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"Binary Code" Fretboard Memorization

#21
mambo4 said:
Targeted for beginners with more money than patience.
Click to expand...

I think this hits the nail on the head. It seems a lot of people want to be the new Jaco overnight. How many threads have you seen here on TB, with titles something like... "What's the quickest way to..." "How long will it take to be able to play like...", "I have being playing bass now for six months and I still cant play 'Teen Town"... etc :D

To these people, things like Alex Sampson's "secrets" are like a magnet, and he knows this.
 
#24
Well, I'm a beginner bass player and I did buy one of his books/cd's. I agree with a statement earlier that once you get through the fluff you actually can learn something from Alex Sampson. I signed up for this "FREE" webinar, but was not able to view it. I've seen some of his other videos and I would not purchase anything else from him.
 
#26
I know the Best shortcut EVER. Seriously!

I started playing bass 6 years ago, concurrently with guitar, and now, I'm pretty amazing at it. I still need experience, I haven't played out and about a WHOLE lot, but I am a very talented player, and I have a lot of skill, if I do say so myself.

Want to know my secret? Besides the fact that I played Cello since I was 3 and already had an understanding of how string instruments work? Well HERE IT IS!

I LOVE playing the bass. I find it no trouble at all to practice for several hours each day. It doesn't feel like I'm working to get better, I'm just playing because I like doing it, and the SHEER AMOUNT I'm playing has made me a very good player. Basically, you get good through playing, and the more you view it as "practice", the harder and longer it's going to seem. I usually throw on a Rush CD and play it all the way through, although I play other stuff, sometimes I play along with the radio, just playing stuff by ear.

My point? You get better at EVERYTHING about playing an instrument through playing a lot. You develop your own way around the fretboard, your own way of moving from note to note... and the more you love playing, the easier it will be to just play and play and play.

If you really can't find time where you feel like playing... well, I'll say that experience is foreign to me, but I'm sure it's shared by many people who are more casual with their playing. I hope to be a rock musician someday, and I'm still fairly young, so It's easy for me to get into it. So maybe just loving the music doesn't work for everyone, but the more you're playing on your own terms, because you WANT to, instead of feeling like you HAVE to, the easier it will be, and the quicker the results will feel. Things are hard at first, and then they become easy. The more you play, the faster it happens. If you find yourself not wanting to play because you're not very good, you'll have to force yourself, but make sure you enjoy it, don't ever work too hard at playing an instrument. There's got to be some feeling of satisfaction that keeps you going. Just play as much as you can. it will come to you. play lots of different songs with lots of different patterns, and eventually you'll start using them in improvisation. They're committed to muscle memory, and you just...

Yeah, basically, play the crap out of your instrument. I remember a while ago, I realized that I had been playing my bass EVERY SINGLE DAY for months, and I hadn't even realized it. I'll pick up my bass and use it while surfing the internet, I'll walk around with it. I'd be playing it right now if I hadn't broken two strings yesterday playing. The point is, when you play more, you get better. Anything that gets you playing the instrument and striving to get the best sound you can is going to make you better. and THOSE are the real shortcuts. Time flies when you're having fun, so have fun, and those hours of practice will fly by and you'll be an expert in no time at all.
 
#27
I also got the email regarding the webinar, and I watched it right through. Was there a "Binary Code". Yes there was. He demonstrated a method or "code" where you can play scales from anywhere on the fretboard. If you were starting at the bottom of the board you will be able, using his code, to play all the way up through as many octaves as your instrument is capable of whether you play 4, 5 or 6 string bass. As always Alex emphasised that he was only showing you a method which would very quickly enable you to play any scale right up and down the fretboard, the rest was up to the individual to take this information and use it in their practice. He never tells anyone they will be able to play like Jaco or Victor in 15 minutes but tells you stuff which will help you understand more quickly. Practice, practice, practice is always emphasised.

Before the sceptics among you criticise him listen to what he has to say. It is pointless trying to second guess him, he does have some very helpful and unique tips to offer, probably of most use to beginners. Those of you who have spent years developing your skills are naturally much less likely to get anything from what he has to say.

He showed me something I didn't know which, if I practice it, will help me develop my skills more quickly.

I am in no way connected to Alex Sampson, nor am I being paid to "endorse" his programs. I've bought a couple of his things and believe me, the only way you will get anything from what he is saying is through hard work and practice.

Finally many of you were right in saying he was trying to sell something. His fretboard formula which I didn't buy. As far as I am aware the "Binary Code" is not included in this program and was a genuine free giveaway.
 
#28
Dave_3554 said:
I also got the email regarding the webinar, and I watched it right through. Was there a "Binary Code". Yes there was. He demonstrated a method or "code" where you can play scales from anywhere on the fretboard. If you were starting at the bottom of the board you will be able, using his code, to play all the way up through as many octaves as your instrument is capable of whether you play 4, 5 or 6 string bass. As always Alex emphasised that he was only showing you a method which would very quickly enable you to play any scale right up and down the fretboard, the rest was up to the individual to take this information and use it in their practice. He never tells anyone they will be able to play like Jaco or Victor in 15 minutes but tells you stuff which will help you understand more quickly. Practice, practice, practice is always emphasised.
Click to expand...
Yeah, it's very simple. It's called whole and half steps. If you know what each mode is is comprised of, then you can play any scale anywhere, because you know the whole/half step pattern.

Also, does he ever tell you how they relate to each other? Where they are effective? If not, no one ever tells you to play a D phrygian scale up the neck and back on two strings. Ever.

This guy is a tool.
 
#30
I find it interesting how upset people get over Alex Sampson. BTW, I have no connection to him other than watching 2 free video lessons (both of which were extremely valuable to me) and having purchased Bass Guitar Secrets, which while being aimed at more of a beginner level than I am, was nevertheless, rock solid info.

I also find it very interesting that I've been unable (so far) to find a single post from anyone who has actually actually worked through his products who think he's a scam artist/BS artist/incompetent fool/Anti-Christ, etc. Even if every single person who praised his products were shills, as is often alleged, where are the all the posts from all the people who must have been ripped off by his worthless products?

1. "There are no 'secrets', just practice, practice, practice..." Then why have any instructional material at all? I agree that there are no shortcuts but there are methods which more effective, more efficient and better thought out than others. I'm all for finding those.

2. "You can find everything he says somewhere else..." Well of course you can, you can find EVERYTHING EVERYONE says somewhere else. By that logic every single piece of information is worthless because it can be found somewhere else. Also, I would prefer to spend my time learning rather than sifting through millions of posts, blogs, online videos, etc to find information which is even relevant to me, let alone worthwhile.

3. "There are no rules, just experiment and let your creativity naturally come out..." This is patently untrue of any & every form of meaningful human communication & expression that has existed. To anyone who seriously believes there are no rules, I suggest checking out the amazing, free, on-line jazz arranging course at Northern Sounds by legendary jazz bass player Chuck Israels to see how 'non-existent' great jazz players think the rules are. I like the aphorism "Read the rules, memorize the rules, understand the rules, internalize the rules. Then forget the rules."

My advice to all the people curious about Alex Sampson: How valuable do you consider the advice of people who will not only criticize the work, but condemn the person who created that work, without even checking that work out or giving it a fair shake? I don't think Alex Sampson (or any teacher) is right for everyone but for the price of 2 or 3 lessons, he will save a significant number of bass players years of wasted efforts. Why does that threaten some people so much?
 
#31
dheylen_2000@ya said:
I find it interesting how upset people get over Alex Sampson. BTW, I have no connection to him other than watching 2 free video lessons (both of which were extremely valuable to me) and having purchased Bass Guitar Secrets, which while being aimed at more of a beginner level than I am, was nevertheless, rock solid info.

I also find it very interesting that I've been unable (so far) to find a single post from anyone who has actually actually worked through his products who think he's a scam artist/BS artist/incompetent fool/Anti-Christ, etc. Even if every single person who praised his products were shills, as is often alleged, where are the all the posts from all the people who must have been ripped off by his worthless products?

1. "There are no 'secrets', just practice, practice, practice..." Then why have any instructional material at all? I agree that there are no shortcuts but there are methods which more effective, more efficient and better thought out than others. I'm all for finding those.

2. "You can find everything he says somewhere else..." Well of course you can, you can find EVERYTHING EVERYONE says somewhere else. By that logic every single piece of information is worthless because it can be found somewhere else. Also, I would prefer to spend my time learning rather than sifting through millions of posts, blogs, online videos, etc to find information which is even relevant to me, let alone worthwhile.

3. "There are no rules, just experiment and let your creativity naturally come out..." This is patently untrue of any & every form of meaningful human communication & expression that has existed. To anyone who seriously believes there are no rules, I suggest checking out the amazing, free, on-line jazz arranging course at Northern Sounds by legendary jazz bass player Chuck Israels to see how 'non-existent' great jazz players think the rules are. I like the aphorism "Read the rules, memorize the rules, understand the rules, internalize the rules. Then forget the rules."

My advice to all the people curious about Alex Sampson: How valuable do you consider the advice of people who will not only criticize the work, but condemn the person who created that work, without even checking that work out or giving it a fair shake? I don't think Alex Sampson (or any teacher) is right for everyone but for the price of 2 or 3 lessons, he will save a significant number of bass players years of wasted efforts. Why does that threaten some people so much?
Click to expand...

Well, this is certainly one of the more cogent statements I have read on TB for some time. As a beginner I used Sampson's 'Fretboard Formula'. I found it to be well-organized, approachable and effective. It's certainly not the only methodology available for finding your way around the FB, but it is one of the better ones. His marketing methods may be a little too aggressive for some, but that doesn't speak at all to the value of the material he presents. As to pricing - ask the buyers.
 
#32
fryBASS said:
Yeah, it's very simple. It's called whole and half steps. If you know what each mode is is comprised of, then you can play any scale anywhere, because you know the whole/half step pattern.

Also, does he ever tell you how they relate to each other? Where they are effective? If not, no one ever tells you to play a D phrygian scale up the neck and back on two strings. Ever.

This guy is a tool.
Click to expand...

How nice of you to be so understanding and gracious. They say ignorance is bliss. You must be a very happy and blissful little...........

If and when someone picks up an instrument for the first time they know nothing about it. Alex offers one way of attaining the knowledge required to progress.

What do you offer fryBASS?
 
#37
Ezmar said:
My point? You get better at EVERYTHING about playing an instrument through playing a lot. You develop your own way around the fretboard, your own way of moving from note to note... and the more you love playing, the easier it will be to just play and play and play.
Click to expand...

Couldn't agree more. I started playing bass almost 1 1/2 years ago and love doing it. The time seems to fly by and slowly, but surely, I feel like I'm learning and getting better.

As for Alex Sampson, I cut my teeth on bass with his "Bass Guitar Secrets" program and found it to be right on the money for people mature enough not to dismiss his constant mantra of practice, practice, practice. His program can provide a complete newbie/beginner with a pretty solid footing if he/she is willing to put in the time.

That said, I think Roy Vogt's Teach Me Bass Guitar is the more complete program and takes the student much farther once the foundation is set and has the advantages (in my view) of 1. video so you can see everything he's teaching and 2. actual bass lines.
 
#38
There aren't any secrets, but there are several ways to teach the same thing. After years of playing, a few things stand out . There are really only about 5 fingering patterns used to play songs and fills from just about any fret. Playing songs is more about being in touch with what's going on around you. Play with the drums as much as possible. Most players in the studio use Nashville charts (1,3,5 chord progression in b). Most very proficient players have learned the classic way. Most "feel" players learned by ear. A large majority of good players don't know how to read music. Very few players only read music, they are usually good, but have no idea what the pocket feels like. When you screw up call it Jazz.
 

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