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Hal Leonard book opinions

crikker

crikker

Yooper
Sep 25, 2004
308
82
Oak Creek, WI
#1
I'm looking at buying Hal Leonards Electric Bass Method. This one has Books 1,2 and 3 all in one with 3 cd's. I've seen some folks here recommend them. If you have any of the books, do they have notation along with TAB? I'm trying to learn reading but I still need TAB to fall back on. Are they worth it? This set I found is 24.95.
 
#2
Yes it does have the tab and yes I think that it's worth it.

I suppose it depends upon what level you're at now, but it starts very basic 'this is a bass, this is called the neck' type stuff and goes up to using triads and intervals.

It's quite well written and covers just about everything you'll need for a while if you're new to a bass.

If you're just looking for something to teach you a specific skill such as how to read there's probably better more specialised books such as Simplified Sight Reading (Bass Builders) amongst others. (see the sticky at the top).
 
#3
Do yourself a favor and buy Mel Bay's "Note Reading Studies For Bass" and pay that evil tablature in the Hal Leonard books no mind. You'll be doing yourself a huge favor by learning how to read music while learning the information in the other books.
 
#4
Tab is actually kinda funny.. cause no other instrument besides guitar and bass uses it. (besides drums) If you are serious about learning your instrument learn music notation instead. Like that dude said! Tabs are evil, and are for people who want the easy way out..
Now.. I think you should get the complete set of the 3. Either that or get a good instructor for 3 for 4 lessons. The instructor will cost more. But if you really drive yourself you can push yourself past those books within a couple months.
 
#5
I think HL books are increidble.. but then again... my dad is VP.

their funk books really helped me develop some solid "basic" funk techiniques.

as far as tab goes... if you already know music notation, then the books will help you learn the bass. but the tabs dont help... and you will only get so much out from reading tabs all the time.
 
#6
If you want to develop into a truly musical bass player, remember to also include lots of listening in your "practice".

I'm amazed at the number of aspiring musicians who fail to work regularly at developing an ear for music - they don't make focused listening part of their practice regiment.

I'm not knocking the HL books - in fact I recently ordered a bass book myself (101 Tips ...).

However, I still spend a lot of time critically listening to bass lines (and drum parts!) from recordings and have worked exhaustively for decades to figure out exactly what's being played on numerous songs.

These skills are great to have and, for the most part, cannot be gleaned from a book. They must be experienced (kind of like learning to shoot a basketball well).

Hope I don't come across as negative, but I think some people go in the wrong direction. They work at playing bass for years, yet when they're asked to learn a new song from a recording, they have little skill to do so - they haven't developed their ears.

Good luck.
 

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