Hal Leonard Bass Method

erikro · #1 01-02-2009, 04:48 PM

Anyone have this book? Thoughts? I just bought it based on Amazon reviews. I akso like the fact that it doesnt use much tab.

http://www.amazon.com/Leonard-Bass-M.../dp/0793563836

I also bought the 'Best of the Police for bass' which is tab. I have read that it is pretty accurate.

Thanks,
Erik

cb56 · #2 01-02-2009, 05:00 PM

Yep, anything by Ed Friedland is good stuff. I bought the complete (vol.1,2,3) edition just to brush up on my reading. Been playing by ear for decades but needed to get my reading back up to speed. It's pretty simple stuff but fun to play along with the cds. I also bought his walking bass book which is a bit more advanced and then bought these sightreading books which are also fairly challenging (not by Ed)

Yankeesfan1115 · #3 01-02-2009, 05:33 PM

keep in mind though that that book is really aimed at beginner-beginners
at the time i got it i was about 10 months into playing and it was a bit behind me
just my $0.02

rickm · #4 01-02-2009, 06:58 PM

I am currently in the Hal Leonard Bass Method book 2 of 3 by Ed Friedland. You can get it as a complete book, but my teacher gets them individually with the CD's.
I have looked through some other books, but these are excellent for beginners to intermediate players. They work especially well when combined with a live instructor like I am doing.

DoomandHeavy · #5 01-02-2009, 09:51 PM

The book is really good when your starting, with all the proper technique and playing tips. But i thought it got boring after awhile.

mwiles30 · #6 01-02-2009, 10:00 PM

The Hal Leonard book is pretty good, and Ed Friedland is a great educator, but like others have said, they are most valuable for beginners.

I prefer the Mel Bay Electric Bass Method:

It has no tab at all, which I favor when I teach students.

mwiles30 · #7 01-02-2009, 10:02 PM

Sorry, major hyperlink fail.

I'm feeling lazy, so instead of a link, I'll describe: it's a yellow book with a natural finished single-pickup bass on the front that says "MEL BAY's Electric Bass Method"

reidar otto · #8 01-03-2009, 06:07 AM

here is the link:
http://www.melbay.com/product.asp?ProductID=932345CD

MadMan118 · #9 01-03-2009, 04:53 PM

Its a good book defiantly a good place to get started, especially for learning sheet music right off the bat. It tends to get a bit dry and a was distracted by Ed's purple Carvin several times while he was trying to explain box shapes.

edfriedland · #10 01-04-2009, 10:25 AM

Thanks for the nice comments about the HL Bass Method. Book 1 is most definitely designed for beginners, but by the time you progress to Book 3, you're dealing with syncopated 16th notes, so it certainly gets challenging too. Book 3 also teaches you how to construct your own bass lines, something no other method attempts.

Thanks again

Ed

mwiles30 · #11 01-04-2009, 10:31 AM

Ed Friedland posts here? Sweet!

Just wanted to say I really dig the seeming endless amount of columns you've been putting out for all of the magazines over the years.

edfriedland · #12 01-04-2009, 10:53 AM

Thanks!

COOL AND DEADLY · #13 01-04-2009, 11:06 AM

Wow, I have your book, "Playing Reggae Bass." It was instrumental in my development. I especially like that the riddims are all actual reggae standards in the right key, rather than a generic reggae interpretation. I also learned "I'll take you There" from you on Youtube too. Thank you!

edfriedland · #14 01-04-2009, 11:19 AM

Thanks for picking up the book. I'm still amazed at how many people have watched that youtube video. I'm sure it's due to my "weed" gag in the middle...

donc1234 · #15 01-04-2009, 08:25 PM

Ed,

That is neat that you post here.

I got my first bass for Christmas along with the Hal Leonard method books (vol 1-3). I was wondering if I could ask you a question...

Before Christmas, I was doing some reading. I had come to the conclusion that the one finger per fret "rule" was the way to go. When I got your book, I noticed you teach the 1-2-4 mechanism along with a one position shift.

I seem to have small hands and they don't like to stretch like I need to reach all 4 frets with one finger per fret. I did some more reading and saw that there is a big discussion whenever this topic is raised on talkbass. I looked ahead a bit and you do mention the one finger per fret later in the book.

I have been thinking and in my opinion the ideal solution is to learn both methods and use the 1-2-4 if I don't need to reach 4 frets or if I am near the end of the neck. The major and minor scale patterns seem to cover 4 frets which would make the one finger per fret more useful for scales/chords. Maybe I could learn the 1-2-4 and shift while also doing the one finger per fret exercises to try to stretch my fingers.

So, as a beginner what do you recommend? Should I learn the 1-2-4 and shift as stated in your book and then practice my finger stretching or should I just go ahead and learn one finger per fret? I would like to learn both but I don't want to overload my brain/fingers while trying to learn bass.

BTW, with practice will I eventually be able to put my left finger on the correct fret without looking?

Thanks,

Don

Honk'n_down-low · #16 01-04-2009, 08:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by edfriedland

Thanks for picking up the book. I'm still amazed at how many people have watched that youtube video. I'm sure it's due to my "weed" gag in the middle...

I have several of your books and I really like you reviews on youtube.

By the way, the Green Lakland with the Darkstars is really nice - love to see a review of that. Are you planning on doing anything targeted at the 6 String Player? There is not a lot for someone using a 6 that I could find - not that stuff written for 4 does not apply - just something written for and taking into consideration the additional range would be cool!

A.Diva · #17 01-04-2009, 10:25 PM

Wow, how cool that Mr. Friedland posts here.

I also picked up this book. As a total beginner, I am struggling with the finger stretching, but overall I really enjoy the instruction.

**heading off to YouTube

Okay, been to YouTube. All hopes of getting to bed on time are dashed.

**RedsFan75** · #18 01-05-2009, 06:13 AM

Hey Ed, Thanks for posting here.

Your YouTube Review of the Yamaha RBX4A2 prompted me to buy one!

jimmy rocket · #19 01-05-2009, 06:48 AM

I just started this book with my current student and it's great. He was a total beginner (well, he had attempted lessons before w/ a different teacher but to no avail) and he's doing great with the HL book. Ed, what I like most is the structure of the book and the way new concepts are introduced only when they're needed. Because everyone learns differently, teaching an instrument can be a sort of disorganized affair, but the HL book has a good progression for the beginner (or the person who has played bass forever but has finally decided to learn to read music).

Anyway, just my $.02, but I'll definitely be using the next two books with my students as well.

daffy · #20 01-05-2009, 06:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by donc1234

So, as a beginner what do you recommend? Should I learn the 1-2-4 and shift as stated in your book and then practice my finger stretching or should I just go ahead and learn one finger per fret? I would like to learn both but I don't want to overload my brain/fingers while trying to learn bass.

While I don't presume to put words in Ed's mouth, I have used this book for both learning and teaching and think it's fantastic.

The answer is to stick with the book - Ed starts teaching 1-2-4 and as you progress he introduces OFPF. He also explains that it may be more comfortable to use 1-2-4 in the lower positions and switch as you get higher up the neck.

So basically you were right on the money!!