It sounds better in the mix when we rehearsed it. Tried it both ways and on the one, the low F# works. YMMV.
1 Like
Makes sense
1 Like
Just finished Module 4 three days ago and attempted the Billie Jean Benchmark. After first attempt on Slow, a mess, had to put the bass away and reset by resting overnight. The next day, attacked it again and almost made it through Medium speed (emphasis on almost). Yesterday I started practice with Module 5 Lesson 1, basic theory, then one last time on the benchmark. While full speed turned my fretting fingers into interlaced overhand knots, Billie Jean on Slow was pretty good, and Medium speed was almost acceptable. I am considering recording it today to have a record for direct comparison when I reach the end of the course.
7 Likes
That is an excellent idea.
Hang in there, eventually it well click. You don’t need to rush it, best to master it on slow, making sure tone, timing andnote length are all proer.
The speed will come when muscle memory takes over, but if you don’t nail what I mentioned, it wont sound very good.
And I know cuz i gotta build mu muscles back up after nearly 4 years with no access to a good bass.
1 Like
Well I got it on the slow - so far. Not pushing it but it is a certain improvement.
2 Likes
I’m not a total beginner; I’ve been stuck in this on-off pre-intermediate hell since 2009. I was dozing off out of boredom in the first four modules, but I watched and did every single exercise just in case.
And then came Billie Jean… Hoo boy. I’m %80-85 there on easy, kinda making it on medium. Full was a beatdown 
My biggest issue is that I realize I’m actually doing it, get excited, lose focus because of the excitement, then everything comes tumbling down lol
We shall meet again one day Billie Jean. Off to module 5!
4 Likes
I’ve just noticed that this Billie Jean bass line sounds close to this one (80’s french song) :
Really good idea…
I’m gonna try it
Ok, I’ve been playing bass for about half a year and just started this course a couple of weeks ago so I could improve on my bad habits. I was really excited when BJ showed up at the end of module 4. Any advice? I’m not gonna quit I’m bout to move on to module 5 but this certainly didn’t make me feel good in any way. I kinda feel like I’m trash at bass after this
We all did.
2 Likes
Man, it’s like all my bass training went out the window. It got so bad I started plucking with my middle and ring finger just trying to keep up (my index was just floating up in the air). I don’t even think I’ve ever plucked with my ring finger on purpose before.
1 Like
Well well well, the proof seems to be in the pudding.
Introducing BJ, Josh says “don’t worry about it, just try. Then come back after a while just to see how you improved over time”.
I did that so good that I completely forgot BJ 
Now, after I completed Module 9 (and enjoyed every step, up&down, smile and despair) the light bulb in the balloon over my head flashed and I came back to Bj.
And suddenly everything ran smoothly.
Wow!
5 Likes
Billie kicked ALL our asses first go round. Here is what is really going on. That insane difficulty jump was intentionally inserted at that point by josh to show us that YES… we are going to encounter things beyond us… and we NEED to practice, and come back to it later. And most importantly, that it’s normal… and that there is nothing at all wrong with it. Josh knew exactly what he was doing for this one.
I was away for quite some time… nice to see Billie is still as notorious as ever… LMAO.
I promise all… Billie Jean is not as scary as she seems, the deeper into the course you get 
1 Like
Just hit this last month. Was passable at the slow, distinctly average at medium and the full beans left me laughing at myself.
I still suck at it, but even after a month, there’s a noticeable improvement. Very cool lesson to learn.
4 Likes