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Music Theory for the Bass Player - Any Experience?

ComesATime

ComesATime

Dec 12, 2012
284
453
#1
Hello folks,

Well, I've been recording my band's new album, and I'm finding myself wanting to push to learn new methods. I find myself reverting to the same old patterns, octaves, scales, etc. I get a bit bored, and I really want to up my understanding of theory and method.

Ariane Cap's "Music Theory For the Bass Player" sounds like a good fit, as I don't know too much in terms of theory as I'm self-taught. Anyone have any experience with her book, or is the Hal Leonard set the general go-to?
 
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#3
Hal Leonard's Electric Bass Method books 1, 2 and 3 are good.

I've used Scott's bass lessons which I liked, but I prefer talkingbass.net. Simply my personal preference.
 
#5
Jazz Ad said:
Theory usually doesn't give instant recipes that make you better.
It's a way to get a wider view, to take distance from your playing and get a better general understanding of music.
Following this idea, I'd rather work on general music theory using a keyboard than something aimed at bass players
Click to expand...

Of course not. Music is a lifelong study, and I see theory as part of that. It's not instant soup or anything like that, and I don't expect it to be.

I can write bass parts, sure, but I really want to build upon the theoretical foundations behind the parts. The aim is gradually expanding my overall understanding of music at the theoretical level. I appreciate your advice, and it makes sense.
 
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#6
+1 to Jazz Ad's post about theory being theory and if you can see it on a piano keyboard it's a little easier trying to make since of it if not laid out on a four stringed instrument. My point; it does not have to be just for bass. I suspect music theory, just for bass, may leave out some things you need. Like why the lead guitar is doing what he is doing....

Post number 6 of this string; How to get started? gives a big picture of how music thinks. Then this link Music Theory Book - Free Download will give you a paper on music theory where the first 30 pages give you the beginnings and the next 30 pages goes into detail on how to use that information. The last 30 pages go into detail on modes. I normally ask the beginner in music theory to leave modes for much later, but, this may be what you are looking for, however, you can waist a lot of time on modes if you have not learned the first 60 pages of this paper first.

Armed with the above and knowing where the notes are on your fretboard should get you started. Then there is the World of Rhythm which we have not touched upon.

Good luck; as you said; this is not going to happen over night!
 
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#8
Ms. Capp's videos are quite good, as are Scott's Bass lessons. There are a lot of things on YouTube also that can vary from really fine, check out Adam Neely's stuff, to nearly pointless.

After you've messed around with some of those, try this idea. Listen to some music that you've never heard before. Try classical (Beethoven, Mozart, Haydn, Brahms) or something a little more contemporary (Phillip Glass, Steve Reich, Charles Ives) and try to do that music on bass. There's every reason to believe that you'll fail at that goal, but chances are you'll learn something about a new way to look at the music you are recording.
 
#10
Check out "Getting around the bass" by Josh Needleman. It's specific to the bass and he starts you off on proper technique (made a difference in my playing right away) and moves into theory as it applies to the bass. It's very well organized and written by someone that that has taught for over 20 years - he knows how to teach!
 
#11
Jazz Ad said:
Theory usually doesn't give instant recipes that make you better.
It's a way to get a wider view, to take distance from your playing and get a better general understanding of music.
Following this idea, I'd rather work on general music theory using a keyboard than something aimed at bass players
Click to expand...
I agree-
I usually study advanced jazz piano for theory
 
#12
I guess it's a 'learning style' thing. Ariane's book bridged multiple gaps for me. She simplifies some things to a 'no duh' level, but then she relates them to the things that I never really understood from a 'normal' music teacher. Her book is my favorite Bass Theory book. I love it and her classes. There are little 'tid bits' in the Lessons that I would never have known without having access to a real teacher.
 
#13
I have the book. And like it a LOT. The videos that are referenced in the book really clarify what is going on.

Ariane also has an online course that I am taking. It is fantastic. Takes the theory from the book, adds technique to it, then teaches it from a groove/rhythm angle. 20 units, each with 6 or 7 tabs covering technique, theory, hip stuff, bassline creations, etc. Makes leaning much easier and quicker when there is a solid useable groove that is based on that unit's theory. Basically, the theory is taught by grooving not by repetition.
 
#14
I am not familiar with either book series, but make sure any theory program you embark upon addresses the following major plot points: keys/key signatures, major vs. Minor, and chords. An understanding of these three theory rudiments will open up your bass playing world more than anything else.
 
#15
Some avenues you can pursue:

1. Transcribing the great bassists from history like James Jamerson

2. Studying a new genre of music, I suggest jazz. Miles Davis.

3. Find a reputable teacher for a few lessons.
 

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