July 31st, 2010 5:35 pm
Bass Guitar For Dummies
- ISBN13: 9780470539613
- Condition: New
- Notes: BUY WITH CONFIDENCE, Over one million books sold! 98% Positive feedback. Compare our books, prices and service to the competition. 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed
Updated with the latest bass guitar technology, accessories, and more The bass is the heart of music. So leave center stage to the other musicians-you have more important work to do. You can find everything you need to dominate bass in Bass Guitar For Dummies, 2nd Edition. You’ll get expert advice on the basics, like deciding what kind of bass to pick up and which accessories are necessary and which are just nice to have. Plus, you’ll get step-by-step instructions for getting started, from how to hold and position your bass to reading notation and understanding chords, scales, and octaves to playing solos and fills. New coverage of slaps, double stops, de-tuning, and fretless techniques New musical exercises as well
Rating: 
(out of 69 reviews)
List Price: $ 24.99
Price: $ 12.49
July 31, 2010 at 6:32 pm
Review by guitarteacherusa for Bass Guitar For Dummies
Rating:
I’ve read both the “Guitar” and “Bass Guitar” Dummy books, (although they were written by different authors). Both have useful knowledge for each instrument. Does the book teach what it promises? Yes, and then some. For that I give it a great review. Is it the best way for a “dummy” or beginner to learn? No. If you are just starting out stay clear of this book. It is too menacing and you’ll probably get very discouraged quickly. This is coming from a full time bass and guitar teacher of 14 years. However, if you are the type of player who can play the fretboard, but don’t understand it, this book will give you clarity. Many of my students, (bassist’s especially), can play a lot of songs, but they don’t understand what key they are in, or how to read or write music or TAB. Some don’t even know the names of the notes they are playing! Yet, they can play the instrument. If this describes you, and you would like to gain some insight to the wonderful world of bass guitar music, then you need this book!
From Mark John Sternal
Author of “BASS GUITAR: Total Scales Techniques and Applications”
“Complete Bass Guitar By Ear”
“The Twelve Notes Of Music”
and “GUITAR: Probable Chords”
July 31, 2010 at 7:02 pm
Review by Stewart Teaze for Bass Guitar For Dummies
Rating:
Great resource for learning the bass guitar.
I learned how to read music and learn notes, scales, technique, etc. very rapidly.
The CD is very helpful – but don’t expect to use it to listen to the low-pitched bass guitar notes on the tiny little speakers on a laptop computer! I ended up having to hook up big speakers to my laptop to get decent enough sound.
I researched bass guitar instruction books at several large book stores, and this was by far the best book available. The only complaints I have are: 1) the “Dummies” title… I ended up making a book cover that included the fretboard/music notation pages from inside the book (a cheat sheet, if you will). 2) The introduction to music notation didn’t include explanations of some obvious things, like what the bass clef symbol notation means(turns out to indicate which line corresponds to the note F), or what the time symbol “c” means (turns out to be common or 4/4 time, which is the time base used for most rock tunes)… I ended up going to Wikipedia to figure out the full details of music notation.
Don’t expect to read this book straight thru to learn the instrument… you have to take little samples from the different chapters, and put things together yourself sometimes… but, to be honest with you, I’m not really sure the approach used in this book can be improved on that much… it really is a pretty good book if you are willing to do some of your own research when you get curious about something that isn’t fully covered in the book.
July 31, 2010 at 7:29 pm
Review by Jeff Velez for Bass Guitar For Dummies
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If any of you Bass Players are like me, You have been purchasing book after book just to end up in the same (or worse) situation. Stumped, trying to connect point A to Point B. Some books don’t make points clear enough for you to understand things like, Proper warm up techniques, building major, minor scales, modes, chords, playing solos, playing in odd meter, understanding sight reading, the importance of timing and how to achieve it etc etc. If you tried to tackle any one of these subjects chances are you have a book collection large enough to rival the NY Public Library…(I know I do) Bass Guitar For Dummies is like the book all books were derived from. All of the topics I mentioned (and some I didn’t) are discussed in a clear orderly fashion. The book goes from the basics to the more advanced, A definate reference guide even for the Professional. Just Starting on Bass? Well, this book is the book for you as well…..(I wish this book was out when I started!!) “Bass Guitar For Dummies” will lead you to the proper road to success. I suggest every one who is serious (or just curious) about bass playing, pick up this most incredible offering by Performer, Teacher, Composer “Patrick Pfeiffer” Hey, what do you have to lose? If you want to play with the big boys, you need to arm yourself with the proper tools……..I recommend this book to all.
July 31, 2010 at 8:20 pm
Review by Michael J Ruel Jr for Bass Guitar For Dummies
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This book is absolutely FANTASTIC. It takes the “mystery” out of the awkward start up period (“How do I hold the bass?” How do I tune this darn thing?”) and then quickly digs in to keep the reader interested. Think you are too “good” for this book??? Don’t be fooled by the title! This book is quite useful for players (like myself) who’ve been around the muscial block for a while. Patrick is a very gifted instructor and his talent and love for the instrument, music, and teaching shines thru on every page. Even if you are an advanced player, the sections on musical styles, advanced scales/arpeggios, and creating grooves can always help. Patrick teaches you valuable skills that you need to survive on the job and get MORE WORK. (Plus the “Bassists/Drummers to Know” section is a MUST read!)It is obvious that Patrick knows his stuff cold. He is a bountiful resource for Bass Guitar instruction and his writing style and quick wit keeps you interested. I can’t recommend this book highly enough.
July 31, 2010 at 8:59 pm
Review by Charlie San Miguel for Bass Guitar For Dummies
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When I decided to pick up bass, I did some research and bought 10-15 different books, including books on scales, books on grooves, getting-to-know-your-bass type books, etc. Without a doubt, this has been the best book I have found. It’s the most comprehensive, yet easy to understand, book I have come across. The book is written by an expert and the advice and exercises in the book are excellent and well explained. Highly recommended.