Table of Contents

Foreword xiii Introduction 1 Part I: Getting Started with the Bass Guitar 7 Chapter 1: The Very Basics of Bass 9 Chapter 2: Gaining the Tools and Skills to Play 21 Chapter 3: Warming Up: Getting Your Hands in Shape to Play 57 Part II: The Bass-ics of Playing 67 Chapter 4: Reading, ?Riting, and Rhythm 69 Chapter 5: Understanding Major and Minor Structures 91 Part III: Making the Moves, Creating the Grooves 127 Chapter 6: Creating the Groove 129 Chapter 7: Going Solo: Playing Solos and Fills 167 Part IV: Using the Correct Accompaniment for Each Genre 183 Chapter 8: Rock On! Getting Down with the Rock Styles 185 Chapter 9: Swing It! Playing Styles That Rely on the Triplet Feel 203 Chapter 10: Making It Funky: Playing Hardcore Bass Grooves 221 Chapter 11: Sampling International Flavors: Bass Styles from Around the World 237 Chapter 12: Playing in Odd Meters: Not Strange, Just Not the Norm 255 Chapter 13: Groovin? in a Genre: It?s All About Style! 271 Chapter 14: Eight Degrees of Separation: The Beatles? Solution 287 Part V: Buying and Caring for Your Bass 307 Chapter 15: Love of a Lifetime or One-Night Stand? Buying the Right Bass 309 Chapter 16: Getting the Right Gear for Your Bass Guitar 319 Chapter 17: Changing the Strings on Your Bass Guitar 329 Chapter 18: Keeping Your Bass in Shape: Maintenance and Light Repair 339 Part VI: The Part of Tens 351 Chapter 19: Ten Innovative Bassists You Should Know 353 Chapter 20: Ten Great Rhythm Sections (Bassists and Drummers) 357 Appendix: Audio Tracks and Video Clips 363 Index 377

About the Author

Patrick Pfeiffer is a professional bassist, composer, and bass educator in New York City. Pfeiffers former clients include Adam Clayton of U2, Polygram, Red Ant Records, Arista Records, and other major labels. He has recorded with George Clinton, Phoebe Snow, Jimmy Norman, and many others.