AlexDelores Posted October 22, 2015 Share Posted October 22, 2015 Hi All, The time has come, after ignoring the fact i cant read music for years I've finally decided i want to learn. Can anyone recommend a book or site i can look for to get me started. I've seen a few people mention the Stuart Clayton books for beginners but i cant seem to find anywhere that stocks them other than for a Kindle (which i don't own) Any help is greatly appreciated Thanks Alex Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coilte Posted October 23, 2015 Share Posted October 23, 2015 This thread should be of help. http://basschat.co.uk/topic/265430-learning-to-read-again/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
louisthebass Posted October 24, 2015 Share Posted October 24, 2015 [quote name='AlexDelores' timestamp='1445537936' post='2892301'] Hi All, The time has come, after ignoring the fact i cant read music for years I've finally decided i want to learn. Can anyone recommend a book or site i can look for to get me started. I've seen a few people mention the Stuart Clayton books for beginners but i cant seem to find anywhere that stocks them other than for a Kindle (which i don't own) Any help is greatly appreciated Thanks Alex [/quote] You can get Stuart's books direct from here in ringbound form: www.basslinepublishing.com Good books - part of the way through book 2! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest bassman7755 Posted October 25, 2015 Share Posted October 25, 2015 (edited) Worth looking at some phone apps too.I find this one very useful [url="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=es.virtualcode.musictutor.sightread&hl=en"]https://play.google....sightread&hl=en[/url] - ideal for making use of otherwise dead time such as commuting or a boring meeting/presentation to hone your reading skills. Edited October 25, 2015 by bassman7755 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luulox Posted October 25, 2015 Share Posted October 25, 2015 I use the perfect ear 2 app it's very good and free! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlexDelores Posted October 27, 2015 Author Share Posted October 27, 2015 Thanks all will check them out Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dread Bass Posted October 27, 2015 Share Posted October 27, 2015 I bought Ed friedlands complete bass method he covers reading from the beginning and I've found it great. I would recommend trying to read daily even if only for 10 mins. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bilbo Posted October 28, 2015 Share Posted October 28, 2015 One small thing that I found useful (and still do) is reading without a bass. I sit on buses, in my office etc with a chart in front of me, reading the rhythms. The discipline I find hardest to develop is not knowing which dot means which note but reading lines in real time, concentrating on the lines and reading the whole part. The skill can, at least in part, be pracised away from the bass. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
louisthebass Posted October 28, 2015 Share Posted October 28, 2015 [quote name='Dread Bass' timestamp='1445946199' post='2895565'] I bought Ed friedlands complete bass method he covers reading from the beginning and I've found it great. I would recommend trying to read daily even if only for 10 mins. [/quote] +1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deerhunter1331 Posted October 30, 2015 Share Posted October 30, 2015 [quote name='Dread Bass' timestamp='1445946199' post='2895565'] I bought Ed friedlands complete bass method he covers reading from the beginning and I've found it great. I would recommend trying to read daily even if only for 10 mins. [/quote] Have it as well. Great book, which starts from scratch and forces you to read music, as tabs are only introduced in book 2. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlexDelores Posted November 4, 2015 Author Share Posted November 4, 2015 Thanks all, went for Ed friedlands book and started it this evening, good stuff so far, im pretty much self taught and its really nice going back to the beginning with everything and going over technique aswell as starting to learn to read. Thanks for everyones help 😁 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deepbass5 Posted November 4, 2015 Share Posted November 4, 2015 Ed is great I started on bass with Mel Bay which maybe who publishes Ed's books anyway. These are like the tune a day books brass players have, starts simple you know 'home on the range' and 'twinkle little star' etc. The secret is start slow it is a life long journey I started at 9 that's 50 years ago and just got through another hurdle and off running again. and it goes like that you hit a wall and think I'm never gonna do this and you apply yourself, lots of shedding and bang you are through and then race up to the next brick wall. Here is my last mountain https://youtu.be/xvxCMrdROYE 240 bpm and a bass/vocal solo good luck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlexDelores Posted November 8, 2015 Author Share Posted November 8, 2015 Thanks a lot, still making my way through the book and trying to make sure im getting into a routine for practicing properly as opposed to picking up my bass and jamming with myself. Sounds good, hope it goes well, what a really good song too 😁 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deepbass5 Posted November 8, 2015 Share Posted November 8, 2015 Sounds like you have the right approach, I have also wasted many years due to picking up my bass and twiddling the same ole phrases and fills. The reason for posting that link was that 10 days ago I didn't think I stood a chance of playing that. The gig was last night and I think I got away with it . But what it did do was make me practice all the other numbers with renewed vigor. Some complex Mr Buble' arrangements. So the result is today I feel great and I know that the hours i put in last week will stay with me and have made me a better player. The next step is for you to get good enough to have the confidence to join a local band where you can read regularly to maintain your reading skills. All the best Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlexDelores Posted November 12, 2015 Author Share Posted November 12, 2015 Yeah thats pretty much my aim. Ive always been in rock bands where reading hasnt been an issue, so im aiming to get into an enviroment with some good musicians to push myself as a bass player. Glad your show went well 😁 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bassist_lewis Posted November 23, 2015 Share Posted November 23, 2015 I'd recommend Louis Bellson's Modern Reading Text in 4/4. It has every possible permutation of rhythms in 4/4 from the very basic quavers and crotchets up to highly syncopated semi-quaver rhythms. In my experience you learn the notes pretty quickly, but learning to play rhythms at a glance takes much more practice. I also read somewhere that you can fluff the notes/pitch and most people won't notice but if you get the rhythm wrong everyone will notice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shonks Posted November 26, 2015 Share Posted November 26, 2015 [quote name='Bilbo' timestamp='1446021212' post='2896153'] One small thing that I found useful (and still do) is reading without a bass. I sit on buses, in my office etc with a chart in front of me, reading the rhythms. The discipline I find hardest to develop is not knowing which dot means which note but reading lines in real time, concentrating on the lines and reading the whole part. The skill can, at least in part, be pracised away from the bass. [/quote]as bassist Lewis suggested 'modern reading text in 4/4 and there's one in odd times too. Funny it's called modern reading text, and I supposed in context of the whole of music history it is, but in my 20's, (now in my 60's) The Lousis Bellson book was on my lap riding the London Tube daily as I was working regularly as a session guy. That book made and saved my career as a bassist.. As someone else quoted here too, do it every day. It's a language and and daily use helps build a vocabulary. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldbass Posted January 2, 2016 Share Posted January 2, 2016 Love this thread cause this is exactly my situation too. Played for decades, tried a few times but unable to read a dot until recently when it dawned on me that I'd had it with pub bands and the same old R&R. Started off with Stu Claytons Crash Bass...not easy but Im trying...Did a search for easy bass pieces on Google, one site has all those first yr school pieces which is a really good way to learn whilst actually playing real tunes. Agree with all the above...you've gotta learn the simple 4/4, 1/4 note stuff till it hurts then move to the next level. Ha..wish I'd never quit the violin when I turned 16.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deepbass5 Posted January 7, 2016 Share Posted January 7, 2016 Just ordered a copy of Louis Bellson's Modern Reading Text in 4/4. Thanks Guys. Reading coplex rythmes has always been my weak point never seemed to have had any formal training on it, well not for 40 years. My sight reading is pretty good but if anything will trip me up it's runs of semi's tied and dotted intermingled with rests Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldbass Posted January 8, 2016 Share Posted January 8, 2016 +1 I'm just starting with 8th notes and rests...seems just when you think you've figured it all out you turn the page and more and more difficulty is heaped on top...but it certainly feels good when it comes together. Checkout a German guy on the Tube called Tom Bornemann he seems to have a knack of writing easy melodic eight note rythms which are just a delight to play...Ive found his stuff a huge help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChunkyMunky Posted January 10, 2016 Share Posted January 10, 2016 Feel free to drop me a message, Alex. I'd be happy to help. Same goes for anyone else too for that matter! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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