23 AM

i also highly recommend "the evolving bassist"

it doesn't teach you to read bass cleff though and its mostly designed for double bass but still a great book to learn the fundamentals of jazz

chanson · #14 01-10-2010, 01:58 PM

Building Walking Bass Lines by Ed Friedland

CoffeeJanitor · #15 01-10-2010, 02:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimK

Standing In The Shadows Of Motown

QFT

MUST have.

Agreed for the Evolving Bassist also.

Eric Grossman · #16 01-10-2010, 02:31 PM

+1 for "Standing in the Shadows of Motown"!!!!!!!

pbass888 · #17 01-23-2010, 02:55 AM

the bottom line by todd coolman ...definative guide to the art of jazz bass

Toronto Bassist · #18 01-23-2010, 03:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dalconthenovice

i also highly recommend "the evolving bassist"

Seconding this

blowabs · #19 01-23-2010, 08:19 PM

thanks guys....i ordered the Bass Bible! ....time to learn....more.

fish bulb · #20 01-24-2010, 01:56 AM

Are there any books that have a bunch of fundamental bass lines for different styles? i.e. a few for rock, couple for jazz, some for swing etc.

The reason i ask is that there is a drum book that i got called "Groove Essentials" that does exactly that but for drums. I figure the fastest way to get better is to play various different styles so i'm getting better every time i play.