I'm not sure if my expectations are to high from Bass teachers. This is my second teacher in 4 months. The last teacher did not know theory and wanted to work off TAB, so i decided to look elsewhere. My current teacher is a nice guy, knows music theory guy but after attending 5 weeks i'm having some doubt if i will continue. The problem is that for the last 3 weeks he seems to be unprepared for my lesson. Does not know where we are in the book he recomended we use. There seems to be no structure to the lessosn and i feel like i'm not getting anywhere. When i get there i feel like he has no clue as what to work on for that session, it's very dissapointing. Ideally i would like a teacher that knows what i need to work on (not me having to tell him) and have some kind of structure or plan layed out so i have some kind of roadmap to know where we are headed and what to expect in the future. So the question is am i expexting too much?

I've don't know your situation in detail, but will say a teacher needs some feedback. It's nice if a student say I had some difficulty with xyz. If a student comes in and says what they are having trouble with then we can work on that and not waste time having to play/talk about everything from last lesson to discover the problem spots.

As for knowing what you need that also depends some on what you are interested in. Being a teacher is a balancing act of giving the student what they need and keeping them enjoying playing and taking lessons. So to do that a teacher needs to know what you want to learn or what music/bass players you like. Then teacher can give you stuff along those lines or explain how learning xyz will get to being able to play xyz.

Teachers don't alway keep notes on each student and sometime have to ask student where they left off to jog the memory. Now he should be able to jump right in and get going at that point. I've taken lessons off and on for decades from beginnning to master classes. Most teachers didn't keep notes. Now if teacher is not using a book they may or may not have material written up. Depends on level of student.

I would say the key to good lessons is communication on both sides. If you lesson aren't work, then tell the teacher things aren't going like you thought they would you can say your not progressing enough, or not getting enough from the lessons. That should open up a dialog betwween both of you. If things don't change after that then time to part ways.

You don't mention how old you are in your post (early happy birthday to you).

One thing that is difficult for some students to get into is that a private teacher works for you, and you have to take part in that direction somewhat. This is different that a school setting where you are required to come up to a certain standard within a given period of time (perhaps on a subject you don't care a lot for). The teacher of a school class has, as their job, motivating the students and working a curriculm that is preplanned by the school board. A private teacher will work at YOUR speed, so if you don't practice, you'll find that you're going over the same material again and again.

The motivation has to come from you. The only standard that applies to private lessons is the potential of the student. If you need someone to 'give' you the desire to learn, you're wasting your money on the lessons. If you have a goal, like playing in a metal band or being on the road with a country band or whatever... your teacher should be able to plot a path for you to take. Your talent and desire will determine if you make it.

A goal without a plan is just a wish.

Thanks guys for your replies. Chuck, you have a good point. Since this is a private lesson maybe I can't expect the same type of program as a school setting. My desire is there or I would not put in the time and money, and I do have a goal and have mentioned it to my teacher the first lesson. It just feels there is no roadmap to what we are doing and he is not prepared. I guess what I'm saying is I supply the motivation and put in my time practicing he supplies the knowledge and roadmap to my goals. I don't see the roadmap and it worries me that I spending allot of time and money not getting the most I out of it. I guess maybe I should have a talk and see if we can make some changes. Thanks again guys.

I don't see the roadmap and it worries me that I spending allot of time and money not getting the most I out of it. I guess maybe I should have a talk and see if we can make some changes. Thanks again guys.

Sounds like you're on the right track.

Man - I haven't taught in a few years, but I would've LOVED to have students like you. Good for you in having expectations, and shame on these guys for being in the business. Especially the TAB guy - he needs a spanking. In any case, I hope both "teachers" have learned a lesson in humility.

Not at all are you expecting too much. Any good instructor should start with an interview with a prospective student to discuss aptitude, current progress, goals, etc. Likewise, s/he should be able to demonstrate to the student a level of expertise that will instill confidence. Which includes a frank assessment of the student's playing, short & long term ideas for improvement, and a clear verbal "contract" that stipulates what each of you expects of the other.

There are AWESOME teachers out there, but unfortunately they can be hard to find..and vice versa - which is actually why there are so many bad teachers. Bass students who take music seriously are a rare commodity and I wish you the best!

I had the same problem, my teacher didn't know theory and only taught me songs in tab. I got a new teacher and at the start it was stuff i already new, and on a few lessons he forgot what we did last week and i didnt really like that either, but now its beena while and he knows me and where im trying to go and what i wanna learn, he forgets everytime but usually remembers when he looks at what he wrote the last week, i get really good lessons now and im challenged.. I'd give him a while..maybe a few more lessons.

I stopped taking lessons because it feels more fulfilling to discover and learn things on bass for myself, and I always thought I was learning more on my own, and I actually was.