Essential Bass Technique -- Reviews

BASSically.net, March 2002

Essential Bass Technique, 2nd Ed., by Peter Murray

In this 48-page manual, Murray addresses the often-overlooked technical aspects of bass playing. Although the material presented to you in this book does not suggest that it is the only approach to playing, it does provide you with a solid foundation from which to build upon, a foundation which many bassists take years to develop. Through a concise, analytical approach and dozens of photos and illustrations, Murray suggests not only what to do, but more importantly, why you should do it and why it will benefit you. With the use of outside resources, Murray presents a thoroughly researched and to-the-point manual. Bottom Line: Essential Bass Technique is the most comprehensive manual addressing the fundamental technical concepts behind playing the electric bass. Since the electric bass is, relatively speaking, such a young instrument, there has never been a single methodology written which has been tested, proven, and accepted to be the definitive, standardized manual by which bassists shape their technique. This book has the potential to become that single source. If this book would have been available when I started playing bass, I could have saved myself years of retraining my hands how to work efficiently. Now, with the help of Peter Murray's Essential Bass Technique, you can learn how to play bass accurately and proficiently the first time. "Best Buy of the Year!"

Cliff Engel

Full review at: www.bassically.net/news_reviews.htm

BASS PLAYER, February 1996 (pg. 78)

Peter Murray
Essential Bass Technique
Instructional value: A+
Presentation: A

Once in a while, a book comes along that stands head and shoulders above the endless rows of "method books" that fill the racks in music stores. This is one of those exceptional books.

Canadian bassist/writer/educator Peter Murray has made a study of electric bass technique, and he presents his results in this 48-page treatise. Don't expect the usual "chops-building" exercises; instead, Murray offers a precise analysis of the most efficient way to use your body to produce the best musical results. This is done, for the most part, with words and pictures, although there are a few musical exercises that demonstrate important points. The key is economy of motion -- playing in a manner that reduces unnecessary and counter-productive muscle movement. Murray explains this via a series of concise guidelines -- each accompanied by several photos and/or illustrations -- that cover the use of both the right and left hands in standard fingerstyle playing on a 4-string. (He explains up front that this is because the vast majority of bass playing is done this way. He's right, although I hope he's planning a second volume that applies his principles to slapping, tapping, and extended-range basses.)

If you're a beginner, study of Murray's method could save you from countless hours of frustration (and possible injury) by showing you the correct way to use your hands right from the start; if you're a more advanced player, it should help you to refine your ability and overcome the technical barriers that can block further development. While not everything Murray presents should be considered as gospel for all players, most of this book makes a whole lot of sense -- and its value is further enhanced by loads of good tips about instrument setup, tone production, practicing, and what it means to be a bass player. Bravo!

Jim Roberts

BASS FRONTIERS, Vol. 3, No. 3 pg. 51

Essential Bass Technique by Peter Murray, Mel Bay Publications

Peter has designed a book that helps you discover your technical difficulties. Peter starts by giving you the basic principles from economy of motion to string gauge and action. This book contains few notated examples, but instead Peter gives a thorough explanation and a corresponding photograph of each example.

Peter's technical advice is not only economical, but very practical too. This book could save a beginning to intermediate bassist years of developing bad habits that are hard to break. This is an excellent book, although we all know there is more than one way to do anything. Peter will give you a solid foundation from which you can adjust and build upon to create techniques that are comfortable and that best suit your personal playing style.

Scott Koziol

BASSICS, Vol. VI, No. 1 pg. 51

Essential Bass Technique by Peter Murray

Bassist for the Toronto band "surrender dorothy," Peter Murray has assembled this concise and methodical treatise on the "essential" aspects of playing bass, and offers a well documented collection of rudimentary guidelines for those seeking efficient and standardized techniques. I particularly endorse his left-hand (or right-hand for lefties) techniques and subsequent applications, as well as his muting techniques, which I know many beginners have trouble understanding and will therefore appreciate his thorough explanations. And the notion of "economy of motion" is very valuable.

Of course there are no "absolute" rules when it comes to playing an instrument, so the techniques utilized here should be used primarily as a solid foundation for developing good technique. For example, while he wisely suggests that the bass should be positioned at a medium height on one's body, and I too don't recommend trying to play with the bass down around your knees, I have seen it played successfully up high, right against one's chest (e.g. Jimmy Haslip, Billy Dickens). And while the two-finger plucking method is by far the most commonly used, many great players use three or even four (e.g. Gary Willis). Resting the plucking hand's thumb on the pickup is also a useful technique and widely used, but there are other valid ways of anchoring the hand, such as lightly resting the thumb on top of the lower strings, which although a little strange feeling at first, works well for muting the strings, especially with a low B.

I'm also not crazy about the cover illustration with its somewhat yucky fingernails, but in summary, this is a very organized and worthwhile method that really gets into the details of playing technique. Very few musical examples are included, just a thorough guide to "essential technique." I recommend this book for those seeking solid technique guidance.

Ron Garant

MUSICIEN QUÉBÉCOIS, Mai/Juin 1996 p. 26

L'essentiel de la technique de basse

Le Torontois Peter Murray a produit l'an dernier un manuel technique pour la guitare basse intitulé Essential Bass Technique. L'ouvrage d'une cinquantaine de pages est abondamment illustré et rédigé de façon très pratique.

Murray guide le lecteur sur les bonnes techniques à utiliser par les mains gauche et droite ainsi que sur les mauvaises positions à éviter. Il propose aussi des exercises afin de développer la dextérité qui convient pour jouer d'une basse conventionnelle à quatre cordes.

Ralph Angelilo