I have tried to find a book that really goes into writing bass lines. Most of the books I find are beginner "here are where all the notes are" types. I thought I had found one the other day, "MJS Total Scales Techniques and Applications." Unfortunately, it was about 98% Scales and 2% applications. I'm looking for something that walks you through writing the line, like examples of "you are going to play using this chord progression, let's walk through developing the bass line." Does that make any sense? I'm trying to learn to think like a bassist rather than a guitarist playing bass.
Did you already check this book? It covers exactly what you say.
(BTW, where is Mitch? I don't read his posts long time ago!)
I'm looking for something that walks you through writing the line, like examples of "you are going to play using this chord progression, let's walk through developing the bass line." Does that make any sense? I'm trying to learn to think like a bassist rather than a guitarist playing bass.
You may want to start with "chord tones" to outline the chords and build your bass lines. I've found this very effective. Here's a free lesson that argues a bass player should focus on chord tones before worrying about scales:
http://www.studybass.com/lessons/bass-chord-patterns/chord-tones-are-primary/
And some follow-up lessons with exercises: http://www.studybass.com/lessons/bass-chord-patterns/
From there, the site has many scale lessons with exercises too: http://www.studybass.com/lessons/bass-scales/
Great free resource.
Also I like Ed Friedland's "Walking Basslines" book. He starts with basic root-5th-octave lines (basic chord tones!) and builds on them from there (dominant, chromatic, etc.) Good blend of theory and application ... maybe more application with not enough theory as much is implied rather than explicit. You do need to have a basic grasp of standard notation for this book. It's a good starting point for what you want; then he's got an "Expanded Walking Basslines" book and his "Jazz Bass" book that are more intermediate/advanced.
Thanks for y'all's recommendations. After reading that review, David's book looks like exactly what I'm looking for.
