Newbie Looking for a Good Book

[lisakki]

Hi, I just finished Mel Bay's Electric Bass Method book. I was wondering what kind of book I should be looking at next. Is there another method book I should pick up or should I buy some songbooks? My goal is to learn to play jazz bass.

Also, a side question. Do small dents on the electric bass affect it's sound? I'm using my dad's old bass and it has a few dents on it, and I'm worried it's affecting it's sound.

 

[z6e9n]

I recommend Paul Westwood's - Bass Bible. As far as the dents go they will not affect your sound. Look at the relic's. Many people pay to have dents and wear put on their guitars.

 

[Asher S]

The Total Jazz Bassist by David Overthrow & Tim Ferguson

Mastering the Bass by Bruce Gertz (Bruce teaches jazz bass at Berklee)

I have both and use both. Each comes with CDs for the exercises that are very helpful.

 

[Rudreax]

Get the newest edition of the Real Book, in treble clef for C instruments. If you're going to play jazz, you need to be able to walk your way through a good amount of the compositions in that book.

I read somewhere that Ron Carter's book on walking bass is very helpful when it comes to making walking basslines when you're just starting out.

 

[Stumbo]

You might want to take a look at the links in my sig. for more good info on bass learning.

 

[lisakki]

Thanks for all the replies. If you don't mind, I have one more question.

I've seen the right hand positioned in two different ways. There's the angled way that the Mel Bay book shows, with the hand slightly curved in relation to the strings:

http://media.wiley.com/assets/184/74/0-7645-2487-9_000200.jpg

(god that guy is sketchy)

And then there's the way that almost everyone else I see plays it, with the fingers completely perpendicular to the strings:

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

I play it using the curved way. Is this bad? I have genetically long fingernails, and it's difficult for me to play it going completely straight because no matter how I cut them they always extend to the tip of my fingers.

 

[rcarraher]

I recommend Paul Westwood's - Bass Bible. As far as the dents go they will not affect your sound. Look at the relic's. Many people pay to have dents and wear put on their guitars.

Ditto the Bass Bible and as far as dents, as long as they don't affect the hardware....pickups, jacks, controls etc...not a problem. Cracks or splist is another matter...

 

[Asher S]

I play it using the curved way. Is this bad? I have genetically long fingernails, and it's difficult for me to play it going completely straight because no matter how I cut them they always extend to the tip of my fingers.

Check out the floating thumb technique. It will help you a lot in the future too, especially if you move towards 5+ string basses:

http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=230685

Clear demonstration by Todd Johnson:

 

[Michael Case]

I'd also like to recommend "The Improviser's Bass Method" by Chuck Sher. It has many good exercises that start written out in one or two keys, then you have to transpose the exercises into different keys on your own. That will get you thinking and hearing in all keys which is super important if you're looking to be a jazz bassist.

 

[TheFrogPrince]

Todd Johnson's DVDs on walking and technique are really good for walking and is Ed Friedland's book on building walking lines. Carol Kaye's beginner bass guide along with her free tips on her website are really good for teaching basic theory.

 

[TheFrogPrince]

Check out the floating thumb technique. It will help you a lot in the future too, especially if you move towards 5+ string basses:

http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=230685

Clear demonstration by Todd Johnson:

The floating thumb is fantastic. I've made the switch and I love it.

 

[Michael Case]

I forgot, take a look at Rufus Reid's book "The Evolving Bassist." Technique-wise it focuses on the double bass, but you can learn HOW to play jazz bass from it.

Also TRANSCRIBE, TRANSCRIBE, TRANSCRIBE! That's the most direct way to learn any style of music.

 

[JimmyM]

All great choices. I would also add Ed Friedland's "Building Walking Bass Lines" and Carol Kaye's excellent "Jazz Improv" book and DVD.

 

[Jaydin Nathan]

Also TRANSCRIBE, TRANSCRIBE, TRANSCRIBE! That's the most direct way to learn any style of music.

+1, you will develop your ear as well as learning from 'the masters.' It will be a bit slow in the beginning, but as you get better, you will become an amazing musician.

Also, you don't need to worry about spending any money on books.

 

[TheFrogPrince]

It's fantastic to know how to play other player's stuff but if you don't understand chordal theory and such, it won't really be as much help. Work on both.

There are many people who try to be helpful here and elsewhere; kudos to them for that. However, teachers like Friedland, Johnson and Kaye are much more experienced not only as players but as teachers. That's an important difference.

Their material tends to be well-thought-out and pretty comprehensive. Ergo, you learn your theory AND how to apply it as such. It's also something you can refer back to and play along with and you can ask Todd Johnson questions here and Carol Kaye questions on her forum.

 

[onlyclave]

It's fantastic to know how to play other player's stuff but if you don't understand chordal theory and such, it won't really be as much help. Work on both.

There are many people who try to be helpful here and elsewhere; kudos to them for that. However, teachers like Friedland, Johnson and Kaye are much more experienced not only as players but as teachers. That's an important difference.

Their material tends to be well-thought-out and pretty comprehensive. Ergo, you learn your theory AND how to apply it as such. It's also something you can refer back to and play along with and you can ask Todd Johnson questions here and Carol Kaye questions on her forum.

Are you the same guy as TheFrogPrince who just an hour ago in another thread said:

"I wouldn't worry too much about knowing all the exact details of scales, modes and such at first but you're right in this case. I say that because it will end up bogging you down when it comes time to play. I know that from experience."

 

[TheFrogPrince]

Are you the same guy as TheFrogPrince who just an hour ago in another thread said:

"I wouldn't worry too much about knowing all the exact details of scales, modes and such at first but you're right in this case. I say that because it will end up bogging you down when it comes time to play. I know that from experience."

Yes. Your point being? I also said you need to know how to play, not every last detail about every mode and scale. To furthur clarify, everyone seems to think I'm anti-theory or whatever and put words in my mouth. Knowing how to play involves learning things you'll actually use like chords and related theory, the circle of fourths and so on which have very little to do with knowing there are four sharps in this position of G. I don't remember ever stopping to think about that when I actually play in G.

As I said in the other thread, I am done.

 

[onlyclave]

Yes. Your point being? I also said you need to know how to play, not every last detail about every mode and scale. To furthur clarify, everyone seems to think I'm anti-theory or whatever and put words in my mouth. Knowing how to play involves learning things you'll actually use like chords and related theory, the circle of fourths and so on which have very little to do with knowing there are four sharps in this position of G. I don't remember ever stopping to think about that when I actually play in G.

As I said in the other thread, I am done.

My point being this http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=520150