Hi from Jeff Berlin

[JeffBerlin]

Originally Posted by Fergie Fulton

Hi Jeff, can you explain the problems that "Dumbing down" music is having as you see it? You are a big advocate of learning music, not just learning bass which preformance school seem to want to do. What is so bad about what a preformance relates school offers? This is a few points in one question

I think that the dumbing down of music education began when music magazine started to publish music lessons that didn't include music. I took exception to this and pointed out that if a music lesson didn't actually have music included in it, I saw a dumbing down for the sake of of the people willing to learn this this way. So I protested the philosophy and I still do.

[capnsandwich]

Originally Posted by JeffBerlin

Lessons are not for application. They are for regard. You learn to play better when you improve as a player which means that you need to have knowledge and experience to play. Theory lesson are really hard to apply because the music you are playing may not be lined up for the lessons you are practicing. The trick is the practicing itself. The love of holding a bass and working on new musical information makes us into better players, and therefore better soloists, if this is your interest.

Yep, that's a good point. I've never taken a theory class in my life, except maybe when I had piano or sax lessons in my school days, but I can talk shop with classically trained musicians simply because I jam with them and learn from them as I play my instrument. I learn much faster hands-on than from a book.

[James Hart]

Welcome to Talkbass! I've been a fan for a long time. I don't have any pressing questions of my own, but I hope to read some answers from your posts.

Thanks for stopping by!

[excane]

Hello, fellow Long Islander! Good to see you around these parts. Love your playing and tone on pretty much everything.

[JeffBerlin]

Originally Posted by nortonrider

Hello Jeff


Seriously, until I joined this forum, I had no idea who you were. I have seen a few clips on you tube and it's pretty obvious that you know your way around the instrument.

EDIT: I just did a quick search and it seems that alot of the opinions around here are that you have a big ego and you wank alot.

I don't know if I would necessarily call either one of those things bad if that's what the situation calls for.

My reputation is pretty much built upon my interest in musical things, not career ideas. I have an international rep, but I am also a bass player who plays pretty strongly and a lot of bands don't need this from guys like me. So I do my own thing and also play with other like-minded musicians who are in it for the music, not the career, which is a fringe benefit of the work that we put into our playing.

My "wanking" is a comment from some doesn't like how I play. I dont play for people. I play for myself and invite poeople to share the experience. I'm a terrible entertainer but I think that I'm a pretty good bass player, even if some regard it as wanking.

[excane]

Originally Posted by JeffBerlin

I dont play for people. I play for myself and invite poeople to share the experience.

+100
I couldn't agree more with your opinion on this.

[DeepBass9]

Originally Posted by JeffBerlin

My "wanking" is a comment from some doesn't like how I play. I dont play for people. I play for myself and invite poeople to share the experience. I'm a terrible entertainer but I think that I'm a pretty good bass player, even if some regard it as wanking.

Looks like I'm a wanker, too

[JeffBerlin]

Thank you!

[Jim Nazium]

Hi Jeff,

I was a student at MI when you taught there ('95?), and consider myself lucky to have attended classes and performances from such a great player. I always thought your playing was very tasteful and the antithesis of "wanking".

Here's my question: if someone wanted to learn jazz music but could own only three albums, which three would you recommend?

[JeffBerlin]

I'm a Pepper! You're a Pepper! I'm a wanker,too!

[JeffBerlin]

Originally Posted by Jim Nazium

Hi Jeff,

I was a student at MI when you taught there ('95?), and consider myself lucky to have attended classes and performances from such a great player. I always thought your playing was very tasteful and the antithesis of "wanking".

Here's my question: if someone wanted to learn jazz music but could own only three albums, which three would you recommend?

Tough question because I can't leave it to three. I enjoy so much different stuff.

[baba]

Originally Posted by JeffBerlin

My reputation is pretty much built upon my interest in musical things, not career ideas. I have an international rep, but I am also a bass player who plays pretty strongly and a lot of bands don't need this from guys like me. So I do my own thing and also play with other like-minded musicians who are in it for the music, not the career, which is a fringe benefit of the work that we put into our playing.

My "wanking" is a comment from some doesn't like how I play. I dont play for people. I play for myself and invite poeople to share the experience. I'm a terrible entertainer but I think that I'm a pretty good bass player, even if some regard it as wanking.

Nicely put and I can dig the sentiment.

Welcome back!

[Messiah25]

Originally Posted by JeffBerlin

Tough question because I can't leave it to three. I enjoy so much different stuff.

try pretty plz

[Darkstrike]

Is this your first time on TalkBass?

[LeftHandedFrog]

It s not because every bass player is not as fast or as good jazz bassist as you are that they are career oriented either? Laying down a nice groove and playing for the band is as much rewarding for oneself(especially as a bass player) , it s just in a different way.
That sounded kind of bitter from you? i hope i misunderstood.
Btw i love wanking bass players!!!And u r a good one

[bongomania]

Jeff, I'm just glad to see you're here with a sense of humor and an understanding of the environment, and a balanced/sane approach to giving people a chance to address you directly with any opinions. It takes a big man to say "here I am, let's hash it out." I applaud that approach, and I look forward to seeing how this conversation goes forward. Welcome to TB!

[NJL]

Jeff, just out of curiosity... back in the day when you were growing up, how many hours a day would you practice and what would you practice? As well, how do you practice now with family life involved now?

Thanks

[JeffBerlin]

I am not sure. I know the guy who started Talkbass and it is possible that I had a forum in the past. But, I honestly can't remember because I haven't done anything like this in a long time. I'm an outspoken guy and some people take offense to this and really go after me. I don't believe that a forum is such a great place to debate, because one really can't back up one's opinions. The heat went up because people take their opinions to a high point. So, I stopped doing these things, but thought that today might be a good day to see what happens.

[hasbeen]

Good Morning Jeff;
You and I first met at a master class of yours, given at Berklee, in 1980.

We then met again, backstage at one of your B3 shows in NYC. I came back stage with Mark Dronge to get you introduced to DR strings. ...even though I'm with an amp company.

Anyway, we hung out a bit and you were nothing but a complete gentleman....very sincere and gracious.

All the best,
Roger Hart

[BadB]

Mr. Berlin,

Could you give details on your instrument choices throughout the years, including how and why you settled on Dean?

Thanks.