I need some good theory publications to read. I went to my music library and dug out some of my piano stuff (Tonal Harmony Kostka/payne) an excellent book for a pianist but not so good for bass. What have you out there??????
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Theory for bass players
- Thread starter quindecima
- Start date
Theory is the same for all instruments. Not sure how you can have a piano concept without a bass concept.
Maybe just need to learn more tunes and get more gig experience?
I started and still play saxophone and other woodwinds. The theory transferred great.
Maybe just need to learn more tunes and get more gig experience?
I started and still play saxophone and other woodwinds. The theory transferred great.
Tonal Harmony is not playing Bass. Well, it is but not the same concept as Piano. I need something dedicated to Electric Bass.
I agree with bassandreeds here. Theory is a musical concept, not an instrument concept. It's brain knowledge, not finger knowledge. There are a few bass-centric theory books out there, but they tend to be watered down, incomplete, or convoluted versions of regular theory. The thought that one must view theory instruction through the filter of some home-base instrument, is not only wrong, it's limiting.
I agree with that. You have a BE in music I see, would you recommend Tonal Harmony by Kostka to a Bass Player looking for some theory to help with his playing? That would be like recommending Sonata Forms by Rosen to a Harmonica player. You guys are totally missing what I am looking for.
Ok, what are you trying to accomplish? Music theory is a very large subject. Can you narrow what you're looking for?
Then maybe you should explain it more clearly instead of just arguing with knowledgeable people who are trying to help you.
I am not arguing, I am trying to make a valid point on what would be good material to read for Bass theory. I am studying upper and lower Dominate approaches and am trying to understand where in the chord they are utilized ie….root only, 3rd, 4th, 7th
I strongly second the StudyBass website. Why not just go through the entire website? Been playing piano for a while? StudyBass will flow for you. It's very comprehensive. Your bound to pick up some useful information both on theory and practical playing. Plus, the tools on StudyBass are just invaluable (you can print them out!).
StudyBass - Free Online Bass Lessons
As far as a bass centric theory book in print:
"Music Theory for the Bass Player", by Ariane Cap. I got mine on Amazon I'm pretty sure.
Cap's book explains basic music theory using the bass guitar fret board for examples, which I think might be what you are looking for. Bonus: Ariane Cap's facial expressions when she's playing on her YouTube video's are priceless! She's got the chops, that's for sure.
Why don't you do both? Good luck!
There we go! "Music Theory For The Bass Player" I like the sound of that. Yes I played Classical Piano for some years, I liked it, if I wasn't in need of additional finances at the time I never would have sold my grand.
I'm in agreeance with the "theory is theory" camp. Once you get into counterpoint and figured bass and all of that first year theory stuff, you'll realize that bass is an essential part of harmony.
I also found it absolutely revelatory when I started using my bass guitar to understand music theory, instead of looking at a keyboard. You have everything lined up in half-step increments with strings spaced at a perfect fourth, octaves at the half-way mark, or a perfect fourth (one string) plus a perfect fifth (seventh fret up). It's all laid out so beautifully mathematical and logical, without that "white key"/"black key" bullshirt getting in the way. And what's even better is that it's right there in front of you to look at while you do it.
In summation: Bass is a very important part of academic music theory, and at least for me, bass guitar was the perfect learning vehicle for me to learn music theory.
I also found it absolutely revelatory when I started using my bass guitar to understand music theory, instead of looking at a keyboard. You have everything lined up in half-step increments with strings spaced at a perfect fourth, octaves at the half-way mark, or a perfect fourth (one string) plus a perfect fifth (seventh fret up). It's all laid out so beautifully mathematical and logical, without that "white key"/"black key" bullshirt getting in the way. And what's even better is that it's right there in front of you to look at while you do it.
In summation: Bass is a very important part of academic music theory, and at least for me, bass guitar was the perfect learning vehicle for me to learn music theory.
okcrum
in your chest
Serious Electric Bass by Joel Di Bartolo will take you through a lot of what's in Tonal Harmony from a bass guitar standpoint. Frankly, I've ended up in the keys realm (John Mehegan and Barry Harris) for the more advanced bits like using Harmonic Major and 6 Diminished scales.
Music theory for Bass Players Hal Leonard
Music Theory for the Bass Player Ariane Cap
Get these two and be done with your book search on the topic of bass guitar theory.
Then go onto Walking Bass lines. and Bass fretboard Basics, Hal Leonard.
After that just pick up any book like Bass Aerobics and try to actually understand what the excercises are doing instead of just playing the notes blindly.
If I knew what to ask and someone told me about these books, I swear I could have saved 2 years.
Music Theory for the Bass Player Ariane Cap
Get these two and be done with your book search on the topic of bass guitar theory.
Then go onto Walking Bass lines. and Bass fretboard Basics, Hal Leonard.
After that just pick up any book like Bass Aerobics and try to actually understand what the excercises are doing instead of just playing the notes blindly.
If I knew what to ask and someone told me about these books, I swear I could have saved 2 years.
I like Essential Music Theory for Electric Bass by Robert Garner. It covers the info well, presents it a little bit at a time, AND has tests at the end of every chapter. The tests grind it in your head.
Tip: Use a pencil rather than pen for the tests
Tip: Use a pencil rather than pen for the tests
I know its been said, but theory is theory. Eventually you will see it, I am a bass player and study with a piano teacher and we communicate just fine.
Who buys books anymore when you have YouTube? [/end sarcasm]
I'd say start with basic general music theory video lessons to get the building blocks down, then move to a bass-specific book to take it to the next level.
I'd say start with basic general music theory video lessons to get the building blocks down, then move to a bass-specific book to take it to the next level.
Theory is theory, yes, but not everyone learns the same. For some people, it's easier to visualize theory on a piano keyboard, and then apply it to other instruments. For others, they are better off learning it on their instrument of choice. There's nothing wrong with doing it either way.
