A question about "Complete Jazz Bass Method" by Earl Gately

[bass4art]

Okay, I have a question

A couple of years ago, I bought Mel Nay's Complete Jazz Bass Method,

I have dabbled out of it since, when I sit down and practice my electric bass. But now I am thinking about going through and really pick away at it again, and get some of the the principles behind the concepts of the book. It is very similiar to the Simandl Bass Method for Upright Bass.

And Yes, I do practice my electric bass with Simandle, I just change the fingering in that book to fit more in electric playing as well.

So you know my background, I started music lessons when I was eight years with my grandmother on Piano, played othr instruments since then. I had played Classical Guitar and for those who had seen my post on this forum I also play Upright Bass.

A few years ago, I had taken electric bass lessons with a local teachers to help me get more into playing jazz. Now thos is what has happened since I last posted on this forum.

I had a major accident with my Upright Bass, so in the interum I started to practice my eletric bass again. And now I am realizing as a Bassist, I shoud be able to play both eletric and upright basses well.

And plus avoiding major repair bills with the Upright Bass any more, I am going to start playing my eletrci bass more and more out there in public when I have a gig, instead of risking any more damage to my Upright Bass.

And I did have at one time an Eletric Upright Bass, but I did not like it has much as the regu;ar Upright Bass and Electric Bass Guitar.

So now I am going to work on the eletric bass playing, and what ever I do on the bas guitar, I can easily transfer that over to the upright bass if I do use it. Just have to adjust some tachnique to the stuff on the Upright Bass.

[JTE]

And what is the question?

[bass4art]

my qestion was has anyone used this book, without getting ready to throw it out the window?

[Anonymatt]

I have this book. I don't think the progression is that smooth for a beginner, but it might be alright if you have plenty of material around to supplement. That's the kind of thing teachers are good at.

What jazz players do you like?

[WYWH73]

I see this thread was from some time ago, but thought I would throw my two cents in anyway, in case someone may see it again. I started studying with Earl when I was in eighth grade through graduating from College. He was a great teacher and his books have proven to be invaluable throughout my musical career. It is no surprise that his teaching method resembles the Simandl Method. Earl's classical teaching was centered around the Simandl one and two books. Coincidentally, Earl studied with Stuart Sankey (editor of the Simandl book and teacher of Gary Carr and Edgar Meyer) for a short period. Earl's teaching changed my life. Not only musically, but philosophically. Although he was a christian, he was a firm believer in the Buddhist eight fold path. Some of my greatest memories are mowing his lawn, cutting wood with him, and drinking coffee with him and his wife Ruth. He was a true genius while being a common man who was down to earth. Do yourself a favor and keep those books and revisit them from time to time. As you grow musically the contents of his books will make more sense. No method or book is all encompassing. Some of Earl's recommendations were Simandl one and two, Dan Hearle's Books, Slonimsky's thesaurus of scales and melodic patterns, Mark Mortons Books, and the Standard classical repertoire audition excerpts. Although Earl did not have a degree, he taught at three Universities. As I stated before, Earl was the Man!!

Keep Jammin' Man,
Adam Kimbrell