| Ultimate Play Along For Bass Level 1 Volume 1 is a | | | | However because there are so many different styles |
| bass tuitional book/CD package that's aimed at giving | | | | and feels covered it ends up coming across as very |
| the bass player a simulation of playing along as part of | | | | generic. Perhaps it might have been better to extend |
| a high calibre band. This is a review of that package. | | | | the series out and have a series where each book |
| So What's Ultimate Play Along For Bass About? | | | | focused on a specific style. |
| In a nutshell Ultimate Play Along For Bass is a package | | | | So for example you could have had a book on say |
| that's aimed at giving a structured 'jam' scenario for | | | | r&b. And a book on funk. And a book on blues. And a |
| bass players. There are 7 different songs contained in | | | | book on reggae. And so on. |
| the package - each one is a generic example of a | | | | That way within each book the authors - and the |
| style. For example they are called Straight Eighths, | | | | artists - would have been able to look at subtle |
| Sixteenths, Rock Shuffle, Rock Ballad, Latin, Straight | | | | differences within genres. So for example a book a |
| Ahead Jazz and Rock 'n' Roll. | | | | funk could have looked at some differences between |
| Each of these 'songs' has a detailed introduction | | | | say Rocco Prestia and Paul Jackson's approach to |
| where John Patitucci talks through the layout of the | | | | 16th note funk. |
| song, any rhythmic patterns to take note of, any | | | | Something else that I didn't like was that the playalong |
| scales that you might want to use to select notes, and | | | | tracks sounded very generic and devoid of character. |
| gives us 'tips' on other things to look out. Each of the | | | | Contrast this for example with the 'Sittin In With Rocco' |
| tunes is also featured on the accompanying CD in two | | | | CD where all the tracks are dripping with authenticity |
| versions - a full band version so you can hear John | | | | and character - and where playing along just flat out |
| Patitucci playing in context and also a bass less | | | | feels more enjoyable. |
| version so that you can play along. | | | | Summary |
| How Is The Package Presented? | | | | This could have been the start of a great series for |
| The book has a soft binding which I don't normally like. | | | | those aspiring how to play bass. Instead, by trying to |
| However Manhattan Music redeem themselves | | | | appeal to all bassists the book/CD package ends up |
| magnificently by providing prints out of the charts at | | | | appealing to very few. This is a shame given the |
| the end of the book in a detachable format. So you | | | | talents of the people involved. John Patitucci is a |
| can put them on your music stand and not ruin your | | | | superb bass player. Dave Weckle plays drums on this |
| book! | | | | project too and is a sensational drummer - and the |
| The CD is well recorded - all the tracks are crisp and | | | | other musicians are equally as talented. |
| clear, and the individual instruments are well defined | | | | If you're aiming to be a session player this is something |
| within the stereo mix. | | | | you should have. If you're interested in particular styles |
| How Could Ultimate Play Along For Bass Be Better? | | | | of music you should probably look for something less |
| Let me start off by saying that the information that's | | | | generic and more targeted. |
| presented in this book is high quality. | | | | |