Members willsellout Posted September 13, 2008 Members Share Posted September 13, 2008 OK so I've had two lessons from Denson (AKA Bassius) and I figured I'd post my review so far: So for those who don't know, I am a decent player, technique-wise, but know nothing of theory. I have had several bad experiences with teachers so far. I mean I don't want to pay people just to read a book, and up until now, that's basically been what I've had. I initially was very skeptical of Denson because I honestly didn't care for the way he played (based on very little information, mind you). So my thought process was, "I need to find someone who plays like me to teach me). As it turns out, you need someone who can play like you, but doesn't necessarily play like you, if that makes any sense. Either way it makes sense to me...no offense Denson; you are a monster! I initially took a lesson from Denson with the intention of not really continuing (Sorry dude:D). I figured, "I have some money, why not give him a chance". When the first lesson began I wasn't really expecting much honestly. We spoke for a little while about my goals and my influences and he watched me play a little bit. Turns out that I don't have terrible technique but for what I want to do, I do have some shortfalls. Upon realizing the shortfalls he immediately gives me an exercise to fix it: something never done in my experiences. I mean, I've never had anyone pay attention close enough to actually pick out my flaws...how dare you!!! This was the turning point people! He never said I was doing anything wrong, rather that I was doing things more difficult than they had to be. He left the session with a couple exercises and some homework (both of which I didn't do to their fullest:cry:). He also confirms I know at least one scale (Major scale) and that's it. Three weeks later: OK so our schedules didn't match up so it's been a while but I feel me and him are getting a bit more comfortable. I don't feel like such an idiot when I don't know something and he doesn't make a big deal out of anything; ever. I haven't practiced as much in the last three weeks, but I've improved and he gives me a couple more things to work ( very cool things, BTW) with to help me get where I want to go. It's an easy session, and a quick one but I've never felt so inspired. He also leaves me with the minor pentatonic scale. Why I like it: 1. Denson is one cool dude. 2. It's easy, no travel, flexible schedule 3. Absolutely reasonable with prices 4. Tailored to you, completely, and expandable! Pure and simple, he's very laid back and his teaching style is in line with how I learn. I was honestly very very afraid that he would immediately be over my head with his lessons, but it wasn't like that at all. He asked what I wanted to learn and I told him. He said "OK well this will be the easiest and the quickest thing to learn" (paraphrased of course:D), and he taught me some slap stuff. To give an accurate analogy, it's like Bassius plays "just the tip", only with bass lessons! I expect a lot more work and I expect him to expect more of me in the future but as of right now, I have no plans on stopping lessons. He's so {censored}ing knowledgeable and he has advice for every aspect of playing. I'm inspired to play because of him, I'm thinking of my playing in different ways, and I'm thinking about learning bass in a different way. It's actually FUN! So if you are thinking about it, I would urge anyone to give him a try. It's so easy, so convenient, and so productive I can't imagine not doing it. I'm sorry if this sounds like spam; he did not ask me to give this review! Dan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members fingeringam Posted September 13, 2008 Members Share Posted September 13, 2008 so ur advertising u webcamed with a dude? im actually looking for a teacher and this sounds great (i too know nothing about theory) how much does it run? is it a per lesson thing so i can stop whenever or monthly? thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members t3ch Posted September 13, 2008 Members Share Posted September 13, 2008 Nice I keep wanting to shoot him a message but my schedule is ridiculous. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members MikeMess Posted September 13, 2008 Members Share Posted September 13, 2008 cool! I stopped lessons about 10 months ago for a few bs reasons and have been looking to get back into it. Maybe I'll get a webcam and PM Denson. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Mytola Posted September 13, 2008 Members Share Posted September 13, 2008 Sounds really cool! I might have to try this myself in the future. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Optimus Prime Posted September 13, 2008 Members Share Posted September 13, 2008 I've wanted to start for awhile. But I never have the same schedule each week. For the past month I've had Wednesdays off, so I think I might start up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Phantasm Posted September 13, 2008 Members Share Posted September 13, 2008 Thanks for the review. It sounds like we are in the same situation with playing, I also would like to know more theory but want it presented in a bass-friendly way. Maybe when I have time to focus on things like lessons, I'll have to give him a PM. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members willsellout Posted September 13, 2008 Author Members Share Posted September 13, 2008 I'm glad to hear everyone's schedule is as crazy as mine:D. I've realized if you want lessons you have to make it happen. In this world it seems almost no one has any free time...but when you take a look at your schedules, there is almost always some free time you can use. But I've had to work to make the lessons, without a doubt, but I think it's worth it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Renfield Posted September 13, 2008 Members Share Posted September 13, 2008 I'd be afraid to step in the ring with someone of that stature. He'd walk away shaking his head that I've effectively wasted the last 17 years of my life and know nothing that I should and have a million bad habits that I'll never be able to break. And I'd probably leave it feeling ashamed and humiliated that I have too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members willsellout Posted September 13, 2008 Author Members Share Posted September 13, 2008 I'd be afraid to step in the ring with someone of that stature. He'd walk away shaking his head that I've effectively wasted the last 17 years of my life and know nothing that I should and have a million bad habits that I'll never be able to break. And I'd probably leave it feeling ashamed and humiliated that I have too. I've been playing for ten years and thought the same thing (granted I don't have the experience you do). It wasn't like that at all. Everyone is different though and he might find that you are doing things more difficult. Ultimately though he said "if it works for you, then so be it". But it is scary when you start the lesson and he asks you to "play something":D. I went in knowing what I had problems with so nothing he said was really a surprise. I went in and told the truth though; I don't know anything about music, everything I play sounds the same, I suck at slap etc.. He took in all in stride and immediately adapted to me, which was something new, as most teachers have had me adapt to them. Dan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators Kindness Posted September 13, 2008 Moderators Share Posted September 13, 2008 He took in all in stride and immediately adapted to me, which was something new, as most teachers have had me adapt to them. Denson is a teacher in the true sense of the word. Most music lessons are given by people that are not teachers, certainly your past experiences bear this out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members willsellout Posted September 13, 2008 Author Members Share Posted September 13, 2008 Denson is a teacher in the true sense of the word. Most music lessons are given by people that are not teachers, certainly your past experiences bear this out. +1 and I I didn't know the difference until that first lesson, sadly enough. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators Kindness Posted September 13, 2008 Moderators Share Posted September 13, 2008 +1 and I I didn't know the difference until that first lesson, sadly enough. Now you know. You need to be that demanding of your "teachers" in all areas of your life; work, parenting, relationships, etc. The greater number of people of this nature that you work with and partner with, the more you will learn and grow. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Bassius Posted September 13, 2008 Members Share Posted September 13, 2008 wow cool thanks Dan! see you next week! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Bassius Posted September 14, 2008 Members Share Posted September 14, 2008 Denson is a teacher in the true sense of the word. Most music lessons are given by people that are not teachers, certainly your past experiences bear this out. i know the feeling too. i've known far too many teachers that just jam the whole time....i dont want to be that way... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members willsellout Posted September 14, 2008 Author Members Share Posted September 14, 2008 i know the feeling too. i've known far too many teachers that just jam the whole time....i dont want to be that way... And that's the weird thing with your lessons. I could probably unplug the whole time and just listen and take notes. I've been in too many situations where people just sit there and jam, often times drowning me out; like I'm their excuse for playing or something:confused: Denson just kind of hangs out and plays only when he wants to show me how to do something. It's good stuff people. I honestly didn't want to come and spam the forum with this, but I felt it was prudent for me to say what I wanted to say. Dan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Emprov Posted September 14, 2008 Members Share Posted September 14, 2008 And that's the weird thing with your lessons. I could probably unplug the whole time and just listen and take notes. I've been in too many situations where people just sit there and jam, often times drowning me out; like I'm their excuse for playing or something:confused: Denson just kind of hangs out and plays only when he wants to show me how to do something. It's good stuff people. And, he'll move you forward at an amazingly fast pace if you're up for it. While I didn't get anywhere near everything that I could have out of him, I'd highly recommend him to anybody. Denson, I need back in! I'll shoot you an email in a bit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members willsellout Posted September 14, 2008 Author Members Share Posted September 14, 2008 And, he'll move you forward at an amazingly fast pace if you're up for it. While I didn't get anywhere near everything that I could have out of him, I'd highly recommend him to anybody. Denson, I need back in! I'll shoot you an email in a bit. Yeah I'm sure he could. Unfortunately I don't practice near enough. I'm really trying to fit a lot more practice time in. That's not playing Janes Addiction "Three Days", but rather actually sitting there playing scales, coming up with funk lines, and practicing my slap. It's cool to see what a weeks worth of practice can do for your playing though, especially with the exercises he has given me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Bassius Posted September 14, 2008 Members Share Posted September 14, 2008 i really appreciate the plugs guys. thanks for the honest sentiments. ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members willsellout Posted September 14, 2008 Author Members Share Posted September 14, 2008 i really appreciate the plugs guys. thanks for the honest sentiments. ? You should be banned from this thread:mad: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members coyote-1 Posted September 14, 2008 Members Share Posted September 14, 2008 Theory is incredibly friendly to bassists! Thanks for the review. It sounds like we are in the same situation with playing, I also would like to know more theory but want it presented in a bass-friendly way. Maybe when I have time to focus on things like lessons, I'll have to give him a PM. If you consider all music a mere tension/resolution flow, you begin to see the patterns. When you grasp that movement UP a perfect fourth or DOWN a half-step resolves that tension and all other movements create tension, you begin to see the chords in a new way. You still have to learn what the rest of the band would expect in a given situation and be able to do it, but if you start from that understanding a page of music makes sense immediately. And there's no easier instrument on which to express that flow than the bass. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Emprov Posted September 14, 2008 Members Share Posted September 14, 2008 Yeah I'm sure he could. Unfortunately I don't practice near enough. I'm really trying to fit a lot more practice time in. That's not playing Janes Addiction "Three Days", but rather actually sitting there playing scales, coming up with funk lines, and practicing my slap. It's cool to see what a weeks worth of practice can do for your playing though, especially with the exercises he has given me. Yep on all counts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members t3ch Posted September 14, 2008 Members Share Posted September 14, 2008 i know the feeling too. i've known far too many teachers that just jam the whole time....i dont want to be that way... I've had teachers like that when I played drums and it drove me crazy. I'm not paying you for a 30 minute lesson so you can show off and play yourself for 20 minutes of it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Super_Donut_Man Posted September 14, 2008 Members Share Posted September 14, 2008 I sent him a PM a few months back, but he never responded, I guess I suck that much I am seriously considering sending him another, if he has time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members willsellout Posted September 14, 2008 Author Members Share Posted September 14, 2008 I sent him a PM a few months back, but he never responded, I guess I suck that much I am seriously considering sending him another, if he has time. Yeah, initially there was some phone tag between me and him but once we got set up it's pretty great communication. I have his PM, his email, and his phone number if I need to get ahold of him...there is no escape:evil: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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