highwayman Posted July 19, 2016 Share Posted July 19, 2016 I've had my bass since mid-March & have been taking lessons for three months. My first tutor was very good at taking bass melodies that I was keen to learn and demonstrating/transcribing them for me to practice; this pleased me as I could play along to some of my favourite bass lines within a few weeks of starting bass. I found though that after about seven lessons I was no closer to understanding any of the theory behind what I was 'copying'. I know my tutor was taking exams at the time & I felt he was distracted by that so, although I consider his teaching helpful in as far as getting me playing music that interested me, I decided to try someone else. I had a lesson with another tutor who was entirely theory based but I just didn't feel inspired with him. What I wanted was an hour's lesson that mixed theory and being taught/shown something fun to keep me interested. I'm going to forgo lessons for now and try to learn from home and so would like some advice please. I have Ariane Cap's book 'Music Theory for the Bass Player', and while I intend to keep it and learn from it, I'm finding even the early sections too advanced for me. I'd really like to be recommended a tried and tested book that will gradually build solid foundations for the bass (only - if I can become proficient on the four string bass and no other instrument then I'll be more than happy)? I also need to invest in a music stand: how about the Hercules BS100B? I like the idea of a book over online lessons as I feel you can go at your own pace compared to online lessons which you'll be pausing & rewinding, also I have a laptop and an iPhone but not a tablet, which I think would be better suited to online material and no wi-fi: I tether my phone's data and 12 GB a month can run out quickly enough streaming videos. Anyway, I'm feeling a bit flat with regards to how I progress from here, so any advice is appreciated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dad3353 Posted July 19, 2016 Share Posted July 19, 2016 (edited) Old, but still relevant, and recommended (disclaimer: uses 'dots', not tab...)... [color=#800080]How to Play The Electric Bass, by Carol Kaye[/color] ... also... [color=#800080]Hal Leonard Bass Method: Complete Edition[/color] (Spiral-bound; very useful for music stand use...), equally recommended. Hope this helps. Edited July 19, 2016 by Dad3353 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
highwayman Posted July 19, 2016 Author Share Posted July 19, 2016 Thanks for the reply: my local library can get in books from the region for a nominal reservation fee so I'll give a couple of those a go (the ones you suggested aren't listed) - anyone familiar with Stuart Clayton's books? He's done a fair few & I've ordered his 'Xtreme Bass' from the library: it looks to be aimed at adolescents but that's ok. I will though have a look for used copies of the aforementioned titles & have ordered a music stand (essential really as otherwise you're contorting yourself to see something on say the coffee table!). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
louisthebass Posted July 20, 2016 Share Posted July 20, 2016 [quote name='Dad3353' timestamp='1468949914' post='3094609'] [color=#800080]Hal Leonard Bass Method: Complete Edition[/color] (Spiral-bound; very useful for music stand use...), equally recommended. Hope this helps. [/quote] Best beginners bass book ever - wish it had been around when I first started playing (that and Scott's Bass Lessons). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
highwayman Posted July 21, 2016 Author Share Posted July 21, 2016 Hal Leonard Bass Method: Complete Edition: definitely going to track a copy down this week thanks chaps. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Horizontalste Posted July 21, 2016 Share Posted July 21, 2016 http://eartrainingmethod.com Do yourself a massive favour & spend a little bit of time everyday on your ears. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
highwayman Posted July 21, 2016 Author Share Posted July 21, 2016 (edited) Just ordered Hal Leonard Bass Method For Kids (I'm 42...) [url="https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1423498488/ref=olp_product_details?_encoding=UTF8&me="]https://www.amazon.c...coding=UTF8&me=[/url] As I mentioned before, I can already play a few bass melodies (Love Like Blood by Killing Joke is my favourite bass line [i]ever[/i]!) but don't have a ******* clue about the how & why - I'm hoping this will at least set me in the right direction. Edited July 21, 2016 by highwayman Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
highwayman Posted July 26, 2016 Author Share Posted July 26, 2016 Had Hal Leonard's Bass For Kids for two days, already getting a basic grasp of notation: highly recommended for [i]big [/i]kids wanting to get the basics down. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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