Beginner books

[Steve Freides]

Hi - first time poster here, semi-regular on the upright bass side. Brief background - guitar play since the early '60's, electric bass player since the early 70's, doctoral degree in music and former college music theory teacher (Mannes College in NYC, Bergen Community College in NJ). I teach guitar mostly, but some upright and some electric bass and a few other instruments as well.

I'd like to know what people like for beginner method books. I've use a couple they use in schools, e.g., Standard of Excellence, and they're OK but they're band focused - you learn to play in flat keys early on because that's what you need to play along with all those Bb band instruments.

I've not been happy with the Mel Bay method book - fingerings are weird. The Hal Leonard is OK but it's got lots of accidentals early on, not my first choice. I don't feel much in need of material that teaches how to play from lead sheets - I do that on my own, but I do feel the need of something basic and simple to teach reading notes on every string to a beginner.

Thanks in advance for your replies.

-S-

 

[MalcolmAmos]

Something simple - A New Tune A Day for Bass Guitar - Book 1 by Steve Kershaw. It's all standard notation. The portion on how to read standard notation is short and to the point and does start with E, A, D, G or what to play on each string.

I liked the wording (Ed's way of writing) and the flow of information in Ed Friedland's Building Walking Bass Lines. Standard notation, with chord tones (R-3-5-8) shown under the clef was a nice touch, IMO.

The flow of information in Bass for Dummies also impressed me. I am a graph person (visual learner) and what was shown in Dummies was some of the best, again IMO.

 

[bottomzone]

I can't recommend Bass Guitar for Dummies enough!!!

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A Groove is a Terrible Thing to Waste!

 

[Steve Freides]

I can't recommend Bass Guitar for Dummies enough!!!

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A Groove is a Terrible Thing to Waste!

I looked at this - doesn't look like what I'm looking for. This is lots of patterns and finger diagrams, and I'm looking for music reading, an electric bass book in the same way you'd find a beginning book for, say, clarinet or the violin.

-S-

 

[Chrispurchase]

I've bee using this book and to teach from and like it: http://books.google.co.nz/books?id=...page&q=the serious electric bass book&f=false

 

[Steve Freides]

I've bee using this book and to teach from and like it: http://books.google.co.nz/books?id=...page&q=the serious electric bass book&f=false

I got an error message and couldn't see anything.

-S-

 

[Jaerid]

I got an error message and couldn't see anything.

-S-

http://books.google.co.nz/books?id=...page&q=the serious electric bass book&f=false

 

[Steve Freides]

Thanks for the link. And definitely not what I'm looking for.

I'm looking for Mary Had A Little Lamb on the G string of an electric bass, in the G, A and B only version (no D). Something that's for a true beginner who wants to learn to read music on their instrument.

-S-

 

[MalcolmAmos]

You mentioned violin, easy beginner fiddle folk/mountain music books may offer what you are looking for.

 

[Steve Freides]

Yeah, but in the treble clef.

-S-

 

[morris33333]

As you have plenty of musical background, I bet you'd get a lot from Carol Kaye's Bass DVD Course -- I'm certainly getting tons from it (Invalid Link Removed)

All notation, no Tab. She has a _lot_ to say. Though the first few chapters feel simplistic, that changes altogether later in the DVD!

Roam her website -- there's a lot of good info, an extensive set of playing tips, etc.

 

[Ed Fuqua]

http://www.shermusic.com/new/1883217636.shtml

 

[tjh]

FWIW, I found Bass Guitar for Dummies very helpful, and it filled in a lot of gaps that I had skipped over when I first played many, many years ago ... and then when I picked it back up after 30+ years away, it was what I needed ... however, I am not sure that it is something I would recommend to a beginning student, I find it was more useful once someone has a bit of time behind them, struggled a bit, and has come to the realization that they need a bit more structure and understanding ... if that makes sense ??

 

[Steve Freides]

http://www.shermusic.com/new/1883217636.shtml

Lesson 5, which is given as a sample, talks about C minor scale - that sounds way more advanced than what I'm looking for. But I thank you for taking the time to post the link for me.

-S-

 

[Steve Freides]

Folks, I thank you for all the interesting links, but these are all still more advanced than I'm looking for. I haven't tried the Dummies book - I will see if they have it in stock at the local Barnes and Noble.

Many thanks for all the responses.

-S-

 

[LiamPodmore]

I can't recommend Bass Guitar for Dummies enough!!!

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I agree, totally. I love that book.

Liam

 

[AMp'D.2play]

Hal Leonard Bass Method - Complete Edition (with play-along CDs) -- by Ed Friedland

I couldn't even answer the TB Search spambot question (EADG) when I was starting out playing bass. Is that beginner enough for ya?!

http://www.amazon.com/Leonard-Bass-Method-Easy-Use/dp/0793563836

 

[Punk Rock Jason]

My first book was "The Complete Electric Bass Guitar Player - Book 1" by Chuck Rainey. I have no idea if there ever was a book two, but this is all notation, simple melodies (ie Row, Row, Row Your Boat) and beginning scales.

Might fit what you're looking for.

Here's the Amazon link

 

[Steve Freides]

The Hal Leonard book is my current favorite. Thanks for the amazon.com link - will try to order this tomorrow.

-S-

 

[Sam Hain]

I highly suggest this book....

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