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bass guitarsecrets.com

#21
I've been here longer than that, and I enjoy this program a lot. I took heat for liking it several months ago, also. Look it up, Akami, given your proclivity for research. I had to deal with a bunch of forums members here who blasted the program for no oither reason than they dislike the word "secrets."

If you want to discuss patterns, that's fine. So discuss the pattern of naysayers who critique the program, yet have never even read the books themselves. It's perhaps the most well-defined pattern this entire forum has to display - paranoia. Some may prefer to piece together their development on their own. Others want a program that combines theory, method, finger exercises, and additional studies in a sequential and designed program, augmented with additional resources in this forum. But the best show of all are the folks who most vocally oppose this program, yet don't explain why. So how about it, Akami. Please explain why you dislike the program. You won't change my opinion of or use of it, but you might sound less paranoid. Regards.
 
#22
I too noticed the registration dates and post counts of all the members who have positive things to say, and I agree, to a point. Maybe it works for you, maybe it doesn't. But the people around here longer probably realize that TB is an incredible, free resource.
 
#23
tplyons - agreed on the value of TB, apart from sporadic mobs, perceived or real. just tried to join right now, and ran into snags on Paypal. If TB would take money orders instead of enforced paypal channels, I'll be a member soon. for stats - how many newer members have asked about good programs on the web, whether BGS or otherwise? I still see true paranoia, but onward. people have stated their cases and methods for evaluations, as much as we are likely to hear, so onward. still don't see an evaluation from you, but I don't care. we both have better things to do with our time. Me with BGS. You with your notable and respected paths also. regards.
 
#24
Yeah, I only have 17 posts because I only started playing bass 2.5 months ago. you can't tell me of all the years you played you have never bought a bass book. and only have used tb for your studies.

anyway I love this site. hope to support soon. oh yeah and bought my first 5er from a tber!
 
#25
onewebfoot said:
tplyons - agreed on the value of TB, apart from sporadic mobs, perceived or real. just tried to join right now, and ran into snags on Paypal. If TB would take money orders instead of enforced paypal channels, I'll be a member soon. for stats - how many newer members have asked about good programs on the web, whether BGS or otherwise? I still see true paranoia, but onward. people have stated their cases and methods for evaluations, as much as we are likely to hear, so onward. still don't see an evaluation from you, but I don't care. we both have better things to do with our time. Me with BGS. You with your notable and respected paths also. regards.
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I've actually studied many methods, and I'm not doubting all of them and passing them off as lies, they're not.

However, I'm a marketing major, economics minor, and a large part of both of these is statistics. I can't help but notice a strong correlation between post count and who believes in this product. I'm not saying it's a bad method at all, I am saying I'm skeptical and frankly am not at all inspired to drop cash on such a cheesy marketing scheme.

BTW, I believe Paul will take money orders or checks for supporting memberships. Feel free to contact him here: http://www.talkbass.com/forum/sendmessage.php
 
#27
onewebfoot said:
hmmm. how many people were involved with drafting that response? (OK, now i'm getting cynical). But do a stat count on me. BGS is a small percentage. Participation in two threads in 6 months. I have to have more on that posting for tinnitus, hearing protection, bass mods, boutiques, observations on the used bass market, and one very long philosophical thread a few months ago. (that was *fun*) TB offers much to keep me busy and enriched. perhaps too much. just emailed about money order arrangements. otherwise, your claims of statistical credibility remain worthless to me. might sink in one of these rounds. -v
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I never said anything about percentages of your partcipation having to do with this, nor am I going to debate about some sort of conspiracy.

Nothing against you at all. Go ahead, use it, I never said it was garbage.
 
#31
I bought the deal in January 2006 because I wanted to start playing music again after decades away from it. Having never played bass before, I wanted something that would break it down without killing my buzz with dry theory...and, at first it was ok. Then, we got to scales. Basically, it was "memorize this." That's when I put it away and never picked it up again. Look, I know and understand there's a certain amount of memorization needed when it comes to theory...however, telling a student to memorize isn't teaching or instructing. The course failed to put theory into a musical environment. What would it hurt to learn, rather than memorize, scales and patterns musically? Anway, it went from fun to boredom in a hurry...and I turned to Hal Leonard without hesitation. Who knows? I may go back to Bass Secrets at some point when I've memorized all the scales, recognized enough patterns, etc. but until then it sits at the bottom of my drawer. I believe there are better vehicles for beginners.
 
#32
Hi fellow bass players,

This is my first post in this forum. Being a seasoned guitar player who recently converted to bass I needed some tutoring in the fundamentals of bass playing. I ended up buying this course (bassguitarsecrets), and I've been using it for a few days. First of all the course is not a short-cut to becoming a great player, it's all about laying bricks upon bricks and being persistent. And I find it very methodical and thorough. I have as BadMonk hit the scales part of the course, and it is hard to work through, but I keep making small discoverys alle the time, and that keeps me going. There is really now short-cut to improvising, you need to know about scales, and you need to be able to "spot" the scales all over the neck. About the language on his web page, it put me off in the begining, it seemed too good to be true. But when you read the books, he writes like this all the time, I guess it's his thing. So far I'm happy with the course and it keeps me motivated. But I'm not sure if this is for beginners. You'll have to work at for a while before you can spot any progress. But hey, if you want to be good player you need to practice the stuff you don't like, it's called dicipline.
 
#33
BadMonk said:
I bought the deal in January 2006 because I wanted to start playing music again after decades away from it. Having never played bass before, I wanted something that would break it down without killing my buzz with dry theory...and, at first it was ok. Then, we got to scales. Basically, it was "memorize this." That's when I put it away and never picked it up again. Look, I know and understand there's a certain amount of memorization needed when it comes to theory...however, telling a student to memorize isn't teaching or instructing. The course failed to put theory into a musical environment. What would it hurt to learn, rather than memorize, scales and patterns musically? Anway, it went from fun to boredom in a hurry...and I turned to Hal Leonard without hesitation. Who knows? I may go back to Bass Secrets at some point when I've memorized all the scales, recognized enough patterns, etc. but until then it sits at the bottom of my drawer. I believe there are better vehicles for beginners.
Click to expand...

Ditto ... as in, I bought the course, and agree it could be very beneficial, dependant on time available to apply, level desired, etc ... I took it one step further than most that have replied though .. after tiring of looking at it sitting on my shelf (like BadMonk), and realizing that I was never going to get back to it, I decided to see if the author was sincere on his money back guarantee ... I dont think he has many sent back ... his return email to my inquiry as to where to send for return ( I purchased the hard copy version), had a bit of a sarcastic flavor (again, my perception) ... I was finally refunded completely for my purchase price, AFTER I sent the course back to some foreign country (Tanzanita??) at my postage expense ... the course was returned complete, and in perfect condition, completely re-sellable ... bottom line, if I wasnt in my mid 50's and playing only in worship situations, and looking for a refresher, no, a 'SECRET' to playing effectively after a 30+ year lay-off, I would have kept it and put my nose to the material, of which there is a LOT of good information ... but, as earlier stated, you better be ready to do the work and have the time available to realize its full potential, that is probably the real "SECRET" ... a bit of a side note, Bass Guitar for Dummies and the Complete Idiots Guide to Bass (and Complete Idiots Guide to Music Theory) were more my cup of tea and what I was looking for to get me back up and running ... just enough theory, scales, etc to make me dangerous ... JM(very old)HO
 
#34
I've been here awhile and I bought it. I wasn't any more expensive than a lesson and I thought what the heck. I got my money's worth out of it. I didn't stick with it, but I did so long enough to learn a few things I didn't know (as I do all the time at talkbass). I agree that it's great for beginners..he is a little talky ...but it is good material. His marketing is terrible..I have no idea why he does it that way as it obviously hurts his credibility and makes it seem flaky. It isn't..he was prompt in returning emails..I even had my computer stolen and sent me a link to get the materials again. It seems to me that his secret is "the bass is a drum"...he goes into details, but that's the jist of it. Some people won't be able to get past the silly infomercial style of marketing and I don't blame them..but I will still recommend it to a beginner that doesn't have a teacher and is looking for some well laid out fundamental info.
 
#37
I bought a book that was compiled of old "Bass Secrets" articles, with the same title. It was compiled by John Stix and it contains the "secrets" of Billy Sheehan (not too enthused), Stu Hamm (much better), Tony Franklin, and Randy Coven. This book actually helped me develop new techniques, artificial harmonics being one that was notable, and I found it helpful.
However, realizing that there are such resources available on the internet somewhat makes me regret having paid money for it. In most cases, I prefer having a book from which I can just read and do what I want to do, and for some reason I always have trouble learning things off the internet. Kind've weird, but I guess if its on sale in a book, it must be written somewhat well, so that might be it.

All that being said, paying money probably isn't worth it for the average person as all of the information is available at some place on the internet, most of it right here on TalkBass.
I'd gladly post any secrets I know, whether it be from the book or personal discovery, for the use of others. I know I like it when I find information easily, so I'd be glad to help another fellow bass player out with these so-called "secrets".
For people to be charging for these "secrets", it's just ridiculous.
 
#38
I'm a really big Alex Sampson fan. I see that he's a gifted educator, as well as a great player. The man simply gives of himself tiresly.

His material rivals the best out there and his subsequent follow up correspondences & updates, by inbox, inspire me to practice well. (and i'm a self disciplined person)

He's out've Philadelphia, and i'm located 2 hours south of him, and if i knew for certain that he was giving a clinic somewhere, or was going to be in a designated place where i could tell him thank you to his face for his course, i would jump at the chance!
 
#39
I signed up to his newsletter or whatever and he'll send you 3 or 4 lessons. They had some good information but I had already seen it discussed in detail here.

I'm about to sign-up as a supporting member of TB for this reason instead of spending 50$ on his "get better quick" course.
 
#40
I don't need to go to the website, especially after the OP says "even though it's long..." and I see that the title includes "secrets". There are NO SECRETS! It's just basic, sometimes boring, fundemental music theory, some real understanding of the way your body works and how to physically manipulate the instrument so you don't hurt yourself, lots of listening, then applying what you learn from the theory to what you hear.

Just do it, as those shoe people say...

jte
 

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