Haven't seen anyone mention this book yet. I saw it Barnes & Noble, had to have it. Goes into depth on the Artists, Eras, etc. Also plenty of technique and exercises. Most info I've seen in one place. Just published. I recommend it strongly. When I have time I'll post more highlights. Now let's see, The Jazz Bass Book by John Goldsby, or yet another Simandl Etude.... hmmm....
May as well link to it http://www.goldsby.de/The_Jazz_Bass_Book.html and the home page http://www.goldsby.de
I flipped through a copy of this book recently and from that quick glance added it to my myst buy list.
Received the book in the mailbox yesterday: really nice book, a "must have" for anyone interested in jazz bass. The content adheres adequately to the program: technique and tradition. Took it to bass class, teacher and fellow aspiring bassists ing all over the thing. Got assigned a P. Chambers solo.
I got this yesterday - I was expecting to see it in shops, but no. So I ordered it from JazzWise in the UK. It is very good - certainly fills a gap in the education market for Jazz Bassist. So it is nice to have a book that has something for everybody rather than just aimed at beginners, but is very clear and easy to read. The transcriptions are enough to keep me going for ages and I haven't even listened to the CD yet either!! I can see this forming the basis of a new practice regime for me!!
I picked it up two months ago. It is a great book. I just stumbled upon it in a Barnes&Noble one day around x-mas. It was worth the price. The book is loaded with information and musical examples. Well worth the price
The PC solo is transcribed from "Four Strings". Heck ova practice indeed. Slam Stewart's "Humoresque" on page 41 is easier and really great, too bad I don't know the tune; Got to order the CD. Kept humming the solo all day long. Workmates ask me if I met anyone... Many thanks to John Goldsby !
I especiallly appreciate his emphasis on internalizing these lines and playing them in all 12 keys. It really helps get them in you, and then you the theory of the line is something you think about as a interesting 3rd dimension to something you are *feeling*. I just got the book, and have been slowly going through it - I skipped some of the Ray Brown and Scott LaFaro examples that are just beyond me (at least at the moment), but really appreciate his approach.
Read the posts, read the rewiev & ordered the book right away. It may take a couple of weeks to arrive, but....I´m ing already!! R2D2
Here's my two cents: it's the best jazz bass book I've ever seen, hands down. I think it's really cool how he did the "history lesson" first, and then put technical stuff at the back almost like appendices. But the history stuff is full of musical insight and learning material. It's not a method book, it's better. And Goldsby's writing style is very good. It doesn't lecture, and it doesn't pander, the tone is exactly right. Highly recommended.
Hey Mowerpants, haven´t gotten mine yet...let´s make a competition: Who Gets The Jazz Bass Book First the loser will provide the beer... R2
Got a copy in 4 days from Backbeat w/ free shipping. This is an important addition to my little library. i've only had a chance to to glance through, but the bio's are great in themselves. Historical time table, concise and thoughtful. Will put on the CD tonite. Thanks all for heads-up on this book.
Greetings My Little Finnish Mate, My copy has to come from America.... only ordered three days ago! And yours maybe???? is coming up from Germany a lot closer! however, I'm a GOOD sport... If yours arrives first I'll post you up a CAN OF VB! "Victorian Bitter" better known to us Aussies as "Mothers Milk". Keep in Touch My Little Finnish Mate! Mowerpants
OK, Big Brother Mowerpants There was this guy from Brisbane Australia who was a good sport, but made a failure He took part to a "race" and had to send the whole case ´cause his Little Finnish Mate got his a week earlier! R2 PS. If I loose, I´ll post You a can of "Karhu", that´s my favorite domestic brew.
I bought it a few weeks ago, it's a very nice book BUT if you've been subscribing to Bass Player magazine you may already have a lot of the material in your back issues (esp. the player profiles). It's a nice book to keep "on the side" as it's not really a coherent instructional method.
I just got my copy, and it's great, but it's sure as hell making me wish that I could read all those high notes on the ledger lines (and play the freakin' things in tune). It also says that Real Books are no good if you want to play Bop, so I guess I'll just stick to listening to bop, then......great book!