The indispensable music books thread.

[Benjamin Strange]

I'm not sure if something like this has been done on TB: a list of music books that should be in every TBers library. I know I need to expand my musical knowledge, and I find sitting down for a few hours with a good music book makes a HUGE difference in my playing. I'd like to know what books TBers have been using or have used that were/are crucial to their development as a player.

I can't think of a better book to start with than this:



Note Reading Studies for Bass, by Arnold Evans - published by Mel Bay. Before getting this book, I couldn't read in bass clef to save my life - now I feel like I sight read pretty well, and now I can actually use all the other books that will come after. It's a great book for beginners or for bassists that don't read music. Get it - it will change your life.

[Otso]

This is like a slap&pop bass version of Kreutzer's violin etude collection.

[Benjamin Strange]

Once you get good at reading, I think this is indispensable:



This one really forced you to think outside of the typical bass box. If you master this book there is simply nothing you won't be able to play.

[Benjamin Strange]

Man... I thought this thread would be HUGE by now. I guess people aren't into reading much...

Here's another that must be in every bassist's library:

[SuperDuck]

Isn't that what this thread at the top of the GI forum is there for?

Book list for GI Theory Links

[Dave Muscato]

Thanks for this thread! I've been searching and searching for a good sight-reading book to help me get started in F clef... I've been playing guitar for ten years +, went to a summer program at Berklee, daily sight-reading classical guitar studies, etc... but I haven't been able to find anything good for F clef.

I did find a book from Berklee Press, called "Reading Contemporary Electric Bass," which mostly focusing on rhythms and sight-reading in different genres, like Funk, Pop, Standards, etc. It's decent, but I want something more basic, that starts slowly.

I ordered the book in the OP. Thanks again!

Dave

[Dave Muscato]

I also have this book, which focuses on rhythm reading. It's really for drummers, but it's EXCELLENT... Highly recommended, especially if you play any sort of funk:

http://www.amazon.com/Mel-Bay-Sight-...8593132&sr=1-6

Also, check out http://www.bassbooks.com - a website devoted entirely to this topic.


Does anybody know anything about this book?


http://www.bassbooks.com/shopping/shopexd.asp?id=340

David Motto's "Essential Sightreading Studies for Electric Bass." This is Volume 1; they also have 2 & 3 available.

- Dave

[Benjamin Strange]

Originally Posted by SuperDuck

Isn't that what this thread at the top of the GI forum is there for?

Book list for GI Theory Links

There's a GI forum? D'oh!

[Snarf]

Carol Kaye has some great collections of her own bass lines. I felt pretty good when I was able to look at one of her tunes and read it down almost immediately. REALLY good for developing sight reading in idioms that use 16th note syncopations and pentatonic runs. For more scalar and arpeggio reading, get into some etudes and find some Bach cello suites.

[evan_phi]

Norton Anthology of Western Music Scores

[Aaron Saunders]

An amazingly in-depth book on soloing in a jazz idiom:


Great method book for both beginning upright bass players and jazz bass players (bg or upright):

[CamMcIntyre]

Wow, i've already got nearly all the books posted. Similar to the Bird Omnibook, i'd recommend a copy of the real book-5th or 6th edition works. I own 2 copies-a 5th in bass clef and a 6th in treble. For me, being fluent in treble and bass clef [while actually playing the bass] is vital.

Ed Friedland put out a nice bass grooves book that shows examples of lines in a wide variety of styles. It's pretty good.

In most of the method books-they include theory, but i'd highly recommend a Jerry Coker or David Baker book on jazz theory. It applies to more than just jazz.

[James Hart]

2 of the best books I've worked through are from Scott Hubble

http://www.scotthubbell.com/book.htm






Close behind is Michael Dimin's "C.O.R.E. Method".

http://www.michaeldimin.com

no mention of it in his estore, but in the forums he gives ordering info.

[cronker]

This one is very commprehensive.