Hal Leonard vs Dummies Bass Method Books

[Sephiroth 420]

I'm a guitar player looking to give bass a try. I know intermediate music theory and have overcome most of the physical aspects of playing strings, I'm just looking for a book to go through and learn good bass technique and all that other useful stuff. Which book would be a better resource for my situation?

 

[dreamadream99]

The Hal Leonard bass method by Ed Friedland is arguably the best selling bass method of all time. Ed is also a long-standing member and frequent contributor to these forums.

 

[MalcolmAmos]

Both have value. Ed's book is a must have and IMO goes deeper than Dummies, however, Dummies will get you started with how to hold the monster, how to tune it, the basic dirt simple stuff you need to know.

I use the patterns I found in Dummies to this day. So, I recommend you buy both and start with Dummies, but, I also recommend you be looking at Ed's book before completing Dummies. Ed's book gave me scale degree numbers, i.e. R-5-8-5 and that helped me understand what notes, and why those notes could be use in a bass line. Ed has a knack for putting words together so we understand what he is saying.

So --- get both and work from both.

 

[fearceol]

get both and work from both.

Plus one to the above.

The Hal Leonard book comes in a spiral edition containing volumes 1-3. Money well spent IMO.

Both books have their merits and will keep you busy for quite some time.

 

[Buzz E]

Hal teaches you how to play, while Patrick's Dummies is more about theory and the "why" as you play.

I agree that both should be on your music stand.

 

[MalcolmAmos]

………...The Hal Leonard book comes in a spiral edition containing volumes 1-3. Money well spent IMO.

Yes to spiral bound. Why? The pages lay flat on your music stand. Any print shop can take any of your old non-spiral bound books and for less than $20 put in a spiral backing. As fearceol says; money well spent.

 

[ttp]

Have to agree, I have both and use them both, but have learned more so far from Ed's book.

 

[munkeyfish]

Glad I happen upon this thread. Already have for dummies, just primed Ed's book. Gonna be a great weekend.

 

[GastonD]

Ed's book also teaches reading as an integral part of the whole thing, which is not the case with the Dummies. Still, I like 'em both, as the latter may be a bit easier to jump around if you want to use it as a reference book to pick and chose from.

 

[consectaneus]

Ed's book got me started on reading. Even after completing it I have it on my music stand right now and choose random exercises just to brush up every day. It's one of the best instructional books I've ever had.

 

[Sephiroth 420]

Here's what I'm picking up:

Dummies has much better basic information for the true beginner of bass.

E'd book is more reputable and has better non-basic information.

I hear conflicting information as to which one has better theory information (which is kinda my thing).

 

[fearceol]

which one has better theory information (which is kinda my thing).

If it's just theory you're after, then download the link in the first post here :

Music Theory Book - Free Download

 

[Sephiroth 420]

If it's just theory you're after, then download the link in the first post here :

Music Theory Book - Free Download

Keep in mind I'm pretty much a beginner at bass. I'm looking for something that has the basics for me to learn and enough information to be a sustaining reference of theory. I plan to play in a jazz ensemble and maybe (interestingly enough) a marching band, so I'll need to have a good amount of theory knowledge (don't have to be a complete expert though).

 

[fearceol]

Keep in mind I'm pretty much a beginner at bass. I'm looking for something that has the basics for me to learn and enough information to be a sustaining reference of theory. I plan to play in a jazz ensemble and maybe (interestingly enough) a marching band, so I'll need to have a good amount of theory knowledge (don't have to be a complete expert though).

What's wrong with getting the TWO books ? They are worth the investment. Or, as you are a beginner, start with the Dummies book, work through it, and then get the Hal Leonard book. If they fall down on theory (they won't IMO) you can always fall back on the link I posted.

Best of three worlds.

 

[Malcolm1935]

..........
I hear conflicting information as to which one has better theory information (which is kinda my thing).

IMO theory builds on it's self. Don't start out on your theory journey with Alfred's Essentials of Jazz Theory. Start with the basic, or put another way --- to understand theory we have to wade in the shallow pool first, but, theory is theory --- it's all good information. Our understanding of the information is the limiting factor.

Happy trails.