Ed Friedland's complete edition of the Hal Leonard Bass Method is a terrific learning tool, and a tremendous value. For $22.95 you get 144 pages of very clear and well-paced lessons and over 150 musical tracks for demonstration or play-along. Although it is geared toward the beginning bassist, intermediate players can get something out of it as well. The first part of the book introduces basic musical concepts and gets the student comfortable with playing technique. The second part builds on the first while adding essential music theory, and the last part of the book develops complexity and pushes the student into basic improvisation. One of the strengths of the book is its structure. Emphasis is on reading music notation instead of tablature, although tab is introduced about halfway through the book. Students play along with full-band accompaniments within the first 10 tracks. The music tracks themselves are of high quality, varied in musical style and many of them are presented in two tempos. This book has helped me improve my playing. I recommend it as a companion to Patrick Pfeiffer's Bass Guitar for Dummies.