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My StudyBass
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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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.
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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
Songs in this book are referenced 21 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.
The Beatles, 1967-1970 (Bass Recorded Versions)
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.
The Beatles/1962-1966 (Bass Recorded Versions)
Songs in this book are referenced 16 times in the StudyBass lessons.
The Funkmasters-the Great James Brown Rhythm Sections
Songs in this book are referenced 16 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.
Classic Led Zeppelin I & II (Bass Guitar)
Songs in this book are referenced 10 times in the StudyBass lessons.
Best Of Jack Bruce Bass Tab Edition Book (Authentic Bass Tab Editions)
Songs in this book are referenced 6 times in the StudyBass lessons.
Funk Bass Bible (Bass Recorded Versions)
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.
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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.
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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.
Bass Anthology Rush (Bass Anthology)
Songs in this book are referenced 2 times in the StudyBass lessons.
The Real Book: Bass Clef, Sixth Edition
Songs in this book are referenced 2 times in the StudyBass lessons.