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Elemental Theory For Guitar and Bass

by James M. Cass

45 pages; Black coil; catalogue #07-1913; ISBN 1-4251-4518-3; US$14.95, C$17.19, EUR11.66, £7.73

Elemental Theory for Guitar and Bass presents a unique and simplified explanation of the basic concepts of music theory with the guitar and bass player in mind.

About the Book

The primary focus of this book is to simplify music theory for the average guitar player, who does not read traditional music notation.

Theory is often taught with the musical note reader/player in mind. This book breaks through those barriers and explains theory in layman's terms with the guitar/bass player in mind.

This book takes you through the basics, eliminating traditional keyboard theory, and advances you to a level of understanding chord construction, and how theory can be applied to the fretboard.

After completing the lessons in this book you will be able to understand how scales and chords are constructed. You will be able to discuss music theory with any musician and develop a keen sense of how theory can actually relate to the guitar or bass.

It is my hope that readers of this book will gain insight into an otherwise difficult concept. Enjoy yourself as you increase your knowledge of music theory, and you will be delighted and surprised as some of it increases your playing abilities.

About the Author

I started playing the guitar at age 8 while my father was stationed in Tokyo, Japan. It was difficult to find an instructor who spoke English in the early 1960's, so my first teacher was Japanese. I learned to read and write music from this gentleman, but after one year of training he moved to a different city. I continued studying on my own until a replacement instructor could be found.

Upon returning to the USA my next teacher (Mr. Haines) was a member of the National Symphony Orchestra in Washington, DC employed as second chair violinist. He was extremely strict, which was the old style of instruction. With him I studied all the classical styles including music theory, music history and music appreciation.

Throughout my high school years I was one of two guitarists who played the classical style, and was the only one who had never played with a pick. Mr. Haines retired and moved to Florida in 1970. Thereafter I became self-taught.

After high school I took a few music courses at the local community college in Alexandria, VA. I finished all the courses but was a better guitarist than their current instructor at the time, so I never finished my degree because I refused to pay this gentleman for instruction.

I have played in many groups as well as performing solo. I was a guitarist for the Army band in the mid 1970's and studied the jazz guitar style at the Armed Forces School of Music in Little Creek, VA. It is known as the Julliard of Jazz among military musicians.