On this page you can find opinions and testimonials about the book Contemporary Bassist, given by bassists like you who have experienced it in the field.
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What did they appreciate in particular? What benefits did they gain? Has their musical life changed? Find out by reading their stories!
Luca Rossi - Director ZioMusic
My fellow bass players or aspiring bass players, today I suggest you take a look at this method for electric bass guitar written by Tiziano Zanotti, a musician of great experience and a ten-year teacher [...]. As a true Saint Thomas, and a guitarist who plays the bass badly, I put myself in the shoes of the student and experimented these methods on myself. The first thing I can say is that I really appreciated the clarity of the explanations, which are concise and technically impeccable. [...] The exercises and fundamentals are well done and, very important for a didactic method, the progression of difficulties is well thought out. [...] It is a method that is very well suited to a teacher, but self-taught students will also benefit from the clear didactics and, even if they start from scratch, will be able to understand all the topics without too many problems.
(Read the full review here: www.ziomusic.it/2014/02/07/bassista-contemporaneo/)
Cristina Martellosio
I studied piano for years and, after a long period of inactivity, I became curious to 'experiment' with the electric bass. I bought the 'Contemporary Bassist' method only a few months ago, but I must say that the first few chapters are enough to realise that it is indeed effective. Of course it takes patience, passion and perseverance, but the results are not slow in coming. As with the '5 steps' introductory course, I really appreciated the clear exposition, the practical imprint and the immediate recourse to the stave, which I consider much more useful than tablatures.
Mauro Melis
...here we are, immersed in the study of the bass guitar and not only.... finally a method where learning the instrument goes hand in hand with the study of music, of rhythm... with exercises that day after day and without almost noticing... lead your fingers to acquire the right strength... and to move on the keyboard with that precision that you would never have thought of a few weeks before. Like having a teacher close by... even better. You can go back as much and as often as you like, even if the manual provides review sessions. And then where do you find a 200-page manual where practically everything is explained... and where a CD accompanies you to play in a gradual and encouraging way. Since right from the start you feel like you're part of a 'group'. Thank you Titian. The years of work to conceive and realise a method like this are all visible... nothing is left to chance... even the things that seem simplest.... An almost 57 year old who is having a great time.
Carmelo Russo
Tiziano Zanotti's 'Contemporary Bassist' method is undoubtedly the most complete method I know. Not to be underestimated are the videos and articles professionally offered on the net. I had stopped studying electric bass a long time ago, and only recently resumed with a guitarist friend. Searching the Internet, I came across 'The Contemporary Bass Player', which is simple in its comprehensiveness and effective. I was impressed by the helpfulness and professionalism of Tiziano and Anna, I hope to meet them soon.
Anthony Bologna
Fantastic book, impeccably explained... Lesson by lesson he makes you discover the world of music, not just bass guitar.
Rocco Cardilli
The contemporary bass player is the method I have (finally) been looking for for a long time. I consider this method extremely important for those who, like me, believe in making music seriously. Great appreciation to the author's professionalism. My theoretical-practical knowledge has been greatly enriched thanks to this method. Thank you thank you thank you. W the bass. contemp!
Andrea Dominoni
On the books I can only tell you that I am still using them, actually I have yet to start Contemporary Bassist vol.2. In addition to saying that they are very useful for the path I'm facing (I'm studying to aspire to become a teacher and/or turn player) since I've never had a solid base in reading the score, they really help me by motivating me and making the study less heavy. The topics are covered in small chapters with exercises that are really within everyone's reach: both for the professional who needs to clarify gaps and for the beginner who has just started studying electric bass. The contents are very clear and fluent and the strong point of the book in my opinion is the introduction that explains how to approach the study, it may seem trivial at first glance but it contains the 'tricks' to lighten up the arguments and grasp the fundamental concepts. I conclude by saying that it was a real stroke of luck to discover your manuals!
Marco Fantin
'Contemporary Bassist' is a serious, well-structured and comprehensive method. It talks about music in its entirety. The subject matter is well presented, clearly written and progressive, the exercises are well done and fun. In addition, the CD is very useful. Overall, I would therefore say that it is a very good manual and it would be perfect to be accompanied by Tiziano on this journey and if that were not possible due to distance by a teacher in the flesh. I therefore recommend this book to all musicians and not only to bass players.
Salvatore Iannaccone
At last, a text where clear and meticulous theory is combined with practice, I think Anglo-Saxon style. It has improved in me, a self-taught musician, musical understanding but above all the way I, playing alto saxophone, interact with the bass player.
Giuseppe Schiavone
The 'Contemporary Bassist' method is simply extraordinary: the author has skilfully condensed the vast amount of material and harmonic, rhythmic and melodic knowledge necessary for the bassist to perform his task effectively and competently. It is ideal for those who wish to give a professional and highly creative boost to their way of conceiving music and the role of the instrument, which has become increasingly complex and varied given the rapid and unstoppable technical and stylistic evolution. Undoubtedly a work of a very high level, a service to music, a path that is immediately exciting for the immediacy of the results that the musician sees materialising. I would say an indispensable method for bass players of any level of competence.
Manuel Sambuco
I have found at once a set of ways of teaching, a method that tends to bring out the musicality in the head, the body and the instrument.......gradually.......... I like it very much!!!
Aldo Nocchiero
I stumbled upon Tiziano Zanotti by chance, searching the Net for a bass guitar method that was just right for me, after having decided to resume, from the height of my white hair, the study of the instrument of my earlier years. The Bolognese musician's course, on practical examination, turned out to be far more effective and complete than I had expected. Complete because it tackles the study of the bass guitar from a global and progressive perspective that goes from the first rudiments of music theory and instrumental technique, to the increasingly in-depth and up-to-date notions of harmony, indispensable for a conscious mastery of the knowledge learnt. Moreover, this method has an added educational value that goes beyond the practical aspects related to the teaching-learning relationship of technical concepts; it is something that can be sensed between the lines, page after page, and concerns the teaching of love and passion for Music, regardless of genres, with the aim of creating from the instrumentalist the musician, a more enlightened musician - to quote Zanotti himself - "in character, attitude, energy, participation".
Roberto Messina
Some time ago, quite by chance, I found myself watching, on YouTube, a lesson (instrument in hand) that Maestro Zanotti gave to a class of bass players. Great sound, magnificent synthesis, total mastery of the topics, excellent explanatory skills. These were the reasons that drove me to buy 'Contemporary Bass Player 1' and then 'Reading for Electric Bass Player 1' and 'Contemporary Bass Player 2'. This is exactly what I found in all of Maestro Zanotti's books.
Gabriele Gatto
Complete and effective methods, unique, in my opinion in dwelling so much on rhythm and solfeggio, even if at the beginning they can be "long-winded" they give an unparalleled advantage afterwards, also very useful is the system of forms on the keyboard; each chapter is perfectly connected to the next, the advantage of these volumes, compared to the competition is in giving a real method in playing, not just scattered and disconnected information. Highly recommended to all!!!
Duah Kofi Bomsu
My musical studies have changed thanks to the book Bassista Contemporaneo vol.1 by Tiziano Zanotti. For me, music is not knowing how to play scales or musical chords but the rhythm that counts, with this book you can play with great musicians in no time.
Matteo Zanetti
I made the purchase of both volumes of the series 'BASSISTA CONTEMPORANEO' and I must say that I am very satisfied. I particularly appreciated the author's approach, because what I was looking for was a method that gave space not only to technique but also to music theory, seen together and not as two separate worlds. For me, in fact, it was essential to understand what I was playing, without just blindly reading a score. I also found the difficulty from one chapter to the next well thought out. I have almost reached the end of the first volume and have noticed significant progress both theoretically and practically, despite studying as a self-taught musician.
Daniele Amadio
A good method for the study of our fantastic instrument, very linear and well structured, it gives the possibility to manage the lessons at home and one already has mastery of the instrument can be used to deepen the various topics without the need to rely on a teacher. In conclusion, a recommended method from which both the less experienced and those who have been studying music for longer will benefit.
Maurizio Lampertico
Incidentally, I've been strumming the bass for 40 years, much by ear little study, wanting to improve I went to lessons. The result was that I was throwing the bass guitar away. With the manual you immediately understand that you study music, I find it smart to start with three types of solfeggio, even if I read little I improved the rhythmic division, very important in the bass, the position of the hands, why the scales and their function, etc.. In short I am putting into practice the little I knew but did not understand. Thank you.
Davide Liotti
Spett./le Echoes, I appreciated your product for the serious treatment of the various technical topics covered, despite the fact that I am not a novice bass player. Interesting the approach to the instrument and the clear and exhaustive explanation of the various and important types of fingerings to be used, topics often neglected or simplistically illustrated by other treatises or teaching methodologies.
Gigi Barone
I think the contemporary bassist book I am studying (vol. no.1) is really well done and above all practical, well-explained and accessible in terms of music theory as well, regardless of the study of the bass. Thanks to Tiziano Zanotti, to you always kind and to the contributors.
Gianluca Moccia
I am finding the Contemporary Bassist method well structured. The explanations are clear and precise. I find the exercises where you play parts while singing note by note particularly useful. This helps me to familiarise myself and recognise the notes on the keyboard.
Fabrizio Nicastro
I have been playing bass for about 10 years as a self-taught player and the Contemporary Bassist Method vol.1 has helped me improve my technique and build more interesting bass lines. The exercises and the various methods proposed on scales have also allowed me to speed up my movements on the keyboard. Lastly, I would like to emphasise that the almost daily use of the book has significantly increased my ability to read and perform a score, so much so that I have been able to try my hand at pieces from which I used to keep a reverential distance. My compliments to Tiziano Zanotti for a job well done.
Marco Sultano
I immediately got on well with the contemporary bass player, also because it is clear and very well done and then I was able to read the music straight away. I have to do a lot of practice because I realised that I still have a bit of trouble interpreting the tempos, but that's just my problem, also because I'm still used to playing by ear... what can I say, for now thanks to the files and the CD I've reached lesson 6 and I'm very proud to have played a very nice walking bass. Thanks for everything.
Francesco Momo
I'm now more than halfway through the Contemporary Bassist 1 method and I must say that the topics covered are easy to grasp, but above all the rhythmic division of notes into semiquavers and quavers without a staff is very useful as an exercise for division. On the other hand, the structure of the various scales on the keyboard is more difficult to grasp, however with time I will succeed in this too.
Paolo Carra
I got the book mainly as a method to use in teaching, I found it effective especially in learning applied reading, the progressions proposed on the CD are also interesting. An excellent method for developing the correct technique in the instrument in a gradual manner.
Alessandro Marchini
I must say that I don't have much time to dedicate to studying, but for the lessons I have tried to learn and from the general look I have given the book, I consider it very valid. Let me explain, the book has a practical slant (which initially seems difficult because it does not have tablatures or various facilitations) but in fact it immediately forces you to reason by reading the music, and this certainly pays off in the long run. Now, the critical reflection I made initially is this: it is true that the rational and very practical method immediately gets you used to reading music, but it is also true that at the beginning is the worst time when you need to get in time etc. to read music, but you would also need to understand if the notes you read are right! Now, it's true that if you cue you should hear them, but at least in the first few lessons maybe I'd put a notation underneath with what notes they are and their pitch. Obviously this observation is valid for those who want to do it on their own, with the teacher there is he who corrects you so nulla questio.
Sante Marangon
I purchased 'the contemporary bass player 1' and although I am behind schedule I am satisfied with the structure of the course. I have followed very simple methods before, but the articulation and progressiveness of the BC are extremely useful in the self-taught path.
Domenico Marcellini
I have been playing bass for over 40 years at a good amateur level. Since December 2013 I have been practising theory, reading and technique using the series "Bassista Contemporaneo". I consider the excellent work carried out by Zanotti to be of great use to anyone who wants to start, improve or simply 'keep fresh' in the art of playing what for me is the most beautiful instrument in the world... the electric bass.