I heard that Charlie Banacos, the greatest music teacher in the world is sick. I tried to reach him but he isn't answering the phone. If anybody who reads this knows about Charlie, or if he is in fact in a hospital, can you please tell me the name and phone number of the hospital he is staying in. I am very concerned for my friend. Many thanks!
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Jeff Berlin Discussing Music Ed
- Thread starter JeffBerlin
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I'll try to see what I can learn.
Jeff,
Charlie is in the hospital. He sent out an email to all those that sent him well wishes. Actually, his daughter typed the email for him as he dictated it. I can send you his email address on myspace or send me a pm here with your email address and I'll forward the email that Charlie sent. Bruce will probably have more info.
Charlie is in the hospital. He sent out an email to all those that sent him well wishes. Actually, his daughter typed the email for him as he dictated it. I can send you his email address on myspace or send me a pm here with your email address and I'll forward the email that Charlie sent. Bruce will probably have more info.
- Dec 13, 1999
- 11,736
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- Disclosures
- Chuck Sher publishes my book, WALKING BASSICS:The Fundamentals of Jazz Bass Playing.
There's a little more info up at allaboutjazz.com. The family has asked to lighten up on e-mail and phone calls as they are getting inundated.
I can understand phone calls, but email? Well hey, who am I to say anything? I don't have to deal with it. Hope he's alright in any event.
I would think that a lot of folks might be sending those Hallmark Get Well Soon e-cards .
I certainly would.
Jeff:
Send him our best.
Not wanting to suck up, but I WATCHED you at BX3, thanks. There's no way you're the slowest guy in jazz!
My friend said you were harmonically amazing. I don't know theory that well so I was more like:
Not wanting to suck up, but I WATCHED you at BX3, thanks. There's no way you're the slowest guy in jazz!
My friend said you were harmonically amazing. I don't know theory that well so I was more like:
What makes what I do appealing to some people is that I don't play notes without meaning to play them. The guys that I try hard to stand shoulder to shoulder with are Keith Jarrett, Wayne Shorter, Sonny Rollins, Dave Liebman, Gary Burton, Pat Metheny, John Scofield and Cannonball Adderly. This is the short list; there are many more guys who have moved me. Because my musical goals are not bass oriented, when I do fill that roll, I bring something a little odd to the mix, which can only be described best as harmony. I am deep into it, and in my lifetime times 10, I will never achieve the ability to spontaneously play what the guys above play. Pat Metheny is the closest that I can relate to because his vocabulary is limited to the instrument and he tends to repeat himself when he plays. But the other guys never sound the same and their vocabulary is way way broader than Pat's or mine. When you aim impossibly high, you will at least hit in the middle.
Dark Horse,
Thank you for your words of encouragement regarding my attitude. It is my sincere desire to maintain it regardless of the instructor. That said, I have many reasons to trust Mr. Berlin.
Jeff and I have never met, and our brief exchange of words on TalkBass would be the first time that we have ever communicated with each other. However, I have heard (and read) much of what Jeff has to say about music and music education, and quite frankly, I believe that what he says is based on reality, and I want to build every facet of my existence upon reality. If I were to reject reality, only one alternative would be left to embrace: fantasy.
Consider the very nature of Truth: truth is factual; it does not change. Truth is not relative. Some people will accept truth and some will not. Regardless of interpretation, truth remains the same: the existence and nature of truth does not depend on my interpretation or point of view I can accept the facts, or I can reject them. As far as music education goes, there are established facts which an individual must embrace if they desire to grow as a player (i.e. interval recognition, chordal structures, ear training, etc.). Certainly, I am not saying that Jeff is the only avenue by which one might attain these musical facts, but I do believe that Mr. Berlin knows how to lead someone to them both analytically and practically. Unfortunately, many contemporary "teachers" claim to know the way to musical enlightenment, but the way they offer leads to an entirely different destination.
- Dec 13, 1999
- 11,736
- 8,941
- 70
- Disclosures
- Chuck Sher publishes my book, WALKING BASSICS:The Fundamentals of Jazz Bass Playing.
Sparky, I go on vacation and come back sitting on 2497 e-mails PLUS all the SYSTEM ADMINISTRATOR non deliverables for my out of office response getting kicked back from spambots, THAT **** takes all day to delete WITHOUT reading it.
EDIT - just re-read the post at allaboutjazz and there IS an e-mail address to send well wishes to. Sorry for the confusion.
Charlie Banacos has had thousands upon thousands of students over the years. That's a lot of potential emails.
Eddie Baby, maybe I'm stupid, but I always thought most people actually like getting well wishes when they're sick. Definitely not in the form of phone calls, but I always thought people had good intentions when they send you get well soon messages. Regardless of how bothered I would be deleting them, I would appreciate it. Might even save a few
- Dec 13, 1999
- 11,736
- 8,941
- 70
- Disclosures
- Chuck Sher publishes my book, WALKING BASSICS:The Fundamentals of Jazz Bass Playing.
Hey Jeff,
Steve Smith seems to be doing a lot of recordings with various trios (GHS, Vital Tech Tones, etc.). How about one with you and Pat Metheny?
Also, any chance of a (the originals, BTW) Players reunion? That's still one of my fave CDs.
(I know, I know. These aren't "music education" questions. Sorry.)
Steve Smith seems to be doing a lot of recordings with various trios (GHS, Vital Tech Tones, etc.). How about one with you and Pat Metheny?
Also, any chance of a (the originals, BTW) Players reunion? That's still one of my fave CDs.
(I know, I know. These aren't "music education" questions. Sorry.)
Just wanted to say thanks, Jeff. You're a new inspiration to me. I can relate to a lot of what you have said in terms of music and education. I always find myself wishing that I received better education growing up (most specifically music, but in everything). Unfortunately it is true that there are many bogus "methods of learning" out there.
I have also gone through similar situations as you where I have learned that arguing with people (especially on the internet) is often fruitless, as some people are willing to listen, and some people aren't... and whether correct or incorrect, it's better to just let it go. It has been very hard for me as well, as I have always hated lies with a passion, and wanted the best for everyone. The world is full of people, things, and ideas that will damage potential, but sincere people just have to do their best.
Currently I'm doing the music thing in college and when I graduate, plans are to teach high school. I will do my best to teach musical facts, and then to inspire art. As you said, learning and art are different things.
I submitted for the one-week intensive... in any case I hope maybe one day I can attend your school if only for a short time. I already do practice and play jazz, but I'll have to buy a few trombone books.
Thanks again
I have also gone through similar situations as you where I have learned that arguing with people (especially on the internet) is often fruitless, as some people are willing to listen, and some people aren't... and whether correct or incorrect, it's better to just let it go. It has been very hard for me as well, as I have always hated lies with a passion, and wanted the best for everyone. The world is full of people, things, and ideas that will damage potential, but sincere people just have to do their best.
Currently I'm doing the music thing in college and when I graduate, plans are to teach high school. I will do my best to teach musical facts, and then to inspire art. As you said, learning and art are different things.
I submitted for the one-week intensive... in any case I hope maybe one day I can attend your school if only for a short time. I already do practice and play jazz, but I'll have to buy a few trombone books.
Thanks again
I agree to all of this. Content never lies. It either is true or it is not. Musical improvement is not on the agenda for many musicians who embrace silly practice methods and believe them to be worthy of regard. What one might believe to be valuable learning methods doesn't count, because most people aren't qualified to make that decision. How can one decide to study in a particular way if they don't know enough about that subject to know if they've made the right decision? This is why there are good teachers. What one believes is valid or not doesn't matter. Just ask any survivor of Jonestown if what they originally believed with all their heart bore fruit.
Belief is a letdown because it rarely is based on truth or fact. The truth is, much of music education doesn't work, no matter how it is debated. The facts show that most bass player don't know how to play (even if they know how to talk about it, evidenced by past comments on past threads). Improvement comes by seeking it out and those proven perfect methods toward musical improvement are few and far between. Work solves all things, but most don't want to work and therefore, most won't go forward in music. Here is a quote from the ailing genius Charlie Banacos to back this up. It says it all.
Charlie said, “Find out what to practice and then do the work! It never fails! Students who are motivated to do a lot of tough disciplined work will do great with these lessons. It is a lot of fun to get better and better at music but I'm serious, and I expect the student to be just as serious about learning. If someone doesn't know if he or she is serious, then my advice would be to not even bother trying these lessons.”
Charlie never was confused by the word "music" like some on MySpace or Talkbass have been. He never was thrown by the idea of hard work to improve in an art form that he chose (not one musician reading this was pushed into being an electric bass player. They all chose to play it). Charlie is the most highly sought music teacher with students from all around the world. His students are guys who are serious, not talkers, not debaters, not over-analysts. He, and every great player jumped into the concept that improvement comes to everyone if you seek it out, not if you talk about it like kids arguing about who is stronger, Superman or the Hulk. This is how some come off sounding on Talbass sometimes (not on our thread. We've done away with this).
For the serious guys, follow Frank Zappa's mandate, "Shut Up and Play Your Guitar!"
I will see you in March for our One Week Intensive. You will LOVE Florida in March. And I promise you that you will go home a changed bass player. 100% guaranteed! Thank you also for your comments.
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