Double Bass Needed: A Good Intro Book on Rockabilly Bass

[TonyBlues]

I've been playing bass guitar for over 30 years, and will be getting my first upright in a few weeks. My interests involve mostly rockabilly, country, and blues.

Can anybody recommend a good book/cd combination or video introduction to rockabilly bass?

Thanks.

 

[tyb507]

Lee Rocker has one, Nicolas Dubouchet has a DVD called "Slapology". John Hatton (Brian Setzer's bassist) is putting a book/DVD out sometime this year, that's one to look out for!

 

[FatBoutedGirls]

Lee Rocker was not helpful. Slapology is in french and hard to find, "the art of slap bass" is what I just got and as soon as I watch it I'll tell you what I think of it.

MemphisEvil on YouTube has a couple helpful slap demonstrations. I'm guessing you just need some slap tips? Or do you want fingering instruction as well?

 

[Ben Noblit]

The dubbed version of Slapology was great.

Also check out the Upright Bass Players Union on Facebook, that's where all the lowbrow players hang out.

 

[viking power]

Didi Beck's book "Rockabilly Slap Bass" was a great help for me. He also has a DVD but I believe it's in german so I didn't buy it.

 

[Slaphound]

I just ordered the book by Didi Beck, "Rockabilly Slap Bass.". I was hoping to get a review on the DVD's that have been mentioned. Fatbouted Girls, you said you were going to give your thoughts on Kevin Smiths "The ungentle art..." Have you any thoughts?

 

[cdavisshannon]

The Johnny Hatton book is out now and is pretty darn good. Certainly worth checking out.

 

[jasonrp]

I started a thread that has a few talkbass user reviews on a few of these vids check it out if you like

Rockabilly Bass Technique Books or Videos

 

[Slaphound]

Well, for me, I wish I had saved the money. I don't particularly think the book by Didi Beck is a bad or poorly written book but I have learned the slap technique already before I bought it. I thought I was getting a smaller book with a lot of historical information on the artists that that played and perfected the style. Its a beginner instructional and I would recommend it but I think an instructional DVD is best.

 

[jasonrp]

Hatton's book is my favorite so far. The short online videos do add a lot to it and if you are already familiar with beginner techniques you can skip ahead. Be careful though because there are a few harder ones that he slips in after the eighth note slaps that you can skip over if you don't look at them. Right around the playing scales with triple slaps lessons, he has you play a few basic runs on simple blues riffs. I skipped right over it once I saw that it was pretty much more scales until I realized he changes the locations of the triple slap in each chord so you have to pay attention to the chart rather than just know the chord changes.

Short version: Get Hatton's book. You can go on his website and for a little more get an autographed one. He's the man

IMO,ALLTHATCRAP,YMMV...