Jeff Berlin Shares the Nicolas Slonimsky Approach

[@marcelohorsth]

Jeff Berlin is not only a MONSTER player.....he is also a FANTASTIC teacher!!! So much knowledge here! Now I need to check all the other lessons!

[@talkingbasslessons]

Awesome Jeff. My old bass teacher at University had me reading through the Slonimsky Thesaurus and it completely changed my reading. I hated it at the time because of all the changes between bass and treble clef but it kept me in a constant state of focus. Well over 200 pages (if I remember rightly) and packed with content.

[@lumpyjazz]

Great post TB. Focus is the key. And focus in calm and peace is even better. Finally, hours a day practicing doesn't do much for our musical improvement. But practicing each day does. Best of luck to you.

[@KeithHutchinsonYT]

Hi Jeff, saw you play with John Mac and Trilok Gurtu in Paris some years ago and...... i will never forget when there was a minor slip in your solo and you took two steps forward to the mic and said in soft tones, "would you mind if i try that again" and the place erupted and so did you, what an awesome delivery thereafter, absolutely awesome. I have told this story to friends many a time since then. great stuff Mr Berlin.

[@sanchopp]

I'm french, so my english is poor like a lot of people in France : ) But when Jeff Berlin talks, I understand what he sais, he speaks clearly. Thank you mr Berlin.

[@martinshaw7273]

Nice :)

[@johndoe1765]

MR. BERLIN GREAT AS ALWAYS THANK YOU.

[@mastermontgomery9839]

You have gone far beyond my initial reason for listening to you. I once "told" F.Gambale that he was fortunate to have played with you and received a kinda smart-ass answer. But you are a gift* and have been that gift* a very long time. Thanks

[@bradfordnlandry]

Jeff, this is wonderful. I read that Coltrane always had this book with him, kinda like a Bible. Also Frank Zappa trolled Nicolas, had coffee with him regularly. Nice to see you out here!

[@mubcustom]

Thank you, Jeff. As always, you have a way to not only share useful concepts, but to also explain why they should have a place in our routine that is inspiring.

[@ZenturaAudio]

Excellent advice! A.H. Is my life long favorite listening . Today (From A.Holdsworth 's memorial videos) I learned of Nicolas Slonimsky, and begun a new era of music understanding & discovery! Thank You for making and sharing🌞

[@saier6574]

Jeff is one of the best teacher the world has seen.

[@iansmith6197]

Love you Jeff, saludos de Buenos Aires!

[@declanwilcoxon1123]

I would love to hear more about how to use the slonimsky book, great video!

[@JC-um5ch]

thanks Jeff

[@pevgenev]

Thank you for the inspiration.

[@RichardFriendartist]

brilliant insight. I loved this video and the thought behind. Really happy to have discovered your channel Jeff!!

[@FedericoMalamanBass]

Thank you Maestro!!! Just bought the book! :-)

[@dmisk2010]

im inspired thanks

[@williamogrady8216]

Best music lesson I ever had. And I've been at it since time immemorial. Remember where he concedes that practice and performance can coincide? Yum.

[@paultraynorbsc627]

Excellent Jeff lots to watch again on Vacation thanks for sharing

[@lumpyjazz]

Enjoy your vacation Paul.

[@LarryCorban]

Thanks for sharing! Excellent content!

[@safflafron7576]

So lovely and inspiring. Thank you

[@kurtpolak2670]

Just added this book. Thank you.

[@Herehear49]

Thanks Jeff! To add to the idea of what you practice and what you perform, Hal Galper said: "If you play what you know, you are playing what you practiced. I'm not really playing until I play what I don't know!".

[@lumpyjazz]

Hal makes sense. But add this one thought: Playing as much as possible is a kind of practice just by being involved with relating to other plays all the time. It is the one thing that most people don't have anymore. We, the over 60 crowd played every night sometimes 7 days a week. I think that you should try and find as much live playing as you can do.

[@MikeGoodrich]

Great video, Jeff! I don't play bass but I'm a voice coach and I received a comment about Slonimshy so I found your video doing research! Great info! And, as a guy who also does KZbin videos, I love your approach and your manner. I feel like I know you already and if I played bass I would buy any course you had simply based on seeing this 6 minute video of yours! Just thought I'd share my feedback. Keep up the great work! And I love what you said about practicing...I love it too! And all your insights really resonated with me as a teacher (and singer). Thanks!!

[@Rosenberg9035]

Practicing music is the greatest love, and very dearest activity for every musician...this is so true...it is the way and the goal in itself...the greatest fullfilment for the soul, the spirit...if one is blessed, and being able to discover such a thing for himself, it is a road that can bring purpose...a beautyful picture being painted on the empty canvas of our lives...step by step

[@lumpyjazz]

Nicely said Heiko.

[@ALIASZARDOZ]

We love Jeff BERLIN. Best regards from Dunkerque. Phil.

[@lumpyjazz]

I love Dunkerque. I was there some years ago. Thank you Phil.

[@ALIASZARDOZ]

lumpyjazz Thank you so much Jeff, you are the best of my book and all my life. Your faithfully. Phil.

[@edwenzel2330]

I didn't know about this at all. Thanks for giving us another step on the path.

[@lumpyjazz]

My pleasure Ed.

[@MitchMitchellBass]

Beyond my reading abilities at the moment Jeff, but totally inspirational. I look forward to the challenge further on up the road. You are a truly wonderful teacher and I am enjoying your bass education course so much.

[@hanktheblesseddeejay]

You can get a tab version

[@MitchMitchellBass]

Then I would have to learn to read TAB. 😬

[@hanktheblesseddeejay]

@@MitchMitchellBass audio book?

[@dukahn7820]

Wow..it sounds amazing!

[@johngiunta420]

Good essay! As a classical guitarist and flutist branching out into Free Jazz / AvanJazz, I consider Slominsky's book a necessary reference. Thank you!!

[@chopsedumacation8640]

Just an aside, I was at a clinic you did at Southern Illinois University, I think in '85. It was not long after you had released your recording of Dixie.

[@steveg219]

Awesome lesson!

[@lumpyjazz]

Thank you Steve.

[@arcticdouchee]

Thanks so much for all the great videos Jeff. Watching all of your content has inspired me to actually start learning music and "demystify" the fretboard as you say instead of just aimlessly noodling around. Finding joy in practicing is very important and you've certainly helped with that. Thanks again!

[@lumpyjazz]

Hi Arctic. Demystifying the fretboard will open up the whole musical world to you. There are correct ways to do this and when you enter into learning this way, you will know what I mean, first hand. Good luck!

[@markzaccheus7384]

This is yet another incredible video of yours. Thank you for all that you do. You help to make me and many many more bassplayers better musicians.

[@lumpyjazz]

Thank you Mark. Learning is not, in my view, a broad experience. It is a narrow one. Learning one line of music is a narrow approach to improvement and it benefits your reading, your articulation, your technique and even can address your bass tone. Narrow is the way. Every day!

[@Bassic778]

Absolutely awesome lesson and insights!

[@lumpyjazz]

I am glad that it helped Keith.

[@thatpaulschofield]

Thank you, Jeff!

[@lumpyjazz]

I hope that this helps you Paul. Thanks for your thoughts.

[@lumpyjazz]

My pleasure Paul.

[@lumpyjazz]

My pleasure Paul.

[@chopsedumacation8640]

Thanks for posting these man! Very helpful, for me (at 35 years exp/practice), and my 18yr old son (who's been playing for about 3yrs)

[@MrChilensko]

Thank you!! Very inspiring words of wisdom, you just made my day.

[@lumpyjazz]

I am glad to hear it MrC.

[@Datanditto]

I just ordered the book Jeff, thanks.

[@lumpyjazz]

I hope that you get something positive out of it Dataditto.

[@92Jaghk]

Inspiring, Jeff!

[@Mike__707]

Sounds somewhat like some exercises from Emilio Pujol for classical guitar. That my music teacher made me practice on the electric bass...

[@lumpyjazz]

Interesting. Reading is mandatory in musical improvement and I imagine that reading treble clef had some benefit to your musicality.

[@ddrumcorner4682]

Awesome content.

[@lumpyjazz]

I am glad that you got something positive from it.

[@lumpyjazz]

Thank you David.

[@holdencaustic]

Yes!!!

[@Theworkingbassplayer76]

You’re always right brother Berlin. I know you’ve been unfairly criticized for your methods but none of those people were Jeff Berlin’s . Thanks for everything you’ve done for the music world and please don’t ever apologize to anyone for being who you are, we love you. Have a good day sir

[@lumpyjazz]

Thank you WBP. I am criticized for stating that bass education is flawed. I am criticized for making comments that go against popular consensus. I understand! No one likes to be told that what they subscribe to is flawed. I can't say that I liked it too much when I was in therapy. But, I learned one of the most profound lessons I ever learned in life in a shrink's office. And, I am serious here! To change our beliefs for better ones, sometimes we just have to learn how to develop a taste for humble pie. I did, for three years and I am the beneficiary for it.

[@Theworkingbassplayer76]

lumpyjazz I would like to say that you’re not crazy and never was. It’s the rest of the world that has difficulty understanding your genius! I’m eternally grateful to you for the positive influence you’ve had in my life as a bass player. Because of your influence I am able to put food on my table every day working as a bass player. One more thing before I let you go! Canelo or triple G? 🥊🥊🥊🥊

[@Theworkingbassplayer76]

Never were* damn auto correct

[@johndoe1765]

THIS CAT IS GREAT IN MY BOOK HE,S JUST FOR REAL ABOUT MUSIC. THANKS TO JEFF BERLIN AGAIN.

[@mrsugmad]

Wow. Literally dusted off my hardcover copy (from the late 60's). I recall seeing a video of Jaco mentioning he studied from this book. Folks, this is a deep book. I'll be getting back into this. Thanks Jeff for bringing this to our attention.

[@lumpyjazz]

I am glad to have helped. It is one of the great documents of incredible individual exercises to practice.

[@shuk1964]

while doing reading exercise after a while you tend to memorize the lines. Do i have to avoid from memorizing accidently and focus on the reading

[@standarddisclaimer]

I assume that someone somewhere has created midi files of the Slonimsky material. Any idea where I might find something like that? Thanks!

[@TS-gc8pw]

You'll be hard pressed to find a teacher of academic music better than Jeff Berlin. I spent years with him and he loves making musicians better than they were yesterday and teaches you how to get better in the most meaningful ways everyday you desire to learn .. and do the work. He truly cares about our growth as players, I honestly believe that. I just wish I could practice as much as I desire... get it in while you are young and free! 😂

[@pleximanic]

Jaco and Mike Brecker also study this book!

[@lumpyjazz]

Ah, I didn't know this. But, it makes sense considering the amazing playing ability that these fellows had.

[@ToneCanyon]

one of the most influential books ever. if you actually put them into a key, like less advanced key center, you can get some beautiful results as well: ) thanks Jeff for the rerd, I studied with Dennis Sandole: )

[@danielbates7401]

Jeff, I really appreciate your approach to teaching. I think it challenges students to dig in and do the work, rather than simply just giving the “answer” to a student. Would you say that the Slonimsky book has helped develop your ears to hear more complex changes/chord sounds?

[@lumpyjazz]

Hi Daniel. No, not on its own. My ear was developed when I was seven or eight years old because I was already into reasonably sophisticated violin music. Having gotten my ear to be sharp simply meant that as I continued in music, everything that I learned or played got easier and easier to either hear or play. This is why I never let up reminding adults of all ages that they can have a similar thing if they decide to change their views about learning.

[@isaacmao07]

💖💖💖

[@fusionhar]

Jaco use Slonimsky Book?

[@baceinyoface]

thanks for reminding me! gonna be posting some of his stuff on insta! i'll give you a shoutout jeff 😎

[@angrycat3525]

I couldn't ignore it, so I'll ask: what's with the tape over that one pot? Is that to lock in your treble setting? Asking for a friend . . .

[@mymixture965]

As a guitar player I subscribed to a bass player channel, that tells you everything:-)

[@lumpyjazz]

Philosophically, my ideas about learning relate to other instruments.

[@skineyemin4276]

You know, I do not see the exercise that you're playing in this on page 23 from the exercise #143 area, which is weird, because, I see what looks to me like variations of the line you're playing in this video. Maybe my glasses aren't strong enough. Please advise.

[@nicksm7980]

Jeff, did Charlie Banacos introduce you to this book?

[@gagealbright]

Jerry Garcia also loved Slonimsky's "Thesaurus..."

[@jamescarlucci9867]

Now you can add your name to the list of. timeless musicians who use this approach to music.

[@lumpyjazz]

Ha! Thanks! I did get into some of the exercises and did them in 12 keys.

[@mikajuola1816]

Hi Jeff! I´ve been playing bass about 20 years, but my reading isn't as good as should be. Is it harmful to read both keys or just concentrate to F-clef?

[@lumpyjazz]

Hi Mika. Little in learning is harmful. But, a lot of it is unproductive. If you are not comfortable with reading, I recommend that you add a reading regiment to your musical day. Practicing reading replaces nothing about bass playing that makes you happy. Keep on doing your thing and just add reading to your bass life. And, if reading is relatively new to you, I recommend that you get my Package One (out of five) reading course. It is for pure beginners to reading, but it gets pretty interesting as the course progresses. Go to jeffberlinmusicgroup.com and go to Lessons. If you get this, let me know how you are progressing.

[@thomaskiesel8652]

Heya Jeff. Would you recommend this book as a supplement to someone (like me) who is chewing through your educational Package 1, headed toward Package 2 and beyond?

[@lumpyjazz]

Frankly, no! It is a really sophisticated system of learning and this video applies more to people who already have some reading and playing skills under their belt related to this kind of music. it would be more of a difficulty for you than a musical help at this time. But, check this out: By your continuing your reading, you are preparing yourself for the greatest musical adventure other than playing itself, which is to read the endless supply of great music and informative lessons that will soon become available to you I am very proud of your progress. Please keep it up.

[@rondunagan6339]

I couldn’t get this video to play.

[@Mike__707]

Ron Dunagan it works here.

[@JeffBerlinMusicGroup]

Hi Ron - I (Sarah) was just adding an info card to it, which may have disrupted its playback. But I just double checked it and it seems to be playing now. Please let me know if you have any further trouble with it ([e-mail]). Thank you!

[@wadu5819]

What exercise # are you playing.

[@lumpyjazz]

I can't remember. Sorry!

[@skineyemin4276]

So, I tried to find that particular exercise within a group of exercises on page 23 starting from exercise #142 on, but, I did not see that exact exercise he's playing in this video. Maybe it's in another part of the book, but, that's just really weird because that exercise he's playing seems like a variation of the lines on page 23 from #142 and some of page 24.

[@yoheff988]

The great Jeff Berlin is playing a Cort bass with veneer top LOL, All heal broke loos 😀

[@ToneCanyon]

I love the thesaurus!

[@phoenixthedevourer1716]

ztue i practise the scales etc but kwhen i play i play

[@mattseveri_3tribe]

what I see is an exercise from the Thesaurus? But which one 😅😅😅😅😅

[@phoenixthedevourer1716]

bas loks a bit like wootens bass

[@alessandroarcuri209]

You're one of the few educators that emphasizes the fact that practicing and performing are two separate things. Sure, one influences the other (without practice you just can't hope to be a solid performer, that's a given). But the fact that when you're out gigging you DO NOT play what you practice, you play the results of your practicing, is not clear enough, in music education (in my opinion). Good thing you often point it out clearly, in your videos, columns, seminars and so on!

[@TCS4680]

That is probably the ugliest bass that I've ever seen in my life, but, man, does that motherfucker play the shit out of it.

[@shelvingunit2000]

What a surprise. Slonimsky was also a member of the same tribe as Mr “Berlin”. Who saw that coming? Lol

[@manny75586]

"for those bass players who are readers."...which should be all of us. Don't be like your uneducated guitar players and drummers. Haha

[@lumpyjazz]

Well, I don't wish to put down anyone for not having been told that reading is a good thing. We all are uneducated until someone puts us on the "Education Highway." :)

[@FBT]

Couldn't agree more!

[@TallSomeone]

Some folks bring music of the very best note without any training.

[@lumpyjazz]

Yes, you are correct! But, since some people choose to pay money to be taught how to improve their bass playing, I feel that these people should get what they paid for.

[@natsukwamsomboon4270]

❤❤❤