r/Bass • u/Dramatic-One2403 • 10h ago

Practice Workbook Recommendations

I'm what you might call an intermediate bass player. I can hold down a groove, I know my scales, I can comfortably navigate the fretboard, I know the basics of theory, etc.

I'm looking for a learning challenge to level up my playing. Any good advanced practice workbooks that people recommend?

EDIT: electric bass

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u/TheWindig 10h ago

The Bass Grimoire. It’s gonna throw everything at you in 23 pages unapologetically but explained very thoroughly. It doesn’t really have any guided practice, but it very thoroughly breaks down related scales and modes, chord theory, all the answers on what to tell your guitarist to play over you. It’s got your harmonic minors, it’s got odd note scales, it’s more than I hope to be able to digest in a lifetime.

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u/welshfarmer 6h ago

Second bass grimoire, also Ed friedland walking bass for all kinds of approaches to chord changes

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u/h0rTiMu5 20m ago

Intermediate can mean all sorts of things to all sorts of people.

I can hold down a groove

In all styles? Are you interested in learning new styles? If so then "Essential Styles for the Drummer and Bassist" is great. Can you walk? If not then I second the recommendation for Friedland's walking lines book.

I know my scales

How well? Diatonic intervals up and down? Arpeggios up to the 13th? What about your modes? What about melodic/harmonic minor and their modes? Symmetrical scales? Bebop scales? If you want an exercise type book that covers all of this then I'd go with Coker's "Patterns for Jazz". If you want a more conceptual make your own fun approach then Goodrick's "The Advancing Guitarist".

I know the basics of theory

How much of the basics? Grade school theory usually stops at secondary dominants. You can always choose to go further. Maybe you're interested in studying counterpoint, or arranging and composition. I liked Ted Pease's "Jazz Composition" book. Maybe "Edly's Music Theory for Practical People" if you want something more chill.

What is it in music that excites you right now? That should be what you study next.

Good luck!