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35 of 35 found the following review helpful:
 Everything But Timing Feb 08, 2002
By Courtland Creekmore
Ed Friedland's book is truly deceptive. Packed into just over 100 pages and a single CD is enough information and advice to land a paying gig as a bass player. That a lifetime's pursuit could be so distilled without losing breadth is a testament to Friedland's writing. The musical examples are a testament to his fine low hand.One weak point is the book's first chapter, Keeping Time. Friedland makes it clear that this skill, undergirding the other players with a clear time patttern, is essential to obtaining work as a gigging bassist. He fails, however, to include on the accompanying CD, examples of bass playing along with complicated metronome exercises in this first chapter. Otherwise the book's punch is powerful. Friedland has given all bass players a challenging course to study and practice. His path will lead bassists to self improvement if not professional success.
41 of 43 found the following review helpful:
Great for a budding pro! May 01, 2001
By Adam Chin
This book and CD cover all the bases to bring you around the bases and back to home plate! The chapters cover Core Skills (Timing, Charts & Ears), Gig Survival (getting thru tunes you don't know, attire, Jazz survival, etc.) Specialized skills (5 String fundamentals, doublin, Thumb technique, and Chords). Some of the material are re-prints of BassPlayer mangazine articles by Ed Friedland, but this book really covers all the bases. What I like the most about this book is it re-inforces all the things my many teachers over the years have covered. Ear training - identifying chords and interval by ear. This is an invaluable skill! Also, the book covers fully typical chord progressions that you will invariably play. There's a very extensive recommended song list for the gigging bass player to know. Awesome! This book is in no way esoteric. It is a straight forward, hands on book. The book covers virtually all styles of music you'll encounter on a gig. I feel this book needs to be in every budding bass players wood shedding cabinet! I bought it here on Amazon.com at a great price. Peace!
12 of 13 found the following review helpful:
A very useful handbook for bassists Apr 28, 2003
By Paolo Tramannoni
This book is a jewelbox full of great technical and practical tips. From gig and career planning, to basic and advanced technique, to hints for buying a new bass, this is a comprehensive overveiw on bass playing.
3 of 3 found the following review helpful:
Brilliant Jul 17, 2007
By A. Jørgensen
I have started playing bass after many years as a guitarist. I find Ed's book very useful with a lot of fun and intelligent exercises which helps develop your skills as a bass player. It is the best bass book I have seen yet.
2 of 2 found the following review helpful:
A Working Pianist reviews "A Working Bassist's Tool Kit" Oct 18, 2007
By The Brown Bear
Nicely done! I'm thinking about becoming a working bassist (after having been a working pianist for many years.)
This book has been quite helpful in that regard. Two thumbs up!
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