Stuart Clayton has updated his Bassline Publishing site with a new section titled ‘Coming Soon’. So far it can be seen that 2 new books will be released next year.

KISS Bass Transcriptions Volume 1 - Coming January 2007
“Coming in January 2007 will be the first of a series of bass transcription books covering the work of bassist Gene Simmons with the rock group KISS. This first volume covers the earliest days of the band and features complete transcriptions of every song from the band’s first two albums, KISS and Hotter Than Hell. All transcriptions are in standard notation and tablature and include chord symbols. Includes information on Gene’s basses and amps, and detailed notes for each song. Featuring ‘Strutter’, ‘Firehouse’, ‘Cold Gin’, ‘Let Me Know’, ‘Deuce’, ‘Black Diamond’, ‘Got To Choose’, ‘Parasite’, ‘Goin’ Blind’, ‘Watchin’ You’, ‘Comin’ Home’ and more.”

Solo Arrangements for Electric Bass - Coming Autumn 2007
“Coming in Autumn 2007, Solo Arrangements for Electric Bass is a collection of pop/rock songs, classical pieces, theme tunes and original compositions all arranged to be played solo on the electric bass. Using techniques made popular by virtuoso bassists such as Victor Wooten and Michael Manring, this book will enable the reader to master not only a variety of techniques, but the art of playing solo music on the bass. Includes Scott Joplin’s ‘Maple Leaf Rag’, Beethoven’s ‘Für Elise’, the theme tune to ‘The Simpson’s’, Sheryl Crow’s ‘Strong Enough’, Peter Gabriel’s ‘Solsbury Hill’, Sting’s ‘Shape Of My Heart’ and many more.”

Check out the books on Bassline Publishing Here.

Rockschool has launched new syllabuses in Guitar, Drums and Bass. Because of these new syllabuses they have released completely new books, each grade includes all new pieces.

Rockschool’s grade exams are made up of the following elements: Performance pieces, Technical exercises, Sight reading or Improvisation And Interpretation, Quick Study Piece, Ear Tests, General Musicianship

Please note that if you are currently working from the old books:

• Candidates for the current RS2K syllabuses may be entered up to and including Period B 2007 (1st May – 31st July 2007) for which the application closing date is 1st April 2007.
• The first candidates for the new syllabus will be accepted from Period C 2006 (23rd October – 15th December 2006) for which the application closing date is 1st October 2006.

Sample pages: Debut Grade 1 Grade 2 Grade 3 Grade 4 Grade 5 Grade 6 Grade 7 Grade 8

You can order them at Musicroom.com.

Some of you will know that Stuart Clayton has writen some excellent bass books, including the Level 42 Bass Transcriptions Volumes 1-5. He’s soon to release (by the end of the month) a new book for all you slap fans out there titled ‘Ultimate Slap Bass’.

What Stuart says about the book…
“Ultimate Slap Bass is the definitive reference/tutorial book for slap players of all levels. The book covers the slap and pop technique from the most basic beginner exercises to the most advanced such as double thumbing and popping, strumming, open string hammer-ons and how to combine slapping with other techniques in a musical way. There are over 220 exercises in the book, which are also recorded on two audio CD’s. The book also includes a detailed history of the technique, as well as biographies of all of the major contributors to the technique. Additionally, there are interviews with Marcus Miller, Stu Hamm, Mark King, Ray Riendeau and Vail Johnson.”

There are some audio examples on his website ‘www.basslinepublishing.com‘. You’ll be able to order the book from the same website here.

From the audio clips I’ve listened to, I’m looking forward to the release!