6 weeks of free practice time! Open Studio?

[BowserGriff]

As a teacher I get a (well deserved) 6 week break in the summer! My wife is working, my child is in nursery, which gives me 6 weeks to finally get some good ole practice in.

I've set my goal - jazz walking and improvisation. I know that it is life long study and I wont be Charlie Parker in 6 weeks. I just want to enjoy myself and have piece of mind that the structure was planned by someone who knows what they are doing.

I can't: 1. Get a teacher (it's too expensive, will involve a long commute across Tokyo) 2. That's it. . .

My level: I was pretty good! Worked the cruise ships, played regularly around London. But never jazz! I've also not played for about 6 years so I'm rusty.

I've looked at Open Studio and I've really REALLY enjoyed the YouTube lessons with the Bob DeBoo. Really chill and someone I'd enjoy a beer with. I don't like SBL, the old videos which were more tutorial are alright, a bit meh, and the new videos are just him trying to be funny and it's not something I'd want to pay for or spend 6 weeks with.

Has anyone used Open Studio? And aside from that, has anyone used somewhere else that they could recommend? It makes no difference but I play electric bass not a double.

 

[Paul New]

As a teacher I get a (well deserved) 6 week break in the summer! My wife is working, my child is in nursery, which gives me 6 weeks to finally get some good ole practice in.

I've set my goal - jazz walking and improvisation. I know that it is life long study and I wont be Charlie Parker in 6 weeks. I just want to enjoy myself and have piece of mind that the structure was planned by someone who knows what they are doing.

I can't: 1. Get a teacher (it's too expensive, will involve a long commute across Tokyo) 2. That's it. . .

My level: I was pretty good! Worked the cruise ships, played regularly around London. But never jazz! I've also not played for about 6 years so I'm rusty.

I've looked at Open Studio and I've really REALLY enjoyed the YouTube lessons with the Bob DeBoo. Really chill and someone I'd enjoy a beer with. I don't like SBL, the old videos which were more tutorial are alright, a bit meh, and the new videos are just him trying to be funny and it's not something I'd want to pay for or spend 6 weeks with.

Has anyone used Open Studio? And aside from that, has anyone used somewhere else that they could recommend? It makes no difference but I play electric bass not a double.

Yes. Bob DeBoo’s courses on OS are excellent! I especially liked his study of Paul Chambers, but there are a few to choose from. His courses are very much double bass oriented, but I agree that you could adapt much of it to electric if you want to do that.

I can recommend John Patitucci’s course on Artistworks without reservation, and he has both double bass and electric tracks. Actually, his course is Jazz Bass and both the acoustic and electric tracks are included. He doesn’t accept student videos anymore, but there are TONS of material to work.

Discover Double Bass has many courses by well known bassists available. Obviously, those are aimed at double bassists, but in my opinion there is much to learn for an electric bassist too. John Goldsby’s courses are fantastic!

Actually, I am looking for something myself that is designed for electric bassists who want to play straight ahead jazz. Aside from Patitucci’s course, I have no tried others. Rufus Philpot has a jazz course for electric players. I’ve not tried it but he has uploaded many samples to youtube. Lorin Cohen covers electric and upright and has uploaded videos to youtube also.

I did download a short course by Dario Deidda that outlines his fingering method. It’s available on YouJazz and is in Italian but with english subtitles available.

Good hunting! Really, you can’t go wrong with Patitucci on Artistworks, but please let us know what you select.

 

[BowserGriff]

This is brilliant! Thank you so much!

It's good to know others have enjoyed the open studio course. I did one of the walk like PC videos on YouTube. I guess the rest are a carry on from that? It was an awesome video to be fair.

I like the look of Patituccis course as well actually. I'm definitely gonna take that free trial! It looks quite well structured and can jump into the section you want, I guess.

Forgot about Rufus! I've sent him an email.

 

[Shenron]

As a teacher I get a (well deserved) 6 week break in the summer! My wife is working, my child is in nursery, which gives me 6 weeks to finally get some good ole practice in.

I've set my goal - jazz walking and improvisation. I know that it is life long study and I wont be Charlie Parker in 6 weeks. I just want to enjoy myself and have piece of mind that the structure was planned by someone who knows what they are doing.

I am jealous... I too have a few weeks of summer break, but I always spend it travelling to visit relatives and to carry wife and kids to holiday places. My dreams of practicing heavily always die before midsummer's eve.

I can't comment on Open Studio specifically, but it sounds a very good idea to pick one intensive course around your goal, although (and sorry for the nitpicking!) I'd call jazz walking and improvisation your subject or topic, and going through the whole material before the end of the six weeks your goal. Good luck!

 

[BowserGriff]

I am jealous... I too have a few weeks of summer break, but I always spend it travelling to visit relatives and to carry wife and kids to holiday places. My dreams of practicing heavily always die before midsummer's eve.

I can't comment on Open Studio specifically, but it sounds a very good idea to pick one intensive course around your goal, although (and sorry for the nitpicking!) I'd call jazz walking and improvisation your subject or topic, and going through the whole material before the end of the six weeks your goal. Good luck!

You're right. I also need to make those goals achievable. And, stay focused by turn off youtube and cutting down my coffee intake. AND, most importantly not overload and enjoy the process. I don't think I can lose with Open Studio to be honest.

I've actually found that going to absolute basics like arpeggios starting from the lowest note on your neck and going all the way up and back, under a metronome, doing things properly rather than rushing are helping me prepare for some good ole fashion learning. Moving efficiently around the neck, making all the notes sound good and not rushed at faster tempos feels great again. When I was a full-time unemployed musician (joke) it was something I never had time for anymore because it was gigging everyday and night.

 

[Marihino]

SBL's youtube stuff is often annoying these days, but they do have quite a few really good courses on the membership site. Philip Mann's multiple and comprehensive courses on triads are already worth it and easily give you something to work on for months. John Patitucci has a few courses too, although they are more like lectures than guided practice. I suggest to go for a free trial and decide (just set a reminder to cancel in case you decide not to follow up).

 

[BowserGriff]

SBL's youtube stuff is often annoying these days, but they do have quite a few really good courses on the membership site. Philip Mann's multiple and comprehensive courses on triads are already worth it and easily give you something to work on for months. John Patitucci has a few courses too, although they are more like lectures than guided practice. I suggest to go for a free trial and decide (just set a reminder to cancel in case you decide not to follow up).

I get daily clickbait spam from SBL. The kind of click bait that is patronising and just looks slimy and unprofessional. I know that's just my opinion but it's like they try to put me off buying his course.

I've had a look at Patitucci's course, and you're right, it does look more lecturery. Worth a free trial though!

Started DeBoos video on Paul Chambers walking lines on rhythm changes and another one on building walking lines using bebop scales for cherokee. Brilliant! Exactly what I need! Pdfs to look back on and do 'homework', practical lessons that break it all down and some very down to earth advice. Even just a little "this stuff ain't easy, especially at higher tempo" comments are great for building confidence and showing that we are all human and find this stuff a good challenge.