David Hodge's The Complete Idiot's Guide to Playing Bass Guitar is out in bookstores everywhere. Whether you have just picked up the bass or are learning to improve your technique, this book provides a strong foundation in reading music, purchasing the right equipment, and care and maintenance of the bass guitar. Order your copy from Amazon.com today!

Reader Reviews

Excellent book
Out of the 15 or so books I have bought about guitar and bass, this is the best by far.
- James M. Shaw

Complete Idiot's Guide to Playing Bass Guitar
David Hodge's guide to playing BASS is easy to read and understand. There is something in this book for the beginner as well as the advanced player.
- Jeff 

Great guide for bassists of all levels and genres
David is just the man to write this book. If you've read his articles on GuitarNoise.com , showing his deep love and understanding of music and his ability and desire to teach, you'll see what I mean. This book covers a lot of ground -- material valued at well beyond the book's price. We go from the basics of music, buying a bass, up to jazz rhythms, arpeggios, slapping, and other distinctive bass sounds. I believe players of different skill levels would get a lot from this book, from total beginners to intermediates. There's that much material in the book.
- Darrin Koltow

This book is amazing
I have been playing bass in a band for about a year now, self taught and was looking for something to, not only give me the basics, but expand on my knowledge as far as fret board mechanics and other types of music, such as rock, blues, etc. I was surprised by the way everything is spelled out in this book. It is great for the beginner as well as those who have played before. I will and have taken some of the "tricks" in this book with me into my on stage playing. So, whether you play in the bedroom, garage or on a stage, this book has something for everyone.
- George Ross

Great Item
This is a great book, for those of you interested in playing bass. Everyone starts playing bass trying to memorizing the bass notes to songs. Nice for beginners, but not practical if you plan on playing out. You have to learn your scales and how to use your scales, alternates, inversions, and arpeggios. This book will get you started on the right path. This is a must for all beginners. One thing though. It would be nice if he had a better name for the book.
- Ronald W. Thompson

Two books in one
David Hodge has written a very good book on the bass - of which there are very few. This book should be subtitled "Applied music theory via the Bass Guitar" because Hodge sneakily creeps in a good deal of theory while presenting the instrument at the same time in an entertaining fashion. This book is head and shoulders above the "for Dummies" series. The "Dummies" book only has one page on slap/tap and maybe three on walking bass lines. Hodge is definitely someone who has experience teaching others and his approach and writing style demonstrates that. My only criticism maybe that advanced techniques are given shorter shrift here. For an intermediate player, this may be a bit frustrating but overall this doesn't detract from the high quality and presentation of the material. If you teach bass in a one on one or group setting this book is definitely a must for you and your students.
- thegnuewe

It Will Make You a Better Player
This books is somewhat different that the Dummies' one -- a little more in depth when it comes to theory, but if you want to study and master the bass guitar seriously, you can't go past it. Frankly, I recommend getting this one and the Dummies' one. The only two books on learning bass guitar you'll ever need. And with the CDs, you'll be able to practice those riffs for hours on end.
- Laurent Boulanger 

Order your copy from Amazon.com today!