Grooving For Heaven Vol 1 - DVD (DVD)

 Review

I learned to play bass in only 2 hours thanks to these DVD's. Well not really, but if I were a bass player, I certainly would have the ability to play at a much higher level than I had before. I have watched many instructional videos and DVD's over the years and I must say that Norm Stockton in this series "Grooving for Heaven" has done a remarkable job presenting ideas and concepts that can be readily implemented by any bass player. If you've ever picked up an instructional video before you know that many times you get a monster player that can shred on the fingerboard, but one that can't explain to us the why behind what they are doing. I am thrilled to say that Norm Stockton can and does give you the wherefore and the why behind what he is doing. He is very articulate and even throws in a bit of humor to keep things interesting.

As the "Grooving For Heaven" DVD starts up you get to hear some of Norms playing on the audio track behind the menu and it is very tasty stuff. Once you get past the menu, Norm takes you through some warm-up exercises and stretches. He also tells you why these are so important to your playing. If you want to learn to play better, make sure that you do the seemingly little things that Norm prescribes like warm-ups and stretches to make sure that you are not cheating yourself. After warm-ups you become familiarized with the fingerboard and correct hand positioning. Now if you are a seasoned bass player and you think to yourself, I really don't need to check out the first DVD, I would encourage you to change your thinking. Norm is such a fine player that even in the rudimentary things there are things that you will learn.

In what I call the meat and potatoes of the first DVD the following concepts are covered: Pre-groove studies which include beat placement within a groove, developing rhythmic and harmonic ideas, approaches to different styles of music, conceptual ideas, practice ideas including; sense of time, muting techniques, use of major, minor and mixolydian mode scales, playing arpeggios, major 7th, minor 7th and dominant 7th, staggered intervals and reversed pairs (of intervals). Norm also looks at the ideology of the bassist's role in worship music, learning to develop a passion for "the groove", locking with the drummer as well as playing that compliments the drummer's groove. He also covers developing time by playing with a metronome and a philosophical approach to music that is, playing so the music speaks instead of just playing notes.

As you can see there is a lot of ground covered in just session one of "Grooving For Heaven". Two of the most important points that Norm covers in both of these DVD's are ministry considerations and issues of the heart. As the title of the DVD implies, this is much more than just playing bass better or more proficiently, it is also about learning to minister to God through your music. When you watch these DVD's you can sense the importance of honoring God in Norm's approach.

The second DVD, and by the way there are four at this point in the series, builds upon the concepts explained in the first DVD. Norm builds upon that foundation and explores the fingerboard in greater degree. He looks at the importance of taking your playing to the next level by memorizing intervals and gives you a straight ahead approach that will definitely help you. "Spice" in your playing is covered which includes: ghost notes, slides, dynamics in playing, staccato vs. legato, slurs vs. hammer-ons and the use of vibrato. These are the techniques that when mastered, really make a monumental difference in your playing. Next Norm looks at different idioms of bass styles and what defines those idioms. Country, Rock, Latin, Reggae and Jazz are a few idioms looked at. The importance of knowing these different idioms is that you can further expand your playing since many times worship music incorporates all of these styles in some way, shape or form. Norm also examines playing tastefully by playing fills and variations. He looks at slap technique and shows you how not to overplay which is oh so important in using this technique. The second DVD also looks at how to approach the fretless bass and some considerations that need to be looked at in playing fretless. Again, on the second DVD, Norm looks at the importance of the heart and considerations in ministry.

There are even some great special features on these discs like gear considerations, tricks for getting all of your equipment to a gig in one piece and yes, some great music. I can't recommend these DVD's highly enough. If you are a bass player on a worship team or an aspiring bass player, you need to get this series "Grooving For Heaven." Norm Stockton also does workshops around the country so look for those as well. The investment in these DVD's will be well worth the money spent.

Review by Bryan Bloom