Jeff Berlin says - Being a Fan is Hurting Your Playing!

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#41
Craig4003 said:
It's not "despite" the internet, it's partly because of it. The "democratization" of the ability to publish (anyone can create a web site, anyone can post videos on YouTube) means that there is no longer a distinction between qualified professionals and people who know little or nothing. Again, this is not limited to music. We the same thing with crackpots of all sorts building up huge followings among ignorant and stupid people on a wide range of topics: science, politics, religion, etc. It turns out that there was actually some value in having professionals decide what was worth publishing and what wasn't.
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You are right! It isn't limited to music. But, since we are musicians here, of course I wish to relate thoughts that relate to our instrument.

I am a pariah for sounding a warning bell that bass teachers from the store level to as high as you wish to look are not going to make you into a better bass player unless you are assigned a weekly dose of perfectly written harmonic music to practice.

Bass teachers are kind. I know this! They love to share with people and want to help make better bass players But (and this is important) kindness is not a criteria that one includes when one seeks to improve their playing. But having the ability to raise up a musician's skills WAY beyond a song, a groove, a performance or a show are what will make everyone improved as players and for life. It is such an easy concept to understand and it can be if people relate it to how they were taught how to drive or how they learned how to read and write; Literally, without, exception, we were all taught academically. If academic training works in every aspect of learning in all other vocations and interests, then anyone logically should be able to associate this approach with being taught how to play the bass by a teacher or in a school.
 
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#42
Roy Royerson said:
I think it’s important, especially with the access we have today, to look to many sources to develop as musicians. I like that you even encourage people to question and research your teachings and appreciate you throwing that in there. Personally I prefer to learn most from piano players and even occasionaly youtube piano lessons for more knowledge and techniques. I find keyboard players know their stuff very well and they understand bass/harmony.
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The reason that keyboard players know their stuff is because, for the most part, they study with one teacher who is able to teach all kinds of piano players. The notion of the "right teacher for the right student" doesn't exist in the teaching of other instruments for the most part. This is why I view the teaching of bass as a failed effort at this particular time; people are going from one teacher to the next but haven't stopped to think that if even one of those teachers knew how to teach, then they wouldn't have had to do this in the first place. The notion that there is a right teacher hooking up with the right student is a myth. I hope that people catch on to this fact.

In the self taught experience, bass players are on their own to discover how to learn. Here is where many sources to develop one's musicianship has merit, as self taught musicians. But if anyone pays even a nickel to learn, for me, the rules change instantly about who is responsible for your musical improvement.
 
#43
two fingers said:
I'll take it one step further in that YouTube is accelerating the death of music education.

These days one isn't even learning from his "rock god hero". One is learning a "riff" or a song from some kid sitting on his bed with a Gopro camera or am iPhone who also happens to be a huge fan of the rock god. So even the possibility of learning from a rock star who happens to be a horrible teacher has been replaced by learning from "Zack from Sheboygan" sitting on his Star Wars sheets. :cool:
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If you are noticing this, perhaps others are as well. This is where the seeds of change in bass education might take root. Thank you for sharing.
 
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#44
JeffBerlin said:
But having the ability to raise up a musician's skills WAY beyond a song, a groove, a performance or a show are what will make everyone improved as players and for life. It is such an easy concept to understand and it can be if people relate it to how they were taught how to drive or how they learned how to read and write; Literally, without, exception, we were all taught academically. If academic training works in every aspect of learning in all other vocations and interests, then anyone logically should be able to associate this approach with being taught how to play the bass by a teacher or in a school.
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I would say that people who plan to try and make a living at music will be taught strictly academically (strictly commercial?) because at some point they will have realized they need to in order to achieve that goal. The other 98% of people who play and even gig occasionally honestly don't care enough to go through all that. They can talk about it on the forums, but it will almost never happen. Maybe in a few cases...

That vast majority of people here probably took some lessons at some music store, 30 years ago or whenever, learned enough to play a few songs then ended up in a band that gigs maybe 4 times a year. They make their money in banking, construction, computers etc. Music is just something most people do as a lark.

When I first started bass lessons, not that long ago, I was taught academically, (I suppose... not even sure at this point what that even means) and was very disciplined. I practiced 3hrs a day (at least) everyday for years after work. Studied Bach Etudes, Patterns for Jazz, Modal etudes, read, wrote, transcribed, etc. I managed to get into some good bands in a short amount of time. Then about a year ago, I hit a period where I just didn't care that much anymore. Now, I might practice before a gig but I might not. I can still play pretty much whatever comes up, but currently, I have no intention on getting any more academic than I can accomplish on my own. But I think I have a fair idea of what that involves.

I guess, I still see music as fun, but not that big a deal... It's not like I'm curing cancer or something.
 
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#45
Spin Doctor said:
I guess, I still see music as fun, but not that big a deal... It's not like I'm curing cancer or something.
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Deep immersion into music produced every great composer and player in history. It was the people that took music as seriously as curing cancer that created some of the greatest music the world ever heard. There's no humility in your comment, no appearance of musical interest beyond viewing bass as one might enjoy a video game. I won't answer your posts any longer as you don't appear to be open to any thought of musical improvement that I hold as sacred.
 
#49
Michael F Clef said:
Hello Jeff. I admire your playing and respect your discussions of music education. I am considering purchasing your lessons and could use a little guidance. Please private message me if you like. Thank you.
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Sure! I want to respect the rules of TB and cannot discuss my lesson series here. But, I will need some guidance as I don't know how to private message anyone. You are the first person to ask this of me and I don't know how this operates.
 
#50
[QUOTE="JeffBerlin, Sure! I want to respect the rules of TB and cannot discuss my lesson series here. But, I will need some guidance as I don't know how .[/QUOTE]
I think if you click on my picture a box will open with an option to send private message. If not no biggie. Hopefully we can chat for a minute via your site when I purchase lessons. Thank you.
 
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