investment in music theory books

[Mr. BassmanPT]

i am considering making an investment in some music books for electric bass because i do not have any. i already had lessons so i have scales / theory with me, just not in book form.

first of all, i am not a beginner, i already have knowledge so i am not looking at introductory books at all. i want to be better and if a solo is needed, i want to be able to improvise one, better than what i am able to do now. i have a tendency to solo mainly in blues and i want to go beyond this.

i admit i am not a good reader, although with practice i can make it better.

having that said, i want to know if there are suggestions or if i buy these books i will be happy:

The Total Jazz Bassist: A Fun and Comprehensive Overview of Jazz Bass Playing
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Total-Jazz-B...d=3G7BPKAZ5DC8

The Total Funk Bassist: A Fun and Comprehensive Overview of Funk Bass Playing
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Total-Funk-B...d=3G7BPKAZ5DC8

the first book, i read here in TB that is very good. the second one, funk is from the same author so i thought of buying it too. what do you think of those 2 books for a start?

i also found out other books that might be of interest but i would like to know what you have to say in these choices:

Fingerboard Harmony for Bass
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Fingerboard-...d=3G7BPKAZ5DC8

101 Bass Tips
http://www.amazon.co.uk/101-Bass-Tip...d=3G7BPKAZ5DC8

Bass Improvisation
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Bass-Improvi...d=3G7BPKAZ5DC8

The Jazz Bass Book: Technique and Tradition
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Jazz-Bass-Bo...d=3G7BPKAZ5DC8

Expanding Walking Bass Lines
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Expanding-Wa...d=3G7BPKAZ5DC8

Bass Bible: A World History of Styles and Techniques
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Bass-Bible-H...d=3G7BPKAZ5DC8

i am not looking to be the next jaco, i only want to expand my knowledge and i am going to need a guide, which i expect to find with these books.

what is your say in this?

regards

[devilock76]

General Theory books (not just Bass derived) would be good.

Not a recommendation as it is very expensive, but this has been a curriculum standard at many institutions:

http://www.amazon.com/Elementary-Har.../dp/0137755031

If you got a local county college that has a music theory course, see if you can enroll, the course will help and you should be able to get lesson materials like the above book with a sizable student discount. All depends really if you work best in a teacher classroom environment or independent study, of course.

Ken

[Mr. BassmanPT]

i forgot to mention in the first post.

i do not have much spare time to get lessons again. so if i get a book i can study "afterhours", this is the main reason i am looking for quality books.

that general theory book is applied to every instrument? i might prefer a specific orientated bass book because i might get lost in there. but thanks for pointing that out.

[kraigo]

I agree with devilock76: If you want theory, go with theory books, not specialized bass books. It all translates and you undoubtedly know how to translate it to the fingerboard.

devilock76: Thanks for the link above. That is an expensive book, isn't it? I'll have to check the used book stores.

KO

[progrmr]

The reviews of the Elementary Harmony book are pretty negative and talk about many errors being in the book - be careful if you're ordering it, sounds like nearly every assignment has an error. NOT good for a student without a teacher in tow.

[KimblesNimble]

Not sure how much guitar/piano you're into but I still refer to this one for bass study:

Mick Goodrick's Almanac of Guitar Voice Leading Vol. 1

http://www.mrgoodchord.com/newSite/catalog.html

Excellent easy to follow book, a life time of study in there.

[Mr. BassmanPT]

maybe i didn't explain myself in the best way. i want theory but i want a book that is aimed at bassists specifically.

not that i do not need these theory books, i am sure they are very good but i am not a professional musician and therefore i do not have much free time to study. i love music and want to get better and i believe i may get more out of a bass orientated book. i really want electric bass oriented books otherwise i may get thrown off, remember i am going to study by myself, alone.

sorry if i explained myself in a wrong way at first.

that being said, and looking at those books i listed, what do you think? are those books any good? are there better alternatives (bass orientated?)

regards

[devilock76]

Yeah like I said I don't recommend it but it is a standard used in course work. I actually have a very old edition of it somewhere in my library. If I didn't have it from years ago I wouldn't go out and buy it, not at those prices.

To the OP, ever thought of an online college course. I bet you could take a music theory course like that. It might help.

Ken

[devilock76]

Theory is theory and if you really want to learn it you need to remove the instrument from the equation.

That being said a general theory book will encompass more and in the spectrum of things have more long term usability.

Not saying that those bass theory books are not comprehensive, just saying I can't recommend a book based on a direction I would not recommend. Sorry.

Ken

[refbassist]

if you are willing to look at Expanding walking bass lines it's recommended to look at this first, it's part one ,really great books..
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Building-Wal...d_bxgy_b_img_b

[TIMD]

Originally Posted by cmaranhao

maybe i didn't explain myself in the best way. i want theory but i want a book that is aimed at bassists specifically.

not that i do not need these theory books, i am sure they are very good but i am not a professional musician and therefore i do not have much free time to study. i love music and want to get better and i believe i may get more out of a bass orientated book. i really want electric bass oriented books otherwise i may get thrown off, remember i am going to study by myself, alone.

sorry if i explained myself in a wrong way at first.

that being said, and looking at those books i listed, what do you think? are those books any good? are there better alternatives (bass orientated?)

regards

When I first started playing I bought tons of bass related books and found most beginner books had pretty much the same info and left out allot of important information out. I decided to buy some general music theory books on a whim and wow what a difference. I really wish someone would have told me to do this from the get go, I would suggest buying a college level intro to music theory text book with cd's or online examples. This will help with reading, help your understanding chords, have good ear training exercises, plus a ton of other great stuff. Don't be intimidated by a college text book it will put you light years ahead of most beginners in no time at all.

[Mr. BassmanPT]

Originally Posted by refbassist

if you are willing to look at Expanding walking bass lines it's recommended to look at this first, it's part one ,really great books..
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Building-Wal...d_bxgy_b_img_b

hey, thanks, walking bass is something i am totally into! i already had a complement to this book in my amazon wishlist, this one was also added. thanks mate.

do you have it? what can you tell me more about these book series?

Originally Posted by TIMD

When I first started playing I bought tons of bass related books and found most beginner books had pretty much the same info and left out allot of important information out. I decided to buy some general music theory books on a whim and wow what a difference. I really wish someone would have told me to do this from the get go, I would suggest buying a college level intro to music theory text book with cd's or online examples. This will help with reading, help your understanding chords, have good ear training exercises, plus a ton of other great stuff. Don't be intimidated by a college text book it will put you light years ahead of most beginners in no time at all.

i understand what you are saying. but i am afraid i will buy such books and get an overflow of information. besides, i am more excited with the idea of, for example, buying a book with walking bass lines as a focus. there is a hige difference between these books.

the ones you are suggesting are for everything and i do not have the time needed to nail them. on the other hand, if a book is designed for bass players, i think it will be much easier for me to get absorbed.

you are probably thinking "this guy says he wants to learn and now he says he does not want to learn by the "real" books"..

it is not that, i can be wrong but i think i will learn more if the book is orientated for bass. but i do not have any books so i might be wrong!

Originally Posted by devilock76

Theory is theory and if you really want to learn it you need to remove the instrument from the equation.

That being said a general theory book will encompass more and in the spectrum of things have more long term usability.

Not saying that those bass theory books are not comprehensive, just saying I can't recommend a book based on a direction I would not recommend. Sorry.

Ken

i understand. you are putting me in a dilemma. but i do not have the time to put towards these books. if i had i would take lessons instead! that is why i am asking for bass only books.

Originally Posted by devilock76

Yeah like I said I don't recommend it but it is a standard used in course work. I actually have a very old edition of it somewhere in my library. If I didn't have it from years ago I wouldn't go out and buy it, not at those prices.

To the OP, ever thought of an online college course. I bet you could take a music theory course like that. It might help.

Ken

are those courses worth it? never tried anything similar.. between those courses and bass only books, where can i learn more?

and thanks to all of you, at first it might seem i do not want to accept your advices about theory books but i am afraid i may get thrown off with the amount of information. and like i said, i am way more excited with the idea of walking bass lines, bass solo'ing, slapping, etc. things that can only be found with bass books (correct me if i am wrong)

to sum, bass only related stuff. hence the bass only books.

[Mr. BassmanPT]

does this silence mean no one agrees with me?

(bump)

[refbassist]

Originally Posted by cmaranhao

hey, thanks, walking bass is something i am totally into! i already had a complement to this book in my amazon wishlist, this one was also added. thanks mate.

do you have it? what can you tell me more about these book series

Yes I do Have it, it covers basic reading and walking bass line from different prospectives all i can say it's a must have!

[Mr. BassmanPT]

Originally Posted by refbassist

Yes I do Have it, it covers basic reading and walking bass line from different prospectives all i can say it's a must have!

sounds like a must buy then. i have some knowledge in walking bass already but i will buy this book then! thanks for your comment.

anyone else wants to share some experience with us?

[Mr. BassmanPT]

bump

[Richard Lindsey]

Originally Posted by cmaranhao

does this silence mean no one agrees with me?

(bump)

Well, I certainly don't agree with you. You're getting good advice as far as I can see; you're just refusing to take it.

If you're at all serious about your instrument, you'll find out that you are not actually in the business of playing bass. You are in the business of playing music, and bass is just the tool you choose to accomplish this. Therefore, learning about music is more fundamentally important than confining yourself to "Bass World."