Jeff Berlin and Originality

[two fingers]

He's a major talent.

His heart seems to be in the right place quite often when it comes to education.

His PROBLEM is that he's a know-it-all and ridiculously opinionated. I am an opinionated person and he gets on MY nerves at times.

If he were simply "nicer", he would have legions of fans, follwers and students.

 

[Mr_O'B]

Another great video. I always enioy watching Jeff in action.

Funnily enough, I had suggested to Jeff and Sarah at Jeff Berlin Music Group that they do these short videos. Whilst I cpuld quite happily sit through an hour long video of Jeff talking about the rudiments of funk bass, I had identified to them that a lot of YouTube viewers are looking for a shorter, potted video as they flick through rather than in-depth masterclasses.

FWIW, I think Jeff is an amazing teacher but perhaps not the best presenter. When you see him in a clinic, interacting with the audience, he is in his element and usually relaxes into his teaching after cracking a joke or two. When you're on camera, the dynamic is different and you know that the red light is on. There is no-one to bounce a joke off to break the ice. Jeff speaks slowly and deliberately in his videos. He chooses his words with extreme precision because of the value they have. He takes his role as a teacher very seriously and puts the burden for improvement on himself, rather than the student. Of course, the student must work hard too. I think Jeff is becoming a better presenter as time goes by, and I continue to enjoy the videos.

All that said, I think Jeff is simply a sublime player and the greatest improviser we have seen on our instrument. His playing style is what I call the 'unlaboured flawlessness'. If I didn't like his playing, I wouldn't come here to trash it. I don't have time in my day to spread negativity and I feel better for it.

I understand that you are not referring to me. However, not agreeing with his statement doesn't mean everyone is trashing him. I saw Jeff play live when I lived in California. We all saw him improvise on the spot when his borrowed Cort bass started having mechanical issues. Jeff Berlin was downright charming that night!

 

[Whousedtoplay]

If you have something musical to say, it will come out of you, one way or another.

OK, I have something to say about JB after listening to his latest albums.
He has phenomenal technique, not so much "melodiousness" (Just listen to Brian Bromberg) or rhythmic intricacies. His latest solo albums (for JB's level of a superb Musician) sounds like "one-big-unstoppable-sausage-processing-automated-line" producing LOTS OF NOTES with numerous "why-not" chromatic ornaments.

About the video.
Somehow, it immediately reminded me of some early 60's bass-lines and/or even my amateur bass-line creation ideas in the 70's.

 

[Old Blastard]

I know folks have issues with him and I understand why. I just know that 5 years ago we had a protracted email conversation between a master player And an idiot (me) who didn't see how modes and theory would improve performance.

Mr. Berlin showed great patience and kindness to me when he certainly didn't have to, over the week-long chat that wound up being a major bass lesson for me.

It greatly improved my playing, my knowledge and my performance.

Carol Kaye was nice to me as well.

 

[thedukeofno]

Some people like Jeff, some people don't. However, I don't think many people who have met him personally or who have had one-on-one interaction with him outside of TB fall into the latter camp. To each, his own.

 

[Whousedtoplay]

It's nothing to do with JB as a superb bass player being the best in what he does!
I have only respect for JB as a musician, composer, bass player, theorist!
It has nothing to do with Jeff Berlin as a nice (very nice) and/or not nice person!
It's about that video only.
If you are noodling-doodling on the bass - yes, it's a good idea to try that trivial idea of randomly selecting the 16ths from each Beat, but...
Here comes my pet peeve.
While experimenting with randomly chosen rhythmic notes, we are leaving out the important drum part!
What is the drummer playing?
Another point.
You, as a comping bass player are called to record a bass line for a new song.
How does that randomly selected bass line pattern fits the melody of the song?
A comping bass line - depending on a particular style - should complement the melody, push the harmony, work in tandem with the drum part.
Seldom rhythmic notes producing a bass pattern could not fully match those requirements.
On the other hand, sometimes it is easy to notice an eclectic mixture of cool rhythmic patterns on solo albums of new aspiring bass players.
It's only my opinion.

 

[SteveCS]

...
... but...
Here comes my pet peeve.
While experimenting with randomly chosen rhythmic notes, we are leaving out the important drum part!
What is the drummer playing?
Another point.
You, as a comping bass player are called to record a bass line for a new song.
How does that randomly selected bass line pattern fits the melody of the song?
...

That was the point I was making In those circumstances you mention the 'random' element of the method is replaced by existing motifs, themes, progressions, whatever, as part of the composition process.