Funk University Disappointment

[Johnius]

I've been doing the first month of Bootsy's Funk University and so far it has been about 80% fluff and 20% random tab lines. Maybe I'm missing something but the video lectures (the 80% fluff) don't elucidate any aspect of playing or funk, and, frankly, I hate tabs. Maybe I'm missing the point. That's why I'm posting. Can anyone share their experience with this so far?

[big90sbasshorns]

I don't have experience to share, but I did see that they have "office hours". As a paying customer have you considered addressing your concerns with the administrators?

I would be interested to hear the outcome, as well as if you felt they were receptive to your concerns or just generally dismissive.

[Johnius]

Well, big90s, it's not that you don't make a good point it's that I don't know how far it would get me. I think it comes down to me having a difference of opinion with the administrators of the program. I agree, though, that it couldn't hurt.

[BigOldHarry]

I think that, as a new business, they would be very open to a paying customer's input: They don't want to lose you, and in fact want you to "sell" this on places like TB - -

Share this with the folks at the FU. The only way a company can improve its product is from user feedback.

[big90sbasshorns]

Just looking at their site I get the impression it wasn't just thrown together as a fly-by-night operation. There seems to be alot of thought behind it, alot of money spent on putting it all together as well as alot of love of music and sharing ideas and knowledge.

I'm really hoping that if you speak to them about it that they will be receptive to your concerns, I'd love to see them succeed and the only way I think they can do that is to maintain a core of happy customers/students who feel the value of the program exceeds its cost of admission.

Even though it's an online university, do they provide a structured syllabus; is it all online, or are you able to call someone...totally unrelated, but I just had to ask out of general curiosity.

Thanks!

[bassness]

Jonius, I've been checking out the first month also and I'm not very impressed. The video lectures for the most part have been a waste of time. How many times can you go on about the importance of the one?

I think the worst part is the tabs that go along with the "lessons", which consist of someone showing a bass part at tempo and not explaining much about the how and why of the line. The tabs are no better than something that you would find out on the internet. They have absolutely no rhythmic notation what so ever. I brought this up early on to the "Academic Director" Soup Can Dan. His response was "I understand your desire to see the rhythmic values. However it was decided, in an effort to make the material as accessible as possible, to as many different proficiency levels, to not include the rhythms. However, I have placed the notes within the measures in time. On every lesson, I go back and "filter" the Tab with a metronome and adjust the notes accordingly. At times, it might not be exact, due to the necessity to make the tab more readable. There is one other by-product of this method that I encourage all students to embrace. Without the rhythms spelled out, it forces you to rely on your other senses - your ears and your feel. Funk is all about feel and opening all of your senses to the music."

I have no feeling against or for tabs. They're just another tool to me but what they are providing is garbage and his explanation doesn't fly. There are a few Jamerson lines demonstrated in the "lessons" and if you ever needed the note and rest values shown and explained, these syncopated 16th note lines are the ones that need it. I understand the need to develop your ear, but a little theory is needed also, otherwise you're just playing Guitar Hero, pushing the right "buttons" on the fretboard.

I've played bass a long time and can probably play most of what they are going to cover, but there's always something to be learned from most things, no matter how simple or complex. I just don't see much teaching going on here. I can get on YouTube for free and watch people run through bass lines.

[Kwesi]

I honestly believe that you can get more from youtube than any online school when it comes to technique. Theory and musical knowledge would come better with an actual teacher but technique, feel, can be developed through imitation and repetition. That's how I did it and while it could be better, I didn't have to pay a cent.

[JimmyM]

exactly why i had no interest. i knew it would be like this. some people are great players, some people are great teachers, some are both. bootsy is a great player. i don't think you can learn anything more from him than you would watching and listening to him play. i could be wrong, but this thread isn't proving me wrong.

[BigOldHarry]

don't be so quick to judge - We've heard from two dudes who are let down... and one who has yet to submit feedback to the web site and report the result.

This is a new business and I think we should at least give old Bootzilla a period of time to do this right... Right?

[retardedpossum]

I don't like to be negative but I signed up for one month. I won't renew next month.

[Chowowbus]

I have been on the fence about this for some time...
I think I will stick to you tube and talk bass...I think I will take the money I save and support talkbass...excuse me while I go do that....

[BigOldHarry]

Originally Posted by retardedpossum

I don't like to be negative but I signed up for one month. I won't renew next month.

I urge you to send some feedback to the FU then. Let them know why they have lost your business and how you might be lured back.

[Chowowbus]

BTW, I agree with Harry. You should give the admin feedback. I think FU is a great idea, if they are for real, they will listen to feedback.
I dont put my money down with out researching the hell out of anything. Reseach so far shows FU as not being the most stellar value, considering I want to learn music theory.
I aint payin for a bunch of freakin tabs..

[Hawaii Islander]

I just did a quick internet search for music theory courses online and came up with an example of what is out there for those who want to learn music theory online and not rely soley on tabs. The example below is geared to highschool students seeking to become music majors in college but seems useful to anyone starting with little or no experience of music theory.

Here is one example: http://www.music-theory.com/index.html

The courses exist and seem reasonably priced. It's just a matter of taking some time to investigate which one's best meet your needs regarding material covered and affordability.

[bass12]

Originally Posted by bassness

Funk is all about feel and opening all of your senses to the music."

Exactly, and I don't believe "feel" can easily be taught - certainly not via an online "university". This whole thing sounded like a bit of a joke to me from the beginning - a way for Bootsy and co. to make a bit of money off of Bootsy's name. But come on. You want to learn how to play funk? Go out and buy some records, listen, play along and then go out and find some guys to play with.

[LightGroove]

Coincidence the acronym is FU

[Angus]

Originally Posted by big90sbasshorns

Even though it's an online university, do they provide a structured syllabus; is it all online, or are you able to call someone...totally unrelated, but I just had to ask out of general curiosity.

Thanks!

Let's be clear- it can call itself a "university" in it's name and give it's employee "university-sounding" names, but there is nothing university about it. It's just an online base for some lessons. A university, in any sense, it is not.

[svenbass]

Awww man, I had hoped that this would be a cool thing for folks. And while it's only a couple impressions, not including standard notation/rhythm is a joke, and the response from the staff (especially admitting that even the tab is out of whack) borderlines on the silly. Yeah it's a feeling and all, but really not so much in front of a computer.

The bummer is that it could be a really, really cool and thorough study of Funk music from one of the innovators.

Perhaps they will get it together..... I really love Bootsy and the music he and his comrades have given us and wish him the best in helping others learn.

[JAUQO III-X]

Well exactly what do you guys want who feel that you're not getting what you paid for?

One can look at youtube clips forever and it will not teach you how to actually play and interplay with human musicians.

[kesslari]

I love listening to Bootsy do his Bootsy thang, and I feel funkier for doing it.
That said, I probably won't renew either - the value is pretty low, compared to what's available for free, or to say MusicDojo.