Ray Brown's Bass Method (Eagle Large Print) (Paperback)

by Ray Brown (Author) "On the following pages you will find all of the scales played on the lower half of the bass, plus thirds, fourths, fifths, sixths, sevenths,..." (more)
Key Phrases: minor tenths, major tenths

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
Legendary jazz bassist Ray Brown reveals his lessons and teaching philosophy in this in-depth book. Includes: solo exercises and arpeggios; music fundamentals; right- and left-hand positions; scales; chords; exercises in tenths; rhythm patterns with "drops"; diminished chords; runs and variations; blues patterns; extension scales; and much more.

Product Details

• Paperback: 136 pages
• Publisher: Hal Leonard Corporation (June 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0793594561
• ISBN-13: 978-0793594566
• Product Dimensions: 11.8 x 8.9 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #132,295 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars An excercise book with the emphasis on Jazz, July 17, 2002

By	Michael J Edelman (Huntington Woods, MI USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 100 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

This isn't really a method book; the subtitle, "Essential Scales, Patterns and Excercises" describes it better. As an adjunct to other study material it's useful, but as a jazz method it's a bit lacking. There's no discussion whatsoever, and nothing that really connects to the style of Ray Brown. For that matter, much of the material recapitulates excercices found in Simandl and other bass methods.

Bass players looking to develop some jazz chops should look at Bob Magnusson's "The Art of Walking Bass", Ron Carter's "Building Jazz Bass Lines" and Ed Friedland's "Building Walking Bass Lines", among others. The Ray Brown book might serve as a collection of etudes to practice along with these books.

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Things you need to know to have Ray's TECHNICAL ABILITY, February 2, 2003

By	Rudy Zulkarnaen "zalkurnean" (Bandung, Indonesia) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

If you want to have Ray's TECHNICAL ABILITY (not his musical concepts), this book surely have the content of what you need to know to be one. But if you're a beginner (which at this time needs full guidance in almost everything), then maybe this book isn't yet for you (except, if someone more experienced could help you out). Almost from the beginning we were forced to find out fingerings on your own (and this is good, if you already have enough experience with the instrument). So, if you don't have enough experience, you need another book that gives you full guidance in every material taught, for example: Lew Berryman's 'Intonation Plus'.
Another problem - there's some mistakes in the books. Either some wrongly written notes, and some wrongly written content. P 29 have exactly the same content with p 31, but the titles were different. These things could led to confusion.

11 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Review Of Ray Brown's Bass Method, May 24, 2000

By A Customer

Ray Brown presents his foundation for playing in this book. It is a study on finger positions, scales, and chords. It is an Etude book with an edge. Most exercises are presented in an easy to understand manner, that should help any Jazz Bass player " be mo, like Ray!"