Blues Bass Lines: Bass Guitar Book & CD

Name: Blues Bass Lines: Bass Guitar Book & CD
Brand: Alfred Music
SKU: 24-CBL
Price: 12.95 USD
Availability: InStock

As Played by Bob Cranshaw and Transcribed Exactly as Recorded from Vol. 42 of Jamey Aebersold's Play-Along Series

By Bob Cranshaw

Level: Intermediate

Item: 24-CBL

$12.95

Shipped

One moment…

For all musicians wishing to learn fantastic bass lines. While reading from the book, play along with the bassist on the recording (CD included) until you feel you've mastered his feel and nuances. Then, using the special stereo separation on all of our play-along recordings, switch the bassist off and play along by yourself with just the piano and drums!

This book (like all the Aebersold bass line transcription books) is a great study in professional bass line construction, and is a natural companion to the Aebersold play-alongs. Combo instructors can use this book to give their bass students instant, professional bass lines. Includes notes in bass clef with chord symbols above each measure.

This book includes transcribed bass lines from Aebersold's only play-along recorded with electric bass, and several choruses of two different blues progressions in all 12 keys. This is the ultimate study in blues walking!

Blues Bass Lines: Bass Guitar Book & CD isn't in MakeMusic Cloud just yet...but it could be. Let us know you'd like to see it, and you'll help shape what comes next. In the meantime, start a free trial and dive into thousands of interactive titles your students can play along with today.

Request This Title

Tell us you want it.

Start Your Free Trial

Explore everything that's ready to play right now.

No sample audio found.

No sample videos found.

Publisher: Jamey Aebersold Jazz

Page Count: 32

ISBN10: 1-56224-050-1

ISBN13: 978-1-56224-050-9

UPC: 635621500204

SKU: 24-CBL

More about this title

About the Author: Bob Cranshaw

Bob Cranshaw is a legendary jazz bassist whose career spans decades of work with major ensembles and as a first-call session musician. His deep understanding of bass line construction and blues vocabulary made him an ideal choice to transcribe and author instructional materials for aspiring jazz bassists.

Show moreShow less

Why we love this

Cranshaw's transcriptions capture the actual recorded performances from Aebersold sessions, giving students access to professional-level bass line thinking in the blues idiom. The stereo separation feature transforms this from a passive transcription book into an interactive learning tool where students can isolate themselves and perform alongside the rhythm section, which accelerates both technical and stylistic development.

What to expect

You're sitting in the rhythm section of a working jazz combo, learning the language of the blues from the inside out. Each chorus builds confidence as you match the recorded bassist's phrasing and feel, then stand on your own against the pocket and swing of real rhythm section interplay.

Who it's for

Intermediate bass guitarists ready to move beyond rote transcription into the rhythmic and harmonic vocabulary of blues-based jazz. This book serves both self-directed learners and students working with a teacher or combo instructor who want real professional models to internalize.

How to get the most out of it

Study the bassist's lines first while listening to the recording at normal tempo, focusing on rhythmic phrasing and note placement relative to the beat rather than exact note duration.
Use the stereo separation to remove the bass track, then lock in with the piano and drums to develop your sense of pocket and interaction with the rhythm section.
Work through all 12 keys systematically rather than favoring comfortable keys; blues currency across multiple transpositions is essential for gigging musicians.
Pay attention to how the bassist handles chord tones, approach notes, and space; these choices reveal professional construction principles beyond just reading pitches.

How to use it

Pair this with Aebersold play-along titles to give your jazz ensemble or combo students a complete blues methodology. Bass students studying this material become more valuable sidemen in any combo setting and develop the foundational blues literacy that underpins jazz language.