Jazz

[MaidenVT]

Hi

I've been playing bass for almost a year now mostly metal and rock. I always loved Jazz and played a little when I play electric guitar. I was listening to Jeff Andrews and he blew me away.

I have been studying the Deluxe jazz & Rock method by Vincent Bredice for a month now. I was wondering if anyone can recommend any other Jazz books to accompany it. I can read music so anything with notation would be helpful.

 

[michael_t]

I've just asked the moderator to move this to "General Instruction" for you.

 

[MaidenVT]

I've just asked the moderator to move this to "General Instruction" for you.

Thanks!

 

[Lee Moses]

The Evolving Bassist by Rufus Reid is a classic. Once you get through that, The Improvisor's Bass Method by Chuck Sher is a good next step. There are numerous books on walking bass lines--those by Ed Fuqua and Ed Friedland come highly recommended.

 

[MaidenVT]

The Evolving Bassist by Rufus Reid is a classic. Once you get through that, The Improvisor's Bass Method by Chuck Sher is a good next step. There are numerous books on walking bass lines--those by Ed Fuqua and Ed Friedland come highly recommended.

That book does look interesting but Isn't that more geared for upright bass?

 

[buldog5151bass]

I'm still a believer in the Real Book as a study tool. Follow the scores as you listen to songs to learn chord patterns and changes.

 

[MaidenVT]

I'm still a believer in the Real Book as a study tool. Follow the scores as you listen to songs to learn chord patterns and changes.

I agree. I have used the real book for guitar and Trumpet and they are fun too.

 

[ProbablyTooLoud]

https://www.amazon.com/Jazz-Theory-...z+theory+by+mark+levine&qid=1683728216&sr=8-1

 

[Ed Fuqua]

Well as someone who has written a book, I’d say stay away from them for awhile and just listen to as much of the music as you can. But also, since Jeff’s playing ran the gamut of straight ahead to fusion, what exactly are you wanting to play when you say “jazz”?
The “upright books” and players are where this music came from, but if you’re wanting to play more fusion oriented stuff, I’m not sure that’s the direction you want to go. So what are you trying to get to at the most basic idea?

 

[brianrost]

That book does look interesting but Isn't that more geared for upright bass?

Most books on jazz bass are upright centric but music is music. Ignore the 1-2-3 fingerings and work out your own, The Evolving Bassist is overflowing with useful information.

The Ed Friedland books all come with playalongs which makes them a good choice as well.

In general, you want to work on walking first because that's what jazz bassists spend most of the time doing. Soloing can come later and again music is music so books on jazz soloing need not be restricted to those which are bass specific.

Then transcribe, transcribe, transcribe.

 

[ProbablyTooLoud]

https://www.amazon.com/Jazz-Theory-...z+theory+by+mark+levine&qid=1683728216&sr=8-1

Also, Ed Fuqua's book is very helpful, as are his sticky posts over in the jazz technique section on the DB side, especially the one "how to really learn a tune" or some similar title. Do what he says in that post and you'll get better in any genre.

 

[MaidenVT]

Most books on jazz bass are upright centric but music is music. Ignore the 1-2-3 fingerings and work out your own, The Evolving Bassist is overflowing with useful information.

The Ed Friedland books all come with playalongs which makes them a good choice as well.

In general, you want to work on walking first because that's what jazz bassists spend most of the time doing. Soloing can come later and again music is music so books on jazz soloing need not be restricted to those which are bass specific.

Then transcribe, transcribe, transcribe.

I ordered the evolving Bassist because I think you should have a good foundation before I enter Jazz fusion. I have Ed Friedlnads book but I like Vincent Bredice's book better. I am also going to get the real book and pick some easy tunes to start.

 

[slagheap]

I was in a similar situation and found Mr. Fuqua's " Walking Basics " to be helpful and enjoyable.

 

[Lee Moses]

That book does look interesting but Isn't that more geared for upright bass?

I assume you're talking about Rufus Reid's The Evolving Bassist? It's not really technique-focused, so it isn't exclusive to one over the other. It does spend some time discussing how to play both acoustic and electric basses. I used it to good effect back when I was exclusively an electric player, as have many others who have never touched an upright.

 

[ProbablyTooLoud]

I assume you're talking about Rufus Reid's The Evolving Bassist? It's not really technique-focused, so it isn't exclusive to one over the other. It does spend some time discussing how to play both acoustic and electric basses. I used it to good effect back when I was exclusively an electric player, as have many others who have never touched an upright.

This book is easy to use for EB.

 

[GrayGoesBlack]

I took lessons and found some people to play with. Besides that, what really helped getting into walking bass was figuring out bass lines by ear and analysing them. It stays in your memory and better and the lines can be transferable once you figure that out. A teacher can help with that. Playing with others get's you on the spot. If no one is around, iReal Pro (or similar) is a necessity to play along with.

 

[MaidenVT]

I took lessons and found some people to play with. Besides that, what really helped getting into walking bass was figuring out bass lines by ear and analysing them. It stays in your memory and better and the lines can be transferable once you figure that out. A teacher can help with that. Playing with others get's you on the spot. If no one is around, iReal Pro (or similar) is a necessity to play along with.

Yes finding people to play with would be a plus. Also that's about playing by ear you can memorize it a lot easier. ireal pro is great.

 

[mambo4]

what really helped getting into walking bass was figuring out bass lines by ear and analysing them.

I was once advised by an old sage: "transcribe Ray Brown"

 

[MaidenVT]

Has anyone used the jazz bass book by John Goldsby?

 

[Slaphound]

Has anyone used the jazz bass book by John Goldsby?

I have not read it but looking at it on Amazon, it looks like an informative book but not too deep in songs to cover. The chapters seem to contain information on the style of jazz and bebop and it talks about the bassists involved with creating the sounds. Hopefully someone else chimes in who HAS read it and can let us know more about it.