Morning to all. Jon Packard correctly stopped the last thread that was going and it was partly my fault. I admit it! Some of the comment directed at me ticked me off, and when things calmed down, I was still mad. My fault. I'm only human!
I still will not answer some guys no matter what they write. We are divorced! But I would like to start this new thread up if you are interested in continuing discussing musical things with me. Sometimes I am here, and sometimes I leave. If I am gone, ask Roy Vogt if he is free. This is a smart man and he has way better communication skills than I have.
Here is a letter that I wrote to Jon Herrera at Bass Player magazine. I thought to show it to you guys first and get your input.
Jeff's Letter.
I’ve been busy touring and playing quite a lot in 2009. 2010 looks to also be a time of great musical happenings as well. Playing music is the core that keeps me alive, healthy and happy. I continue to meet so many great players on all instruments, and I get a chance to go to places and experience things that are other-worldly. Music took me around the world. It got me into these pages and it opened doors to possibilities here at home that were fantastic. For all of these opportunities, I’ve been busy touring and playing quite a lot in 2009. 2010 looks to also be a time of great musical happenings as well. Playing music is the core that keeps me alive, healthy and happy. I continue to meet so many great players on all instruments, and I get a chance to go to places and experience things that are other-worldly. Music took me around the world. It got me into these pages and it opened doors to possibilities here at home that were fantastic. For all of these opportunities, I am grateful.
With the status that I have gained in music, one thing that I used it for was to promote great musical educational principles and the pursuit of music in its highest levels. It is a hard thing to be a good musician, and in this “instant gratification” era that we live in, it can be even harder for some players who aren’t learning correctly. And so, I argued for a higher academic standard for players to pursue. But, my tone and firm stance bothered a lot of people.
This stops today! The world is a big place and there are lots of opportunities to try out different ways to learn. If I have a problem with these methods, it is MY problem, not yours. Therefore, I apologize to each and every teacher, school, camp, intensive, program and DVD artist that I may have blanketed into being considered lower standards of learning. This was wrong of me and I won’t do it again!
Yet, I still hold to everything that I ever stated in regards to being solid methods of learning. But, if some don’t hold to them as I do, then there are lots of musical opportunities for you to check out to see what you can find. I still will champion the musical directions that I believe in. But, I would like to join the family of music educators instead of arguing against them, if they will let me. Again, I apologize for this method of communication. It won’t happen anymore.
Malcolm X was asked why he was so firm or condemning in his racial stances. He answered, “My personal problem is never solved as long as the problem is not solved for all of our people in this country.” This is how I feel about music. It is hard for me to feel good about music ed as long as some players who wish to improve aren’t getting what they need in music education. But, I can’t blanket music ed as I did and I never will again. I may still say that “this is the best” but, I will never say that “this is the worst”. Those days are over. Good luck to all in your musical endeavors.
Wow! I feel like Scrooge on Christmas morning. And it is a nice feeling!
Love to all,
Jeff
I still will not answer some guys no matter what they write. We are divorced! But I would like to start this new thread up if you are interested in continuing discussing musical things with me. Sometimes I am here, and sometimes I leave. If I am gone, ask Roy Vogt if he is free. This is a smart man and he has way better communication skills than I have.
Here is a letter that I wrote to Jon Herrera at Bass Player magazine. I thought to show it to you guys first and get your input.
Jeff's Letter.
I’ve been busy touring and playing quite a lot in 2009. 2010 looks to also be a time of great musical happenings as well. Playing music is the core that keeps me alive, healthy and happy. I continue to meet so many great players on all instruments, and I get a chance to go to places and experience things that are other-worldly. Music took me around the world. It got me into these pages and it opened doors to possibilities here at home that were fantastic. For all of these opportunities, I’ve been busy touring and playing quite a lot in 2009. 2010 looks to also be a time of great musical happenings as well. Playing music is the core that keeps me alive, healthy and happy. I continue to meet so many great players on all instruments, and I get a chance to go to places and experience things that are other-worldly. Music took me around the world. It got me into these pages and it opened doors to possibilities here at home that were fantastic. For all of these opportunities, I am grateful.
With the status that I have gained in music, one thing that I used it for was to promote great musical educational principles and the pursuit of music in its highest levels. It is a hard thing to be a good musician, and in this “instant gratification” era that we live in, it can be even harder for some players who aren’t learning correctly. And so, I argued for a higher academic standard for players to pursue. But, my tone and firm stance bothered a lot of people.
This stops today! The world is a big place and there are lots of opportunities to try out different ways to learn. If I have a problem with these methods, it is MY problem, not yours. Therefore, I apologize to each and every teacher, school, camp, intensive, program and DVD artist that I may have blanketed into being considered lower standards of learning. This was wrong of me and I won’t do it again!
Yet, I still hold to everything that I ever stated in regards to being solid methods of learning. But, if some don’t hold to them as I do, then there are lots of musical opportunities for you to check out to see what you can find. I still will champion the musical directions that I believe in. But, I would like to join the family of music educators instead of arguing against them, if they will let me. Again, I apologize for this method of communication. It won’t happen anymore.
Malcolm X was asked why he was so firm or condemning in his racial stances. He answered, “My personal problem is never solved as long as the problem is not solved for all of our people in this country.” This is how I feel about music. It is hard for me to feel good about music ed as long as some players who wish to improve aren’t getting what they need in music education. But, I can’t blanket music ed as I did and I never will again. I may still say that “this is the best” but, I will never say that “this is the worst”. Those days are over. Good luck to all in your musical endeavors.
Wow! I feel like Scrooge on Christmas morning. And it is a nice feeling!
Love to all,
Jeff
