+1 to that, have the skills for the job, i alway like to be over prepared than under prepared in life
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Jeff Berlin Discussing Music Ed
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+1 to that, have the skills for the job, i alway like to be over prepared than under prepared in life
I agree totally!
Everybody who plays well was once a student in some form. Those who choose academics need to realize that everything DOESN'T work. There are pretty inept academic lessons out there. Also, those who teach themselves are beholden to no one and nothing, and often this is just what they end out sounding like! Some people talk the talk, chat the chat, and really ought to work the work and stop looking for loopholes about learning how to play. The nutshell commentary is this: if you don't work on your music, you cannot get better because nobody in any field can get better at anything whatsoever if they don't put in the time. If they choose academics to learn this way, then the academics have to be consistent, musical, factual and without flaw. Most great academic exercises are, so seek them out and get to work.
Ciao from Italy!
I just wanted to comment that I now understand what Jeff means by factual music. Having resumed studying with a great teacher, after a long hiatus, and playing Parker tunes, the chord studies for elec bass, this is "factual" This stuff is so musically dense, I could do just this for months and still not be done exploring the Parker tune.
Speaking of "factual" music: what do you suggest for musical training away from your instrument and specifically ear training? Do you teach ear training at The Players School of Music and if so, what do you most commonly start with?
Hello jeff
I was wondering, could you explain, give insights, on how to work with your book "chords tones for bass etc"
If this has been asked before i'm sorrhy
thanks for your time!
and thx for the music!!
cheers
I was wondering, could you explain, give insights, on how to work with your book "chords tones for bass etc"
If this has been asked before i'm sorrhy
thanks for your time!
and thx for the music!!
cheers
I don't think that there is a substitute for this (roll-up-your-sleeves work). Thanks for sharing your insight here- greatly appreciated.
Roy Vogt
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- Sep 20, 2000
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Do you mean the Chord Tone System for Mastering the Bass (REH) or Chord Studies for Bass by Rich Appleman?Hello jeff
I was wondering, could you explain, give insights, on how to work with your book "chords tones for bass etc"
If this has been asked before i'm sorrhy
thanks for your time!
and thx for the music!!
cheers
The primary device in the Chord Tone System book is using 4 note chords in Root position and all the other inversions (3rd on the bottom, 5th on the bottom, 7th on the bottom) in the Cycle of 4ths. If you do this with all the chord qualities in the book all over the neck with all of the inversions this will teach you everything you wanted to know about where things are on your neck and things you didn't even know you wanted to know. The book looks deceptively simple, but if you actually get in and work the material (don't just read it-find other places to play it) you'll get a ton out of it. In the finest 80s musical tradition, it has TAB
I recommend you ignore it.With the Chord Studies for Electric Bass by Appleman work the basic chord sound, then do the approach tone exercises and finally work on the 16th note Etudes. When I started working on them, I worked for speed. That was a mistake-these exercises really come alive if you take your time and listen. I've even recorded a chord pad for them (I use Band in a Box) and play the exercises against the chord so I can hear the tension/resolution of each note.
Absolutely there are ear training classes at The Players School of Music. Ear training is one of the most indispensible tasks a musician should undertake. It trains THE most important element of one's musical life, what one can hear from without and from within.
With all the discussion about what and how to learn, if you have a week off to invest in finding out some truth about where you are as a player and what you can do about improving your situation, then consider coming to the school's One Week Intensive in March. The event is so complete that we have saved people years, certainly months wondering what and how to learn how to play. The school is closed for the holiday, but, you can send Vicky an email at [email protected] and she can tell you about it if you are interested. Beginners are cool, and guys who think that they know how to play might find out otherwise. This is a "Truth With Kid Gloves" event. Nobody gets hurt, bullied or overworked. But, you will work, make no mistake!
Are there, or will there be, plans to hold a One Week Intensive at other times of the year? Spring is the business time of year for the business I am in.
I would love to attended the One Week Intensive. At 49, I could stand to save all the learning time I can!
Hi Jeff,
I am a new entrant into the bass field and also to these forums. I am an older gentleman and had formally sang in a group in the late 70's- early 80's. I wanted to get back into music again and have found that I love the bass. I have only been practicing for a few weeks now but am up to an hour a day practice. I am attempting to learn on my own by trying to find the best free materials (or low cost) to learn with. I do agree with you though that it is important to take the time to learn the basics. I have no expectations of being able to learn the bass quickly, but I have no problem with that because I am interested in trying to learn it correctly at the beginning. Anyways, thanks for you input.
I am a new entrant into the bass field and also to these forums. I am an older gentleman and had formally sang in a group in the late 70's- early 80's. I wanted to get back into music again and have found that I love the bass. I have only been practicing for a few weeks now but am up to an hour a day practice. I am attempting to learn on my own by trying to find the best free materials (or low cost) to learn with. I do agree with you though that it is important to take the time to learn the basics. I have no expectations of being able to learn the bass quickly, but I have no problem with that because I am interested in trying to learn it correctly at the beginning. Anyways, thanks for you input.
Great stuff the one week course Jeff, do you ever plan to bring this to other countries, it would be a great thing and i'm sure it would get fully subscribed?
Are there, or will there be, plans to hold a One Week Intensive at other times of the year? Spring is the business time of year for the business I am in.
I would love to attended the One Week Intensive. At 49, I could stand to save all the learning time I can!
MAYBE in June! A lot of guys find that they have more time in June than in March, don't ask me why! But, like you , some people have schedules that seem to conflict with March. March is usually a month that I am not often touring and so I usually prefer to do this event at that time.
A couple of ideas is for you to listen to the types of bands whose music you wish to play. By listening and imitating what you hear, you are doing an ear training thing and also developing a repertoir of music to play.
Academically, I would practice chord tones in different ways, trombone music for reading and note/rhythm identification and duplication. If you can find a really good music teacher, then the responsibility about what you need to work on shifts to that person instead of you. But, as an aside, If you read each day, sometimes reviewing what you read the last few days until you feel comfortable with it, you will be learning the neck, notes, rhythms, and fingerings/plucking of notes in a perfect fashion.
Hey Jeff,
Sign me up! In all seriousness a June time would be great.
I design and implement automation control system for ag. January to May is the busiest time of the year for our company. Standing company policy is no vacation time to be taken during that period. March and April are brutal.
Hopefully, others will express a sincere interest in a June "One Week Intensive", and that there will be enough people to justify the decision on your part. Count me in this group!
Thanks.
I'm going to the o.w.i. in March. I have no illusions about being able to play well at this time. I currently just wiggle my fingers and jive. I would like to be taught something along the lines of, "Learn this before anything else"- yet that's my understanding of what's necessary. Maybe a better frame of reference is to show up and just listen to what I'm told.
I really like the way you play over changes, Jeff, and appreciate that you are willing to teach others this sort of thing as well.
I really like the way you play over changes, Jeff, and appreciate that you are willing to teach others this sort of thing as well.
Roy Vogt
Supporting Member
- Sep 20, 2000
- 4,433
- 537
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist: Kiesel Basses, Ampeg Amplification, Hotone Ampero II effects
That would be me
....I have to wait until I'm done with school in all practicality. Seriously, +1 to the One Week Intensive and Players School in general. I came in with some of Engelbert's bandmates and did an informal master class several years back and I was thoroughly impressed by the school, the students, the instructors, and of course Jeff. It's a great environment!Being the myopic guy that I am, Vicky is THE person to discuss booking space in these events or any other questions that one might have about The Players School and our One Weeker. I don't know a ledger from a lodger. In case you didn't get it the first time, her email is [email protected]
Guaranteed, without question, you will go home a different guy on your instrument!
Jeff-
Good afternoon. Do you teach/consider chords tones on strong beats (non chord-tones on weak beats) and those sorts of things? I hear alot of forward motion in your playing and wonder if its by design or coincidence. This would regard both walking and soloing.
Will
Good afternoon. Do you teach/consider chords tones on strong beats (non chord-tones on weak beats) and those sorts of things? I hear alot of forward motion in your playing and wonder if its by design or coincidence. This would regard both walking and soloing.
Will
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