Theory for bass players

[saabfender]

You should be learning theory on a grand staff, not on an instrument. Sure, play the notes on an instrument to see what things sound like.

Music theory is called that because it is theoretical. The idea is you are learning the relationships between notes and how they are managed. Most of your learning will take place with a book and piece of manuscript paper.

And for the umpteenth time, music theory is bigger than a bass guitar. That's a poor way to get the entire picture of how all the parts work together. It just not how music works. Bass lines do not exist in a vacuum. They are a result of context.

Good on you for wanting to expand your knowledge of theory. It's truly helpful in playing music. Shame on you for wanting to hobble the scope of that knowledge. That's not how knowledge works either. You shouldn't focus on predigested, bass-centric materials. You should get the whole picture and apply it to your musical situation.

 

[Coolhandjjl]

I thought this one might be good, but she couldn't stop yammering so I wasn't able hear any of the bass notes she was actually playing.

 

[jasonrp]

I do have to agree with those saying to learn it on a grand staff. That's how I started until I got a bass centric theory book. While I absorbed the bass stuff quicker, and I can read bass clef easily, I can't read treble clef worth a crap. I'm working on fixing that now but I would rather have not put myself in the position in the first place.*

*that said I do like the book I mentioned earlier because of the tests after each chapter

 

[Chrisk-K]

Music theory applies to every instrument. There's no specific theory for bass.

 

[BassAndReeds]

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

Sounds like you found a book. But, if you're still keen on this issue...

What style(s) of music are you learning? Are you by chance looking for learning material on building walking bass lines, specifically for jazz?

 

[oldfretless]

It is worthwhile to check Victor Wooten's Groove Workshop video. It expands on 10 topics, of least importance is Notes. The other things may be of interest to you because theory books don't generally cover them, yet they will make you a better player. As he says, you could have conversations with adults long before you knew what an adverb was.

 

[Slevage]

Tonal Harmony is not playing Bass. Well, it is but not the same concept as Piano. I need something dedicated to Electric Bass.

Maybe something by Rufus Reid or Ron Carter will enlighten you.

 

[craigie]

There is a good sound on sound series of articles.

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Combine that with ear training. Start with the basics and slowly work your way up.
Music Interval Identification Ear Training

 

[SteveCS]

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.

There is no substitute for face-to-face with someone who knows what they are talking about - which excludes most YouTubers - supported by a good set of text-books and music-based exercises.

The idea that there is a subset of bass-specific theory and that bassists only need focus on that (imaginary) part is nonsense. Everything you need to know can be found by analysis of music - just looking for bass theory will not furnish the necessary tools or skills to carry out such work, IME.

 

[Low Class]

Music theory for bass is like theory for every other instrument, except lower.

 

[DavC]

i agree with both aspects on theory ... i studied classical piano for about 10 years before i studied music theory ,... then onto jazz piano/theory ... and starting on bass & guitar ... the theory is applicable , but the different instruments have different techniques and different basic jobs ..! but the scales , chords , arps, etc ... will remain the same ..!!

i believe it just needs to be approached from a slightly different viewpoint ... which is what you're asking for .. i think .?

i learned the bass basics , learned lots of tunes ... then started applying my piano/jazz theory to help with improvising on the bass ... whichever way works for you or me , doesn't make either way right or wrong ... take whatever path works best for you ..!!

 

[zon6c-f]

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??????

YouTube

Also there's a lady on LinkedIn with bass-centric music theory

 

[SLO Surfer]

I learned all my theory in a college classroom on a grand staff with the teacher plunking out examples on a piano. As I sat there learning, I pictured every note in my mind on my electric bass fretboard, and literally got better at bass just sitting there thinking and applying theory to my instrument in my head. I'd then go home and play it to make it stick, figure out the new patterns and fingerings. So I guess I'm in the "theory is theory" camp. That said, this resource has also been invaluable to me as a professional bassist, from how to string, tune, and set up an instrument, to how to act on the band stand, to how to play my instrument, and how to apply music theory:

Serious Electric Bass by Joel Di Bartolo

 

[Fingerer]

You asked for publication options and you got a lot of opinions. I love this place!
Anyway, I found this book very useful for me:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1495075710/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I'm getting back into music after a rather long break. But I want to do more than just learn to play songs and cool tricks. I'll never conduct a symphony, but I wanted to gain some knowledge. This book opened up a lot of new possibilities for me. I'm too old to learn everything about music theory, so I'm learning what I can to be a better bass player. Good luck!

 

[groooooove]

i really don't think any quality theory book would be instrument-specific, would it? (im asking genuinely)

kinda like asking for a book on writing specifically for people who use blue pens...

throughout college I had to buy several music theory textbooks.. i found them all to be expensive, of a high quality, and shockingly similar. I'd start by finding a used copy of something like that.

 

[quindecima]

Good posts everybody, my main problem that I have to get away from is that I saw every note in my head on a piano keyboard then I have to transfer it to the fretboard. It was incredibly frustrating when I started but I over came it by doing arpeggios up and down the fretboard and calling out each note by their name. It is easy for me to see progressions and inversions etc. on the keyboard but a lot harder for me on the fretboard. I have the Walking Bass line publication. I think I will go back to college for a while.

 

[40Hz]

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.

Theory is the same. No argument there. But the emphasis on various points of theory should vary depending on the instrument - unless you're studying theory in more of an academic setting. So a music theory book presented from the perspective of a specific instrument as a first book on music theory for a player (as opposed to music majors) isn't that bad an idea IMO.

I found that, when I'm talking theory to a beginner, it works best to first give them an basic overall framework supplemented by some theory they can immediately start to use with basd rather than take a more formal classroom approach.

But maybe that's just me since Im not a professional academic or anywhere near the level of a conservatory trained musician.

 

[CavilingCraig]

I agree with the theory is theory crowd (I completed all the required theory classes for a BM in Jazz performance). However, I would recommend The Improviser's Bass Method by Chuck Sher for a good guide to theory and applying it to the bass guitar to play bass lines.

 

[mrcbass]

I think perhaps the OP is misusing the word "theory" - I think he's more interested in some advice on how to approach adding bass lines in the mix - not necessarily the circle of fifths stuff.
Yes theory can help with that, but it's more about being a musician with a good ear and understanding that most of the time roots and fifth are your friend. And yes theory will help one determine what those are, and as almost everyone is mentioned, "music theory" is not different from one instrument to the next.

 

[onda'bass]

Theory is not instrument specific, piano is just as visual as one bass string, as they are the same. One key one fret same difference.