Carol Kaye books: any good?
bruce phipps
starting to learn bass.
I can learn a *lot* just by using my ears/copying licks from
CDs/adapting songs I already play on guitar.
But I have thought about getting a tutorial book.
Anyone know of/recommend any of the Carol Kaye books. Looking at her
web site she seems to talk a lot of sense and seems rooted in the
simple, melodic "old school" style which I prefer, rather than
contemporary slap bass techniques.
Bruce
Brian Rost
>
> Anyone know of/recommend any of the Carol Kaye books. Looking at her
> web site she seems to talk a lot of sense and seems rooted in the
> simple, melodic "old school" style which I prefer, rather than
> contemporary slap bass techniques.
Her "Electric Bass Lines" books are very challenging, not really
beginner level but when I started playing (974) it was Mel Bay showing
you how to play "Go Tell Aunt Rhody" or Carol, not like today when there
are zillions of bass books out there.
She doesn't do much text instruction, it's mostly just sit down and play
what's written. If you can get through all 6 volumes you will be on your
way to bass god status. The first two have short 4-12 bar licks in
various keys that force you to deal with fingering and rhythmic issues.
Vol.3 is simply a workout of scales and chords in all 12 keys. The last
three are mostly full transcriptions of actual recordings she made in LA
in the 60s and 70s and are quite a workout to play straight through at
tempo with no mistakes (I can't come close!!!).
I just went back into my copies, now quite dogeared, to get my butt
kicked again (after 20+ years of semi-pro playing). There's plenty in
there to gnaw your teeth on.
--
Brian Rost
Stargen, Inc.
**********************************************************************
Corey Benson
news:3E03805C...@stargen.com...
> Her "Electric Bass Lines" books are very challenging, not really
> beginner level but when I started playing (974) it was Mel Bay showing
I had no idea you were that old, Brian... ;-)
---
Corey R. Benson
VP Sales and Training
Boing Software, Inc.
http://www.boingsoftware.com/
Gary Rosen
"bruce phipps" <bruce_...@my-deja.com> wrote in message
news:27351d26.02122...@posting.google.com...
Yes, they are good - in part because of the James Jamerson basslines
in them. Along with her books, you should go to the source and buy
"Standing in the Shadows of Motown" with its many transcriptions
of Jamerson's fantastic bass playing. That will keep you busy for
a *long* time. In case you haven't heard, there is a movie out now of the
same name based on the book. It's great, others on agb have
seen it and raved about it.
- Gary Rosen
bruce phipps
I know that CK seems pretty good at self-publicity (and why not?). And
there is that "who played on Motown" question.
But, after looking through her website, even though a lot of it is
jazz-based, I was *very* impressed. She knows her stuff and I like the
way she dismisses modal scale stuff and concentrates on the chordal
stuff. Another example, her explanations of how and when to use
augmented and diminished chords are first rate. Again, jazz-based, but
useful to know.
Like I said, she seems to be "old school" melodic. Which is the style
I want to play.
Bruce
Paul
of the (sometimes bitter) controversy, and what I do believe are Jamerson's
lines in some of Carol's books, there is certainly plenty of other great
material there. These are good books, and worth looking at.
But, I have to also agree with Gary's recommendation. "Standing in the
Shadows of Motown", by Allan "Dr. Licks" Slutsky, is a great examination of
classic Motown bass, as exemplified by James Jamerson. If you've seen our
film of the same name, you should realize that half of the book is the story
of Jamerson and the Funk Brothers, but the other half is full of
transcriptions and analysis of Jamerson's playing. It's got a CD with the
bass "soloed" on one channel, and the rest of the rhythm tracks on the other
(these are not the original recordings of the songs). It is not a "learn to
play bass" book, but if you want to understand the incredible basslines
played by Jamerson, there is no better place to start. It sure helped my
bass playing!
Regards,
Paul Elliott
Elliott Scott Productions (Exec Producers of Standing in the Shadows of
Motown)
"Gary Rosen" <garym...@attbi.com> wrote in message
news:s1VM9.245223$pN3.20152@sccrnsc03...
Neal Pollack
strikes. I've also supplemented them with Rufus Reid's "The Evolving
Bassist" which seems better organized and comes primarily from an
upright perspective. I don't have enough years left to master all the
material unless I quit working, eating and cleaning myself and then I
wouldn't be fit to appear in public so I just keep plugging along little
by little.
Neal
--
*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*
Neal Pollack PressPlay Computer Consultants
neal...@nealstar.com http://www.pressplay.net
Carbondale, CO, USA neal...@pressplay.net
"Many of a system administrator's problems can be traced to an unwarranted
anthropomorphizing of the user."
- unattributed article on Usenet, January, 1992
Gary Rosen
> I like the
> way she dismisses modal scale stuff and concentrates on the chordal
> stuff.
I've already had my say on the Motown "controversy" (there really
should be no controversy at this point), but I do agree with the
above if that's what she says on her site. Modes are way
overrated. They have their place, especially in modern
jazz, but it is far more useful to learn the theory of chord
progressions.
- Gary Rosen
Gary Rosen
"Paul" <ub...@sonic.net> wrote in message
news:tE2N9.56224$Ik.17...@typhoon.sonic.net...
> Wow, I never thought I wioud find myself defending Carol Kaye, but in
spite
> of the (sometimes bitter) controversy, and what I do believe are
Jamerson's
> lines in some of Carol's books, there is certainly plenty of other great
> material there. These are good books, and worth looking at.
Paul, I did say buy SITSOM *along* with her books. While I am
not happy with her role in the "controversy" they ARE good books,
not just for the Jamerson stuff.
- Gary
PS - Thanks for the movie, it's great!
Edwin Hurwitz
bruce_...@my-deja.com (bruce phipps) wrote:
I took a lesson with her a couple of years ago and even now she is like
Charlie Parker on the electric bass. The studio stuff is cool and all,
but until you hear her up close, you haven't heard anything. I was
seriously blown away (and she gave me a lot to work on. Still absorbing
it).
Edwin
--
Edwin Hurwitz
Boulder, CO
http://www.indra.com/~edwin
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