BassGuitarTips Blog 2.0

Alex - winning a free copy of the fretboard formula would be great, but even more important is what I hope to gain from all of your hard work and experience when I purchase the course.

I purchased your bass guitar secrects course a while back and learned an unbelieveable amount of information, but I have great difficulity learning to play bass from a book alone. It is my hope that the video presentations will clear up many areas of difficulity for me, and shine some light on concepts that are still unclear to me.

I really enjoy hearing and watching someone who really knows how to feel the music and express it with the bass. Needless to say - that ain’t me. I wish it were. It is my hope that the fretboard formula couse with give me both the training and the insight to at least become knowledgealbe enough to play with confidence and without hesitation.

I can never expect to be able to play with your level of expertise, but with your help and training I hope to become fluent and comfortable with my bass.

The sound of a bass guitar is a joy to behold to me and I would love to be able to attain that level of skill that would make my bass playing a joy not an unpleasant experience.

You can contact me using my e-mail.

Thanks again for all of your hard work and dedication. Bob

Ciao Alex from Italy!
Just saw video (now is 1000 gmt so 1200 US Eastern time will be…well will figure out!!!).
I just hope u will send a copy other side of Atlantic Ocean!!I am just a home player but wished some other material after Bsg would come out from u just as a deeper upgrade
expecially on that core part wich is underastnding my fretboard…Wow!what u made
is very huge material and i am just looking forward to start practising!
Rocco

Well Alex I’m impressed I’ve got my alarm set and my card ready. Your BGS course has helped me where no other one could and never will. I have advanced more in the short 3 months of BGS than I ever did in the past 5 years of trying to play the bass, I can’t wait for the release of the FBF course so I can buy it and Ill be waiting at the pavement outside my house till the post delivers it. Thanks in advance for all of your hard work in this course and to also thank you for saving me from wasting my time trying to continue the way I was before BGS.

Eugene.

SWEET!

Old Man glasses? Nah. They make you look sophisticated!

yes i cant wait !!!!!!

had such a run of bad luck this month ,lets hope its about to change and I win

Alex,
You are the MAN, I’m hyped. You are a blessed bassist. And you are also a very giving person. I have your first course and it is the best book I’ve ever had. You are so down to earth. I will definitely be getting The Fretboard Formula. I have family in San Antonio. I hope I can look you up next time I’m there. Just to thank you in person. And maybe get your autograph (smile)

All the best to you. I know that God has a blessing for you.

As my non-customer entry, although I have checked out a bunch of your stuff, is that I really need to get serious with my bass playing, I’m a beginner level but I vibrate to the bass above all other instruments and I have a dream where I start a Steel Pulse cover band. So winning the fret board formula will give me the tools and alleviate the excuses in regard to finally taking this thing seriously. I would have a program developed by a master set out step by step to help me achieve my dream. I also am a visual learner and I see that is the mind frame that you developed the fret board formula. So choose me and help spread the music of Steel Pulse to the world.

I would like to be on board but only if I can get the whole package,If you update the day it goes on sale and I can get it all, count me in! That means I want the Chops too! Let me know I’m looking forward to Growing in my playing. Let me know if I can make it to the first 100. Without the whole thing I’ll just pick it up at a later date, but will still probably get it.

Great Blessing, Cliff KIme

I want the free copy of fret board formula and the free lesson with alex because:
I can’t find my groove!
Started palying at 49 yo first teacher helped a little, second teacher was a bass monster and helped alot. Third teacher former bass player and awesome drummer helped even more with teaching through understanding music theory.
Bass Guitar Secrets helped with improving chops and dexterity.
Never did get the groove suck down though.
I can learn a bass line but I can’t improvise for shit!
This is the next thing I need. No more human teachers but a digital teacher that will allow me to review what I don’t get and move me to the next level of being a proficient bass player.
I play in a Christian rock band and classic rock band. After 3-1/2 years I should be better.
Help me Alex, please! Help me find my groove…

[…] can watch the video for this here at Alex Sampson’s Blog.  Alex offers a way to earn a free copy too.  Watch the entire video for the […]

I am so excited about getting started with the Fretboard Formula! A few years ago, my son bought me my first bass guitar. I could tell it was “my instrument,” as it seemed to come pretty naturally. However, I understand that there is a HUGE difference between an amateur bass player who just “plays around,” and someone who is serious about playing–someone who is committed to disciplining himself to perfect his skill. And I want to be that person who pursues excellence, taking my bass playing as far as I can take it.

I play in our church’s Worship Team band, and so I’m not playing just for myself. Sure, I get pleasure out of playing. But I serve others by playing for them, too. So it’s important to me that I improve my bass-playing ability, so that I can better fit with the band, provide my best, top-notch efforts, and engage others in worship.

I cannot do this on my own. There are a lot of books and courses out there, but they provide only limited help. Alex, however, seems to not only know how to play the bass well, but he is one who can effectively teach it, also. The Fretboard Formula course appears to be very comprehensive, and I’m eager to get started.

Scott Talbot

Alex, Iv’e been listening toyour comments and working with your samples for a while. I have actually used somr of the samples to enhance my playing. I played with a group and used some of the samples and dude, they called me back and told me “they loved the fills I added to thier songs”. So when I heard about the fretboard formula, I said man, I need that to be able to understand the concepts behind great bass palying. Like you, I ‘ve bought all type of self learning tools, books, cd’s and even lessons. None of them showed my how simple it is to be able to play once you understand how things fit. It’s like lego’s, Every piece has it’s place. So, even If I don’t win, I’ll scrap up the cash to get it. Keep up the great work.

Peace,

Michael.

I want to win a copy because as an aging rocker I have always tried to learn the bass at a level that allows me to play all music genres at a high level. If I can get just a fraction of the enthusiasm, focus and excitement that you put in to your video and will clearly be in the course, then I know I am going to be the coolest bassist on the planet!

Hi,

I’m posting a comment to enter the contest for the free copy of Fretboard Formula with all the extras.

I’m really excited about this product as it covers areas that none of my personal instructors have covered. I live in an area that lacks quality instruction. We have teachers here but they’re all pretty much the same. Every time I have gone for instruction in the past, I meet with a really good bass player and then I am given a copy of a Hal Leonard book.. Your basic mass produced item.. Learn these scales.. Do these exersizes, ok now play…. Sure fine.. but i’m not learning how to play on my own! So…. That method never has worked out for me. It’s a very frustrating process!

I can learn scales. I can play scales. I can read music, I can puzzle through the notes and play them slowly at first… What I can’t do is improvise. When I’m playing I don’t have a feeling that I know why things are happening, I’m just a monkey repeating something someone else did. I want to PLAY the bass.. I want to make up my own groove not copy someone else’s groove. I feel that your program will complete the picture for me and bring me to the level of comfort and expertise that will make me the best possible bassist I can be.

So please send me a free copy of fretboard formula.

looks great.

Alex, to be honest I’ve owned Bass Guitar Secrets for just over a year now and unfortunately until now I’ve been unable to fully work with it. Now that family matters have settled out, I’m able to put it to use and have found already that my playing has improved considerably.

I’ve been playing bass for about four years now and I have some really bad habits that BGS is helping correct. I play bass for the folk group at church and I’m tired of doing just the root, fifth, octave bit. Thanks to BGS, I’ve been able to start adding some additional bits to some of the songs we play. Slowly, but it’s getting there. Even our group leader has commented on some of the stuff I’ve been doing. I’m not looking to be a Geddy Lee, Tom Scholz or Paul McCartney, just a plain ol’ Kansas bass player who enjoys music and enjoys playing it.

I know when I complete BGS, that your new Fretboard Formula will be the perfect addition to further my skills.

I am really looking forward to the Fretboard Formula. I have come to a sticking point in my playing. I have never had much theory and when it comes to soloing over some chords I have a lot of bad notes. So I am really looking forward to get a better understanding of the Fretboard and how everything ties together. I have pretty much played cover tunes, never really understanding why musicians chose certain notes or how they arrived at the note. Now that I am playing mostly in my church, the worship leader likes to hear some good solid grooves and a little soloing. After watching the your video, I think this is my lost link in understanding the Fretboard.

Thanks and I can’t wait until Oct. 1,

Clint Owens

Wow, man thats is a lot of stuf. I and excited and looking forward to OCT 1st Alex thinks angain for hooking your BGS customers up. I’m so glad I came across your product.

Alright Brother i have get to that hot line and get that free copy.

Jeff

All I can say is WOWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW
This looks absolutely awesome.
As an ex-guitarist who struggled with the change to Bass, (loads of bad habits), BGS was the solution. Spent a fortune on other courses and BGS was the solution. Now holding down the bottom end in 2 bands and all down to Alex S.
TFretboard Fomula will take it to another level.
CAN’T WAIT
Stuart
Manchester
England

Why I need the fretboard formula? I need the fretboard formula because knowing my fretboard is my weakest area. It’s been my desire to have a structured way of learning the fretboard. I’ve been playing over 8 years now, mostly self-taught, and I should be fluent in this area. I’ve learned to slap, chord, tap, know some of the modes, and can even improv a bit, but need the balance and confidence of vocalizing fretboard knowledge. I play for my church on a weekly basis. The thing I love about playing for my church is the fact that I am open to playing anything; we sing/play original songs, which eventually turns into improv. I truly desire to be confident enough in my knowledge that whatever key we’re in or change to, I’m right there with it. This is why I need and want the fretboard formula. Thank you for this opportunity.

I am a customer, and I feel like I would benefit a lot from the Fretboard Formula. I think it is really the next step for me to take as a bassist. I have completed Bass Guitar Secrets and it has given me a great launchpad that will take my bass playing into different realms. The understanding of a groove, and scales, and chords, and etc….has really helped me. I appreciate all you’re doing.

Hey Alex - I NEED this course!! As an intermediate bass player, I am looking to go to the next level in my bass playing and this looks like the vehicle I need to get me going down that road. I need to be able to understand how all the different components go together to become a well-rounded musician and I am really looking forward to being able to troubleshoot my own difficulties and then apply those using the practice tracks (this is great because I can own the various ideas in the woodshed before using them live, which will lead to greater confidence in my playing, knowing that I am sure of what I am doing because I’ve already done it before a few hundred times during my practice time). I not only need this course for myself, but for the other musicians at church that I play with because I will be able to contribute more musically and perhaps even lend some direction as to where the music goes at times. I also need this for my kids because I want to be able to pass what I learn down to them and be able to give them the direction musically that I did not have when I was struggling to learn a new instrument in my younger years (this would have cut out many years of learning the hard way!).
Thanks for all you are doing to help fill a void in bass instruction!
Many blessings and success,
Art

great alex

Alex, I would just like to say that i have really enjoyed your lessons. They have helped me me tremendously. thanx again. The fretboard formula is probably a great addition to everything else. thanx again.

Here is how I think I can benefit.

1) I’m an audio visual learner.

I learn from watching people do things. I have the Bass Guitar Secrets, and I love it. Unfortunately, I have trouble visualizing some of the techniques. Having these lessons on video will make it easier for me to learn.

2) I like learning things in steps. And building on each step.

I’m a programmer. I’m use to doing things in modules. You get Module A working, then expand on to B, then to C. Something isn’t working right, go back to A or B and fix it. From what I understand, thats how this new system works, and I’m looking forward to that.

3) I’m in need of the detailed exercises.

I’m getting better at moving my hands, and playing, but I still need some work on getting my speed and dexterity where it should be. I’m looking forward to your book on exercises!

Hey Alex,

It’s me again, I sent my first comment before I even finished watching the video because I was so excited. So now here’s my contest entry.

I need the fretboard formula because I want to get to another level in my playing. I learned alot from the BGS course. I can lay down a good groove but I’m not good at making a smooth transition up to the upper register. So after awhile my groove goes stale. I want to be able to groove and then throw in a riff in the upper register to keep the listeners and other musicians inspired to do more with their playing.

I read the fretboard stuff in the BGS course but I still did not fully get it. I don’t ubderstand the fretboard software that came with the course. You know the one where it shows a not and you have to pick out the right chunk of the scale.

Even if I don’t win please explain that to me.

Well that’s all I got besides some shameless begging, please, please, ooh me, pick me. (smile)

I have been studying different books on playing the bass I even ordered a couple DVD lessons. I know the scales and chords, but some of the stuff I’ve learned like specific turn-arounds for walking bass patterns and think that that I don’t know where they fit. So, I have some of the pieces but can’t put things together to do any real walks or turn arounds and for sure no bass solos.

I am a 63 year old man that plays at Church and other events and want to be able to trully add something to the sound. We have professional level guitar and keyboard players, and that makes me really feel inadequate.

This course sounds like just what I need to learn how all these things fit together so I can be a more complete bass player.

I am around other musicians and could have opportunies to recommend your product.

Hu Alex,
I’ve been playing bass for 6 years. I’ve been taking lessons for that amount of time and playing in a contemporary Christian rock band. We get words with chords over them and we have to fill in the rest. I just don’t feel that I have made as much progress as I should have. I practice about 1 1/2 to 2 hours per day. I’m looking at the Fretboard Formula to get me to the next level of playing. To be able to play the bass line without thinking of what note or scale I’m playing and still have it grooving with the music. By your introduction I believe the Fretboard Formula will do that. I do put the time in but maybe I’ve been putting it in to practice that is not helping me to get where I want to go or at least as fast as I want to get there. My ultimate goal at this point is to go from my local church to a traveling group in some way. Thank you for your effort in putting this course togeather and I do look forward to using it.

Regards,

David Sinclair

Oh man I would love to win the Fretboard Formula. I have been trying and trying to get some groove into my bass playing but have hit a wall. I realize I need help and the cheapo little books just don’t cut it and haven’t helped me get to the next level. I am committed to getting better and really want to be able to add to our church experience with some quality goovin bass. From what I see in the Fretboard Formula I will be launched into a whole “notha level. I am someone who loves tools and systems to follow. I will dig in and only come up for air when I got some chopz. So give this boy a chance… i will make you proud.

Why will the Fretboard Formula benefit me?

Simple …… and Alex describes it in a powerful way !!

Structure .. structure ….structure! Structure helps all experience levels of expertise to maximize the time spent learning .. listening and practicing. Structure helps any person stay focused in their practice and playing.

One of the main difficulties in working with a new hobby or skill is pulling together all the “micro” elements to achieve your ultimate goal ~ to maximize the study/practice time commitment to get the best results and progress.

The enthusiasm knowing you will not waste time creates the incentive to be dedicated to your goals. This will also improve your learning curve ~ and who wouldnt want to benefit from that.

Alex emphasized the above points during this intro video convinced me this is a challenge I eagerly await to undertake!

Mark B
Kingston NH
(phone number removed for privacy)

Hey Alex,
It’s awesome,please start selling FF right now,it will be a hard time till wednesday,

Peter!

Last father’s day (June 2008) my kids bought me a bass guitar for a present. I’ve never played a musical instrument before. My son showed me how to find bass guitar tabs on the internet, which is where I found out about your courses. So far through self-teaching, I’ve learned a handful of simple bass lines. One major problem I’ve discovered that I don’t have the dexterity and fluid movement that is needed to play bass decently. Having no musical background (other than the PLAY button on my CD player) learning notes, scales, tablature, and basic rhythms are a necessity. From listening to your video explanation of the Fretboard Fomula course, especially the issues of fluency and movement around the fret board, I believe this will probably be the most effective course to boost my learning.

Hi Alex,
Wow that’s a lot of info…

I would like to express how I think this course will help me to achieve a greater mastery of playing. I have played on and off for many years, and the reason is I would get frustrated with not being able to produce good “musical” grooves.
I had a few teachers and the information they gave never quite came together, I just couldn’t wrap my head or fingers around it.

I purchased your BGS course, after reading your descriptions of it and the testimonials as a way to help me see into being a better Bass player, with that tool I was able to begin to understand, finally, some of the stuff I just couldn’t get.
After spending a lot of time working with your information, my playing wasn’t so dull and lifeless anymore, I could make better musical choices and I finally understood why.
People now tell me I sound much better and have improved emensely.
I have hit a plateau yet again, and as your BGS open new doors for me and the way you explained things that I could finally understand, I can only imagine after hearing you explain this course, that it will take me through the next leg of my Musical journey of understanding and being able to expess myself on my chosen instrument, and eventually find MY sound, MY voice.

Funny how music can be more of a spiritual thing than most seem to understand.
Music is the universal language, now maybe I’ll be able to converse with more people and make sense…

Thanks Again for all you do, and your love of the music.

Peace,

Todd

As an existing Customer:
Bass Guitar secrets has been very important to me as an A list studio musician and Bass instructor at the Living Stones Fellowship School of Worship arts. I use many of your ideas in my Group and Individual lessons.

As a Professional Bass player…
Your Bass Guitar secrets course has been important to me in my effort to learn various styles of music, the importance of being true to the Whole,Half,Quarter,Eighth, and Sixteenth note….the art of the groove. I can’t tell you how many times I have been asked for my charts…and told that I bring the groove to any style of music that I am asked to play.

Thanks!
Bob Teske
basscleff@comcst.net
www.CatchTheRayz.com (look at the presskit widow and drill into BobTeske mp3 for studio samples)

Ive been practicing for about 4 years.. Just jamming but aimlessly so and not really understanding the logic behind what I am doing.. I dont feel comfortable playing with a band at all yet.. I feel so comfortable with what your product has in store for me.. I think its going to take me to the next level… I love your style and want so much to feel as comfy as you appear to be during your vids… Ive been waiting a long time for something like this and I am sure it will be worth it. And to add a fee offer on top of things..? Man that is fantastic… Im hoping to be the dude who benefits from your generosity.

Regards

WEs

Am just taking off now as a fledgling bass player… Started some private lessons that opened my eyes to how to connect the fingerboard and patterns of scales and types of chords and sevenths to the theory I’ve been carrying around in my head for years. I am a music teacher of Orchestra kids in the elementary school. I play keyboard and understand chord and scale theory. I love to sing. I play modestly a lot of instruments. Bass guitar I just took up casually a couple of years ago when there was a need in my church for simplistic playing to help solidify the sound and help the singers hear the changes. We’ve had varying skills and musicianship from our drummers. But I was the constant, because I was steady–even though limited in actual technique on the bass guitar. Now I am done being ‘mediocre’ in my technique and chops, and am ready to forge ahead. Some time ago I ordered Bass Guitar secrets, but hadn’t explored it. Now that I see your new products, I want to go explore what I HAVE, PLUS get into the new stuff, too.

My 20-year-old son, Dan, is an awesome stand up bass player and loves his jazz, but he has also been playing bass guitar for quite some time now. He plays primarily on his six string fretless, while I, his mom, love the slender four-string he left behind for me now that he’s off at college studying to be a music teacher like mom. The theory head knowledge I have is great, but now I know where I can access tools to connect it with my playing, like he does.

Gotta run now to work, but will be checking in much more regularly to what you have, and am excited about the great info and teaching tools you have produced and are about to release, The Fretboard Formula.

I’ll keep you posted as to my progress. Have to go buy me a web cam, too!
Thanks for the peek at your new product. : )

–Robbi Baskin, Kent, Washington
\

This represents a great value and opportunity to accelerate my learning. I’m trying to teach myself along with my two kids, age 4 and 5 at the same time. Their energy toward leaning this is infectious and we practice every evening, (even at that young age they’re pushing me). Additionally, I’ve joined a band at work which is far beyond my current abilities, and this would be a real asset in getting me up to speed with the rest of the crew. Thanks for all the hard work, coordination and effort you put into all your products! Can’t wait to get a copy of this one!
Richard

Alex,
I have loved BGS and believe that your new course will be a great continuation of my education with the bass guitar.
I look forward to it and enjoy your blog.
All the best,

Hey Alex, just watched the video and I’m very excited about the new Fretboard Formula course.

The problem I’m having is that when the course is available to order I will be out of the country for a further week. I’m very intrigued about the black disc, but obviously I can’t be around to order the course within the first few days to get the disc.

However, you did mention that you will try to help out people who have received your Bass Guitar Secrets course, of which I am a prowd owner. I was wondering, instead of receiving any sort of discount for the Fretboard Formula, (if that’s what you meant) I would be more than happy to pay full price if it meant I could receive the extra black disc as well.
(I know this course is worth whatever you’ll ask for it because I’ve been using your Bass Guitar Secrets for well over a year now and I’m well aware of how good the content is.)

I’m very much looking forward to ordering the next additions to add to the collection, and hope my trip away won’t cost me any extras of the course.

Please let me know if there is anything you could do for me, otherwise, if not, I’ll still be happy with how ever much of the course I’ll be allowed to receive (though I will always wonder about that black disc ;o)

Many thanks for everything so far, your hard work is much appreciated.
James.

Keep up the good work Alex ,
if this was going to be in the shops, i would start camping out now for it.

I need The fretboard formula so much it hurt’s,i saw the video on the mind map’s and it blue me away,it helped me a lot,so if one video can do that what will the rest of it do

cant waited to find out.

Hi Alex, all I can say is WoW! I am very impressed with the level of effort you put into the Fret board Formula. You are the real deal my friend! Here’s my story in a nutshell.
In 2006 I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis and when the doctor tells you something like that it’s almost like he hit’s a time clock and says, “Well, anything you ever wanted to do in life you better get started now”. So I decided I wanted to fulfill my life long desire to be a musician. I started taking bass lessons at Hunts Music Studio in Woodlyn, PA. That was very helpful but it was increasingly more difficult to get there, as my walking was limited. One thing led to another and I’m now in a rock cover band and enjoying every minuet of it. My Bass playing is very fundamental and by that I mean I’m playing a lot of root notes and simple chord progressions. The reason I’m interested in your Fret board Formula is that it would give me the ability to learn from home at my own pace and work the lesson material directly into the band sessions. I have a home studio that doubles as my office and it makes it very easy to review lessons on CD and practice in preparation of our weekly band sessions. Thank you very much for the opportunity to request this special offer and I look forward to some day meeting you. Peace and good vibes to you and yours, Scott.

yes!!!! cant wait to get my hands on the fretboard formula its hard here in chicago to find a good teacher or someone that have time for you appreciate everything i dont care about the price im ready to learn peace

Just over a year ago, if anyone had suggested that I would now be in a band, playing songs that I wrote or co-wrote in front of a couple of hundred people at a time, I would have laughed at them. But that is what I am doing. Indeed we have a gig tomorrow and I’m loving it!

And I have to say that the only way that I can do this is down to BGS and all the fantastic vids and support that you throw at us. I am now confident enough to sit down with other musicians and come up with grooves and fills off the top of my head following your methods. More than I ever thought I could do.

I for one will be online on Wednesday, as I cannot wait until the fretboard formula. If it can do as much for me over the next year as BGS did over the last then sign me up!!!

Take it easy

Chris (one of your UK contingent)

Alex,
First of all thanks for the opportunity to participate in this incredible give away and for all the lessons you have thrown our way. My story:
I am the bassist in our church by default. That is, I was playing backup guitar and our former bassist left the church and I was the only one with a bass guitar. I have always enjoyed listening to a good bassist but I had no idea the depth of theory and symmetry that went into the bassist’s methods, how fundamental it was to music and to the band, and how passionate I would become at devouring any resource I could obtain in order to become a better bassist.
I am now completely enthralled with everything bass guitar, I find myself listening to genres of music that I would not have previously listened to, so that I can pick up the bass line and perhaps add to my own playing ability. Initially, when I found out I was going to be the new bassist, I endlessly searched the internet to try and get direction and an understanding behind the fundamentals of the bass guitar. And that is how I originally stumbled upon your groove suck method website.
I was completely lost and confused. I really had nowhere to turn because no one in our church knew anything about the bass and being a new dad, I didn’t have the finances or time to get private lessons. So I have soaked up your lessons, even if they are above my playing ability in some instances, and continue to get every new update (I receive an e mail every time something is added on your blog) and have been glued to your instruction even before the blog.
I want to become a bassist who doesn’t just mimic someone else’s bass lines or style, but eventually I would love for this to become an expression of myself, my own personality and worship transmitted through my bass and amps. However, I am stuck. I feel like I have hit an insurmountable wall and I have absorbed as much as I can at the moment w/o any instruction. I am constantly looking for anyone in my area with enough expertise on the bass so that I can pick their brain or come underneath them and pick up ANYTHING new, but I have been unsuccessful in finding that person (at least someone who won’t charge me $45 an hour, again limited money and time to get out of the house)
The fret board formula would not only benefit me, but it could have an incredible impact on my church and congregation as well. Thanks again for this incredible opportunity!!
Thanks again and good luck to all who will enter!
You can contact me at townsend.joshua@gmail.com

Wow Alex this new course looks really great and I would be blown away to get a free copy but if I don’t make it I’m gonna buy it anyhow, just hope I make the first 100.

I’ve been using your BGS course and have made immense steps forward, not without a lot of hard work though and I’m hungry for more. I have a reasonable understanding of music theory and my main problem revolves around putting it all into practice.

I’ve played in cover bands and copied bass lines from the recordings never having the confidence or ability to come up with my own lines and I’m just beginning to get the feel for it with the knowledge I have gained so far.

The addition of video to the course makes it worth buying alone but the new content, lessons and exercises etc will make me a better player I’m sure. I want to be a Pro player some day and your previous course is the best material I have found to help me on the road to that goal and I feel that this new material is also an essential element for me.

If I’m aiming to be the best, I need the best teacher with the best methods behind me. I’m gonna get the course whether you decide to give it away or I have to buy it and it will start to get dog-eared from day one, I really would be disappointed if I missed out on the special ‘Black Disk that you’re giving away with the first 100 copies, the rest I can buy.

Whichever way it turns out, thank you Alex for being a great teacher and an awsome musician….keep it up.

Regards,

Martin
email or telephone (removed for privacy)

BTW I’ve tried a few times but can’t get through on the international number, I’m dialling 00 215 220 3510 from the UK, is that correct?

Martin

Hi Alex,
Wow! this Fretboard Formula looks amazing and I’d love to be lucky enough to win a copy! Here’s my reason/entry into the contest.

A few years ago some friends and I, who met at our local folk club, decided to get together and form a small band. We’re not ‘true’ folkies and our aim is to have fun with music and, hopefully, pass this sense of fun on to our audience. There are 4 of us in the band and the range of instruments runs through several guitars, autoharp, mandolin, flute, banjo, concertina but the one thing that was missing is bass. Right from the start I kept on at the band that it is something that was badly needed. Eventually my wife got an electro acoustic bass and went through all the agonies of trying to learn a new instrument. Bless her, she persevered for 2 years paying for lessons and practicing as best she could after a hard day at the office. Unfortunately, she didn’t feel an affinity with the instrument and eventually quit.

We still needed a bass player so I picked her bass up on day and started fooling with it. It was a struggle after playing guitar for 25 years but something clicked and I ended up trading the acoustic for a little Yamaha bass. Now this may sound daft but it’s like a light went on in me. I’ve always enjoyed making music but every instrument I’ve ever taken up has been a bit of a struggle but this bass thing is totally different. If she were a woman I’d be helplessly, head over heels in love with her! I’m finding a joy and pleasure in playing bass that I’ve never known before.

However, I’m struggling to find the right course to further my very lowly bass playing abilities. To be absolutely honest I am now at a stage where it was either going to be your BGS course or an online course run by a guy in Oz. Now you’ve come up with Fretboard Formula I’m even more confused!

No one in the band is wealthy and the gigs we have done so far have virtually every penny we’ve made so far has been for charity. We’ve had a great response from our audiences so far which is a bonus. But now, to make our sound complete it looks like it’s down to me to learn the bass properly. I am totally dedicated to our band (as are all the members) and I can assure you, if I were lucky enough to win Fretboard Formula it would not be wasted!

cheers,
Marcus

I never win anything so I hope this will be the first. but if not i am for sure going to purchase the Formula because i am a most serious bassist and have been for 40 years. never to old to learn new things for sure.

Thanks Alex
Brian B

Hi Alex!

I just had an elbow surgery today (not a serious one, just removed the metal plate from there) and when I came home, there was your email waiting for me. I was checking www.thefretboardformula.com every day since I got an email at the end of the summer. Cant wait to have it! Well, I know, there are a lot of guys outside hoping to win a free copy of it just like me, so I know it will be stunnig readind through all these posts. I have purchased your BGS course 2-3 months ago, and I have to tell that is amazing! It helped me build my finger muscles, my timing, and dexterity as well as the scales too. I always had the problem how to make up with new bass lines. I am sure u know the feeling: u hear a damn good song, and the bass just sound in your head from nothing, but you are not able to play it, because you cannot find your way around the fretboard yet.
What I am hoping to gain from your new course is someone to show me all the things that I might have missed before.
Nuff said, you have to read a lot of comments for sure. I just want to thank you for the tremendous time and effort to finally get things together, and I really do hope it will make me as much joy to go through it as much joy it did to you making it! And yes, you can be proud of your baby!

Cant wait until the 1st of October!

Zoltán from Denmark

Alex, I just finished the video. Man, you went over board. Do you ever sleep? It is more than I could have dreamed. However, that’s who you are. You put out what’s in your heart, and you have a big heart when it comes to the bass and bass instructions. Can I place my order for the Fretboard Formular now?

Keep up the GREAT WORK,
Reggie

BGS was the best thing that happened to me! I’m a self taught bass player (scary as that sounds) and I’ve been playing in a band for the past 12 years. A couple of years ago, I found the BGS course online and bought it. No one in the band knew that I was going through the course and within a couple of weeks, they were all like “What are you doing, that sounds great” and “What’s going on, you’re coming up with some great riffs”. We don’t get paid for playing, but I still want to get better! Trying to raise a family makes it tough as well. What sucks is that my bass was stolen, so I have to borrow one for the time being. I’m working towards getting a new bass, but I may just have to put that off and get the Fretboard Formula instead!

Peace man!

Phil

Hi Alex,

I have gone through about a little more than halfway through the BGS course. And let me tell you I’m loving every bit of it. Even though I’ve improved so much through your course, I still believe there’s room for more. And one of my weakest thing when playing the bass is not knowing where I am at the fretboard, I mean I get into a song, and I suddenly I get lost. My goal is to be able to just feel the board, and know exactly where I am. To have the confidence to nail down any riff, lick, or groove that pops into my head. And to play it on the fretboard without any hesitation. My goal is not to be the best bassist ever, and show off my pride. My ultimate dream/goal is to have the satisfaction of knowing that I am to my full potential of playing to the best of my ability. And with this new course, I truly believe I will be one step closer to achieving this. Thanks you so much! You are truly a blessing.

Contact info: Josh Rodriguez (830) 426-1330

I have been playing for so long and have been so stuck in a certain style of playing. The BGS has so totally turned my playing around that I have been approached several times and have participated in acutally doing recording sessions including writing my own bass lines because of what i learned from the BGS. I have not had that opportunity before but because of the BGS my playing has improved 10 fold. I had neve learned Chords or how they play in a bassists repitoir and why. But again, the BGS helped there as well.

So i say all that to let you know, Alex The Fretboard formula will no doubt be used so much, it will probably resemble my bible which is worn from being used and read so much.

Thanks Alex for your committment to excellence on this Fretboard formula course.

Brian Beausoleil

Well, your course has been a real blessing. It has helped me transform my playing. There was a time when I was tired or bored of my playing, then enter BGS, well I started applying all the information that you were teaching and you know what it worked. I went from just playing at my chruch to being called into the studio for different groups. I filled in for this one group that play really soft music and the other bassist never got his gig back. You taught a section on groove which totally transformed my playing. The biggest thing I have noticed is my confidence and ability to hold a groove and make it sound good and tight. The guys at the studios have commented that my note choices over the progression is sweet and help to make the song musical.

When I started, BGS I was playing a 5 string bass, now I am up to a 7 string bass and using everything that you have taught me. This course will enhance any bass player’s playing if they simply follow what you teach and apply themselves step by step by step. BGS has revolutionized my playing and now other bassist ask me how did I get there!!!!!

Ed Simmons

Hi Alex - I have used the Bass Guitar Secrets course for the last couple years. It has helped me progress from beginner stage to an advanced intermediate in a very short time. I refer back to it often for exercises and also advice when I am trying to come up with basslines for new songs. I am in 3 different bands right now - playing both originals and covers.

I am looking forward to the Fretboard course because I have found the Secrets course to be a great value, and I expect even more from the new one.

The thing about these courses is that there is a tremendous amount of useful information that I can refer back to whenever I have time. I have had several bass teachers in the last few years, and there are always the scheduling hassles - trying to get times when we are both available - then there is the cost - I usually pay $40 an hour plus gas to get there or pay extra for them to come to me. If I am later trying to do something they taugth me and it doesn’t make sense or I don’t get it - I have to wait until the next session and take up a lot of that time to review. Plus if there are interruptions - phone calls on their cell phone - or family issues they have to sort out -or their equpment problems, I still have to pay for that time. Not sure what the cost is going to be of the Fretboard course, but I’m sure it’s very reasonable compared to $160 a month, plus if I want to review something at 10PM it’s all right there.

Also, thenks for being available by email to answer my questions. I know you have a lot of students, but I’ve always received a response pretty quickly.

I have great expectations that this course will take me to an advanced level in a short period of time, and also give me a lot more options for designing basslines and improvising.

I hope I win, but even if I don’t I will be getting the course. Feel free to use any parts of this separately, or the whole thing. Thanks.