Loving the Ed Friedland Complete Method, but what's the next step?

Telamon · #1 09-21-2011, 08:00 AM

Alright, so I'm a newbie bassist, and I've had Ed Friedland's Complete Bass Method for about a month and a half. I adore it, and I think I'll be using it for a while, but I'm part-way through volume 3, so I guess it's time to start looking for further instruction.

I generally prefer books to DVDs, though I am considering getting Ed's Slap DVD, since it seems to be highly recommended. Other than that I'm looking for a book with general instruction, maybe with an emphasis on on improvising bass lines and keeping up with chord changes. Musically I see myself playing mainly rock, but I don't see any point in ignoring other styles at this point.

So, any suggestions?

macribas · #2 09-21-2011, 08:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Telamon

Alright, so I'm a newbie bassist, and I've had Ed Friedland's Complete Bass Method for about a month and a half. I adore it, and I think I'll be using it for a while, but I'm part-way through volume 3, so I guess it's time to start looking for further instruction.

I generally prefer books to DVDs, though I am considering getting Ed's Slap DVD, since it seems to be highly recommended. Other than that I'm looking for a book with general instruction, maybe with an emphasis on on improvising bass lines and keeping up with chord changes. Musically I see myself playing mainly rock, but I don't see any point in ignoring other styles at this point.

So, any suggestions?

I found myself in that same situation earlier this year, even considering the Slap DVD, and decided to continue my studies with his Building Walking Bass Lines book. It addresses directly the improvising and the chord changes. I also came from a rock background, and knew very little about jazz, and it has opened a lot of doors for me. Hope this helps.

MalcolmAmos · #3 09-21-2011, 12:26 PM

Yes the next step is how to use all that knowledge in a band situation. Best advise I could give is to look up a band and beg a spot. You gotta play with other musicians to understand how to use what you already know.

Good luck.

BobaFret · #4 09-21-2011, 12:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by macribas

I found myself in that same situation earlier this year, even considering the Slap DVD, and decided to continue my studies with his Building Walking Bass Lines book. It addresses directly the improvising and the chord changes. I also came from a rock background, and knew very little about jazz, and it has opened a lot of doors for me. Hope this helps.

+1 on the walking bass lines books. I have both of them and like how they are put together.

GypsyMan · #5 09-21-2011, 06:16 PM

That's the same book I've got, and I picked up

Amazon.com: More Easy Pop Bass Lines - Play the Bass Lines of 20 Pop and Rock Songs - Bass: Musical Instruments

Because I think it's the step progression. I was going to go through all the easy pop books(there's 3)

Telamon · #6 09-22-2011, 08:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MalcolmAmos

look up a band and beg a spot.

Poop, I was afraid someone would say that. Practicing alone in my room is so much less stressful!

Social anxiety aside, I have no idea where to even begin looking for such an opportunity, but I guess that's a question for another section of the forum.

The Walking Basslines book does seem extremely well-thought of, so maybe I'll look into that. And that song book is tempting too, mainly because Message In A Bottle was as responsible as any song for my buying a bass in the first place.

**Staccato** · #7 09-22-2011, 08:50 PM

Not sure how much you like to repeat material, but making 3 or more passes through all three vols. of his complete method
(in the next month or so) would be very beneficial.

edfriedland · #8 09-22-2011, 10:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Staccato

Not sure how much you like to repeat material, but making 3 or more passes through all three vols. of his complete method
(in the next month or so) would be very beneficial.

Now THAT is the best suggestion I've seen! Getting through the material is not a guarantee you've got it. Repeating it is a great way to reinforce what you learn.

Anyway, thanks for all the interest in my books, it makes me happy to know they are helping people.

AMp'D.2play · #9 09-23-2011, 05:03 PM

I'd meant to reply earlier, and since then both Staccato & ed stole my thunder. But here goes ...

I don't recall how quickly I progressed through the Bass Method book, but being on Volume 3 in a month-&-a-half might be pretty ambitious. Like ed has mentioned with his Building Walking Bass Lines book, you could probably blow through it in a weekend, but how much would you have really absorbed?

Go back to volume 1, and do the earlier exercises on different strings. Do the "G" string drills, but on the D string, or even the A string. Same for D and A string drills. On those exercises where ed has the notes tabbed out, play the songs elsewhere on the fretboard.

There's enough in those 3 volumes to keep you busy for a long time if you add variety.

Telamon · #10 09-23-2011, 06:01 PM

Thanks for all the comments, especially from you, Ed. I should clarify that I in no way intend to shelve the book when I get to the end. I've already worked through some of the earlier stuff again, and fooled around a little with alternate frettings.

The main reason I want a second book is just to have some new material to mix things up with. There's plenty of practice needed on the concepts from the Method Book, but I think I could handle some additional concepts as well.

velalv · #11 09-29-2011, 10:36 AM

Agreed, a month and a half to get halfway through volume three seems quick. I feel pathetic in comparison. I have been at the method for a year and a half (which I admit is pathetically slow) but I have also been working through the supplemental song books as noted by the other user, and learning songs for my church band, which I play in almost every sunday/.

The song books have helped me vary things up, and ensure mastery of the concepts Ed outlines in the method. I would recommend getting building bass lines, as others have suggested. There is also a Bass Theory book that has been helpful by Sean Malone.

bassinplace · #12 09-29-2011, 01:16 PM

After I finished the Ed Friedland method, I went to the Ed Friedland Blues Bass book and then What Duck Done. Worked out really well and was really fun to learn, especially the Duck Dunn book. I highly recommend them both.

bigboy_78 · #13 09-29-2011, 05:44 PM

Not really a learning type book, but I'd go for somehting like Bass Tab White Pages, or even just hitting the net to find some relatively accurate TAB.

There will probably be howls of protest about this - "use your ears, tabs are a cruth, notation rules yada, yada yada"

If you've manage to get to the end of Method Book 3, you should be able to read a bit of notation as not all the examples have TAB, know your way around the main chord types, have a strong understandong of rhythm and a basic knowledge to creat your own lines. You're officially a musician.

Now you need to learn to play some songs. IMO a fat book of TABS is going to be the fastest way for you to get them up and running.

Repertoire beats gun technique or theoretical knoweldge everytime.

Learn Tunes. Find Band. Play Tunes = Winning.

raul · #14 09-29-2011, 05:45 PM

wow, i have the Ed complete bass method book, just got finished with the section that would be Book 1!! yay! but, i do feel that reviewing all the time is best for now. need to make it as easy as speaking and understanding my main language, English, in a way...it's a great challenge! i love it. i want to get to the point where i can read more rnb, jazzy and funky stuff...SITSOM for sure, but i've got a way to go... Building Walking Basslines...the Duck book...the James Brown Funkmasters...etc...and all the other cool Ed Friedland books...tons to learn gotta take it a step at a time...