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DB player looking for BG books/courses to learn ideal BG fingering methods

K

kittyboy

Supporting Member
Sep 27, 2005
1,619
160
SF Bay Area
#1
I've studied DB technique for years w/master teachers, and am now looking to improve my BG technique.

I've played BG on and off for decades in rock bands mostly, but now want to start playing jazz on BG at a high level. My DB technique won't transfer over so well bc I want to play 1finger/1fret, which is a whole different animal from DB technique.

I'd be grateful for suggestions on technique instruction methods, especially ones that are jazz/harmony oriented--I'd like to develop technique while also developing my ear via arpeggios etc. Put another way--I'm looking for technique instruction that simultaneously develops ear training as well. I already have a thorough understanding of harmony (jazz vet for many years), but would like to expand my ear training as I refine my BG technique.

I'm open to any media--books, video courses, etc.

Thanks!
 
#3
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#4
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#5
Bass Aerobics By John Liebman contains musical exercises for working on fingering, but I do not know if it is 100% one finger per fret.
Bass Fitness By Josquin des Pres contains unmusical exercises for all permutations of one finger per fret, which you could probably write yourself with a little thought.

It is worth noting that exclusive 1 finger per fret is not ideal technique. Many of the greats use both URB fingering as well, especially in the lower frets.
 
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#6
kittyboy said:
I've studied DB technique for years w/master teachers, and am now looking to improve my BG technique.

I've played BG on and off for decades in rock bands mostly, but now want to start playing jazz on BG at a high level. My DB technique won't transfer over so well bc I want to play 1finger/1fret, which is a whole different animal from DB technique.

I'd be grateful for suggestions on technique instruction methods, especially ones that are jazz/harmony oriented--I'd like to develop technique while also developing my ear via arpeggios etc. Put another way--I'm looking for technique instruction that simultaneously develops ear training as well. I already have a thorough understanding of harmony (jazz vet for many years), but would like to expand my ear training as I refine my BG technique.

I'm open to any media--books, video courses, etc.

Thanks!
Click to expand...

TECHNIQUE 101 – EBOOK/PDF VERSION - Technique - BassBooks.com
 
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#7
mambo4 said:
...Bass Fitness By Josquin des Pres contains unmusical exercises for all permutations of one finger per fret, which you could probably write yourself with a little thought.
Click to expand...
I have this book and I use it every single day as a warm-up. I'm not of the mind that absolutely everything you do has to be "musical", since in this case you're only working on technique and string skipping and you can get your musicality elsewhere. In general I'm a big fan of writing my own exercises but I don't think that's necessary in this case. It's like a $10 book so why bother? Writing this stuff out yourself isn't going to get you anything.
 
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#8
Thank you for the book suggestion

mambo4 said:
It is worth noting that exclusive 1 finger per fret is not ideal technique. Many of the greats use both URB fingering as well, especially in the lower frets.
Click to expand...

Yes...I've switched to short-scale BG exclusively so that 1234 can be comfortable in all positions. Lowest positions weren't always comfortable on 34" w/my hand size....maybe if you've got Stanley Clarke fingers. But 30" is pretty chill for me
 
#9
kittyboy said:
Thanks for your reply, JimK. That is indeed an *awesome* book of transcriptions. But I'm looking for technique instruction that explains ideal fingerings for scales/arpeggios etc

(I changed the title of my thread to reflect that I'm specifically looking for instruction on fingerings)
Click to expand...
I'm not sure there are "ideal fingerings" for scales/arpeggios on the EB. :)

Also, for years, I wished I had hands like Stanley Clarke...then there's Vic Wooten. Made me rethink some elements of physics. :)
 
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#12
kittyboy said:
I would say that the fingering that allows you to play a line/solo/idea with the least strain & exertion is the "ideal" fingering....but maybe that's just me :rolleyes:
Click to expand...

When it comes to your own ideas, or transcribing someone else's, fingerings are something you generally figure out for yourself. I don't always agree with the suggested fingerings found in instructional books. But I get where you're coming from.

The book I posted has a lot of suggested fingerings and I really think it's what you are looking for since you already have facility with performing music.
 
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#13
Spin Doctor said:
When it comes to your own ideas, or transcribing someone else's, fingerings are something you generally figure out for yourself. I don't always agree with the suggested fingerings found in instructional books. But I get where you're coming from.

The book I posted has a lot of suggested fingerings and I really think it's what you are looking for since you already have facility with performing music.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the rec--I'm planning on ordering the book you recommended, just debating whether to order hard-copy or digital

As far as "ideal" fingerings go, maybe a better term would be "state of the art" ?

For instance, DB players studied Simandl for decades (and still do) but when the Rabbath method came out most virtuosi (in my orbit at least) started moving all their students to it. After having studied Simandl I switched to Rabbath and agreed that it was a demonstrably more efficient/effective approach

I'm basically asking about the BG equivalent of that. A book that most explains the best ways to efficiently shift & finger scales and arpeggios. Once that's under my fingers enough then I won't think about fingerings any more, and will just play :)

Thanks again for the rec
 
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#15
kittyboy said:
Thanks for the rec--I'm planning on ordering the book you recommended, just debating whether to order hard-copy or digital

As far as "ideal" fingerings go, maybe a better term would be "state of the art" ?

For instance, DB players studied Simandl for decades (and still do) but when the Rabbath method came out most virtuosi (in my orbit at least) started moving all their students to it. After having studied Simandl I switched to Rabbath and agreed that it was a demonstrably more efficient/effective approach

I'm basically asking about the BG equivalent of that. A book that most explains the best ways to efficiently shift & finger scales and arpeggios. Once that's under my fingers enough then I won't think about fingerings any more, and will just play :)

Thanks again for the rec
Click to expand...
I don't think electric bass has any real established pedagogy. You just have to find the one that works for you. And just for the record I prefer buying hard copies because I like to write in them.
 
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#18
Spin Doctor said:
I didn't know you had a book on technique. I do have your Groove 101 and I think it's an excellent book. It has seriously helped my time feel
Click to expand...
Wow thank you so much and I'm glad to hear that !!

Yes I did post it above and that is why I have that tag on my name now. They kind of forced me to become a com. user.
 

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