Bernstein's West Side Story - Symphonic Dances

[MDEbass]

We're playing all the Symphonic Dances from West Side Story by Leonard Bernstein in the Texas All State High School Philharmonic. Has anyone played this and might have any tips on learning it? Some parts look pretty tough...wierd rhythms and stuff but should be a lot of fun. Thanks

[Hemispheres85]

I have one recommendation. Find yourself a good teacher.

If you do this, you'll never come back for here questions. Who do you trust more, a bunch of anonymous bedroom players with plywood basses or a professional and experienced teacher?

The choice is yours.

When in doubt with rhythms, subdivide and start slow!

[TroyK]

Have you got the soundtrack? It's really great music, if you're having trouble connecting with it on the page, listen and sing it back while looking at the page.

[Andrew Grandahl]

Originally Posted by Hemispheres85

I have one recommendation. Find yourself a good teacher.

If you do this, you'll never come back for here questions. Who do you trust more, a bunch of anonymous bedroom players with plywood basses or a professional and experienced teacher?

The choice is yours.

When in doubt with rhythms, subdivide and start slow!

What makes you think everyone that posts here is so incompetent? He's in a Texas All-State ensemble, I'd assume he already has a good teacher to get him to that level anyway.

[MDEbass]

i've got a good teacher who's been working on it with me. i have been listening to the soundtrack nonstop to get it into my head. makes it a lot easier to learn

[Hemispheres85]

Originally Posted by Andrew Grandahl

He's in a Texas All-State ensemble, I'd assume he already has a good teacher to get him to that level anyway.

Why is he not calling his teacher for advice then? Or another professional?

I'm just saying the internet it often the worst place for this sort of advice unless you know positively that you're receiving it from a professional. And even experienced professionals can give bad advice sometimes!

[Marcus Johnson]

Originally Posted by Hemispheres85

I'm just saying the internet it often the worst place for this sort of advice unless you know positively that you're receiving it from a professional. And even experienced professionals can give bad advice sometimes!

I'll bear that in mind when I read any of your 238 posts.

[zeytoun]

The internet is no different from the rest of the world, in that there is scattered good information, amongst a wealth of misguided or irrelevant or false stuff.

In either case, there is absolutely nothing wrong with listening, and using your own discernment about what you hear.

Enjoy the tritones... ;-)

[Paul Warburton]

Originally Posted by Hemispheres85

If you do this, you'll never come back for here questions. Who do you trust more, a bunch of anonymous bedroom players with plywood basses or a professional and experienced teacher?

I ain't too sure 'bout that, honey. Maybe check around before talking that jive ass ****.

[MDEbass]

yeah i wouldn't just assume that every bassist on TB has no experience. I'm sure there are many talented musicians that contribute to TB. I have recieved good advice here before.

[MDEbass]

Originally Posted by zeytoun

Enjoy the tritones... ;-)

HA! i know

[dchan]

I don't recall the piece as a whole being that difficult.

The first section (the one where the Jets and Sharks are fighting, if you've seen the musical or movie) has some continuous strings of notes that are a bit of a bitch to play. And the end before the guy gets shot has some pretty nasty big intervals and jumps. But other than that, it's not too bad.

[MDEbass]

yeah...so far its not as bad as i thought. One exerpt from the "Cool" fugue is pretty tough. Just a a few parts every now and then

[Hemispheres85]

Originally Posted by Marcus Johnson

I'll bear that in mind when I read any of your 238 posts.

Look. This place is incredibly useful for many people, especially in the electric bass world. My many posts here have been in the bass guitar realm, where everyone is still discovering things about an instrument that's only 50 years old! Most electric bass players don't have a professional teacher they can go to for advice.

Here in the 'classical' double bass arena, forums are not the best place to get advice because there is greater access to professional teachers that you can talk in person to.

I've never made the generalization that everyone here doesn't know what they're talking about- that's simply not true at all! However when I browse threads where beginners are asking basic advice and I see so much terrible advice with only a few great suggestions it's not encouraging.

Mr. Warburton- From your profile you seem to be a successful professional. Do I think everyone here's inexperienced? Of course not! However when a student like the poster has access to a professional teacher that they can talk to in person, I don't know anyone who wouldn't prefer asking them for advice versus people on the internet that you have to take your chances with.

Despite your professional resume, I find cursing at me to be very unprofessional. It goes to show how much easier it is to attack people online that in person.

'MDEbass'- If you want any tips in a concrete manner- start slow, use a metronome and use your ear! I'm sure your teacher would tell you the same thing in a more thorough fashion.

[Nathan Parker]

Originally Posted by Hemispheres85

I have one recommendation. Find yourself a good teacher.

If you do this, you'll never come back for here questions. Who do you trust more, a bunch of anonymous bedroom players with plywood basses or a professional and experienced teacher?

The choice is yours.

When in doubt with rhythms, subdivide and start slow!

My bass is a hybrid. And I can't play in the bedroom, as the baby sleeps there. Please respect me.

[Hemispheres85]

Originally Posted by Nathan Parker

My bass is a hybrid. And I can't play in the bedroom, as the baby sleeps there. Please respect me.

Please read the rest of the thread before responding to my previous comments.

[Eli_Upright12]

Originally Posted by Hemispheres85

Look. This place is incredibly useful for many people, especially in the electric bass world. My many posts here have been in the bass guitar realm, where everyone is still discovering things about an instrument that's only 50 years old! Most electric bass players don't have a professional teacher they can go to for advice.

Here in the 'classical' double bass arena, forums are not the best place to get advice because there is greater access to professional teachers that you can talk in person to.

I've never made the generalization that everyone here doesn't know what they're talking about- that's simply not true at all! However when I browse threads where beginners are asking basic advice and I see so much terrible advice with only a few great suggestions it's not encouraging.

Mr. Warburton- From your profile you seem to be a successful professional. Do I think everyone here's inexperienced? Of course not! However when a student like the poster has access to a professional teacher that they can talk to in person, I don't know anyone who wouldn't prefer asking them for advice versus people on the internet that you have to take your chances with.

Despite your professional resume, I find cursing at me to be very unprofessional. It goes to show how much easier it is to attack people online that in person.

'MDEbass'- If you want any tips in a concrete manner- start slow, use a metronome and use your ear! I'm sure your teacher would tell you the same thing in a more thorough fashion.

You make good points, but I think there are times when the forum might be useful. For instance I know at times when I'm between lessons its really helpful to get insight from others for advice on something I'm sight reading, so that when I go into my next lesson I'll already have some ideas ready to talk to my teacher about.

[MDEbass]

Originally Posted by Eli_Upright12

You make good points, but I think there are times when the forum might be useful. For instance I know at times when I'm between lessons its really helpful to get insight from others for advice on something I'm sight reading, so that when I go into my next lesson I'll already have some ideas ready to talk to my teacher about.

exactly why i posted...i have a great teacher who i ask for advice and who gives me good instruction, but it wouldn't hurt to ask other fellow DB'ers for any tips they might have.

[MDEbass]

i would also add that just because someone might not be a professional does not mean that they can't give good advice. I'm sure there are some "plywood DBers in their bedrooms" who might have some advice to share

[Paul Warburton]

Yep.
As far as being "bedroom" players...I know some of you are quite young. So if this offends you....look away.
More than once in my 66 years, I've been a " bedroom " player. A dimly lit bedroom...maybe a single candle. Some red roses? Whatever....A beautiful woman, me and my bass playing a nice slow ballad...MOMA!