The Working Bassist's Tool Kit Book/CD (Softcover) [Sheet music]

Ed Friedland (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1, 2001

This book by Bass Player contributing editor and columnist Ed Friedland teaches electric or acoustic bassists of any style the musical skills essential in the working world, survival tips for tackling any gig, and techniques for achieving a competitive edge. It helps new working bassists hit the ground running, and pro players grow stronger. Topics include time and groove, chord charts, ear training, doubling, thumb technique, keeping time, faking tunes and many more, plus ways to assess a gig and deliver the goods. Includes lots of musical examples and exercises, both in the book and on the play-along CD.

Product Details

• Sheet music: 96 pages
• Publisher: Backbeat Books (April 1, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0879306157
• ISBN-13: 978-0879306151
• Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 8.4 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #349,380 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

35 of 35 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Everything But Timing, February 7, 2002

By 

Courtland Creekmore (Anaheim, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Working Bassist's Tool Kit Book/CD (Softcover) (Sheet music)

Ed Friedland's book is truly deceptive. Packed into just over 100 pages and a single CD is enough information and advice to land a paying gig as a bass player. That a lifetime's pursuit could be so distilled without losing breadth is a testament to Friedland's writing. The musical examples are a testament to his fine low hand.

One weak point is the book's first chapter, Keeping Time. Friedland makes it clear that this skill, undergirding the other players with a clear time patttern, is essential to obtaining work as a gigging bassist. He fails, however, to include on the accompanying CD, examples of bass playing along with complicated metronome exercises in this first chapter.

Otherwise the book's punch is powerful. Friedland has given all bass players a challenging course to study and practice. His path will lead bassists to self improvement if not professional success.

41 of 43 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great for a budding pro!, May 1, 2001

By 

Adam Chin (San Diego, CA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Working Bassist's Tool Kit Book/CD (Softcover) (Sheet music)

This book and CD cover all the bases to bring you around the bases and back to home plate!

The chapters cover Core Skills (Timing, Charts & Ears), Gig Survival (getting thru tunes you don't know, attire, Jazz survival, etc.) Specialized skills (5 String fundamentals, doublin, Thumb technique, and Chords). Some of the material are re-prints of BassPlayer mangazine articles by Ed Friedland, but this book really covers all the bases.

What I like the most about this book is it re-inforces all the things my many teachers over the years have covered. Ear training - identifying chords and interval by ear. This is an invaluable skill! Also, the book covers fully typical chord progressions that you will invariably play. There's a very extensive recommended song list for the gigging bass player to know. Awesome!

This book is in no way esoteric. It is a straight forward, hands on book. The book covers virtually all styles of music you'll encounter on a gig.

I feel this book needs to be in every budding bass players wood shedding cabinet!

I bought it here on Amazon.com at a great price.

Peace!

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A very useful handbook for bassists, April 28, 2003

By 

Paolo Tramannoni (Porto Recanati, MC Italy) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Working Bassist's Tool Kit Book/CD (Softcover) (Sheet music)

This book is a jewelbox full of great technical and practical tips. From gig and career planning, to basic and advanced technique, to hints for buying a new bass, this is a comprehensive overveiw on bass playing.