In this informationpacked hal leonard series, renowned bassist ed friedland reveals the technical and stylistic details behind professional jazz upright performance. It not only tackles the fundamentals of improvisation and understanding how to navigate your instrument but it digs deep on building bass lines and has a ton of examples throughout. Jazz upright bass jazz bass lessions featuring ed friedland. The upright bass site we dont call it a double bass. Fingering strategies for the upright bass no treble. Pdf the jazz bass book download full pdf book download. Mckee has been a faculty member at the new school for jazz and contemporary music in new york city teaching bass, improvisation and mingus repertory since 1993. Technique and tradition bass player musicians library. Left hand technique for doubleupright bass lesson with geoff. I will inspire a positive attitude and good practice habits that will help any student succeed.
Solo techniques for unaccompanied pizzicato jazz double bass. As to why its difficult, well theres a few reasons. Using a bow to play an upright bass gives a different quality of sound than plucking the strings. This list could easily go into the hundreds, but lets start small. Here are my top three essential double bass albums. In the jazz scene, since the bass guitar takes on much of the same role as the double basslaying down the rhythm, and outlining the harmonic foundationelectric bass players have long used both bass guitar methods and jazz double bass method books. These are my desert island classical double bass technique books. How to use a bow on an upright bass bass techniques with. Guitar technique constructing walking jazz bass lines, book 1.
It encourages an approach that will make you think and work hard in the practice room, but relax while performing. Nothing beats the tone of an upright bass played correctly. But whether it is bowed, plucked, or played slap style, this instrument forms an integral aspect in many music genres including classical and symphonic compositions, jazz, bluegrass, country and western, and rock. Jazz piano is a collective term for the techniques pianists use when playing jazz.
A noncommercial site about the upright bass and is centric to various genres including jazz, fusion, funk, rock, blues, and avantegarde. You can browse the lesson categories below or use the search bar to find what you need. Textbook for jazz bass by john goldsby, reference book for double bass, textbook. By following this method you will be able to play for longer. Sometimes techniques are used to produce a particular sound, which is best suited for a certain song or style of music. Books and videos, at gollihur music upright basses, pickups.
Oct 15, 2009 the size of the upright bass means we have to be very efficient in how we approach playing music, especially if you are going to be playing for a long gig or concert. Technique and tradition this is another good book for aspiring jazz bassists and offers a unique historical approach to playing. However, as music and the role the bass diversified, new techniques were developed to. Jazz method, learn to play upright jazz bass, upright bass, double bass, jazz technique book, walking, improvisation, bass lines, transcriptions, playalongs. When walking into a music shop, youre better off using the term double bass since thats what its been most commonly called for that last. I am fortunate enough to have a fantastic bass teacher, who is also an author for the american school of double bass, and has developed multiple fingering strategies to help you.
Enjoy the lowest prices and best selection of electric upright bass at guitar center. Recommended classical and jazz study materials for double. David ellefson has been a mainstay in the rock and metal communities for over 25 years. Chocked full of examples of how scales lay on the fretboard, how to apply that knowledge to come up with bass lines and solos, transcriptions of bass lines and solos. It is conventionally a member of an orchestras string section and is also used.
From electric bass to upright bass by maureen pandos so, youve been playing electric bass now for some time and youre thinking about maybe trying your hand at the upright bass. I recommend ed friedlands hal leonard bass guitar series. Jazz method, learn to play jazz bass, upright bass, double. His book, the jazz bass book, is an indepth look at the tradition, history and personalities of jazz bass. Although bluegrass bass has a style of its own, the knowledge gained through this method is applicable to virtually any musical genre. The bass lines are good and one simple addition to know is that just about any chordwalking bass line, you can always use a leading tone that is, 12 step below to whatever is the next chord. Maybe youll even get a bow and mess around with that a little bit. Jul 29, 2014 this list of jazz bassists includes performers of the double bass. More than a players manual, this book portrays jazz bass as a vital element of 20th century american music. Drawing upon years of performance and teaching, master jazz bassist andy mckee has developed a jazz based lefthand fingering technique to strengthen. Available singly or as a set, in print or ebook form, with accompanying audio. Constructing walking jazz bass lines book i the blues in 12 keys is a complete guide demonstrating the devices used to construct walking bass lines in the jazz tradition.
Instruction method books, at gollihur music upright basses. The unaccompanied double bass solo is a relatively new medium in both jazz and classical common practice. The size of the upright bass means we have to be very efficient in how we approach playing music, especially if you are going to be playing for a long gig or concert. All encompassing ones that include the basics of holding a bass, posture, scales, walking bass lines, soloing and more. Mastery of the upright bass jazz method book 1 the neck. Its three books total and by the end of it youll be able to read practically anything using bass clef such as standing in the shadows of motowm or the paul chambers solo book. Mckee has two books published by hal leonard corporation, jazz bass on top 2011 and 101 upright bass tips 2014. Even though john goldsby is an upright player and the players presented in the book are too, electric players can learn so much from this book. Walking bass lines the blues in 12 keys upright bass and electric bass method serious electric bass. The term upright bass is used by those of us who focus on jazz or nonorchestral genres. Bass soloing books that are geared towards soloing on the bass.
Aug 14, 20 the upright bass is such a large instrument that its essential that you learn to play with good technique, right from the start. Designed for bass players and jazz fans alike, the jazz bass booktechnique and tradition. Jamey aebersold jazz does not accept liability for incorrect spelling, printing errors including prices, incorrect manufacturers specifications, or grammatical inaccuracies in any product included in the jamey aebersold jazz catalog or website. In the early days, bassists often used techniques to emulate the sound of acoustic upright basses. This book did for bass players what jamey aebersolds books did for other instrumentalists. Upright bass method and study books string emporium. Upright bass is designed to help open up your technique.
In addition, you can find their piano accompaniments and playalong cds to help develop your bass playing skills. Technique and tradition backbeat books, 2002 this unique book combines both methods and historical information. Building a 12 key facility for the jazz bassist is an excellent resource for those that want to dig a little deeper in to. Ive worked through a lot of various systems through the years, but these are what keep landing on my music stand. Colin trusedell, a professional musician, shows how to play an upright bass with a frenchstyle bow. I specialize in upright bass, jazz bass, funk bass, bass technique, and rhythm. Resources on jazz bass killer walking bass blog medium. Left hand technique for doubleupright bass lesson with. Here you fill find jazz walking bass line books, excellent resources for learning to play jazz walking bass lines. Jazz method, learn to play jazz bass, upright bass, double bass. Lemur stocks dozens of arco technique books, bowing studies, and fingering methods for upright bass. Simple walking bass line for jazz beginners talkingbass. Jazz bass books walking bass line in 12 keys upright.
If youre just getting into jazz bass, or want to go a little farther with your knowledge and technique, this series is for you. Slap it funk studies for the electric bass by tony oppenheim should be on every bass players book shelf. Not to mention other double bass innovators like francois rabbath, renaud garcia fons, adam ben ezra, and jazz bass giants like ray brown and charles mingus. Bass improvisation, walking bass lines, jazz phrasing, jazz play alongs, and transcriptions are all part of the complete collection of jazz method books and dvds from. The use of jazz double bass method books by electric bass players in jazz is facilitated in. Its role is multifaceted due largely to the instruments combined melodic and harmonic capabilities. Part 1 demonstrates the techniques used by professional jazz bassists to provide forward motion into bass lines, while providing a strong harmonic and rhythmic foundation. The jazz bass book technique and tradition by john goldsby foreword by ron carter goldsby is a respected bass player and bass player magazine columnist. Anything written by ed friedland is good, the complete bass method published by hal leonard is great. It includes exercises, his etudes, walking bass lines and tons of photos on technique. John goldsbys technique and tradition highlights the significant contributions that have been made by some of the greatest bass players both past and present. This is a very solid technique book, particularly for experienced players with. Jazz studies, bluegrass howtos, tuning in 5ths, all the genres have method books and lemur stocks those also. But if youre really looking for a walking jazz bass line book, then in alphabetical order ed friedland, ed fuqua, jay hungerford, and bob magnusson all have good books, each with a little different approach.
Citing examples from key recordings in the jazz canon, the book defines the essence of the musical contributions made by more than 70 important jazz bassists, including ray brown, eddie gomez, charles mingus, milt hinton and many others. Good jazz bass technique will give you the necessary skill and chops to play jazz and make you a more wellrounded musician whatever your background or training. For this reason it is an important tool of jazz musicians and composers for teaching and learning jazz. He touches on just about everything important to a jazz bass player. This is one of those books that should be in every bassists library. It is considered to be a member of the violin family, and it has the lowest pitch in that family. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading the modern bass players toolbox. An excellent, deep collection of technique studies from one of the most respected players and teachers of the upright bass. Tons of runs for the contemporary pianist by laverne. Weve got some great concert dvds, the real book for bass, a bunch of excellent instructional dvds and books for players of all levels, and even a couple detailed volumes on building and maintaining your own upright basses. Welcome to the wonderful world of the upright bass.
When walking into a music shop, youre better off using the term doublebass since thats what its been most commonly called for that last. Ray browns bass method instructional exercises book at gollihur. Feb 07, 2017 these are my desert island classical double bass technique books. Beginnersgetting started the upright bass site double bass. Internationally acclaimed as the bassist and cofounder of thrash icons megadeth, he is known for his unique and hard hitting style of bass playing, as well as his versatility in a wide variety of other musical settings across the globe. Jb100 rufus reids the evolving bassist is a classic, must have book for any kind of player interested in jazz playing.
Mastery of the upright bass jazz method book 1 the neck until transition position kindle edition by debriano, santi. From electric bass to upright bass by maureen pandos. It goes through the main jazz bass players from the swing era onwards. It amazes me how many students i work with that havent heard of gary karr or edgar meyer. Ive extensively studied jazz, latin jazz, funk, rock music, hip hop, bluegrass, folk, and composition. The content is geared toward an improvisatory approach. Backbeat books the jazz bass bookdouble bass thomann uk. Legendary, prolific jazz bassist and teacher ray brown reveals his lessons and. Sometimes it is called the contrabass, string bass, upright bass, or bass fiddle. This book addresses the elements of tuning, hand positions, essential chord theory, slap bass technique, and playing in positions 110. Ive been an upright jazz bassist for a while now, and even though its hard, its just that much more rewarding. Books and videos, at gollihur music upright basses. Regardless of what style of music you play pop, funk, classical, country western, folk, etc. Theres both jazz and classical books covered in this episode, plus if you.
Upright bass method and study books, simandl, hrabe, solo music, montanari, etudes. Solo techniques for unaccompanied pizzicato jazz double. Jun 21, 2012 using a bow to play an upright bass gives a different quality of sound than plucking the strings. Colin trusedell, a professional musician, shows how to. Bass walking lines books that are strictly geared towards walking lines.
The upright bass is such a large instrument that its essential that you learn to play with good technique, right from the start. The first part discusses the tradition of bass playing with. Ive worked through a lot of various systems through the years, but these. An upright bass, also known as the bass or double bass, is a stringed musical instrument that is played either by plucking its strings pizzicato or with a bow arco. We have over 150 freely available lessons, interviews transcriptions, and articles to help you learn the double bass. While we are constantly building and adding books here, with so much out there, we want to offer the books that we personally enjoy, use and can recommend. The bass players complete guide to scales and chords contemporary bass. Learn to play jazz bass with the help of these jazz bass technique books. Jazz bass on top lefthand technique book by andy mckee. The best books for a bassist to read and learn from. Drawing upon years of performance and teaching, master jazz bassist andy mckee has developed a jazzbased lefthand fingering technique to strengthen your.
One world 2002 cap records 965 andy mckee with idris muhammad, joe locke, alex foster, badal roy, milton cadonna, kenny werner. Upright bass is the anchor in many jazz combos and you can learn how to play with study and practice. The worldwide leader in jazz improvisation educational materials for over 50 years. Bass guitar techniques are methods or approaches used by bassists when playing bass guitars. Books on the blues, rhythm changes, standards, as well as books for learning and developing technique. This was one of the first books that i really got into when i started studying the bass in earnest. This is a nice websiteblog about playing upright bass. Certainly unaccompanied works for string instruments have. Studies for bass 3volume setebookpdf versionthese three books from david motto make up one of the great sightreading resources of all time. I reckon this is another bass bible in the vein of standing in the shadows of motown. Download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets. The first indepth look at the wonderful world of jazz bass playing.