Bass Player Presents The Fretless Bass

This is an interesting book for someone either really interested by Fretless Bass and want to know more or someone already playing fretless regularly. It is full of historic information, biographic information on distinct fretless bass players, a few partitions to try out different bassist approach to fretless and many pictures of bass heros in action

Not much of real value. I can give you the essentials here: Check out your intonation. Don't try to sound like Jaco. The fretless has a singing quality to it. There you are! If you never read a word about the topic and have all the musical examples at hand, to listen to, you might be able to enjoy yourself for a while.

If this book had been given a more accurate title, like "Fretless Bassists Speak," or "Interviews with Famous Fretless Bassists," it might not have received as many negative comments. "The Fretless Bass" implies a compendium of information, which the book is not. But for what it is, it's excellent, providing profound insights into the minds, histories, playing habits, and gear of famous fretless players.

This book has a lot of information about top pro players and their approach to the fretless that is useful for fretless players of all skill levels. I've been playing fretless for 20 years, and still learned a trick or two. I did NOT like the 16 pages of Bass Player magazine covers inserted into the middle of the book - it felt like filler. Perhaps the best price is a discounted price for that reason.

Great interviews from all the usual suspects (i.e., brilliant,flashy,and eccentric players from Wooten to Claypool),but I really appreciated the Bill Wyman interview.When I first picked up the Bass long ago,I first learned with his stuff in the Stones,for playing in sync with the drums,and now know it was done usually with a de-fretted Bass (who knew?).Playing in the Pocket.Great inspirational book!