I took a lesson from a LEGEND (and was disappointed)
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Music theory gets thrown around a lot—but what does it really mean? In this episode, Scott and Ian break down why the term is often too broad to be helpful, sharing stories from their own journeys (including lessons with legends) and how those experiences shaped their view of theory. It’s a practical, no-fluff take on functional harmony that’ll actually stick.
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Video Breakdown:
00:00 – Introduction
05:30 – Functional Harmony
07:45 – Maths & Music
12:00 – Free $h!t
15:40 – Ian’s Tale of WOE
17:30 – Brian Bromberg
23:50 – Chords On The Bass
26:41 – Lessons Learned
32:40 – Scott’s Tale of WOE
39:00 – Lessons Learned
43:00 – Old Bass Photos
45:00 – Falling in Love with Music Education
47:00 – Kids & Creativity
50:53 – The Full Stack Bassist
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#bassguitarlessons #bassforbeginners #easybasslines
#lesson #LEGEND #disappointed
Originally posted by UCWTj3vCqkQIsrTGSm4kM34g at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rT92gMWZU2U
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What is even the point of this video? The title describes something so totally different from its content that not even people interested in it would watch it, because they would not even click it.
Maths is short for mathematics – hence we say maths as a plural, like ‘pants’ due to its origins.
The opening is too long
HEY ALL YOU PEOPLE
HEY ALL YOU PEOPLE
HEY ALL YOU PEOPLE WONT YOU LISTEN TO MEEE
I JUST HAD A SANDWICH
NO ORDINARY SANDWICH
A SANDWICH FILLED WITH MUSIC THEORYYY
I feel you Scott about math. ❤
The math teacher had mercy on me ????????????
Love your podcaster guys you are amazing together ❤
Beautiful story. And kudos to your production quality and storytelling. Really outstanding.
27:32 if Brian had just taught the trick, he would have taught a trick. Instead, he taught a lesson. ????????
This is really interesting. It’s so important to learn the theory behind the playing otherwise you are learning baselines with no understanding of what you are doing and wanting to understand how chords work and compliment each other, even just to know and identify what you hear and how to reproduce it with understanding. I am your typical learn by ear player who got away with it to an extent but now realise how truly limiting it is in so many ways. I was frightened of it and lazy too but it’s only hurt my ability, such as it is and stifled progress. This post is inspiring and shows where the real emphasis should be in learning.
The Jaco only needed 4 thing is over and done with period.
His son Felix only needs 5 or 6…or however he wants. Dispute that…..????
I remember when Ian did a day of recording as a favor to the guy producing my record. I am and was a song writer that not only didn't know the chords I was playing. I didn't even know the key I was in. So it was a guitar player, Ian on Bass and a guy who just turned down a tour with Madonna in North Minneapolis doing a one day session for my producer (as a favor) not me. I was terrified and in aw of them all. Ian gave me a complement on a lyric in one of the songs that meant a lot to me. I had to try and get all the songs on the record down in one day in eight hours. Ian was so kind and played amazing bass. Speaking of being put in your place. There came a place in the session when I was trying to explain to the drummer this very strange kind of bridge I wanted in one of my songs and he said as he struggled to understand me "Is this some sort of an art song?" I was mortified. He finally got it. I knew nothing about music other than I wrote songs and these guys came in and made my music come to life. Unfortunately I was not prepared at all knew nothing and was terrified as this was a favor to my producer not to me. And I was instructed NOT to give much if any feedback as we had 8 hours to try and get a final take for an entire album. Ian was so amazing. Now 13 years later I have 5 basses. I write mostly on piano, drums and bass and watch Ian non stop. Love you buddy. I will never forget your complement on the lyric "So take mason away from me." It made my day. I was so scared of you guys, who knew what you were doing. I was so insecure. Thank you so much for your talent, contribution to my project and continued work on SBL. I watch non stop and I am now obsessed with bass.
Dude, I was there in the 90’s I saw Ray Brown Dizzy Guilespe and Lionel. Such a cool festival. We were probably there together.
Brian's two-hour investment in Ian is turning into a LOT of education for us. ????
No sh*t. I started to learn bass like 3/4 days ago and randomly i tried to place my finger like in 24:30 just because it sound cool. I have all to learn but this is cool that i can path that way by myself. ❤
I pressed LIKE at the moment you said "music theory" ????
Brian is one of the greatest bassist of our time! and one of the nicest person you will every meet.
When are you going to have Brian on for an interview? I had the pleasure of spending some time with him after one of his shows in Blues Alley (DC) when he was touring with his 300-yr-old upright. He was one of the nicest men I'd ever met.
But there's more than one math: linear algebra, finite math, calculus, etc. Maths makes sense, I guess.
Scott, you guys are so smart and helpful in so many ways, but as a fan I have to tell you please cut down the small talk and cut to the chase. Chat WHILE demonstrating key concepts, but these lead ups are so long and frankly indulgent that lists of us just quit before you finally get to your point.
I'm genuinely grateful to you for all the educational content and I want you and your channel and your courses to thrive,…but I think you're needlessly driving away too many people with all the casual banter. It's like a song with a tediously long into before digging into the song.
Again, love you guys so please take this as constructive and not insulting criticism.
I had the same experience when I was starting out in photography, I could take a good picture but it took a select few folk to teach me how to take pictures for clients …. something that required extra layers over and above the strictly practical …… and out of that freely given advice I was able to forge a 30 year career.
It probably is a product of having learned to play several instruments and having studied music theory several times. I’ve always tried retaining as much of that curriculum from those courses as I could. What blew my mind in May 2025 was bouncing some model information off of my singing teacher and housemate, only for him to say he I hadn’t returned almost any of his own theory info.