This book is perfect for beginning bass guitarists and those who want to fine-tune their skills. Spanning all musical genres, the bass guitar is the sixth most popular musical instrument among U.S. musicians, according to Just Plain Folks demographics. This book helps readers with everything from playing notes and chords to experimenting with plucking and slap-and-pop techniques. Readers can download companion MP3 files from the Web and hear exactly how things should sound. Ryan Williams (Indianapolis, IN) received his master's degree in music technology from the Indiana University School of Music, where he worked in developing digital sound for educational Web sites. A private bass teacher, he has recorded and performed live with a diverse group of artists. Richard Hammond (Brooklyn, NY), technical editor, is a professional bass player. He has recorded and toured with Erasure, House of Red, Dar Williams, and Anjelique Kidjo, among others.