Theory Books/Links/Advice

[mammoth]

Happy new year to you all!

Hope that the change of calendar bodes you all well!!

Im just sitting at a bit of a brick wall with my progress on my lovely lovely Bongo and wondered if anyone can reccomend any really good books so i can finally jump on and master the theory of thing i keep smacking with my thumb

I've perused a bucket load of web-sites and i can't bare to pick up the "Bass Guitar for Dummies" that i got purchased for me (no, i dont need to know what to look for when buying a bass mr book, i own a freakin bongo!"

I approach the fountain of funky knowledge that is this forum! Good books Ahoy!

i know a few good reccomendations have been made in the past but can't find the threads!!! eeek!

BOOMSHANKA!

Mammoth

 

[adouglas]

http://www.studybass.com/

New, great and getting better all the time.

 

[Aussie Mark]

Ed Freidland's books are great.

 

[cdb]

Ed Freidland's books are great.

+1, yep, I recently dug out his Jazz Bass book to go over again. Good stuff.

 

[ibanez2005]

Forget the books, just listen to as much music as you can and learn the music you love. Books will only get you so far and by learning it yourself, its more satisfying and helps your improvisational skills.

What are your favorite bands mate?

 

[MingusBASS]

Would you say that "ears p*ss all over books"?

 

[ibanez2005]

Id say if you got piss comin out your ears, go to the doctors.

 

[adouglas]

Forget the books, just listen to as much music as you can and learn the music you love. Books will only get you so far and by learning it yourself, its more satisfying and helps your improvisational skills.

What are your favorite bands mate?

I respectfully disagree. Listening to music will teach you absolutely nothing about theory. You'll wind up where many of us (including me) are: Knowing how to play, being able to pick up new stuff fairly easily, having a reasonably good ear... and wishing you had a better understanding of how it all really works.

Understanding theory can take you places that playing by ear cannot. I have come to realize this by learning a little theory, and I'm hungry for more.

It's a bit like language. You may be able to get your point across without an education, but to communicate elegantly and effectively you really do need to know some spelling, grammar and style. Just look at the illiterate, unintelligible nonsense that passes for communication in most Internet postings. It's the equivalent of a bassist who doesn't have a clue what I-IV-V means.

 

[ibanez2005]

I'd advise anyone to learn to use their ear first and theory second. I know loads of people who rely on music theory and they struggle without the music there in front of them as a backup.
Ive been playing for 14 years and never once had to look at a tab, sheet or any other form of music theory. Considering i listen to Joe Satriani, Steve Vai and Paul Gilbert, ive learnt plenty of their songs solely by listening to them.
Guys like Eric Clapton and Billy Sheehan cant read music and they have done ok.
I can see how it can be interesting though.

 

[Hutton]

i can't bare to pick up the "Bass Guitar for Dummies" that i got purchased for me

You could do a lot worse than open the pages of that book.

 

[SharonG]

A well developed set of ears is a great tool to have, but knowing the structure is important, too. I'm just setting out on my first lessons in 20+ years for that very reason - I want to take it to the next level and bring more diversity into what i already do. Theory can be daunting, though - when practicing, I will work on that till my l'il ol' brain is stuffed, and then I just play along to whatever to decompress. Hopefully, I'll start working in some of what I'm learning into solo's and jams - that's what it's all about!

Books - Carol Kaye is a great place to start.

 

[MingusBASS]

He could get a paper cut but I'd imagine that at the very least it would be a decent read.

 

[phatduckk]

I respectfully disagree. Listening to music will teach you absolutely nothing about theory. You'll wind up where many of us (including me) are: Knowing how to play, being able to pick up new stuff fairly easily, having a reasonably good ear... and wishing you had a better understanding of how it all really works.

Understanding theory can take you places that playing by ear cannot.

i couldnt agree more. i can figure out a bunch of stuff by listening etc. but i have friends that i jam with who have theory knowledge and they automatically know stuff like "oh, i can solo in XXXX scale now and that will fit".

I dont know these thing. i can screw around and come up with something but folks like my ceo, jeff, just "know" b/c they've studied theory. obviously its not the coolest lick right away but at least he knows when to start with.

 

[adouglas]

Exactly. As I've picked up a little theory I've been able to pick some notes and lines that I would not have thought of without it.

When you play by ear you're really learning licks by rote. With enough exposure and repetition some of it sinks in and you'll know what to expect next...what sounds right.

But knowing some theory lets you step beyond the obvious much more easily and come up with interesting stuff. Harmonies, non-obvious lines, stuff like that.

 

[phatduckk]

some of it is a matter of perference. i know some guys that dont wanna lose the "raw" feel by knowning theory. they think it will make em sound "standard" or something.

i figure that's bs. the amount of theory u learn from a book is up to you and your ability to understand w/o a physical teacher to bounce questions off and get an immediate response/clarification. and also your patience level.

im impatient... so even tho i wanna learn stuff about theory i end up putting down the book way too quick. that's just me and my ADD tho.

i figure its another tool in your bag right. how and when you apply it is up to u. and honestly there's never anything wrong with having another tool or trick up your sleeve.

i tried taking lessons a while ago and it didnt stick. i ended up forgetting to show up a few times due to being super busy at work etc. i also just couldnt deal with having HW again. it felt like more work to me than fun.

but lately ive had a renewed interest in all that and have been picking up a mini bit here n there from some book i bought.

 

[NoFrets80]

daz books

learn your theory. i started as an ear player, then learned (no, LIVED) theory for over 6 years while in school, etc., and have been consciously making the transition to "forgetting" it. basically, you must learn how to use the "tools" you need to make music... theory is your toolbox. learn it till you're sick of it and it's second nature, and then make music. once it's in your head and fingers, then you can utilize it without it feeling contrived. it's not easy, and it's definitely something that takes time. if you don't know how chords function, scales relate to chords, how harmony and voice leading works, you will never be able to FULLY contemplate and produce the music you're capable of making. arguments can and will be made about players who are not "readers" or theory nuts, i accept that. the question is how far you want to take your own playing. i say.. "YAY FOR THEORY."

now, back to the original question. books i have found infinite inspiration in are as follows...

*rufus reid - the evolving bassist
*michael moore's bass method (no, not the political documentarian... the upright bassist michael moore)
*marc johnson's concepts for bass soloing
*gary willis - linear fingerboard harmony (or something like that)

 

[KennethB]

Do both, dammit!

A good ear is a requirement if you're gonna do music. But of course theory is important too, not to forget reading.
You can get by without knowing how to read or knowing your tritone substitutions, sure.
But it will not hurt you, you won't lose your "edge" , it will "empower" you. Theory can be a wonderful "confirmation" of what you're already hearing.
And it builds confidence, and that's good, right?
So when someone asks you "Why?", you can say; "Well, because................(fill in the blank)" instead of going; "Uh, I don't know".

 

[tkarter]

A well developed set of ears is a great tool to have, but knowing the structure is important, too. I'm just setting out on my first lessons in 20+ years for that very reason - I want to take it to the next level and bring more diversity into what i already do. Theory can be daunting, though - when practicing, I will work on that till my l'il ol' brain is stuffed, and then I just play along to whatever to decompress. Hopefully, I'll start working in some of what I'm learning into solo's and jams - that's what it's all about!

Books - Carol Kaye is a great place to start.

For sure.

tk

 

[Aussie Mark]

You'll struggle at a fill-in gig or a jam night if you try to wing it solely by ear without any basic theory knowledge. And by that I don't mean you need to be able to understand notation or sight read, but if a song is in a particular key or musical genre there are some fundamental theory-based concepts that should be in your bassline toolbox.

 

[Slim]

I have been playing guitar and bass professionaly last 35 years and I just played in bands and I never wanted to study music from books or school. I started out playing surf music in early 60's then rock and roll bands till mid seventies then motown funk and disco bands, back to rock then lounge bands, all kinds of music. Every band I joind plays different style so I learned by ears. The band I play now plays lot of standard tunes. The best way to learn music is just play in many bands and learn all kind of music style. I can play rock, country, latin, standard, fusion, bebop, enka(Japanese music) and I never took any lesson. I can usually play(or fake) most songs on spot then I will listen to the original recording to get the idea later. As long as you know Do Re Mi Fa So La Ti Do you can play. I IV V in key of C(Do) is C F G(Do Fa So) that simple you don't need books. Play in bands or play with records. My favorite musicians are Jimi Hendrix, Led Zeppelin, Steeley Dan, Elton John, Sade, all early fusion players, Frank Sinatra, Nat King Cole, and I really like Bossanova. All different music I played in different bands let me develope musical skill and make money.