BOOK INTRODUCTION
The bass guitarist, together with the drummer, form what is called the 'rhythm section' of a group. They create the backing beat, driving force and 'tightness' necessary for a successful group. Progressive Bass Guitar will provide you with an essential guide to the riffs, scales, techniques and arpeggios used by bass guitarists. Within the three main sections of the book, a lesson by lesson structure has been used to give a clear and carefully graded method of study. No previous knowledge is assumed.

Aside from the specific aim of teaching guitar to enable you to play in a group, music theory is gradually introduced. This will help you to understand the material being presented and enable you to improvise and create your own bass lines.

From the beginning you should set yourself a goal. Many people learn bass guitar because of a desire to play like their favourite artist (e.g. Paul McCartney), or to play certain style of music (e.g. rock, funk, reggae etc.). Motivations such as these will help you to persevere through the more difficult sections of work. As you develop it will be important to adjust and update your goals.

It is important to have a correct approach to practice. You will benefit more from several short practices (e.g. 15-30 minutes per day) than one or two long sessions per week. This is especially so in the early stages, because of the basic nature of the material being studied. In a practice session you should divide your time evenly between the study of new material and the revision of past work. It is a common mistake for semi-advanced students to practice only the pieces they can already play well. Although this is more enjoyable, it is not a very satisfactory method of practice. You should also try to correct mistakes and experiment with new ideas.

You should combine the study of this book with constant experimentation and listening to other players. It is the author's belief that an experienced teacher will be an invaluable aid to your progress.