Jeff Berlin Talks Music First, Bass Second

JeffBerlin · #1 05-10-2009, 11:53 AM

Hi to All! The last several times that we chatted were fun and full of good information. If you feel like asking me about music, about what it takes to become a good bass player, I would like to help. Let me know your questions and I will try to answer them one by one.

It is pretty much known that I am pretty much alone in the things that I say about music ed, so if you wish to know why I feel that a portion of the bass communtiy of teachers may be in error in what and how they teach, we can go there. It isn't as loaded a principle as you think. Thanks and love to all.

Jeff

BillytheBassist · #2 05-10-2009, 12:02 PM

Hi Jeff, What is the best book that you could recommend on learning to read?
Thanks.

JeffBerlin · #3 05-10-2009, 12:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BillytheBassist

Hi Jeff, What is the best book that you could recommend on learning to read?
Thanks.

There's no such thing. If I recommend a book beyond your skill level, you will hate practicing. If I recommend something too simple for you, you would be bored. This is why a great teacher or a great school is so important; they take the responsibility off your shoulders to make decisions about how to learn, decisions that you and others may not be qualified to make.

Darkstrike · #4 05-10-2009, 12:06 PM

What way do you reccomend learning songs, and chord progrssions?

JeffBerlin · #5 05-10-2009, 12:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Darkstrike

What way do you reccomend learning songs, and chord progrssions?

Sit down and learn them. Really, there's no secret method to learning and never was except to slow down and never use a metronome while you are learning new stuff.

Nikoubis · #6 05-10-2009, 12:09 PM

Just wanted to say thanks for opening these threads. Regardless of what one's opinions are about music, musical education and bass playing, getting a chance to discuss them with you is beyond cool.

BillytheBassist · #7 05-10-2009, 12:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JeffBerlin

There's no such thing. If I recommend a book beyond your skill level, you will hate practicing. If I recommend something too simple for you, you would be bored. This is why a great teacher or a great school is so important; they take the responsibility off your shoulders to make decisions about how to learn, decisions that you and others may not be qualified to make.

I understand your point...... however, what if the student is in a situation where there is no teacher available?

Darkstrike · #8 05-10-2009, 12:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JeffBerlin

Sit down and learn them. Really, there's no secret method to learning and never was except to slow down and never use a metronome while you are learning new stuff.

Ah, cool, thanks, I assume breaking the songs up into parts would help?

I never use a metronome anyway, distract me, heh, my timeing seems better without them.

JeffBerlin · #9 05-10-2009, 12:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nikoubis

Just wanted to say thanks for opening these threads. Regardless of what one's opinions are about music, musical education and bass playing, getting a chance to discuss them with you is beyond cool.

This is very kind. Just realize that learning is generally not a debatable point of approach to music. Everybody who does it well does it in principally the same ways. Usually guys who don't know much about music debate their opinions on a topic that they haven' learned very well. Only art is truly open to interpretation. 100% of how one wishes to represent their art is OK. But it doesn't work the same way in learning non-artful concepts.

Buogon · #10 05-10-2009, 12:12 PM

Hey Jeff What's Up:
I really dig the playing you did on your Champion Lp , and the interesting debates with
Steve Bailey at BLP. My question is about TAB do you think that this method is "bad habit" in terms of learning to read music the proper way, since when you go to gigs you will never find any MD's giving you anything in this format. (address to the youth).

JeffBerlin · #11 05-10-2009, 12:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BillytheBassist

I understand your point...... however, what if the student is in a situation where there is no teacher available?

That is a tough one because now the responsibility to learn something that is best put into the hands of other more qualified is not a possibility. If I said to just "jump in the pool" to just learn it, my answer would be too vauge. But if one doesn't have a teacher, perhaps this is the best answer one can receive.

JeffBerlin · #12 05-10-2009, 12:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Darkstrike

Ah, cool, thanks, I assume breaking the songs up into parts would help?

I never use a metronome anyway, distract me, heh, my timeing seems better without them.

Definitely learn new music in segments if you cannot grasp the whole tune. This is very astute of you to pick up on.

JeffBerlin · #13 05-10-2009, 12:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Buogon

Hey Jeff What's Up:
I really dig the playing you did on your Champion Lp , and the interesting debates with
Steve Bailey at BLP. My question is about TAB do you think that this method is "bad habit" in terms of learning to read music the proper way, since when you go to gigs you will never find any MD's giving you anything in this format. (address to the youth).

There is little in music as ridiculous, as light on musical content as TAB. It exists nowhere in music and it is a substitute for a system already in existence called music. Tab is an end to musical growth, truly.

birdxofxprey · #14 05-10-2009, 12:18 PM

Hi Jeff,

Some of your comments about music ed. remind me of the ideas expressed in Victor Wooten's The Music Lesson. If you're familiar with that book or with Victor's ideas more generally, I'd be interested in your take on his Zen approach to music.

Thanks!

Chris in Indianapolis

BillytheBassist · #15 05-10-2009, 12:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JeffBerlin

That is a tough one because now the responsibility to learn something that is best put into the hands of other more qualified is not a possibility. If I said to just "jump in the pool" to just learn it, my answer would be too vauge. But if one doesn't have a teacher, perhaps this is the best answer one can receive.

Thanks Jeff..it is very cool of you to share your time here.

JeffBerlin · #16 05-10-2009, 12:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by birdxofxprey

Hi Jeff,

Some of your comments about music ed. remind me of the ideas expressed in Victor Wooten's The Music Lesson. If you're familiar with that book or with Victor's ideas more generally, I'd be interested in your take on his Zen approach to music.

Thanks!

Chris in Indianapolis

Can you explain his thoughts in more clarity to me? I didn't read his book.

smakbass · #17 05-10-2009, 12:24 PM

Just a comment about the fellow mentioned no one available to teach, could also be your scope is a bit narrow if your goal is to learn to read music you dont specifically need a bass teacher...someone who teaches piano may be able to help you as well.

Buogon · #18 05-10-2009, 12:25 PM

Yes Jeff i agree with you ,this format(TAB) equals the saying "two left feet" in dancing terms.

JeffBerlin · #19 05-10-2009, 12:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smakbass

Just a comment about the fellow mentioned no one available to teach, could also be your scope is a bit narrow if your goal is to learn to read music you dont specifically need a bass teacher...someone who teaches piano may be able to help you as well.

He said that there was no teacher available and I said that this means that the responsibility is on him to learn music What is narrow about it?.

BillytheBassist · #20 05-10-2009, 12:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smakbass

Just a comment about the fellow mentioned no one available to teach, could also be your scope is a bit narrow if your goal is to learn to read music you dont specifically need a bass teacher...someone who teaches piano may be able to help you as well.

I agree... I would love to find a piano teacher..... really, there are just no teachers here, but I keep looking. Thanks for the suggestion.