February 2013 \ Features \ Artist Interview \ Interview: HBC's Scott Henderson and Jeff Berlin

Interview: HBC's Scott Henderson and Jeff Berlin

Joe Charupakorn

Musicians Institute guitar guru Scott Henderson and outspoken bass virtuoso Jeff Berlin discuss their chops-laden new album with Dennis Chambers, why Berlin didn’t join Van Halen, and why metronomes and rock academia are useless.
Premier Guitar February 2013
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YouTube It
For a taste of Scott Henderson and Jeff Berlin live, doing what they do best, check out the following clips on YouTube.com. Note that Henderson has exacting standards for YouTube videos of his playing—he’ll vigilantly take down videos he doesn’t like, so watch these while you can!


Henderson, Berlin, and Chambers tear it up live on “The Chicken,” a classic jam tune by saxophonist Pee Wee Ellis.


Henderson uses one of his aqua Suhr custom models to solo over a bluesy vamp with Chambers and Berlin.


Berlin was one of the first to cast the electric bass in a lead role. Here, he plays an unaccompanied rendition of Eric Clapton’s “Tears in Heaven” that encapsulates the pioneering elements of his style, including a more chordal approach and virtuosic runs.


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Comments

 (17 comments) display by
UsernameComment
Al
19 hr 32 min ago 		There are different forms of music for different tastes. Playing a 3-chord blues could be as much enjoyable as playing a jazz blues with reharmonization of 10 or 12 chords, the latter just requires a higher level of execution. But if one is a serious student in music (i.e. studying aspects of harmony/melody/rhythm), and not just stick to a "gut feel of rock" forever (nothing wrong though), it is naive to downplay music of more advanced levels because it is currently not 'melodic' to your ears. A seriously misunderstood aspect of advanced music is that it lacks a 'gut feeling', in fact, music of more advanced levels (e.g. Schoenberg) possesses a different 'gut feeling'. It is just that one does not take the time and efforts to study and learn the "so many notes" which really advanced players (someone mentioned John McLaughlin here) execute, and these notes are coming out of their 'gut feelings', of a different dimension.
John Francis
on 05/11/2013 		I'd be offended if it wasn't so predictable. Berlin talking his usual outspoken remarks to keep himself controversially relevant. Boring
John Perry
on 02/02/2013 		Jeff, metronomes are important, or maybe you forget what it's like to jam with another musician for the first time, who couldn't play IN time to save their life. It's so much easier playing with a good drummer when you have a frame of reference when playing alone(a click?), than relying on your heart beat.
Planet
on 02/02/2013 		You guys are just making excuses for mediocrity. "Less" isn't better anymore than thinking "more" is better. I think most musicians would like total command of their instrument. Regardless of the style we all have tunes we wish we could play.
tdclns
on 02/01/2013 		Henderson claims he couldn't play in VH, but would only enjoy himself playing with Beyonce?!!? What a load. These guys had to be coked out of their minds for this interview, or full of shit up to their eyebrows. I guess, Mr. Henderson, that's why Van Halen is one of the greatest rock bands ever...& you are playing with----Beyonce
M.G.
on 01/31/2013 		What a bunch of dolts, really, always found both of them to be pretentious out of their respective asses. Keep it to the elite, I'd rather have fun playing my 3 chords songs.
LowB Bob
on 01/31/2013 		Jerome, Ivan, and Hugh, I totally agree with you guys. I'd rather jam with the three of you so we can have fun playing our dumb music. There is nothing I like better than playing bass and backing up an awesome Lead Guitar player or Keyboard and holding tight with a drummer who's my best friend > my wife plays drums....Why is it that attitude always kills the talent.
Jerome
on 01/31/2013 		Dumb Down? Scott, get over yourself.
Ivan Itcheecaulk
on 01/31/2013 		So according to Jeff Berlin-If you teach rock you don't know about music,the people taking the lessons will never be able to play,and all involved are morons or at least blind people soon to be walking off subway platforms.That does it ,I'm taking all my Jeff Berlin cd's and I'm gonna make a big bonfir...oh,I don't have any Jeff Berlin cd's...
hUGH jORGAN
on 01/31/2013 		I bet a million dollars jEFF bERLIN COULD NOT PLAY THE INTRO TO "RUNNIN WITH THE DEVIL" NOTE FOR NOTE(WITHOUT EMBELLISHING IT)



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