Berlins One Week Intensive coming up...

manbass · #1 02-21-2007, 07:44 PM

Any Tber's in Central Florida have plans to attend? I am fortunate enough to live in the same town as the PSOM, and hope to sign up, schedule permitting. Shout if you're in...would be cool to meet some digital comerades (sp?).

I had private lessons with Jeff a decade ago when he opened the place, not that my playing would ever reveal that, and am looking forward to walking out of there with a meaningful headache.

Now I'll go get some popcorn and enjoy the show......

avid · #2 02-21-2007, 07:58 PM

Sounds great! What are the dates? I am not ready this year but maybe next. I am not afraid of the Zen Master/Football coach that Jeff is alleged to be. I have family that lives in Tampa so PSOM is a real possibility.

manbass · #3 02-21-2007, 08:18 PM

3/19-3/23.

Edit to add, they have 3 per year, March, June, Sept. so save your miles and book one.

manbass · #4 03-13-2007, 01:02 PM

6 days and counting...

manbass · #5 03-25-2007, 07:14 AM

So, its over.

Would I do it again? YES.
How was it? Like the the Fort Bragg of Music Schools...just what I needed.
How was he? Jeff's teaching skills have evolved to where he can train to everyones individual level without holding anyone back...in a group setting.
Quote of the Week: (Jeff said) "Oh, Dave..would you believe me if I told you Eric Clapton was coming in for class tomorrow? (my jaw dropped) He laughed saying "Sorry...cruel joke, huh?"

avid · #6 03-25-2007, 09:45 AM

Thanks for posting a report; I have been wondering how it went. See you there next year. More information would be appreciated as well as pics!

How many people attended? How does he teach in a classroom setting?

manbass · #7 03-26-2007, 08:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by avid

How many people attended? How does he teach in a classroom setting?

7 attended, 5 bassists, one guitarist, one pianist. (12 signed up 5 cancelled) Jeff has a private lesson with each bassist every day and also teaches in ensemble mode for a few hours every day. A lot more than that went on though. Outside of the one week intensive...he does not do private lessons at all. So going just for that is worth it.

2 of the bassists came from Europe, 1 from Vancouver (I am local).
Pics to come.

avid · #8 04-01-2007, 04:02 PM

manbass,

I missed your response to my questions until today. Thanks and I am looking forward to the photos.

Booneman · #9 04-01-2007, 05:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by manbass

7 attended, 5 bassists, one guitarist, one pianist. (12 signed up 5 cancelled) Jeff has a private lesson with each bassist every day and also teaches in ensemble mode for a few hours every day. A lot more than that went on though. Outside of the one week intensive...he does not do private lessons at all. So going just for that is worth it.

2 of the bassists came from Europe, 1 from Vancouver (I am local).
Pics to come.

Hey Tampa! Clearwater here..

manbass · #10 04-15-2007, 05:56 PM

I have a photo album loaded link here as requested.

http://s4.photobucket.com/albums/y13...e/PSOM%200307/

avid · #11 04-15-2007, 06:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by manbass

I have a photo album loaded link here as requested.

http://s4.photobucket.com/albums/y13...e/PSOM%200307/

Thanks, I would still be interested in hearing your thoughts. Especially now that time has allowed you to reflect on your experience.

manbass · #12 04-15-2007, 08:18 PM

OK then David, first a summary from my myspace blog:

"I attended Jeff Berlin's "Players School of Music" One Week Intensive Course last week (3/19/07). Its like entering another planet, another culture, another level of life. They threw everything at me and every other Student, and never taught down to lower levels. That is, even though half of each day was spent in live ensemble Jazz work, with other players at different abilties, the approach was tailored to individual levels yet pushing you beyond, so you could identify easily where your greatest work/practice was needed. As a Bassist, its hard not to be starstruck dealing with a legend one on one, yet Jeff focuses the player on task. Its a high impact experience that I would recommend anyone take on...."

Further....

Jeff recommended a specific local Guitar Instructor, to take lessons from which I now do an hour a week with. Being that I am a CCM Bassist, this particluar Instructor/Player fits me well, he is also, Jeff's PSOM Guitar instructor, Peter Mongoya Hogsholm, and a church band player himself.

I do now have a more productive and focussed practice path, which gives me milestones of progress to reach, measurably. I came away from PSOM with much more than that in understanding a balance of theory, touch, groove, tone, pace, communication and musicality. Even Jeff announced as essential as theory is, its only the spine of a musical skeleton.

They throw about 10 weeks of fulltime material at you fast in that one week, so I am only really into the 3rd week or so of spreading out the detail in normal time. About 45 minutes a day plus 3 hours rehearsing and playing once a week is all I can give this hobby, so it will take me 6 months to get through the criteria given during that one week.

Which is just in time for the next one in Sept.

avid · #13 04-15-2007, 09:27 PM

Dave,

Sorry, I went to your myspace page and missed the link to your blog. Thanks for giving me some more or your point of view. I was impressed that the attendees seemed to be older. In contrast to some summer camps where the attendees look like teens. I have relatives in Tampa so it would be easy to make it happen.

Sounds like a great experience that has long term impacts. I just found a teacher myself. Its my second attempt and the this guy seems to know how to teach. Maybe he can get me ready for September.

Thanks again.

Kristopher · #14 04-15-2007, 10:07 PM

Thanks for posting the pics!

I went to the PSOM a few years ago for the month-long program. I took a ton of pics but my hard drive crashed and I lost all of them. Seeing those pics of yours really brings back the memories. I had such a great time there, and I learned a ton.

Not only is the PSOM a great school, it's great opportunity to be able to hang out with so many other bassists on a daily basis and talk shop.