Customer Reviews

Bass Method: For the Beginning Electric Bassist

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

A year ago one of our local music stores asked us to do a review of this DVD. Since that time we have recommended it to many of our own students as a great supplement to the companion book, Bass Method Book I (2nd edition), also by Ed Friedland. The feedback we get from them is that they enjoy having something to visually work with between lessons. They like the completeness of the material and the step-by-step approach used to present it.

In addition to it being very well filmed (excellent angles and close ups so you can really tell how to position and use the fingers) all of the examples demonstrated are well structured, musically interesting and fun (no "Three Blind Mice" here!). Here is an outline of each "chapter".

Intro
1. Startup
2. Playing Technique
3. Reading Music (standard notation & TAB)
4. Notes on the E String
5. Notes on the A String
6. Notes on the D String
7. Notes on the G String
8. ¾ time and Rests
9. Eighth Notes & Eighth Rests
10. Notes in Third Position
11. Position Shifting & Box Shapes
12. Songs
13. Closing/Credits

The Startup takes you through an explanation of the parts of the electric bass, the bass amp (and tone/volume settings), finding a good position for holding the bass, and tuning.

Playing Technique covers: Right hand; how to play using fingers or pick, Left hand positioning and fingering.

Reading Music covers the concept of rhythm and pitch, the musical alphabet and how it works on the staff, the duration of notes, the time signature and so forth. He walks you through some easy examples reading and playing notes using a split screen so you can see him playing the strings as the notation scrolls below. The notes and beat are highlighted so you can see exactly where you are. It's probably the best concept of note reading and playing presentation I've seen in years.

Each chapter introducing notes on each string uses the same procedure mentioned above. Natural notes and sharped and flatted notes are covered. Practice "jam tracks" are provided to make playing and note reading fun.

This holds true for the remainder of the DVD. At the end, bass parts for six well known popular songs are provided. Again, these are presented in split screen showing right and left hand fingering plus the notation scrolling below.

Songs included are:
"Imagine" by John Lennon
"Whiter Shade of Pale" by Procol Harum
"Lady Madonna" by The Beatles
"Taking Care of Business" by BTO's
"All the Small Things" by Blink 182
"My Girl" by The Temptations

Ed introduces important features of playing each tune, which is a great way to learn how simple ideas can be (and were) used to make cool bass lines.

If you're looking for good solid instruction that guides you step by step, like you would find from lessons with a quality private teacher, then GET THIS DVD!

To your musical success!!

Also recommended:
Bass Method - The Complete Edition (books 1,2 and 3 with CDs). By Ed Friedland

Drummers, check out Tommy Igoes' "Getting started on Drums" and his "Groove Essentials" DVD

I've been playing bass by ear for a while and wanted to start learning how to read. This DVD was what I needed to get started. The instructor is easy going and informative, making the experience enjoyable. I recommend this.

I would recommend this DVD tutorial for a beginning bassist--- I have learned quite a bit from being able to follow the very well laid out lesson chapters. I was not aware of how well Ed Friedland was going to cover studying recognition of "reading music" but I think he covers it very well---It is very challenging to try and learn to recognize / read the music and also be able to play quickly but that's what learning is all about!! It isn't easy but is well rewarding--- I will continue to learn from this DVD and enjoy the fact that you can go back over each chapter and still pick up a lot of great knowledge--- It gets a "thumbs-up" from me---

This DVD is a good supplement to the first booh of the method series and I feel it well worth the money...

Lessons are well put together with clear explanations as you are stepped up. Watch it as many times as you need and play back the sections you need work on. I really liked the format and flow of the program.....recommended.

This is the complete package; an ideal resource for the beginner. Learing the bass guitar, of necessity means learning to "read" music & musical charts. Anyone can "learn" to play an instrument "by ear", however, to become technically proficient and to advance to the level of acquiring mastery with the bass guitar you will want to read music. This book, along with the instructional DVD and CD will give the beginner an excellent foundation, not only because ofits clear instruction and interactive approach to bass-playing technique but also because of its very understandable instruction and demonstration in the practice of reading music in the bass clef! Well paced, easy to follow and practice to, entertaining - you will be glad you started here as you learn to play bass!

I BOUGHT THIS FOR MY SON WHO IS TRYING TO TEACH HIMSELF TO PLAY THE BASS GUITAR. IT HAS HELPED HIM A LOT AND WE WILL SEE IF HE CAN LEARN ON HIS OWN. THANKS FOR A GREAT PRODUCT!

This DVD follows the already prominent Hal Leonard guitar lesson series for Bass. Great approach to learning the bass, styles as well as technique.

The DVD would not play on either my MacBook Pro or my Windows Vista laptop. It appears the DVD is meant to be played with a TV type DVD player only. (As if my wife would let me bring my Bass into the front room ;-)