Best books written by bassists

[ccrnnr9]

I don't know the best forum for this so if it is the wrong forum please let me know.

That being said, I am a big fan of autobiographies and when I started playing guitar I really got into reading autobiographies written on guitar players who I admire or whose music strikes me. Because I am hanging up the guitar for awhile in order to focus on bass I am looking for some autobiographies by some bassists. I prefer no metal bassists (sorry...just not my thing). I am currently reading Phil Lesh's autobio and it is good thus far (only on the 1st chapter).

Do any of you guys have some suggestions? Perhaps someone you would like to see write an auto?
~Nick

[Les Izmor]

Charles Mingus - Beneath the Underdog.

One of the greatest musicians of all time. Very good book.

[ccrnnr9]

Wow that looks like an awesome book. According to amazon it looks as if he has another too called "Charles Mingus-More Than a Fake Book". I can't tell from the description whether it is actually by him or he is credited as author since it is a collection of some of his works and explanations behind them. I'm going with the latter.
~Nick

[bryan bailey]

Claypool wrote a novel, but I have yet to read it.

[FreaqyFrequency]

I'm sure you were expecting a bazillion references to this book before you created this thread, but I heartily recommend The Music Lesson: A Spiritual Search for Growth through Music by Victor Lemonte Wooten. A year after reading it, and I'm still referring back to it for ways to improve on my musicality.

[ccrnnr9]

Is it more of a musical guide or an autobiography or what? I prefer to read autobiographies however I am up for whatever.
~Nick

[spade2you]

There was a dude who wrote a book about surviving in NY. LOL, I don't know too many bassist books. You'd think we were drummers or something.

[Honk'n_down-low]

Originally Posted by ccrnnr9

I don't know the best forum for this so if it is the wrong forum please let me know.

That being said, I am a big fan of autobiographies and when I started playing guitar I really got into reading autobiographies written on guitar players who I admire or whose music strikes me. Because I am hanging up the guitar for awhile in order to focus on bass I am looking for some autobiographies by some bassists. I prefer no metal bassists (sorry...just not my thing). I am currently reading Phil Lesh's autobio and it is good thus far (only on the 1st chapter).

Do any of you guys have some suggestions? Perhaps someone you would like to see write an auto?
~Nick

Bill Milkowski The Extraordinary and Tragic Life of Jaco Pastorius - there is some other info at the link below. Milkowski revised and updated the original release of his book so be sure you are getting the current one.

http://www.jacopastorius.com/biography/life.asp

[Mr. Pickles]

Sting's autobiography, Broken Music, was decent. I'm a fan and I found it interesting. Not sure if it would appeal to non-fans, though.

[JohnnyPustular]

Dr. Lick's books on Motown and on James Brown's rhythm section. Biography + musical guide to some of the best bass playing ever.


http://www.amazon.com/Standing-Shado..._bxgy_b_text_b


http://www.amazon.com/Standing-Shado...1863330&sr=1-1


http://www.amazon.com/Funkmasters-Gr...ref=pd_sim_b_1

[Calebmundy]

Originally Posted by Mr. Pickles

Sting's autobiography, Broken Music, was decent. I'm a fan and I found it interesting. Not sure if it would appeal to non-fans, though.

I thought this was a good read, but the facts were clearly laid out from his perspective, which seems obvious in an autobiography, but I suspect that many of the events and details listed would not line up with other people's accounts of what happened.

[FreaqyFrequency]

Originally Posted by ccrnnr9

Is it more of a musical guide or an autobiography or what? I prefer to read autobiographies however I am up for whatever.
~Nick

It's a lot of both. It's really a treasure to read if you ever find the time.

[Against Will]

Originally Posted by Les Izmor

Charles Mingus - Beneath the Underdog.

One of the greatest musicians of all time. Very good book.

Double +1. Great Book.

To digress for a moment; Mingus' biography "Myself when I am Real" by Gene Santoro is a great biography of Mingus and makes a good companion to "Underdog" (because, you know, he made a lot of it up.)

[Jazz Ad]

The description of his times in Mexico is epic. What a bragger.
Check Tony Levin's Beyond the Bass Clef.

[Rune Bivrin]

Bruce Thomas of The Attractions (Elvis Costello's backing band) has written The Big Wheel, and the sequel On the Road... Again. I haven't read them, but have heard they are quite well written.

[tZer]

Originally Posted by FreaqyFrequency

I'm sure you were expecting a bazillion references to this book before you created this thread, but I heartily recommend The Music Lesson: A Spiritual Search for Growth through Music by Victor Lemonte Wooten. A year after reading it, and I'm still referring back to it for ways to improve on my musicality.

+1

The guitar player in my band got it for me after his guitar teacher/fellow band mate got it for him. I then read it and got it for another guitar player/percussionist in our and the guy who got it for me also go one from another guitar player in our band (Yes, we have a lot of guitar players in our band) and have recommended it to a number of other players I know - players of all instruments.

Imagine being in a band where almost everyone in it has read and really digs that book! Doors open up!

I love the way he opens up the idea of "letting go" and "getting out of your own way" when it comes to music.

"Remember, you're always only one half step from a 'good note'" - best little tidbit of info I've gotten in a LONG time.

[Kimpini]

I second "The Music Lesson". Great book. I also agree with Sting's autobiography, "Broken Music"

[JimK]

I like Barry Miles' Paul McCartney: Many Years From Now.
http://www.amazon.com/Paul-McCartney...2020357&sr=8-4
There's enough McCartney in there to make this feel like an autobio.

[jdieh1]

Nikki Sixx's "The Heroin Diaries". I love it

Some of you may say that he is a metal bassist but come on, seriously?

[armywalaby]

Les Claypool's book is a fiction novel about fishing or something...dunno if it would give you much insight on playing bass.