The Book of Five Strings

centered warrior

Last revised: 11 September 2010

Daily Practice Routine:

Strength/Dexterity/Timing: Practice the standard 1-2-3-4 fingering exercises up and down the neck, and across all strings. Should include both single- and cross-string patterns, played ascending and descending. Work with a metronome regularly, but not religiously; 3x-4x/week is probably appropriate if practicing daily. It is also important to develop an internal rhythm, without aide of the metronome. Scales/Modes: Pick a different scale and key daily one scale, one key, played in each mode and in each position on the neck. Play each ascending and descending, twice and without error. Genres: One lesson in a specific genre each practice. Song: New song at least weekly. Prior to playing, find notation/tab or at least chord progression for the song. Listen the first time without playing or reading notation; the second time through, listen while following the notation. Play next without the music, then play the song twice through along with the song. Stick with the same song at least three practice sessions before moving on to a new song.

Library
Theory
In General: Fux, Johann Joseph, The Study of Counterpoint (from GRADUS AD PARNASSUM), Norton 1965 (Trans. Alfred Mann) Jeans, Sir James, Sciencs & Music, Dover 1968 Kraft, Leo, A New Approach to Ear Training: A Programmed Course in Melodic and Harmonic Dictation (2nd Edition), Norton 1999 (incl. 4 CDs) Miller, Michael, The Complete Idiot's Guide to Music Theory (2nd Edition), Alpha Books 2005 (incl. The Complete Idiot's Guide Ear Training Course CD) --The Complete Idiot's Guide to Music Composition, Alpha Books 2005 --The Complete Idiot's Guide to Arranging and Orchestration, Alpha Books 2007 Rameau, Jean-Philippe, Treatise on Harmony, Dover 1971 (Trans. Philip Gossett) Rimsky-Korsakov, Nikolai, Practical Manual of Harmony, Carl Fischer 2005 (Trans. Joseph Achron) Rooksby, Rikky, Arranging Songs: How to Put the Parts Together, Backbeat Books 2007 (incl. CD) Salzer, Felix, Structural Hearing: Tonal Coherence in Music, Dover 1982 Surmani, Andrew, Karen Farnum Surmani, and Morty Manus, Alfred's Essentials of Music Theory: A Complete Self-Study Course for all Musicians, Alfred 2004 (incl. 2 CDs ear training) Tchaikovsky, Peter Ilyitch, Guide to the Practical Study of Harmony, Dover 2005 (Trans. Emil Krall and James Liebling) Orchestration and Instrumentation: Adler, Samuel, The Study of Orchestration (3rd Edition), Norton 2002 (incl Workbook and 6 multimedia CDs) Berlioz, Hector and Richard Strauss, Treatise on Instrumentation, Dover 1991 (Trans. Theodore Front) Forsyth, Cecil, Orchestration, Dover 1982 Rimsky-Korsakov, Nikolay, Principles of Orchestration, Dover 1964 (Trans. Edward Agate) History:

Shapiro, Peter (ed.), Modulations: A History of Electronic Music, Caipirinha 2000

Bass
Methods: Appleman, Rich and John Repucci, Berklee Practice Method: Bass (Get Your Band Together), Berklee Press 2001 (incl. CD) Bredice, Vincent, Mel Bay's Deluxe Jazz & Rock Bass Method, Mel Bay 1981 Brown, Ray, Ray Brown's Bass Method: Essential Scales, Patterns and Exercises, Hal Leonard 1963 Edwards, Bill and Steve Hodson, Bass Logic: A Comprehensive Method for Learning Bass, Edwards Music Publishing 1994 Hiland, Mike, Mel Bay's Rock Bass Technique, Mel Bay 1990 Reid, Rufus, The Evolving Bassist, Myriad 1983 Sher, Chuck, The Improvisor's Bass Method, Sher Music Co. 1979 Sher, Chuck and Marc Johnson, Concepts for Bass Soloing, Sher Music Co. 1993 (incl 2 CDs) Simandl, F., New Method for the Double Bass (Book I), Carl Fischer 1984 (Revised by F. Zimmerman) --New Method for the Double Bass (Book II), Carl Fischer 1987 (Revised by F. Zimmerman) --30 Etudes for the String Bass, Carl Fischer 1940 Genres and Styles: Carter, Ron, Building Jazz Bass Lines (Bass Builders), Hal Leonard 1998 (incl. CD) des Pres, Josquin, Hip-Hop Bass: 101 Grooves, Riffs, Loops and Beats (Bass Builders), Hal Leonard 2001 (incl. CD) Friedland, Ed, The R&B Bass Masters: The Way They Play, Backbeat Books 2005 (incl. CD) --Reggae Bass (Bass Builders), Hal Leonard 1998 (incl. CD) Goldsby, John, The Jazz Bass Book: Technique and Tradition, Backbeat Books 2002 (incl. CD) Liebman, Jon, Funk Bass (Bass Builders), Hal Leonard 1992 (incl. CD) --Blues Bass: The Complete Method (Bass Builders), Hal Leonard 1999 (incl. CD) Matheos, Chris, 100 R&B Soul Grooves for Bass, Mel Bay 2006 (incl. CD)

Rosier, Keith, The Lost Art of Country Bass (Bass Builders), Hal Leonard 1997 (incl. CD) General Reference: Clayton, Stuart, Bass Styles: The Ultimate Guide to Playing Bass in Any Genre, SMT 2006 (incl. CD) Coryat, Karl (Ed.), The Bass Player Book: Equipment, Technique, Styles and Artists, Backbeat Books 1999 Friedland, Ed, The Working Bassist's Tool Kit: The Art & Craft of Successful Bass Playing, Backbeat Books 2001 (incl. CD) --Bass Grooves: Develop Your Groove & Play Like the Pros in Any Style, Backbeat Books 2004 (incl. CD) Rosier, Keith, Studio Bass Masters: Session Tips & Techniques from Top Bass Players, Miller Freeman Books 1999 (incl. CD) Westwood, Paul, Bass Bible: A World History of Styles and Techniques, AMA Verlag 1997 (rev. 2005) (incl. 2 CDs) History: Bacon, Tony and Barry Moorhouse, The Bass Book: A complete illustrated history of bass guitars, GPI Books 1995 Slutsky, Allan Dr. Licks, Standing in the Shadows of Motown: The Life and Music of Legendary Bassist James Jamerson, Hal Leonard 1989 (incl. 2 CDs) Slutsky, Allan Dr. Licks and Chuck Silverman, The Funkmasters: The Great James Brown Rhythm Sections 1960-1973, Manhattan Music/Warner Brothers 1997 (CDs NOT incl.) Biographies:

Sheet Music:

Magazines:

Business and Recording

Business and Law: Halloran, Mark (Ed.), The Musician's Business & Legal Guide (2nd Edition), Prentice Hall 1996 Schwarz, Daylle Deanna, Start & Run Your Own Record Label, Billboard Books 1998 Stim, Richard, Music Law: How to Run Your Band's Business (Edition 1.2), Nolo 1999 Sward Rapaport, Diane, How to Make & Sell Your Own Recording: The Complete Guide to Independent Recording (Revised 5th Edition), Prentice Hall 1999 Wilson, Lee, Making It in the Music Business: A Business and Legal Guide for Songwriters and Performers, Plume 1995 Recording: Coryat, Karl, Guerrilla Home Recording: How to Get Great Sound from Any Studio (no matter how weird or cheap your gear is), Backbeat Books 2005 Roberts, Mark, Basic Rhythm Programming, SMT 2003 Snoman, Rick, Dance Music Manual (2nd Edition), Focal Press 2009 (incl. CD-ROM)