Jeff Berlin apology

[MCF]

Roy is fantastic. A genuinely nice guy. I used to work with his wife years ago. Both are quality individuals.

His TMBG is a great course.

 

[ga_edwards]

I'd extrapolate that by what he said, he was raised that way, and in my own experience, in Classical music, the dogmatic teaching of it can exclude any other possible approach, the reason I refused a scholarship in piano to North Texas State. I know this outlook.

It's for a similar reason that the last time I played my clarinet was the day of my A-Level music performance exam over 28 years ago. I was self-taught and the one-on-one tutor tore my technique to shreds and sucked all of the joy I once had for the instrument. No doubt I had developed some bad habits, but it got to the point I dreaded the one-on-one lessons. I'm so glad I discovered guitar and bass where self-tuition isn't frowned upon.

 

[jbl71004]

I wish I could get odds in Vegas on how long it’ll take til the cycle starts again.

 

[kesslari]

Thanks for mentioning that it's on his FB page.
Way to go Jeff.

 

[Nev375]

People can't help who they are and it's very very seldom that they can change.

But at least he can acknowledge he has faults. Many people can't admit that even to themselves.

 

[Londo Molari]

OK Jeff, next time you do this comb your hair, brush your teeth and put on a clean shirt before you start recording.

 

[fretlessman71]

Humility may not make him a better bassist, but it'll help in the decent human department.

I dunno; I hear a lot of instructors say that being a better human (which includes humility) makes you ultimately a better musician. Jeff has a few hurdles yet to leap, such as his NYC-brash-and-tough-guy upbringing and instructors who likely taught him the same way he has tried to teach others in the past. Good on ya, Jeff. Keep fighting.

 

[fretlessman71]

I wish I could get odds in Vegas on how long it’ll take til the cycle starts again.

He deserves that. But it does sound like he's trying. Many don't.

 

[Basvarken]

Kudos to Jeff Berlin.
It takes courage to truly change this kind of behaviour.

 

[BassFishingInAmerica]

This guy has always had super powers (not just bass abilities, either). He’s now learning to use them for good, not evil.

 

[Skillet]

For other Firefox browser users who can't see the vid, you can copy the url of this page at TB, and then paste it into Chrome and it becomes viewable.

 

[legalbass]

Jeff is a masterful player and I agree completely with each of his positions re: learning how to play. His educational materials are great.

His *delivery* of his message, however, often leaves a bit to be desired. Best wishes to him. You can champion a position effectively without relentlessly attacking those you disagree with.

 

[KeithPas]

I am one that agrees with the general concept that music education should be focused on music and not a bunch of fly by night shortcuts or touchy freely nonsense but people made their minds up and after a while you’re spinning your wheels and not accomplishing anything. I would like to add that the proponents of some of the things that Jeff was critical of are my favorite players and I would be a better bass player if I ate a sandwich with them no less actually have a lesson from them. Engaging in disagreements online in a public forum is a risky thing: it’s just not healthy to be butting heads with people that often. I sincerely wish Jeff the best of all things

 

[JRA]

growth and humility. it's so becoming on him/us.

 

[Smooth_bass88]

I actually agree with much of his criticism, although not ALL of it. Jeff’s a great teacher and without question one of the giants of electric bass.

 

[Wilmingtonian]

If you are having trouble viewing, I hope this helps, maybe the same thing will just happen in this reply (should be link right below to youtube).
edit: Wait, I had that wrong, sorry.

 

[BobDeRosa]

Key line: "Criticism (came) easily to me -- I came from a family of it."

We are all products of our genes and our upbringing, and sometimes we have little control over the way we turn out. I applaud Jeff for reaching out in this way.

 

[jbl71004]

He deserves that. But it does sound like he's trying. Many don't.

At some point one realizes they aren’t seeing someone trying, but rather so in love with all that a certain process/situation brings that they’ll gladly pretend to be trying. I’ve seen it too many times in life. I hope I’m wrong. I’m a fan of his music.

 

[noeinstein]

Beautiful

 

[Wilmingtonian]

I actually agree with much of his criticism, although not ALL of it.

I know nothing of what is going on here but from his apology it sounds more like the problem is not in criticism but how it was delivered. I am a great fan of the right and value of the critic. Sounds like he went too far and maybe got a bit personal or mean-spirited.