Norm Stockton's "Groovin' for Heaven" series

deckard · #1 01-07-2011, 02:18 PM

On the surface, instructional-wise, this DVD series sounds like it might be just what I need right now, esp. working on "groove" with and w/o a drummist.

However, since I'm just not into the "praise-and-worship" thing at all, can anyone tell me honestly:

how much "praise-and-worship/Praise the Lord"-type stuff is actually on these discs?

I mean no offense to anyone - p&w is just not my thing. Like the one swordsman in "Seven Samurai", I'm interested *only* in improving my skill.

Honest assessments, caveats, opinions, etc. by anyone very familiar with the content on these discs is what I am looking for.

I can overlook a little p&w exuberance if the vast large majority of the content is strictly bass-/groove-related.

You get the idea...

Thanks!!!

rickl289 · #2 01-07-2011, 03:58 PM

I went to a Norm Stockton bass clinic last fall and really enjoyed it. I did not get his DVD's but know of at least one talk bass member who did. If you don't hear anything in the next few days, PM me and I'll try to get you two in touch.

bottomzone · #3 01-07-2011, 04:08 PM

First, I highly recommend this series! Whether or not your are part of a church music ministry (which I am), the information and the way that Norm presents it is applicable in all genres. Second, Norm does make mention of why he does what he does, praising the Lord, but spends very little time on the subject. Third, Norm is not only a great player, he is a great instructor as well!

That's my take, for what it's worth.

A Groove is a Terrible Thing to Waste!

funkybass · #4 01-07-2011, 04:09 PM

I have all of his DVDs, and they are all excellent. It's not really a praise and worship series. The material is solid for any bass player. I'd say get it. You won't regret it.

**ExaltBass** · #5 01-07-2011, 04:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bottomzone

First, I highly recommend this series! Whether or not your are part of a church music ministry (which I am), the information and the way that Norm presents it is applicable in all genres. Second, Norm does make mention of why he does what he does, praising the Lord, but spends very little time on the subject. Third, Norm is not only a great player, he is a great instructor as well!

That's my take, for what it's worth.

A Groove is a Terrible Thing to Waste!

+1000000 (Well said bottomzone!) BTW, I have the series

brndn123 · #6 01-07-2011, 04:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bottomzone

First, I highly recommend this series! Whether or not your are part of a church music ministry (which I am), the information and the way that Norm presents it is applicable in all genres. Second, Norm does make mention of why he does what he does, praising the Lord, but spends very little time on the subject. Third, Norm is not only a great player, he is a great instructor as well!

That's my take, for what it's worth.

A Groove is a Terrible Thing to Waste!

...especially with or without a drummist

cableguy · #7 01-07-2011, 04:20 PM

I have went to several of Norms clinics and the dude is an amazing player. At his clinics he broke things down really well. I'm involved in a church worship team but also like way heavier stuff. Norm will let you know who he plays for without getting preachy. Norm leans toward jazz in his solo stuff but he had some great rock type groove stuff with Lincoln Brewster. He is a humble man who is a monster player. Buy the 1st disc and see how you like it. My bet is you'll buy the next few as well.

JTE · #8 01-07-2011, 05:50 PM

Yeah, while the music is his ministry, it's integrated into the whole thing (like it should be) rather than it BEING the whole thing. He does talk about where he's coming from, but the instructional value is pretty high. I got the second DVD and the only thing I don't like is the predictable (and in my opinion) wrong approach to playing changes in a key. I don't like telling people to use modes for ii V I kinds of things, and that's where he goes in this. I'm not going to re-hash that problem in this thread (there're enough TB threads about modes, scales, and chord tones where this has been dissected enough so there's no need to get into why we disagree here).

But, the stuff on grooving, on playing busy and playing sparse, on LISTENING to the rest of the band, especially the lyrics, etc. is spot-on and very good.

John

scyzoryk · #9 01-20-2011, 04:45 PM

I'm a fan of Norm and his amazing playing but didn't get as much from the DVDs as expected. With that said, I bought the first volume in the series which is more geared towards the basics -- stuff that is helpful but can easily be found by creeping TB message boards.

I'd love to check out his other volumes, but the price is a bit steep to me. In terms of learning p&w, i'll stick with studying some of the better players out there in the rock, pop, p&w, and gospel genres.

Just my $0.02