Best books written by bassists

Charles Mingus - Beneath the Underdog.

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

 

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

 

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.

 

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.

 

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

 

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.

 

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-Shadows-Motown-Joe-Hunter/dp/B00008J2HC/ref=pd_bxgy_b_text_b


http://www.amazon.com/Standing-Shadows-Motown-Legendary-Jamerson/dp/0881888826/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1231863330&sr=1-1


http://www.amazon.com/Funkmasters-Great-James-Rhythm-Sections/dp/1576234436/ref=pd_sim_b_1

 

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.

 

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

 

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.)

 

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

 

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.

 

+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.

 

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

 

I like Barry Miles' Paul McCartney: Many Years From Now.
http://www.amazon.com/Paul-McCartne...bs_sr_4?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1232020357&sr=8-4
There's enough McCartney in there to make this feel like an autobio.

 

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

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

 

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