"Advanced" Beginner Books - Any Such Thing?

vintage_fish

Ahoy thar!

A good friend of mine was able to convince me to get back into music. I've played low brass (tuba, bass trombone) in years past and was probably a good sight better than average, but I've never even attempted a stringed instrument, aside from tackling a few power chords on a guitar at the instruction of that same good friend, and even that included "Put this finger here, this finger here, now pick these strings...."

So, ultimately, I'm NOT new to music, but I'm a complete infant with strings.

I've always wished to learn bass, and my guitarist buddy kinda poured the fuel on my fire. Knowing nothing but my aesthetic preferences and a price range, I picked up an Ibanez GSR200FM last week. I know this is perhaps not exactly the greatest instrument in the world, but I'm positive it will at the very least serve its purpose as a learning tool (and it's entirely sexy, too).

Now I'm on a quest for what I need to know. I already understand music theory at least to a decent extent (was a music major in college, so I'm scraping by with a good general understanding thus far), but need to learn most everything "from scratch" regarding fingerings, how to manipulate the strings, etc.

My husband is also keen on learning, so for him we purchased a VERY basic beginner book (Hal Leonard, book 1, for bass) as he doesn't even know how to read music yet. I've started with that and breezed through it, but still have a huge lack of understanding of the instrument.

I'm looking for books that might teach exercises in technique and things like that - are there any such things?

When I find more time on my hands, I do plan to take lessons, but till then, I want something to do to start learning.

Any thoughts?

-SCF

bubinga5 · Posted: Fri Aug 25, 2006 12:21 pm Post subject:

Hey Vintage-Fish. Its good you know music theory, you have won half the battle!! I would recomend Ed Freidland books. He does a series on just beginner bass techniques,such as finger style, pick playing, scales etc. these will be good for applying your knowledge of music theory to the bass... He also has different books on advanced techniques such as slap bass, tapping, harmonics, chords etc, for when you want to take things further.

Also consider(forgive the name) Bass guitar for dummies. That book has a way of explaining things which is easy to understand.

Hope these are usefull to you. Very Happy

Andy..
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vintage_fish · Posted: Fri Aug 25, 2006 3:13 pm Post subject:

Andy,

Thanks a million, I'll be looking for those immediately!

Neil Gray · Posted: Wed Aug 30, 2006 1:40 pm Post subject:

I have a book at home that is titled 'Bass Logic'

It is an intense delve into the philosophy of bass.

I feel that it would be handy for you in this situation. It does cover fingering and technique, but its main thrust is 'questioning the wheel' so to speak. With your obvious understanding of music, I don't think it would be too scary for you.
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confusedqueen · Posted: Sun Sep 03, 2006 1:04 pm Post subject:

i wish i had asked this question. i finished my beginner bass book in 3 days, and the second volume in another 10 days. so they were a bit of a waste of money really! they got me started ok though, and since then ive just been playing various stuff, and not looked for another book.
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