Found This Topic Interesting

[Wesley16]

MarkBass Presents Jeff Berlins Bass Lesson at NAMM 2011

Agree or disagree?...Got something to add to his point of view?

[Andrzej]

I'm not sure I think that was necessarily a constructive lesson.  It seemed more like a patronising lecture to me.

[floaded27]

I'm not sure I think that was necessarily a constructive lesson.  It seemed more like a patronising lecture to me.

i agree. i get the concept and everything he's saying is true and i do already follow suit. but his demeanor is very....well, demeaning. he has a "listen to me because ur all idiots" vibe, and we all know that does NOT go well with teaching, even if your information is accurate and valuable.

But one error, its not that you shouldnt practice to a metronome, but u shouldnt do it exclusively. Using drum tracks/loops, metronome, drummer, etc is no different in my opinion as its all for the same goal, to present a steady beat, although u get more feel from drums and thus become more accustomed to feeling the music than just being strictly in time. he used a drummer, so that point he's making loses some merit.

[mjl422]

I agree with him re: the no metronome while you're working out fingerings and learning parts.  But, I totally disagree about the "no metronome at all" rule.  Ultimately, we do want to develop our internal clock and the metronome is one method to help you to develop it.  It also helps for when you get in the studio and they turn on the click track.  He's been having this debate with players for years (this is probably why he comes off the way that he does).  I think I would have walked away after about 30 seconds of listening to that.

It's usually not a good idea to make absolutes out of your personal opinions.

[fbates]

He is coming off as very annoying and patronizing as others have said.    I can understand the whole thing about learning and being proficient on your instrument, but passing your opinions off as fact is when things start to go down hill.  It's sad because he has some good points to make but at the rate he's going I can see why people don't take him seriously.

[Doyle33]

Yeah!!!! Very interesting this topic. I like it.

[DWBass]

I say, if your internal clock is NOT well developed, then by all means use what ever tools are available to assist you with that. I personally have never used a metronome. I have come across many a musician who had really bad timing problems. No internal clock at all. They just could not play in time without some sort of rhythm reference and even then it was rough. You have to build up that internal clock.

As for Jeff, he is very opinionated and likes to feel his methods are best. He's an odd sort. Even that bass of his is ugly as sin! LOL

[T-Block]

I'm not sure I think that was necessarily a constructive lesson.  It seemed more like a patronising lecture to me.

I agree.

He had a few good points, as far as the academics of music is concerned, but his approach was very negatively influenced. If he was teaching a real music clinic, I would NOT attend.

[stix_clgi]

In most of Jeff Berlin's videos or articles he comes across as extremely patronizing, I am the Bass God of all Bass Players-type personality. I never really liked him, especially after his running debate with Steve Bailey over "real musicians" knowing how to read, music theory, etc. As good of a player that he's proven to be, I'd never want him to teach me anything.

[malthumb]

Jeff Berlin is one of a handful of "celebs" who have been banned from Talkbass for being too abrasive and confrontational.  Ken Smith is another one.

[T-Block]

Jeff Berlin is one of a handful of "celebs" who have been banned from Talkbass for being too abrasive and confrontational.  Ken Smith is another one.

I see why.

[hands5]

I've known Jeff for well over 20 + yrs and he can become a little "jaded " in his critisizms of other players, but I have to say it was he who help me in my learn to read sheet music and show me how important it is to be able to read to stay employed  ( this is well before his Players music school ) hey you either like him or you don't.........no harm/no foul.