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What's the problem with jeff berlin?
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Rickett Customs
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Yes sir, I've met Danny quite a few times (he knew some of my family), he was not too far away from where i'm at, also worked with a few engineers who recall working with him.
Another notable one from close to the same area, actually he started in Accokeek,MD long ago (My father and uncles had many drinking stories of him) was Link Wray. I grew up in Accokeek and currently live here now,what was his studio in the 60's, has been the Accokeek post office many years since.
That's all Berlin does is whining. Whining about other players, being under appreciated, you name it. Every time you read an interview with him, he's whining about something.
He's closed minded as well - he see things only his WAY, ask Steve Bailey.
Play more bass - I read an interview with him and he said a lot of people should stop playing bass because they are not up to his standards of bass playing doing everything wrong or wallowing in mediocrity. He tries to discourage people from playing bass, like his is the only way to play.
Jeff is a killer player, and from the couple of times I met him he's absolutely the nicest guy, very generous with his time!
Yes, he does come off as arrogant in his online postings and his old column in bass player. He really isn't. People tend to shut him out because they don't want to hear, or don't want to believe what he has to say.
He's been misquoted A LOT in the online forums and in this thread.
He knows what he's talking about!! Getting really good at an instrument is HARD WORK. The techniques he espouses may not be an awful lot of fun, and may not make for a "feel-good" experience at a music camp but, applied properly, they are the best way to make you into a monster player.
A lot of the big name players and teachers are people who have a lot of natural talent and have never had to really work at it to get where they are. (I can't think of a bass example off the top of my head, but a good illustration is I remember seeing a guitar mag article by yngvie in which he claims to never ever practice scales...) Since things came naturally to them, they never had to develop good practice habits and they have no clue how to help someone else become as good as they are.
Yes, he does come off as arrogant in his online postings and his old column in bass player. He really isn't. People tend to shut him out because they don't want to hear, or don't want to believe what he has to say.
He's been misquoted A LOT in the online forums and in this thread.
He knows what he's talking about!! Getting really good at an instrument is HARD WORK. The techniques he espouses may not be an awful lot of fun, and may not make for a "feel-good" experience at a music camp but, applied properly, they are the best way to make you into a monster player.
A lot of the big name players and teachers are people who have a lot of natural talent and have never had to really work at it to get where they are. (I can't think of a bass example off the top of my head, but a good illustration is I remember seeing a guitar mag article by yngvie in which he claims to never ever practice scales...) Since things came naturally to them, they never had to develop good practice habits and they have no clue how to help someone else become as good as they are.
What the heck does that have to do with this?
You can't have an opinion unless you're a "gifted bassist" in your eyes?
Are you Jeff Berlin under a fake user name?
I don't think many are questioning the guys bass playing or ability?
The original post was asking why does everyone make a fuss about Jeff Berlin. It's because of his mouth.
I think Jeff's a great bassist, I have owned/own many of his CD's/LP's. I'm not arguing the guys ability or talent. I LIKE JEFF BERLIN'S PLAYING - I dislike the fanny packing over opinionated personality and I would buy more music from him.
Personally I think Mr Berlin should take a page from Frank Zappa-
- Shut Up & Play Your Bass
Let the playing do the talking.
Jauqo, thanks very much for that clip. I have always felt that Terry Kaths name should be right up there with Clapton, Hendrix and Page among Rock guitarist. And he was one of the first who solo over changes. A great player. Who never made any comments about the metronome or sight reading vs. tab or...............................
I think the biggest problem with Jeff, is he doesn't get the fact that some of us are going to be hacks no matter what. We may not be blessed with Jeff's fingers, ear, skills or sense of time. Music is at best a part time endeavor for us because we have to pay the bills with the stuff we are blessed with. But, just because we use tab to help us figure out a tough line, or use a metronome to improve inadequate natural sense of time, doesn't mean we don't love music and bass playing as much as Jeff does. And we're the people who buy Jeff's CD's, and show up at his clinics. I can guarantee you they aren't being bought by screaming Jr. high girls
. So the least Jeff could do is be nice to us. Nope, he has to not only show us up with his playing (I appreciate this part - it gives us something to aspire too), But, he has to be sure and tell us how much better, smarter, and more naturally gifted he is. Gee thanks, Jeff
Here's the videos of the Berlin/Bailey debate. It's really interesting.
I've gotta say, he wasn't as much of a douche on there as I expected him to be.
Link Removed
EDIT: Upon watching the whole thing, I admit I have more respect for him as a person. His playing was never in question, however.
I've gotta say, he wasn't as much of a douche on there as I expected him to be.
Link Removed
EDIT: Upon watching the whole thing, I admit I have more respect for him as a person. His playing was never in question, however.
Too many people these days are used to being coddled. Jeff seems to take a brutally honest approach that offends all weinies and some generally very nice people.
If you don't like his attitude, that's fine.
If you don't like his opinions, that's fine too.
But he is STILL better than 99% of the people who have posted in this thread (myself included...oh boy am I included). Heck, maybe 100%
You like apples? How do you like them apples?!?
Quit whining. Open your mind. Play more bass.
Joe.
Yep, as promised per his upper signature, "Here's thumb in your eye"
JAUQO III-X
Inactive
My favorite Jeff Berlin stuff is on Bill Bruford's 1979 solo album " One of a Kind". Allan Holdsworth is the guitar player on the album and it is jazz/rock fusion.
There are two youtube interviews of Geddy Lee from 1979-1982 where when he asked what he is listening to he replies " Bill Bruford solo albums".
There are two youtube interviews of Geddy Lee from 1979-1982 where when he asked what he is listening to he replies " Bill Bruford solo albums".
Anyone notice that JB is bowing down/praying to an autographed picture of Jack Bruce on the links section of his website?
http://www.jeffberlinmusic.com/links.htm
http://www.jeffberlinmusic.com/links.htm
Didn't notice.... I also just noticed there's no link to Steve Bailey's site on there either. Hmmmmm
I have to say, I didn't have any strong opinions of Berlin before reading this (and the other) thread(s). Still don't, but agreed on two things; he's a masterful player, and a bit of a tool.
That being said, went and checked out the Berlin/Bailey debate, and I wasn't rankled by him. The noodling may have been a bit disrespectful, but not intentionally. And all his points were pretty valid. He just states them so emphatically, it's irritating. I think Bailey really nailed it when he said Jeff (and others) want to build that foundation, and one floor of the house and that's it, while others want a taller house, more ornate, etc. And just as with houses, most of those decisions are immensely tacky, but some bring out brilliance.
Did some back research on some Berlin interviews, he's admitted that his personality is a flaw, and was even more so back in the day.
I do think where he could learn something, is to listen to what others are really saying as much as he demands that of people reading/listening to his own work. He seems to shut down in the face of differing opinion (to put it politely).
Some people need a taskmaster like that as an instructor, some just need a nurturing environment. Different strokes.
That being said, went and checked out the Berlin/Bailey debate, and I wasn't rankled by him. The noodling may have been a bit disrespectful, but not intentionally. And all his points were pretty valid. He just states them so emphatically, it's irritating. I think Bailey really nailed it when he said Jeff (and others) want to build that foundation, and one floor of the house and that's it, while others want a taller house, more ornate, etc. And just as with houses, most of those decisions are immensely tacky, but some bring out brilliance.
Did some back research on some Berlin interviews, he's admitted that his personality is a flaw, and was even more so back in the day.
I do think where he could learn something, is to listen to what others are really saying as much as he demands that of people reading/listening to his own work. He seems to shut down in the face of differing opinion (to put it politely).
Some people need a taskmaster like that as an instructor, some just need a nurturing environment. Different strokes.
That's cause he secretly wishes he could play fretless and sing at the same time... or, for that matter, either one by itself.
Oh please! Like if you can't play as well as him, you have no right to an opinion? Get real.
Having an open mind is one thing, but don't have such an open mind that you allow people to dump garbage into it.
