Double Bass new method of Hein van de Gein

[playbass0410]

I also have both books. Although some things are great and the first book is very informative I don't see it as method which you follow step by step.

To quote Book 1 page 10: "These books offer many approaches to practicing the instrument and master certain ascpects of the music. I am not trying to take the student by the hand an cover a development from A to Z through. Therefore these books are not a method in the strict sense of the word."

I do see the books as companion/almanac supporting me in my lifetime quest to improve as bass player. I do use them in parallel to taking lession and playing in jazz bands.

But I am Commander in Chief in all these attempts of setting the roadmap of my improvements, I have to define what's next based on my actual needs in terms of time available, current needs in the bands, my motivation, impediments I do see, areas I like to dig deeper.

No one can take this responsibility away from me - not my teacher nor the books as comprehensive they are.

 

[Les Fret]

To quote Book 1 page 10: "These books offer many approaches to practicing the instrument and master certain ascpects of the music. I am not trying to take the student by the hand an cover a development from A to Z through. Therefore these books are not a method in the strict sense of the word."

Yes, I have read that. But the book is called 'Comprehensive jazz method'. It is not a method because the is no real order of difficulty in the exercises nor is it a jazz method because the exercises are mostly chromatic in nature and are not specific for jazz (although some exercises are). I still like some parts of the book though and use random exercises from time to time. I have used it next to another method like you did/do and than it works. But if someone is looking for a 'real' method this might not be the book to buy.

 

[playbass0410]

Yes, I agree - if someone expects a book that does the hard job for him, he will be disappointed.

Well, I too liked to have a book that leads me to mastery by a step-by-step method.
Unfortunately no such a book exists on planet earth and I doubt it ever will be.

Personally I do additionally dig from:
- Ron Carter's Building Jazz Basslines
- Rufus Reids Evolving Bassist
- Simandl
- Ray Browns bass method (that is not a method too....)
- John Goldsby Bowing Techniques
- John Goldsby Jazz Bass Book
- Oscar Stagnaro's Latin Book
- Jaco Pastorius Transcriptions
- Levines Jazz Theory Book
- + about 10 other books
- Bach Suites
- Smart Music Software
- Band in a Box
- Records
- .....

If someone knows a shortcut, please let me know...

 

[TonyD]

There is a third book available called "12 Jazz Etudes". Hein relates his solo-concept based on standard-tunes chord progressions.

Concerning his great books "Comprehensive Bass Method", I was a bit deceived that on the CD included in Vol.2 he's not playing the exercices himself, but it's only a computer-generated midi-file.

Not the same in this book "Jazz-Etudes", where he plays himself with the amazing Karel Boehlee on piano and Joost van Schalk on drums, really motivating. There are play-alongs without bass too.

I purchased "Comprehensive Bass Method" vol.1 because of the extensive pictures of left hand postures and body/spine technique.

Does vol.2 and/or "Jazz-Etudes" contain info on left hand technique, body/back, muscles, pain etc...? or is this subject exclusively triggered in vol.1...?

 

[Emoody]

Vol.2 is the exercice-book related to the subjects of Vol.1, no comments, but all the fingerings.
In the book 12 Jazz-etudes there are a few explanations about the improviation technique related to the particular chapters which are for instance:
Pentatonics, Rhythm Variation, Altered Scale, Upper Structure Triads, etc. All this in the context of standard chord progressions.

 

[TonyD]

Vol.2 is the exercice-book related to the subjects of Vol.1, no comments, but all the fingerings.
In the book 12 Jazz-etudes there are a few explanations about the improviation technique related to the particular chapters which are for instance:
Pentatonics, Rhythm Variation, Altered Scale, Upper Structure Triads, etc. All this in the context of standard chord progressions.

No additional info on left hand technique, muscular aspects like in vol 1?

 

[Emoody]

 

[John Goldsby]

Personally I do additionally dig from:
- Ron Carter's Building Jazz Basslines
- Rufus Reids Evolving Bassist
- Simandl
- Ray Browns bass method (that is not a method too....)
- John Goldsby Bowing Techniques
- John Goldsby Jazz Bass Book
- Oscar Stagnaro's Latin Book
- Jaco Pastorius Transcriptions
- Levines Jazz Theory Book
- + about 10 other books
- Bach Suites
- Smart Music Software
- Band in a Box
- Records
- .....

If someone knows a shortcut, please let me know...

Thanks for mentioning my books . . . I agree that there are no complete jazz bass "method" books. However, the books on your list would give a very complete way to cover all areas of bass technique plus an overview of jazz styles. It's good that you put "records" on your list. Listening to recordings is probably the most important thing. One can find answers to all questions on the records. Of course, hearing a recording can also bring up quite a few questions: "How did he/they do that?"

I haven't seen Hein van de Geyn's books yet, but they sound like they're very thorough and I'm looking forward to checking them out.

There are a lot of different ways to explain bass technique. I've found that a lot of the little things that Ray Brown put in his book are things that he plays on records. Same thing with Rufus Reid's book. Any good jazz technique book offers a glimpse into how the author approaches certain areas of bass technique. It's probably like that with van de Geyn's books.

Hein van de Geyn is a great player, so I would expect that the material he put in his books would be worthwhile—probably based on his experiences as a player and teacher.

The shortcut, as we all know, is to regularly practice the correct things, and practice those things correctly. If a bassist practices good material every day for a regular period of time, then they will eventually become much better. The process of learning can be supported by books, which provide ideas and insight into a particular author's thoughts about bass technique. Books hopefully provide ideas about what the correct practice material should be.

I like jazz technique books, just to see how the author explains what he thinks is important when playing the bass.

 

[TonyD]

I am eager to improve ny thumb position technique, but I can't decide between:

- Hein van de Geyn's Comprehensive Method vol. 2;
- Marc Johnson Melodic Playing in Thumb position;

I already have Hein's Method vol. 1, so getting vol.2 would make that complete. But I have read very positive reviews on Marc Johnson's book.

Which one do you prefer...?

 

[Anonymatt]

JG, your main jazz bass book is like the set of encyclopedias I loved when I was a kid! I've had it since I was interested in playing jazz bass, and I always come back to it to take stock of where I am or when I become hip to players I never listened to before. It was a really great idea to integrate history and biographies w/ the straight musical info.

 

[playbass0410]

The shortcut, as we all know, is to regularly practice the correct things, and practice those things correctly. If a bassist practices good material every day for a regular period of time, then they will eventually become much better. The process of learning can be supported by books, which provide ideas and insight into a particular author's thoughts about bass technique. Books hopefully provide ideas about what the correct practice material should be.

Well, all that's so true and its being reiterated in almost each of the books I mentioned. Hein also included a verbose "How to practice" chapter. To me personally this is the hardest part: Always to practice the correct thing correctly.

 

[shwashwa]

I am eager to improve ny thumb position technique, but I can't decide between:

- Hein van de Geyn's Comprehensive Method vol. 2;
- Marc Johnson Melodic Playing in Thumb position;

I already have Hein's Method vol. 1, so getting vol.2 would make that complete. But I have read very positive reviews on Marc Johnson's book.

Which one do you prefer...?

you mean michale moore's thumb position book or mark johnson's soloing book?

 

[TonyD]

you mean michale moore's thumb position book or mark johnson's soloing book?

I mean Michael Moore's thumb position book... (sorry)

 

[Les Fret]

If you are looking for dedicated TP book I would suggest MM's book in stead of HvdG's book. There are many TP exercises in book 2 of HvdG but they are not very appealing to the ear and not placed in a music context. You already have book 1 so you can practice the same exercises already and you can guess what the rest of the exercise is.

 

[TonyD]

If you are looking for dedicated TP book I would suggest MM's book in stead of HvdG's book. There are many TP exercises in book 2 of HvdG but they are not very appealing to the ear and not placed in a music context. You already have book 1 so you can practice the same exercises already and you can guess what the rest of the exercise is.

thanks - I agree, the exercises Hein is given are not that nice for the ear. fact is, he honestly admits that...

anyway - MM' book is my next order

 

[Jimnastix]

Petracci's higher technique is great for structuring a good tp technique IMO