Recorded video. But he does do a livestream with JUST the accelerator program people once a month so you can hopefully get some questions answered. The mods seem to also be pretty actively replying to people on the videos.
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SBL Accelerator Program - Worth It?
- Thread starter zacharybass76
- Start date
Sorry if this seems kinda silly for asking, but how is that different than the other pre-recorded courses? Is this just more of a "Get better faster" kinda thing?
I'm legit curious. I signed up maybe a year ago for SBL, found it really helpful, but paused it to just take some time to apply what I learned. I'm thinking of signing up again to learn some new things, but this Accelerator Program caught my eye.
@DuckSoup I'm not sure if I'm the best to answer this as I've just started the accelerator program, but what I've gathered is this: this is 26 weeks of focusing on ONLY technique. I'm also subscribed to the regular SBL stuff, and none of the courses go this in-depth on technique, or at least none that I've seen or gone through. Mind you, I'm only talking about what I've seen the roadmap is for accelerator, as only the first week has been released so far (it was both useful, and underwhelming). Like I said, I'll definitely leave a detailed review once it's done. I'm hoping - of course! - that it's worth it.
What strongly appeals to me, is the fact that it has a detailed practice program that I can just tackle, rather that have to figure things out. I can spend time figuring out other things, while improving technique at a steady pace. I would not say it's a "Get better faster" - six months is not "fast".
What strongly appeals to me, is the fact that it has a detailed practice program that I can just tackle, rather that have to figure things out. I can spend time figuring out other things, while improving technique at a steady pace. I would not say it's a "Get better faster" - six months is not "fast".
So far only the first lesson has been posted. It is a video. I'm not sure if the other lessons will be videos or not. My impression is not.
My understanding of the whole program is it is focused on what Scott thinks is the most effective way to improve your technique. Instead of giving you a ton of content and having you figure out what to do, he puts the lessons together in a specific order to most benefit an improvement in technique.
My understanding of the whole program is it is focused on what Scott thinks is the most effective way to improve your technique. Instead of giving you a ton of content and having you figure out what to do, he puts the lessons together in a specific order to most benefit an improvement in technique.
facts! I'm really hoping there's significantly more meat on the bone next week. that said I have been much more mindful of posture this week...
Considering that it takes many, many years to become a proficient player, I'd say six months "to get better" is extremely fast, if that is what is supposed to be the intent. If anyone thinks that they can be a proficient bass player in six months or less, then they're sadly mislead. If reading tab and playing by ear makes you a good player, then our standards are extremely low. LOL. But I digress. I participated in six weeks of this course last year before I had to cancel, and yes, it does get more in-depth as the weeks progress, but it is strictly technique, and not anything music-oriented. To get better musically, try the SBL Academy and study the Phil Mann courses on music theory and the Scott Devine courses on chord tones and Harmonic layering. Even better, pick up the Jeff Berlin courses and learn to read music. Take it from me, you'll be glad you did.
"get better" ≠ "proficient" I do wholeheartedly agree with your suggestions for improving overall musicianship however. As I understand it, this course isn't supposed to be about music, rather strictly focused on technique. That all said, the first week was pretty much a dud–though I understand why the first week had to be essentially bass technique 101...
I took 6 weeks of this course, so believe me, I know this course is strictly technique. I was just conveying ideas to "get better", because there is more to getting better than improving technique.
I'm on the 2nd week now, and I agree this course solely focuses on just technique. It seems to be tailored more into beginner/intermediate players. I'm dropping from it.
Thanks for the recommendations, I'll definitely check those out.
Kinda weird that a course called "SBL Technique Accelerator Program" focuses on technique.
I'm not sure what your point is. I don't think anyone has said that this program will make you a proficient bass player. They are saying that this course will help you improve your technique which does help you get better. You can know all the musical theory there is to know and not be a good bassist if your technique is trash. To be a good musician theory and technical skills go hand in hand in my opinion. This program just focuses on technique and that will help me get better.
I can't speak for zmebass, but if you took bass lessons before SBL Technique Accelerator, how it was structured was nothing new or nothing "accelerated" about it. It's a classic approach on how to improve your technique. Maybe, I was expecting a bit more of eureka moments with this program and being with it.
It's only 2 weeks into it. I assumed it would start pretty basic. I'm still pretty raw technique wise so I'm sure it will help me. I can see how the more advanced may not get a whole lot out of it though.
I have paid for both the Technique Accelerator and the Practice Accelerator. On the technique one, I have to take things with a grain of salt. My learning style is 'slow/deep'. Scott's teaching style is 'blazing'. He assumes some things that are not true for me. On technique accelerator, I kept up with his pace, just fighting my way thru the lessons and not getting hung up on the things I didn't quite understand or master. Weeks later, I was a better bass player. I think I have lifetime access to the course and materials (If I can remember the link), so I can always go back and pick up the things I missed. For me that course was well worth its cost.
On the Practice Accelerator, I'm taking my time. I signed up months ago (or whenever it became available) and I'm still on like lesson 5. He's assuming some level of mastery on scales, that I don't have (the next available note on the next chord). This time I'm gonna try to understand what he's talking about. If you listen carefully, he tells you it would take months to understand what he's talking about, and so far for me that is true. Here again, the information is way more valuable than the $197 if you listen and learn from it. If you're one of those people that seek immediate gratification, plodding thru examples and clicking on the done button, you'll still get alot from the course, but I think you'll be missing out.
On the Practice Accelerator, I'm taking my time. I signed up months ago (or whenever it became available) and I'm still on like lesson 5. He's assuming some level of mastery on scales, that I don't have (the next available note on the next chord). This time I'm gonna try to understand what he's talking about. If you listen carefully, he tells you it would take months to understand what he's talking about, and so far for me that is true. Here again, the information is way more valuable than the $197 if you listen and learn from it. If you're one of those people that seek immediate gratification, plodding thru examples and clicking on the done button, you'll still get alot from the course, but I think you'll be missing out.
Goodness gracious. The only point I was trying to make was strictly in reference to this comment, ""Get better faster" - six months is not "fast"". It sounded to me like the comment was referring to improvement in less than 6 months being ideal, since in their opinion, 6 month improvement was not "fast". I was only stating that there is way more to improving than just studying technique. Technique is EXTREMELY important, but it will take longer than 6 months to "get better", no matter what you study. That was all I was saying. I guess I should've been more clear.
If anybody remembers the original Karate Kid movie then you remember the phrase "Wax On, Wax Off." that's the best analogy that I can think of for the Bass Technique Accelerator (BTA). It is specifically designed to help develop the motor skills needed to better navigate the instrument. And each exercise builds on specific technique deficiencies that you probably don't even realize that you have. Granted it's like a baseball game with 10 minutes of material crammed into each 1 hour video but he does try to explain the benefit of each exercise unlike the movie. And if people paid all that money and only received the minimum content then they would feel cheated. Victor Wooten has always expressed his dismay that music is taught backwards with so much emphasis on theory and not enough on dynamics. Just look at his demonstration of playing all of the wrong notes with the right feel. The BTA teaches you to develop the control you need to express that feel. And, by the way, some of the exercises are based on major scales and arpeggios so there's even a little theory thrown in as a bonus. Like any program you only get out of it what you put into it.
I just finished watching the week four video. Here's my take three weeks and 1 day in.
I ended up paying $147 for the Bass Technique Accelerator program, because he was offering $50 to members of Scott's Bass Lessons. So, for ~$5.80/week, I have:
I ended up paying $147 for the Bass Technique Accelerator program, because he was offering $50 to members of Scott's Bass Lessons. So, for ~$5.80/week, I have:
- Identified and adopted a better playing posture that corrected a neck dive issue with my bass and reduced wrist discomfort as I started playing my first six string. (I just purchased a Yamaha TRB-6P, which has a VERY wide neck and is prone to some neck dive issues).
- Started cleaning up some deficiencies in my plucking hand muting. (One particular deficiency - I'm double jointed, and tend to arch my thumb so much that it doesn't always mute the E string when I play higher strings on a 5-string or 6-string using a movable anchor technique).
- Identified some deficiencies in my raking/economy plucking. (That was this morning's lesson, so I'm only just starting to work on correcting the deficiencies).
- Become aware of (and started to work to correct) disparities in what I can play starting on my index finger and what I can play starting on my middle finger.
Anyone got any long term observations in this program. I got a refund last time but I am considering signing up again. This time you get the practice accelerator, the Ed Friedland walking bass masterclass, and the Danny Morris Motown masters boot camp as a package deal.
Hope its ok to revitalize this thread. I'm doing the course now, 3rd week in. I've studied jazz, play upright and electric, numerous bands and styles so I'm not a beginner at all, but have been pretty lazy with technique and studying generally most of my playing life. Already focusing on my RH technique is allowing me to play technically tricky stuff that I've struggled with for years, and play much cleaner. Exercises are simple but if they're too easy upping the tempo makes them more of a challenge. I do quite a few online courses (mainly DB) and Scott has his own style of teaching (e.g., to say Jason Health, or Geoff Chalmers, which are fantastic courses btw), but breaking down technique to the base motor skill is pretty standard. Without a solid technique it's virtually impossible to play technically challenging pieces, but it's hard to know precisely what to work on to get better. That's where the course seems to be worthwhile. I think for the prerecorded sessions with active support plus the face-to-face Q&A sessions it is a fair price. The support is pretty good, with the team even posting videos to demonstrate things where someone has asked a question - so there's an expense there that's going to bass players to provide the support. I'm aiming to stick with it, it's been valuable so far and I'll aim to update later for others who might be interested.
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