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Songbook Recommendations

Throughout the StudyBass lessons, I reference songs that are transcribed in these books. Here's an example in case you're not familiar with the StudyBass approach. If you're working through the lessons, you should definitely pick up a few of these so you can practice some of the songs and get the most out of the lessons.

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Bass Tab White Pages I've been recommending this book for years because of its wide variety of excellent basslines. Most of these are very good transcriptions. Some appear in other books. Basslines in this book are referenced more than any other book on StudyBass. It will be a useful tool on your StudyBass journey. Songs in this book are referenced 216 times in the StudyBass lessons.
The Beatles - Complete Scores A score is a special notation format which shows all of the parts. You might think you only want the bass part, but it's very insightful to learn how the bass works with all of the other parts--drums, guitar, piano, vocals, etc. Endless learning in this. Very tiny print! Songs in this book are referenced 45 times in the StudyBass lessons.
images/books/rock-bass-bible.jpg https://amzn.to/3JaWaDj This book contains many great basslines from Queen, Cream, Heart, Kansas, The Beatles, Stevie Ray Vaughan, The Rolling Stones, Pink Floyd, The Who, The Police and many others. Songs in this book are referenced 43 times in the StudyBass lessons.
images/books/rb-bass-bible.jpg https://amzn.to/4okdbve Another excellent collection with many classic R&B hits. There are a lot of James Jamerson basslines which overlap with (the real bass bible--Standing in the Shadows of Motown). Similarly, there are many Duck Dunn lines overlapping what's in Soul Fingers. Still, there are great lines by Tommy Cogbill, David Hood and others. Songs in this book are referenced 31 times in the StudyBass lessons.
Standing in the Shadows of Motown: The Life and Music of Legendary Bassist James Jamerson Motown studio bassist James Jamerson is one of the most important electric bassists in history. His basslines influenced countless others. Many of these basslines are quite advanced. Within them, you will learn nearly everything there is to know about bass notes and rhythms. Songs in this book are referenced 21 times in the StudyBass lessons.
The Beatles, 1967-1970 (Bass Recorded Versions) Rarely do you get to see a famous bass player's development like you do with Paul McCartney. His early work hinted at where he would go. This book has many of the amazing melodic basslines he is known for. There is so much to learn in these basslines. Highly recommended. Songs in this book are referenced 20 times in the StudyBass lessons.
images/books/pop-rock-bass-bible.jpg https://amzn.to/4m3abSs A very good collection of great basslines. Many of these are from the late 70s, 80s and 90s--The Police, Sheryl Crow, Elton John, Van Morrison, ZZ Top, Queen, Journey, Cheap Trick, The Cure, Lenny Kravitz, Chic and other greats. Songs in this book are referenced 20 times in the StudyBass lessons.
Soul Fingers An excellent book of basslines by bass legend Donald "Duck" Dunn. You've heard him on countless recordings and maybe seen him in the movie The Blues Brothers. His lines are not too difficult to play, are excellent and make for great learning. Songs in this book are referenced 17 times in the StudyBass lessons.
null null James Brown is one of the most important musicians of the past century. The architect of soul, funk and hip-hop, Brown brought many musicians (bassists) to the world stage. In this book, learn the bass parts, but also see (maybe learn?) the guitar and drum parts. This book is full of history, too. Top pick. Songs in this book are referenced 16 times in the StudyBass lessons.
The Beatles/1962-1966 (Bass Recorded Versions) Paul McCartney is one of the most influential bass players of all-time. When The Beatles were signed, they had just lost their bass player and Paul was given the job. Paul's early basslines here are perfect, musical lines which aren't too technical or complicated. Great when you're beginning to play bass. Songs in this book are referenced 16 times in the StudyBass lessons.
- - 21 key Led Zeppelin basslines spanning their whole history chosen by John Paul Jones himself. You won't be a complete rock bassist without learning these lines. Jones is an absolute master and major influence on bass players everywhere. Books for each individual album also exist. Songs in this book are referenced 12 times in the StudyBass lessons.
images/books/hard-rock-bass-bible.jpg https://amzn.to/3IOaDVX A great collection of heavier rock songs with great rock basslines from bands like Led Zeppelin, Iron Maiden, Megadeth, Van Halen, Mötley Crüe, Aerosmith and more. Songs in this book are referenced 12 times in the StudyBass lessons.
null null This "fakebook" (a collection of song melodies and chords) is a must-have for all jazz musicians. This book contains many of the most often played jazz standards. Jazz musicians are expected to know most of these songs by heart. Here you can learn a lot about chord progressions, melodies, practice reading music, and the jazz repertoire. Songs in this book are referenced 11 times in the StudyBass lessons.
null null Reggae is a very bass-forward style of music. With all of the other instruments leaving a lot of space, the bass shines through. Aston Barrett is the reggae bass master. He knows exactly how to construct memorable, powerful basslines. Few bass players can make you dance to and sing the bassline at the same time like "Family Man" can. Songs in this book are referenced 11 times in the StudyBass lessons.
- - Sting's basslines are known for their space and eloquence. Don't be fooled that they are "simple"—they are quite sophisticated. These are great lines many beginner bassists can learn to play easily. Highly recommended! Songs in this book are referenced 10 times in the StudyBass lessons.
- - Usually a band's sophomore album is not as great as their first. They're on their first tour for their first album and have little time to write and record. Well, Led Zeppelin didn't have that problem. This album has killer song after killer song and the basslines to match. There is a lot to learn here. Songs in this book are referenced 7 times in the StudyBass lessons.
null null This is a great collection of funk tunes covering many eras, bands, bassists and common funk techniques. Songs in this book are referenced 6 times in the StudyBass lessons.
null null Rock bass pioneer, Jack Bruce, brought his cello, double bass and jazz background to a newer instrument on the scene—the electric bass. Bruce set a high standard for all bassists in the early years of the electric bass. You will recognize his music from the band Cream. Dig deeper. He is amazing and must be studied. Songs in this book are referenced 6 times in the StudyBass lessons.
- - Led Zeppelin IV has many of their most famous songs. Those songs, of course, wouldn't be so famous without John Paul Jones' masterful basslines. I highly recommend every rock bass player learns and studies these basslines! Songs in this book are referenced 6 times in the StudyBass lessons.
images/books/queen-the-bass-guitar-collection.jpg https://amzn.to/4oa8Ni5 John Deacon has created some of the world's most memorable basslines. They are well worth studying. This book is a great collection of Queen basslines and solid transcriptions. Songs in this book are referenced 5 times in the StudyBass lessons.
- - Nirvana is the most iconic rock band of the 1990s. Krist Novoselic's basslines are classic and do exactly what you're learning to do—support the music's rhythm and harmony. This is a great collection of rock basslines. Beginners can get a good start from learning these great basslines. Songs in this book are referenced 5 times in the StudyBass lessons.
null null Geddy Lee has written some of the greatest rock basslines of all-time. If you know Rush, you already know. If you don't know Rush, get acquainted. Listen to 2112 and Moving Pictures to get started. Then, start learning and studying Geddy's basslines! Songs in this book are referenced 5 times in the StudyBass lessons.
images/books/the-best-of-yes-for-bass.jpg https://amzn.to/40N6lnQ If you love progressive rock, you love Chris Squire. This is a great collection of Yes songs, good transcriptions and these songs aren't found in many other bass transcription books. Songs in this book are referenced 3 times in the StudyBass lessons.
images/books/bass-virtuosos.jpg https://amzn.to/46xgyIJ This is a great collection of many very challenging basslines by some of the greatest electric bass players of all-time: Jaco Pastorius, Stanley Clarke, Victor Wooten, Rocco Prestia, Les Claypool, and many others. Warm up your hands first! Songs in this book are referenced 3 times in the StudyBass lessons.
- - Led Zeppelin's first album—one of the greatest rock albums of all time—has some incredible bass playing and musical arrangements. John Paul Jones improvises a lot so there is a lot to analyze, break down and study. Don't simply memorize. Study why he chose those notes and rhythms. Songs in this book are referenced 3 times in the StudyBass lessons.
- - In my teaching of thousands of private students, Flea is the bass player who has inspired the most people to start playing bass. It's no surprise; he's got it all—groove, technique, sweet melodic basslines, you name it and he does it. This is a great collection of his most well-known basslines. Songs in this book are referenced 3 times in the StudyBass lessons.
- - Led Zeppelin III is another rock bass masterpiece with a variety feels, rhythms and tempos. Songs in this book are referenced 2 times in the StudyBass lessons.
- - Jimi Hendrix reshaped the world with his guitar playing, and bassists Noel Redding and Billy Cox helped create many legendary rock compositions. Every rock bassist needs to learn these basslines. Songs in this book are referenced 2 times in the StudyBass lessons.
- - This is a fun collection of more modern basslines rather than classics from the 60s-90s you'll often find in bass songbooks. Songs in this book are referenced 2 times in the StudyBass lessons.
- - This album has some real bass classics: The Song Remains the Same, The Rain Song, The Crunge, and The Ocean. Songs in this book are referenced 1 times in the StudyBass lessons.
- - Steve Harris is a rock bass god. Known for his galloping rhythms and blistering riffs, these basslines are a great workout and fun to play. Songs in this book are referenced 1 times in the StudyBass lessons.