JEFF BERLIN - CORT RITHIMIC BASS & LESSON

Jeff Berlin talks about his Cort Rithimic Signature Bass and his teaching approach. Filmed during Thomann BassDay III. Find our more about Jeff's bass:
Germany: www.cortguitars.com/de/series/...
World: www.cortguitars.com/en/series/...
Jeff Berlin:
www.jeffberlinbass.com/
/ 154795837899702
bassist: Jeff Berlin
camera, recording, editing: Gregor Fris
Thanks for watching! :)
Gregor Fris - BassTheWorld.com
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[@basstheworldofficial]

Wanna learn to play bass? Check the "Play" program by Fender: bit.ly/2N7ewUP

[@jeffberlin6225]

Thanks for your comments, both pro and con. I would like to invite people what state their disagreement with my views about academic learning and ask them to clarify what I say that causes them to disagree. I will answer your thoughts here as well as possible and see if I can inspire a new way to look at how to learn. Thank you all for your thoughts and best regards from Jeff

[@shaunfogarty5744]

Someone here suggested a TED talk- I wholeheartedly agree that you could compose a very effective TED talk built around the 'academic' vs/together with/apart from/but always somehow necessarily related to/ the 'artistic' in regards to harmonically built accessible- or popular music and creativity in general. It is a fascinating subject because so much if not nearly all of of the music (for instance) that ends up being academically studied and analysed to death or posterity (ha!) was created by 'artistic' 'self taught' artists that did not have access to, skirted the edges of, were flat out were thrown out of, or never over their dead bodies would they have engaged with, 'academia' - regimented academic training. Which alone can lead to 1234 squared. However, try as we might, for as long as we might- Jaco, Jerry, Jimmy (you know which one), Steve (Howe), Eddie, Chet, Tommy Emmanuel (look him up if you dont know...) , Wes, Joe Pass, Jack, Phil (not Collins), to name a few, were not just making shit up and neither can we,.. they knew where they were on the neck in regards to the western ear and assimilated tonalities. They were not of academia., but they by necessity mastered the academic, and are now 'taught' in academia.

[@mikerobinson9030]

@@shaunfogarty5744Ur summarily stated " academically studied & analyzed into death / posterity" - is a good analysis of the westernized approach to everything on the physical plane & beyond. I have to agree 💯 with the Victor Wooten approach of playin the bass / instrument & not analyze/ academic it. The Westernized world has studied the essence of music as it has studied / analyzed the essence of God - in my estimation to no avail. I feel like once the Westernized approach reaches a certain level - it miserably falls flat bcuz the essence of ancient, indigenous music is somewhere in the deeper depths of the unaccessible spiritual realm. For example, the Hare Krishna & Hindu religions say that there are millions of planets beyond our universe. So, I am not doubting, challenging nor questioning their contention but, " how in hell do they arrive at that conclusion" ⁉️🤔 And, of course, academia can never scratch the surface of their spiritual reality - such is music; & for that & music - We will never know. One last thought. If a person needs dirty laundry washed, they buy a washer manufactured by 1 of various manufacturers that all do the same 1 thing - clean / wash their clothes. Such is the various approaches to creating/performing music. Whatever works do it

[@pinheadgringo]

@@mikerobinson9030 "spiritual reality" lmao

[@DarrenLikesDanger]

This is the best lesson I've seen in years.

[@gorillafunk725]

This is what makes youtube still worth watching. Learning from the masters of their art. For FREE! Thankyou👍

[@Pudsy440]

Live long and prosper Jeff Berlin.

[@SHlTSACK]

I see some saying he can be pretentious & arrogant. When I met him on the BX3 tour, that was my immediate impression of him. So, I was polite, thanked him, & moved on. An hour later, he saw me sitting in the club, sat down with me & said something along the lines of "I didn't mean to brush you off earlier. Nice to meet you, & what were you saying earlier?" That's a good guy. I was in my early 30's & excited to meet one of my 1st influences from my late teens. So, I finished my story about how I learned about him & was influenced. Boring story he's heard a million times...but a rare opportunity for an excited bassist (me) to thank one of his influences. Good guy. Great talent.

[@Herehear49]

Nice story. I think Jeff is an even better guy than bass player. He definitely rose above whatever professional snobbery he had to become a caring teacher who likes people. Quite an achievement.

[@PaulFrancisBass]

Jeff still killing on the electric...one of the unsung heroes of the instrument !!! amazing technique as always but still maintaining the groove and imparting important information on us mere mortals -:) Thank you .....

[@RSTI191]

Nice bass. Berlin, is one the best to ever play the instrument

[@waynesinthemist]

I've been playing for 15 years and I'm not the player I should be for that time. And the reason why.... Ok well I didn't practice. I mean music always came very easy for me, I've always been able to play with feeling . But now I find myself wanting more out of myself as a bassist and have been practicing more. But this video has kicked me in the ass! If I would had seen this years ago I'd be a monster bassist. But using this video as a new inspiration I'm gonna know my instrument better. Awesome message!

[@briandriscoll9836]

I met him at thouroughbred music in Clearwater about ten years ago. He played the star spangled banner on his bass and I was blown away. I remember what he said then, " know your instrument" same message here! Great lesson for us all

[@MrAdobo77]

It's always nice listening to a Jeff Berlin bass lesson. I hope he makes more videos, I'm learning a lot.

[@arsofe]

My favorite bass player for the last 30 years. Extremely talented and articulate people, will always be labeled as arrogant by far less interesting subjects, it's understandable. Always a pleasure to listen to you Jeff, please keep on playing and teaching.

[@richardmcnichols4228]

Jeff, Bless your Heart and Soul for posting such a frank discussion. I am sure that the great wisdom you expressed so simply was not learned so easily. Jam Onward!

[@troywest]

Jeff is such a great instructor ... I love his approach

[@TheFunkyCriminal]

this should be a ted talk

[@Wheelly1]

+ I like him and his ideas very much, I just disagree with "metronomic" part. Even though I see what he means and that the "internal time" approach can be very promising, I`m still convinced that lessons with metronome did not hurt anyone while being very effective in the band setting, making for better feeling what others do and better phase locking. I can say this from my own experience. Aside, now when I do practice with a metronome, I hear my (and other`s) rhytmical failures more clearly. For example, at 00:14 Jeff is definitely dragging a little when playing muted sixteenths notes. Now, the challenge is to teach yourself (your fingers) to be precise enough...but this is a different story

[@OscarGeronimo]

In his interview with Adam Neely he explains further that practicing with metronome is a mistake because the reason you are not playing on time a passage is (generally) because you haven't taken the time to learn and internalize the notes and their position in the instrument (and I would even count their transitions from one another too), and that once you go through all of that you would naturally start to and get it on time. The metronome, in this regard, inverts the process by making you focus on the end result, distracting you from dealing with the previous important steps of defining what is your hand supposed to be doing in a specific division of the time, adapting to those things, and even listening to yourself. It somehow kindda might work working with metronome just because not forgetting your end result is important, but you are still putting effort in thinking more about something that would come rather than a process that is happening at the moment and needs your attention... which generates the common frustrations that come with practicing with metronome. A metronome is a good invention, when it was invented it helped the composers set in specific marks the time they want their pieces in (important specially when music started to get more and more abstract in the middle of the XIX century) but ever since it was invented it has been useful as a milestone setter, checked once, off and let's play, perhaps a confusion let me check, OK, off again and now we practice (or play, depending if practice or rehearsal).

[@stefanscholz8427]

Great words from a great teacher and musician. Thx Thomann for sharing this.

[@TheRainmanBachelor]

What I find refreshing and great about this lesson is that it's a relationship with music and music as it relates to the bass. This is the guy that listened to Jaco and said, "I'm never going to play like him I'm going to play like ME." SO cool. SO SO cool.

[@Gary19702]

the information he provides is invaluable and solid, as an autodiadect of 30 years, learning the language was important enough in of itself but also learning to read that language is paramount and that is just a part of what jeff is trying to impart upon us all. much thanks for the info jeff!

[@gpk9993]

one of my heros...check his work on One of a Kind - Bill Bruford....all-time fav album...Jeff..you rule

[@jcsk8]

Excellent leson! My kind of player, my perfecto tone. Jeff is amazing.

[@SciFiArtman]

I was once starting to think I was "the shit". I mean, everyone was telling me I was, and I was just starting to think that maybe there was a nugget of truth to all that noise. But then I saw Berlin play with Bruford (Tornado), and I realized BERLIN was the shit, I was just the fart. Jeff blew my mind! All at once his playing made me want to quit, and dig-in and work harder! Wow, the bar had been raised to a level I wasn't even aware existed! Thank you Mr. B!!!

[@bassatisfaction]

Jeff is right. I've been playing 25 years and for the most part concentrated on technique, learned how to speed slap and all that jazz. But in the last 5 years been learning music theory, modes, inversions, harmony etc and my playing has gone through the roof, never played better or happier.

[@ZoeMarlowe1]

Absolutely fabulous I love that we 'older jammers' are still around being inspired by awesome Jeff,, and he is unbelievable...the best

[@piratebasscaptain]

What an amazing music lesson , so many simple but great things here . Thank you so much for that inspiration..

[@lwittrock1]

Such a great bass player, teacher, and man. Loved your music through the years and still admire your work and your passion!

[@headlights-go-up]

What a brilliant, brilliant teacher and musician. Ive always wanted to pick up a bass and learn (even in my mid 20s) and even though I have yet to start, everything Jeff Berlin talked about makes complete sense. I wish I could absorb all his knowledge!

[@jboix1]

I didn't hear from you for ages. Great to see you again. So great and inspiring. Thanks a million Jeff. Best of luck!!!

[@previllazz]

I think Jeff Berlin is a real Maestro...thanks for all these teachings . God Bless You!

[@MrBassflute]

Brilliant, insightful and wise, Jeff. Thank you for so much inspiration over the years.

[@SDRockman]

This was one of the most beautiful videos I have ever watched about learning any instrument, because I can feel the passion that Jeff has for music and I haven't even listened to any of his stuff and I know that I should of, but doesn't that prove that what I said is true about this video? I can't say that I was thinking EXACTLY the same way as Jeff, but I totally understand about what he said in this video about using a metronome and having "feel" to play bass, because what I've honestly always said is that, every single person on this planet, has a natural rhythm but the only thing stopping them from expressing it is fear. Afraid of what other people will think of their playing, or because they didn't play exactly on a beat. Jeff is the kind of teacher that I crave for, if only I could afford to fly over to America and attend that school of music that he teaches at, I would do it in a heartbeat if I didn't have other things to do.....

[@wolfgangmarkusgstrein8522]

It comforts me that such a great player like Jeff thinks the same way I do. Great attitude Jeff, super! This had to be said!

[@andrejbresan3457]

Mr. berlin you are an amazing bass player. for me you are more than an amazing teacher. i love the way you explain music and the way you explain playing bass. thanks

[@constructivecritique4049]

What an awesome, awesome educator Jeff Berlin is. When it comes to playing bass, I could literally sit for hours, and pick that dude's brain.

[@BluesSky]

Mr Berlin, I just listened to Three Sheets to the wind. I purchased road games on vinyl in the 80s and it still sounds amazing, thank you for the beautiful playing. I’m a highly dyslexic autodidact bass player and I appreciate your opinions here. I shed for years alone and then was lucky to score a gig almost by random chance and had to learn on the job very quickly in a fairly high pressure environment , so this is relevant. My employers appreciated musicality , ears and sensitivity to the needs of the song vs the virtuosity which I lacked. Cheers!

[@jeffo-3]

I was lucky. I went to B.I.T. from '88 to '89 and Jeff had open counseling every Monday and Friday from 1pm to 6pm. I religiously went to those counseling classes and picked Jeff's brain on a lot of issues. Jeff's playing has a force that I haven't seen from other bass players. I stayed in L.A. until 1990 and still went to his open counseling classes until I moved back to the ease coast. That year, Jeff left M.I. and moved to Florida. I always wanted to go to the Players School of Music. Now Jeff is in Nashville. Good luck Jeff.

[@vincemincevince]

thanks jeff i had the experience myself i had been messing about with guitar/bass for years once i understood how a scale worked it opened up so much more for me. i will try your approach. its the same thing with what im going through at the moment with my art teacher. at the beginning i kept going on about style all the time and he explained to me that style was very unimportant until i had the basics of how to draw the solid foundations of any thing i wouldn't be able to progress and style will develop naturally like what you was saying about groove.

[@ItsPalm]

Wow what cool, unique tips! Really gets me reconsidering traditional notions of learning an instrument :]

[@patricknoe8233]

I wish I could have been told this many years ago, I ended up doing this on my own a few years ago. Eventually after a few years of playing around on bass I stopped picking it up and I started to just study music. Then I came back after about 9 months of study and started playing and it made a mathematical sense to me and the bass became more of a tool at that point to me than it was anything else. Learning the tool was a very important thing for me personally that enabled me to use it more efficiently and provided a better sense of understanding on how I wanted to use it as a tool to make what I wanted to make.

[@jacksherrard1626]

Jeff I loved this lesson a lot of your opinions on playing and practicing .I have been telling younger bass players as well .

[@slappymcdoogle]

This maybe one of the most brilliant bass tutorials I've ever seen on KZbin.

[@sid9239]

Loved your way of teaching Sir. Your students are lucky because they have a mentor like you. Lots of Love n Respect from India.

[@gitarmats]

I'm totally hooked on Jeff's playing.

[@regortex3364]

Jeff is unique in his approach, he’s a no bs guy that can back up anything he says with his resume. His playing on Holdsworth’s Road Games is incredible and a milestone imo.

[@ismaelsantos6324]

This video was great. To the person who said that he is the opposite of Victor Wooten in his theory, I beg to differ. They find two ways to explain and arrive at the same place. I would listen to both of them with equal authority. This video was in my opinion nothing short of spectacular and has changed my ideas of bass learning as much as Victor Wooten's music as a language video. I will be looking for more videos from Jeff Berlin.

[@detodounpoco37]

Amazing thoughts and ideas, thanks !

[@unforgettablejazzfusion5546]

It is always so nice to listen to Jeff... :)

[@doublesevens]

Well done Jeff! Thanks for the video

[@dave3805]

This is gold. I agree that learning the notes is the most important. But I still would like to be able to groove, which I guess for me means... being able to remember to play the same notes the same way at the right time in a song.

[@bassiclogic]

I agree with you on that bass! Great sounding and playable!

[@unitedsouls11]

one of the best lessons on learning ANY instrument !

[@johnunderwood3132]

Amazing. Love it

[@kahfigitar]

Thanks Mr Berlin, great stuffs

[@brunoeschenazi]

Great words from a true master. Thanx!

[@MarceloKuroi]

This is awesome far beyond words.

[@FabioPintoTalks]

Thank you Jeff, I like your teaching style. Cheers, Fabio

[@bassmana2z686]

Great content. Many thanks.

[@ThomasHope73]

What a great teacher! I really like this guy. :)

[@gulbalagulba23]

incredible jeff.you should get much more credits.you are in my top 10 bassplayers

[@dazmango8161]

Hi Jeff ,your factual method is I believe the most valuable and useful method I have for many years have found myself in agreement with your views,it has improved my playing and thanks to you have benefited my students.i salute you sir, all the best

[@snoolee7950]

best player ever. favorite. thanks, Jeff!

[@markbass354]

Thanks' Jeff this helped me a lot and I don't know all the notes on my bass I know some of them and been playing by what I hear. Then found out I was a little off but not by much. So I'm going to learn the rest of the notes this week. Mark S Beretta

[@lwittrock1]

Amen Jeff! I have many friends that I've told the same things to, "The freedom is in the discipline." Learn the basics so you can create.

[@josephdrach2276]

"Learn your instrument well.Learn the theory behind it.Then forget all that shit and play." Charlie Parker I think that Charlie Parker gave great advice in a brief,clear way. He was a genuine genius and will be missed for centuries.Peace to all and much success.

[@isherwoodme]

Amazing player! Learn your bass, the rest will come later as you play after you know HOW to play. Excellent lesson for most of the bass players I know personally and some I have tried to teach. They want to play everything right out of the box and not have to actually learn what they are doing. This is put very well, listen and learn folks, it's from the voice of experience. You can take it to the next level only AFTER you complete the FIRST level.

[@abhimonnubiswas2334]

very good video for beginners and very interesting thankyou for the information

[@fonkamex]

Love this, the opposite of many other teachers around the internet. Teaching groove or slap is something that is much simpler Thant the actual music theory.

[@felipearaujo9841]

I never saw Jeff in an interview. Such a nice guy!

[@aarondavis1441]

It's really funny I found this video, I've played bass for almost 2p years, I can play everything from Sabbath to Mozart, as far as knowing the notes on my bass, I've just recently started learning I can play some scales,, I've been kind of shy about asking questions, which believe me I have a bunch, because one would think playing as long as I have I'd know all that, it totally amazed me when he said most bass players don't know the notes on their base, IM NOT ALONE! also I really identify when he says about the metronome, that's something else I've recently tried, I've always had a really good internal sense of time, this is the best.. Most personal lesson I've watched, and I've watched a lot

[@rubensleite9384]

Great Jeff ... thank's .

[@LK2083]

i don't understand completely english, but it's the first time that i FEEL the message!!! sharing the knowledge is the way!!!

[@George-ss9mb]

The most honest lesson ever. This should be every bassist's first lesson.

[@bernieasis159]

I love this guy

[@dirkphilipps2469]

sehr gut!!! ich liebe es!

[@Phoenix2772]

I love how Jeff teaches, such a human and very effective way to learn the bass and any instrument... we dont have to be robots, we have to learn our craft and notes in order to be effective

[@paultraynorbsc627]

excellent video

[@davidmarsalis1522]

Wow that’s awesome. I saw you jamming with Jaco on the Hidden Jams tapes . So I had to check you out . Man you are incredible mind blowing. Thanks for the tips . Amazing.

[@saier6574]

He is such a good teacher and he is so precise. I am not saying everything he says is right but He is one of the most knowledgeable person in music world. And if you have doubts or question, ask him, he does not fool around, he knows what he is saying.

[@robturnbull4790]

Well done Jeff, thanks for that; you're the most honest of the lot ;-)

[@JoeDeanPedro]

Right on Jeffery!

[@noodlegraphics]

very interesting video, it makes alot of sense

[@forgedpiston41]

God bless you Jeff Berlin

[@chriscuthbertson]

I love Jeff's approach.

[@jeanmarienoe]

Very inspired thanks a lot

[@ModernVintageFilm]

It is just to see another perspective :) very nice video.

[@basssssline]

Golden lesson!

[@LoLa-ck2uz]

I really love his straightforwardness and yes he may be arrogant but he is telling the actual real thing

[@DavidC96]

Thanks Jeff

[@Stewbone]

That was a bunch of very good information. Thanks Mr Berlin! Yep, no getting around it. Same as stepping into a fight: of you don't have your science together, none of your approach, ambition, or desire will win the fight of you don't have the skills. Maybe that's not the greatest analogy, but it's accurate...

[@semperfidelis1550]

That guitar is absolutely beautiful!

[@Yamshabass]

He may be a little arrogant, but I think he makes a great point about the problems with education, and it doesn't only apply to music, I see the same problems in visual arts.

[@robertozarrabal3251]

Jasza Dobrzanski Why arrogant? Knowledge sometimes is associated with arrogance.

[@Yamshabass]

It was more of a reference to other interactions he's had on forums etc. I'm not hating though, if I could have him as a teacher I'd be happy ;-)

[@robertozarrabal3251]

I see, thanks!

[@jeffberlin297]

Jasza Dobrzanski I, too was surprised by the term "arrogant." I never quite understood how explaining points of learning leads someone to believe that I feel superior to anyone. This always fascinated me how easily some arrive at this option without any other consideration into the "why's." People function in this form of unfalsifiability which is defined as: "leaving the realm of rational discourse, since unfalsifiable claims are often faith-based, and not founded on evidence and reason."

[@Yamshabass]

Jeff Berlin I was referring to the comment below (The Terrible Puddle wrote "I can see some people finding him pretentious"). I was acknowledging that possibility (hence the word "may"), while saying I agree with the points made in the video regardless. The suspicion of arrogance doesn't have much to do with this video in particular, but rather with your past online interactions. Anyway, I hope I haven't offended you and that this petty stuff doesn't get in the way of education and music, which is what counts. Regards, Jasza.

[@raktimparashar]

Hi Jeff! Its really nice to hear you talk and your music. Lately I am finding all these college educated Jazz players quite boring and not innovative at all. All sounds the same with no voice of their own and it seems its all about techniques now and runs over their respective instruments of choice.Just repeating again and again whats been done 20-30 yrs back. I mean the masters learnt it on the streets and bars and yet they have their own say over the instrument. People who got a chance to learn under you are really lucky I believe.

[@NelsonMontana1234]

Jeff is amazing. And the new Cort sounds great. But I don't think they're going to sell a whole lot of them with that finish.

[@orriolbohigas3932]

Yeah, I thought the same thing. that bicolor top is really corny...

[@orriolbohigas3932]

Yep, he's an amazing player, no doubt about.

[@alliedestefano9965]

I think it looks cool

[@bassatisfaction]

It's like the luthier made it out of what was in the timber bin. Sounds good tho.

[@holdencaustic]

Nelson Montana ya know, it plays great- that model. The only criticism ( if you could call it that ) is that a) he seems to get the ebony boards- but the market gets the rosewood. b) the front pickup placement only sounds good to me alone- for a blend, either it needs to go back about an inch, or the rear one forward one needs to come forward same. Too barrel toned together as is - but that’s just me. The peavey model the same- but man, those things are the shit!

[@dmccombe7]

I've been playing for 40yrs and can see what he means about the metronome. I learn the notes at my speed until i get it right but you need to learn the notes first and where your fingers should be. Jeff has to be one of the most fluent bassists i've ever seen. Been following him since i bought Bruford album One of a Kind. And he comes across as a nice guy. Wish i could afford to take lessons from him directly. LOL

[@JuanCarlosRojas]

Philosophy of music. Berlin is great!!

[@elmuan]

Great lesson!

[@catalin8818]

very interesting! thank you for the lesson :)

[@TheBassfresh]

great exercise, and as always in-valuable advice. btw that exercise made me think of joe osborn's opening bass lines in the Association tune "everything that touches you". Check it out.

[@StewartGartland]

Great work here. Jeff is a monster player although I have always thought of him as more of an outstanding teacher and bass philosopher than player and that's mainly because I don't particularly like his sound. His use of the syrupy chorus, reverb and delays on most of his records is just not to my taste. His sound, playing, lines and solos on the "Bruford" albums are easily my favourites, what an amazing ensemble they (Bill Bruford, Alan Holdsworth, Jeff Berlin and Dave Stewart) were. If all you've heard of Jeff are his solo records, then try and unearth the Bruford records for a real insight into Jeff's amazing skills and artistry. "Joe Frazier" is an amazing tune.

[@-RandomBiz-]

His solos on the Road Games ep are phenomenal. Bill Bruford said "Jeff knows what every note on the bass is for."

[@saeroner]

So does he actually think about the notes he plays? The notes other than the root? I tend to only worry about the root note, and then the intervals (of that root) are what tend to lean on for whatever chord. knowing the 3rd/5th/7th... in multiple positions. It's all about understanding and hearing the harmony > over notes.

[@jakeandlori23]

i dont agree with everything he says however there is no set way and I like hearing his take on approaching or how to approach music,awesome musician and great lesson regardless what instrument you play.