Book cover of 'Bass Foundations' by Chuck Israels with a picture of him playing an upright bass.

Bass Foundations: Principles of Jazz Bass Line Construction

By Chuck Israels

A Masterclass in Jazz Bass from the Bill Evans Trio's Legendary Bassist

All jazz bassists recognize the pivotal role that the Bill Evans Trio played in creating a new model for the bass' function in jazz. In this book, Chuck Israels (one of Bill's long-time bassists) has created a masterpiece of explaining what that revolution consists of.

Bass Foundations begins with a concise yet profound jazz bass method. You’ll explore rhythmic interaction, voice leading, playing in 2, and the logic behind note choices — all framed by Chuck’s personal philosophy and practical advice.

But the heart of this book lies in its unprecedented transcriptions: 63 pages of Chuck’s actual bass lines from classic Bill Evans recordings, meticulously notated with chord changes so you can study — and play along with — some of the most important trio recordings in jazz history. You’ll also find transcriptions of Chuck’s work with his own groups, expanding the book’s scope and usefulness.

Whether you're an advanced student or a working bassist, Bass Foundations offers an unmatched window into the mindset and craft of one of jazz’s most important accompanists.

Special features include:

  • YouTube playlist for every tune so you can watch, listen, and play along.

  • Bill Evans’ reharmonized chord changes included with all of his trio transcriptions.

Spiral-bound, 206 pages, Table of Contents.

This book is a must-have for any serious bassist!

Sample Pages: Key Centers & Melody, Loose 2 vs. 4/4 Walking Texture, "Come Rain or Come Shine" Bass Line

Endorsements:

“I definitely would use Bass Foundations in my curriculum. Chuck understands and conveys the importance of structure and how that concept makes a band sound its best. I think this is an important book for any young bassist to check out to lead them on the right path.”
— Harvie S

“Want to see inside the Bill Evans trio? Chuck Israels (one of his four tenured bassists) gives us that inside look. Through his bass principles and transcribed recorded lines, we get a valuable and comprehensive study of the art of creative bass playing.”
— Bob Magnusson

“I'm really enjoying studying Chuck's insightful lessons in his new book Bass Foundations. Great examples here for walking bass and interesting ideas on playing through chord changes. This book will certainly bring in fresh ideas to anyone's music vocabulary, helping to expand our quest to become better musicians.”
— Jimmy Haslip
Format: Print
$32.00
Spiral-Bound to Lay Flat on Any Music Stand
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Primary Instrument: Bass
Primary Instrument: Bass

“This book is fantastic! I've always admired Chuck Israels' playing, and seeing his work written out and explained here with such depth and clarity is simply stunning. Thank you again for the inspiration!”
— Darek "Oles" Oleszkiewicz

“Chuck's bass book is a work of love. It sings with heartfelt appreciation of music and how it enriches lives.Those plowing through his entire presentation will be armed to the teeth for delivering what's required.”
— Gene Perla

“Invaluable insights into the world of one of the most beautiful bass accompanists of Bill Evans and the jazz of the 1960s. Well done to Sher Music for capturing and documenting this wisdom, so it is not lost for future generations.”
— Orlando Le Fleming

“It was an absolute delight to receive Chuck Israel's remarkable book. The detailed transcriptions of his bass parts from recordings with the legendary Bill Evans are invaluable, but Part 1, Principles of Jazz Bass Line Construction, was particularly engaging. In this section, Chuck illuminates key concepts in crafting bass lines, emphasizing that chord changes are not rigid or literal but rather suggest a harmonic journey that can be walked (!) in various ways. Thank you, Chuck, for revealing the inner beauty of our timeless art.”
— Hein van de Geyn

“Bass Foundations is a great addition to any bassist's library. Actually, it is full of useful information for all musicians. Chuck's introduction says it all. And by the time you have finished reading a few pages, you realize that the book offers insight into music making, not just jazz bass playing.”
— David Finck

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