CHRIS MATHEOS has written many instructional bass method books that have been released internationally by Mel Bay Publications. (Go to "AUDIO: Book Samples" section of website to hear some clips.

BOOKS: (click on book cover for ordering info)

 

PERCUSSIVE SLAP BASS: (1996). 96 pages book/cd set. Percussive Slap Basses mixes traditional slap techniques (like thumb strikes, pops, hammer-ons) with mutes, to create 16th note grooves. Many advanced techniques are covered including double pops, flamenco thumb technique, applied music theory, and odd meters. The book concludes with The Rhythm Section Workout. A drum and bass duet featuring Buffalo NY drummer Jim Linsner. The workout incorporates every technique in the book. It is transcribed so students can how the techniques can be applied to a rhythm section. This book is on the Mel Bay all time best sellers list. (different editions of this book have different covers).

"Innovative" Bass Player Magazine 1997

 "A Necessary book for the slap bassist" Bass Frontiers Magazine 1997.
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FIVE & SIX STRING SLAP BASS: (2005) book/cd set.  A continuation of Percussive Slap Bass for 5&6 string bassists. A focus is put on the two octave box that is created by the low B string. Advanced techniques including: double pops, triple pops, triple pop sweeps (an original technique and signature of the author's style), flamenco thumb technique, etc.

Featured in Bass Player Magazine May 2005 issue.

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REGGAE GROOVES FOR ELECTRIC BASS: (1998) book cd set. The first internationally released Reggae bass book. Covers all the basics as well as rhythmic studies. Crossing the bar line , not starting on the root, etc. Is still on the Mel Bay all time best sellers list. Accompanying CD featues live band with: Kip Packard (gtr), Greg Gascon (drums), Brad Newell (guitar). All examples with full band and bass free play along mix.

Bass Player Magazine: April 1999 BP Recommendations pick of the month.

Bass Player Magazine: December 1999 included in COVER STORY FEATURE "The Year's Best Buys"

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BASS FINGERSTYLE FUNK GROOVES Made Easy:

(2010) book/CD set. Advanced funk styles are covered. Fans of James Brown, The Meters, Tower of Power, and Jaco, will enjoy this book. Old school funk grooving with a bit of funk history and theory.

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GETTING INTO SLAP BASS: (2008) Book/CD set. This book covers everything Slap Bass. Old School Basics, to advanced soloing. The history of Slap Bass told with examples (from upright to current contemporary). all styles of music: funk, jazz fusion, blues, bluegrass, etc. A great book for all levels of players.

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THE ULTIMATE HEAVY METAL BASS BOOK: (2010) Book/CD set. Heavy metal bass playing. From old school origins to speed metal. The history of metal bass taught through examples. The book concludes with the author's original instrumental compositions demonstrating techniques from the book with a band featuring: Clint Warner (gtr) and Bill Moenke (drums).
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50 MODAL SLAP BASS WORKOUTS: (2002)

A complicated slap book that focuses on the use of Modal Harmony with Slap Bass. The "left hand leading" technique if featured (made popular by bassists like Bill Dickens and Victor Wooten). available in Japanese.

Bass Inside Magazine: "Slappers. If you wanna explore something new, here's a book for you" September 2002.

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100 Rock n Roll Workouts For Bass: (2005). This book covers rock n roll Bassics from the 1950's to current. A great book for starting bassists. Fans of Chuck Berry, The Rolling Stones, and Blues will love this book. Available in Japanese.

Bass Player Magazine: "A Rock n  Roll Classic"                                                                     April 2005.

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BASS WARM-UPS: (2000). Standard warm up exercises for bass guitar. Scales, theory, and speed building. A great book for starting bassists. Available in Japanese.

Bass Frontiers Magazine: "A great way to ensure that you get the most out of your hands" November 2001

100 R&B SOUL GROOVES: (2008) book/cd set. A Fingerstyle Funk. This book focuses on the bass techniques used in Motown music and 1970's funk. Designed for experienced bassists with advanced rhythm reading skills. Audio CD features Chris playing bass and piccalo bass.

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50 TWO HAND TAPPING WORKOUTS FOR ELECTRIC BASS: (2002). Loaded with tapping techniques from basic to advanced. Rock tapping chops to jazz comping.

Bass Inside Magazine: "A serious workout" September 2002 

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BASS STYLES MADE EASY:

(2008). This book is a music style sampler for bass. Rock, Blues, Jazz, Heavy Metal, Country, Ska, Classical, Funk, Top 40, Disco, Soul, Alternative, Bluegrass, Gospel, etc. A taste of everything. It was designed with a "play along" CD with full band mix and bass free mix to jam along with. The CD features Chris (bass), Kip Packard (gtr), and Bill Moehke (drums).

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FAMOUS ROCK & BLUES BASS PROGRESSIONS: (2002)

Made with a play along CD that features mixes with and without bass so students can jam along. This book explores different styles of blues and rock music and explains the difference between the styles with examples. Some players think of blues as a 12 bar progression, but serious players know the difference between the styles (chicago, memphis, zydeco, delta, etc). study up!!

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FAMOUS JAZZ BASS CHORD PROGRESSIONS: (2001). This book explores jazz bass playing techniques and styles. Jazz theory applied to examples. The basics in walking bass line building, bossa nova, and ballads. A great book to get started with jazz with a mix of progressions from easy to advanced. CD features all examples with trio and play along mix. Josh Bland (p) and Steve McMurray (drums).

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SLAP BASS MADE EASY: (2007)

A slap bass book that takes a student from the basics to the advanced. Just getting started with slap bass? This is the book for you.

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100 FRETLESS BASS Workouts:

(2005). Exercises to help build great intonation and mastery of the fingerboard.
This book focuses on the relationship between fretless bass and upright bass.

Bass Player Magazine: "Covers all the techniques needed to become a great fretless bassist" March 2005.

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BLUES BASS MADE EASY

(2007). A book that explores blues styles and the differences between them. It studies the patterns used in styles, and applies them to progressions. Play along CD with full band.

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BUILDING AMAZING BASS TECHNIQUE: (2000). A speed building book with monster exercises. A great way to get your hands in synch! available in Japanese.

Bass Frontiers Magazine: "Arms the mind as well as the hands" April 2001.