Cracking The Detroit Code Testimonial - Ken Stern and his 6 string short scale bass!
What Was The Biggest Obstacle In your Mind That Would Have Prevented You From Purchasing Cracking The Detroit Code? The largest concern I had I was I did not have the ability or experience level to successfully get the most out of the course. I was also concerned that I would somehow be disadvantaged or treated as a "second-class citizen" because I did not know how to read musical notation.The reality?…My concerns and fears were TOTALLY unfounded!
What Did You Find As A Result Of Buying Cracking The Detroit Code? Once I began the course I found that it was written in such a way that even a person with beginning or intermediate ability could benefit immensely from the course. It was written from the ground up. That is, a motivated beginner could take the course and never feel "lost" because of their limited ability.
I believe this is a function of your philosophy of learning thru playing rather than just the rote memorization of exercises and scales, etc. This served to immediately put what you are learning in context. It also serves to keep you motivated and interested in the subject matter as you can hear how you are progressing during and after each lesson. This "immediate gratification" is in my mind critical and served to immediately reward your efforts. You mentally say "Hey, I'm not Jamerson yet BUT, I am doing this and in my way!"
What Specific Feature Do you Like Most About Cracking The Detroit Code? I enjoyed the fact that you could take the course at your own speed and pace. The course was totally modular - If you missed a week or two because of other commitments there was no problem. You could pick up where you left off, review the prior lesson(s) if need be and then move on at your own pace. This is real world for most of us. There was no pressure or expectation to "keep up with the others." It was more like having individual rather than group lessons. The delivery via Internet was moot and all in all, a non-factor. The only thing missing was instructor feedback. In a perfect world, a Skype or Facetime component to interact with you and get feedback (if desired) would have been nice,
I also like that the course was in both musical notation and tab. Non-readers were not disadvantaged - nor were they "second-class citizens" as is typically the case in so many courses - by their lack of ability to read music.
The structure of the course was excellent as well. You can think of it as a pyramid. The beginning of the course gave you the foundation while subsequent courses gave you more and more detail BUILDING upon what you had previously learned.
What Would Be Other Benefits You Got From Cracking The Detroit Code?
1. It gave me confidence that even I as a relative beginner to 4-string bass (I typically play a short-scale 6-string bass like a Fender Bass IV - tuned one octave below standard - for mostly rock and alternative) could successfully learn the fundamentals of Motown-type bass style. I also found some very interesting ways to use what I learned utilizing the additional two strings on my short-scale 6-string basses.
2. It gave me a new way to think about and conceptualize music. I am a non-reader. As such, it is very difficult to understand the vocabulary and nuances of musical theory which is highly dependent on the understanding of musical notation. This course - which accommodated non-readers via the use of both notation and tabs - allowed me to learn and pick-up these concepts which were up to now unavailable to non-readers like myself. It was like being given a dictionary (or enlightenment) which allowed me to understand the language of music WITHOUT actually understanding the "alphabet" of music.
3. It really motivated me to want to learn how to read musical notation. Even though the tabs are provided I still feel that I am issuing something by my inability to read musical notation. NOTE: I really am looking forward to receiving the third part of my "Paul Needs A New Computer" package which includes a Reading component.
4. It really served to show me how Motown-type grooves and concepts could be incorporated in non-Motown music - and sound GREAT! The lessons and concepts put forth are only limited by your imagination vis-a-vis their fit with all types of musical genres. It was if a light-switch in my head had been flipped on.
Would You Recommend Cracking The Detroit Code? I would absolutely recommend it without hesitation. It really is not just for people who want to learn a Motown-type music note-for-note. Yes, you can learn that., But, the opportunity presented with this course is much larger than that. It teaches you a way and method for thinking about music and how it can be incorporated into all genres of the music you play or want to play. It allows you to add a bit of "funk" to all genres of music even though a listener may not perceive it as a "funk" run. It just sounds like "good music" without a label or characterization.
Anything Else You'd Like To Add?
Yes, I have a desire for a Part 2! I was actually disappointed when I received the last lesson. It was if the journey had ended prematurely solely because I was at the end of the map I was given. But, that said, there is clearly a road in front of me. I'd also like more of a video instruction componant if possible. I find that a picture is indeed worth a thousand or so words.
Ken Stern, New York, NY, USA
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