Rating: 
Summary: Walls Will Shake
Review: I've been struggling to find the right tools to properly learn the bass guitar for a while now. Don't waste money like I did! If you want to learn the basics, and be able to handle the advanced bits too, this is the ONLY bass guitar instructional book you need and want. If you don't know what a "chord" is, you'll learn. If you know the basics, but you can't get your fingers around a proper groove... you'll learn! And soon you'll be using all the information contained in the book and on the CD to make the walls shake. Oh, and don't worry, this isn't some dry, uninteresting text book that you'll have to struggle to read. It's fun, entertaining, informative, and it doesn't have anything in it that won't make you a better bassist. My advice? If you don't care what I say, realize that U2's bassist Adam Clayton went to this man to learn more. 'Nuff said. This book is the Jaco Pastorius of bass books. And if you don't know who he is... you'll learn!
Rating:
Summary: The Holy Grail of Bass
Review: If any of you bass players are like me, you have been in search of an instructional book that can take the mystery out of all the jargon that most books are cluttered with. Many subjects we must tackle such as Scales, chords, modes, sight reading, the importance of timing and how to achieve it are all subjects we have confronted, and if you all did your homework and were persistant about attaining this knowledg you probably have a book collection large enough to rival the New York Public Library. "Bass Guitar For Dummies" is the answer to all our prayers. The book covers all the bases, such as bass guitar maintainance warming up, proper right, left hand techniques, timing, working with a metronome, sight reading and so much more.
For professionals, this book serves as a fantastic reference guide and for the beginner an invaluble source of information. "Patrick Pfeiffer" author, composer, teacher, performer and an all round killer bass player, has released the holy grail of bass guitar info for the serious (and the curious and not so serious, either way you should buy it) I recommend "Bass Guitar For Dummies" to all.
Rating:
Summary: The Holy Bass Bible
Review: 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.
Rating:
Summary: Not just for Dummies
Review: Patrick Pfeiffer has an extraordinary talent for relating to the newest beginner as well as to the seasoned professional. Bass Guitar for Dummies works amazingly well at getting you started, but it also serves as a great guide for quick reference for any level player. It has humor, theory and practicality and I can't imagine being a bass player without owning a copy.
Rating:
Summary: Music Secrets Revealed
Review: Patrick Pfeiffer is by far the best explainer I've ever encountered, in written or spoken word, of the whole world of music, not just bass guitar. This book -- and especially using the companion CD -- can literally change your life if you care about or are interested in music. With this book and Patrick's clear explanations and the gorgeous examples on the CD, my musical life has been completely changed for the better. Patrick has enabled me to understand musical concepts that baffled me for many years. Plus, he's really funny throughout, which helps you keep things in perspective and have a great time while learning. I cannot stress strongly enough that anyone who wants to finally understand music had better get this book! WARNING: Non-bass players may quickly find that they have to play bass. The bass is such a perfect instrument, being arranged symmetrically all over the neck, that it is an ideal instrument to use to open up the entire world of music for anyone (because it's manageable). Everyone who loves music would do well to own and use this book.
Rating: 
Summary: Over the top
Review: Probably too much information for the average user. Not entirely user friendly either. Perhaps there is a less complex book.........
Rating: 
Summary: Great Book for beginners
Review: This book covered everything from gadgets, buying bass/amps up until the top 10 most influential players. I guess all the good stuffs have already been said in previous reviews, but I found two things missing in the book, which take away 1 star:1. Chords Progression
Most of the examples/exercises in the book are based on one chord, for all the types of music. It should actually include some of the simple chord progressions like I-IV-V-I and goes thru the bass lines. 2. The Drum tracks can not be used as backing track.
The drum/sample tracks are short (4bar) tracks, which can not be used to loop forever.
Rating:
Summary: An excellent resource for all bass players
Review: This book covers it all, from all important warm-up excercises to major / minor scales and the modes. The review of the role of the bass across many music styles offers great insight into the different possibilities available on the instrument. This book is great to read from cover to cover and will serve as a highly valuable reference tool.
Rating:
Summary: Must-have Bass Book!!
Review: This book is a must have for the beginner and advanced player alike- any level of player will be able to draw from this book . From the make-up of the instrument itself to concepts in exercises and grooves, the book gives a thorough explanation of the foundation of the bass guitar in different styles of music- and does it in an entertaining and understandable way. The accompanying CD is the best of its kind- no synthesized bass and drum loops here, folks- this is the real deal, with real drums and bass demonstrating hip groove styles. The book is very thorough, but enjoyable and humorous enough to delve into or just to peruse at your leisure. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who has ever played or yearns to play the bass.
Rating:
Summary: Must-have Bass Book!!
Review: This book is a must have for the beginner and advanced player alike- any level of player will be able to draw from this book . From the make-up of the instrument itself to concepts in exercises and grooves, the book gives a thorough explanation of the foundation of the bass guitar in different styles of music- and does it in an entertaining and understandable way. The accompanying CD is the best of its kind- no synthesized bass and drum loops here, folks- this is the real deal, with real drums and bass demonstrating hip groove styles. The book is very thorough, but enjoyable and humorous enough to delve into or just to peruse at your leisure. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who has ever played or yearns to play the bass.
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