Mel Bay Publications
Level : Beginning-Intermediate

"The Art of Solo Bass" is a jumping off point, a place to glimpse the possibilities of the electric bass. This book examines the use of chords and chord/melody in performance, arranging, composing and the development and exploration of new techniques. From using chords to enhance and embellish your groovin’ bass lines, to developing a comping style to perform with an ensemble and finally to create solo arrangements and compositions for practice and performance.

This is a step-by-step tutorial into the techniques, theory and practical application of solo bass. Includes actual arrangements, recordings, notation and tablature to guide you along the way.

Part I
Introduction
Lesson 1: Playing Major7, Minor7, Dominant7, 6th, and Diminished and Half Diminished Chords
Lesson 2: Using Chords to Create Hip Basslines
Part II
Introduction
Lesson 3: Playing in a "Comping" Style — "Lizard"
Lesson 4: Playing in a "Comping" Style — "Take Five"
Lesson 5: Playing in a "Comping" Style — The Blues,Part1
Lesson 6: Playing in a "Comping" Style — The Blues,Part2
Lesson 7: Playing in a "Comping" Style — The Blues,Part3
Lesson 8: Playing in a "Comping" Style — "Sugar"
Lesson 9: Playing in a "Comping" Style — "Rhythm Changes"
Part III
Lesson 10: Chord Melody Arrangement — "Amazing Grace"
Lesson 11: Chord Melody Arrangement — "Over the Rainbow"
Lesson 12: Chord Melody Arrangement — "The Shadow of Your Smile"
Lesson 13: Chord Melody Arrangement — "Sugar"
Lesson 14: Chord Melody Arrangement — "How High the Moon"
Lesson 15: LoopingArrangement— "There are No Accidents"