R&B Bass - A Guide to the Essential Styles and Techniques: Hal Leonard Bass Method Stylistic Supplement

R&B Bass - A Guide to the Essential Styles and Techniques by Glenn Letsch is a bass guitar instructional songbook for players who want to learn the foundational grooves of rhythm and blues. As a stylistic supplement to the Hal Leonard Bass Method, it focuses on the signature sounds of classic R&B, Motown, soul, and funk, making it a practical choice for bassists studying groove-based styles through recognizable songs.

The book includes 19 classic songs arranged for bass guitar with tablature, helping players study the lines, feel, and stylistic vocabulary behind influential bassists such as James Jamerson, Bootsy Collins, George Porter Jr., Donald “Duck” Dunn, and Bob Babbitt. With online audio for demonstration and practice support, it is well suited to players building their understanding of authentic R&B bass performance while playing classic repertoire.

The audio is accessed through a unique code included in the book and can be streamed or downloaded. The files include PLAYBACK+, an interactive audio player that allows musicians to slow down recordings without changing pitch, loop practice sections, change keys, and adjust stereo balance.

Song List
Bernadette * Cissy Strut * Cold Sweat, Pt. 1 * Cool Jerk * For Once in My Life * Good Times * Groove Me * I Can't Help Myself (Sugar Pie, Honey Bunch) * I'll Take You There * Knock on Wood * Licking Stick - Licking Stick * Mustang Sally * Respect * (I'm a) Road Runner * Signed, Sealed, Delivered I'm Yours * Soul Man * Stand by Me * Super Bad Super Slick * What's Going On

Whether used for structured practice, stylistic study, or exploring the foundations of R&B bass performance, this book offers a focused path into the grooves that shaped modern bass playing. It is a valuable resource for bass students, self-taught players, and musicians exploring soul and funk bass traditions while playing recognizable songs from the classic repertoire.