Teacher Question.

VitaminC · #1 12-14-2009, 09:22 PM

Hey DB,
I am trying to get started in the DB world. I have been stalking this forum for quite a good amount for time, taking in as much as possible. I am 17 and thinking about renting a nice 3/4 Becker bass. I am facing a few small issues though. Where I am, the economy is in bad shape and finding a job is like finding gold if you are my age. The only way i can get a bass is if I rent one. It is $75.00 a month which I think I could do. From what I have seen on this forum, not getting a teacher is sacrilegious. The local bass teacher charges $100 a month which I could not do if I had to pay for the rental.
What I am trying to say is, Could I go without lessons for a span of 6- 12 months? I know about the possibility of injury and the creation of bad habits but could I not use something like this to help get me by?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gZ4ctFAe7r0

My intentions are not to be one of those, " I can play BG, therefore, I can teach myself DB," kind of people. The only way I could take lessons is if I had someone willing to do it for free or a cheaper price which would be almost impossible to come by. I live in close ot Nashville so if anyone in the area can recommned anything it would all be of great help.

Thank you,
VC

ctxbass · #2 12-14-2009, 09:50 PM

I think you should consider delaying your rental for six weeks.
The money that would have otherwise gone to bass rental can be used to
pay for lessons when you first get the bass. A good teacher will help you to get started properly and avoid developing bad habits.
Maybe then you can work with audio/ visual materials and occasional lessons to help keep you on track.

VitaminC · #3 12-14-2009, 09:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ctxbass

I think you should consider delaying your rental for six weeks.
The money that would have otherwise gone to bass rental can be used to
pay for lessons when you first get the bass. A good teacher will help you to get started properly and avoid developing bad habits.
Maybe then you can work with audio/ visual materials and occasional lessons to help keep you on track.

I have taken that into consideration and it is for sure a viable option.

tomshepp · #4 12-15-2009, 04:11 AM

Are there any basses in your school district? Is there an orchestra or jazz program? Maybe they could help with the bass while you pay for the lessons.

Paul Warburton · #5 12-15-2009, 07:05 AM

I think you should go for it. Now. You will need a teacher. But those paticular youtube lessons will help you start. I think the passion part trumps the teacher aspect for the moment, IMO.

Tom's suggestion is great.
I don't know how far you are from Nashville, but drop this guy a note. Tell him what you've shared with us here at TB.

http://jimfergusonmusic.com/

He's a great player, teacher and singer. He is also the DB luthier (string instrument repair person or maker). down there and through connections, he might find a way to get a bass in your hands.
Before it starts, you will get warnings here about injuring yourself without a teacher. If you use good sense and don't play with any pain, at your age, you should be just fine.
Keep the passion at a high level.
Best of luck......

longfinger · #6 12-15-2009, 09:01 AM

The other thing you can do to keep lessons costs down is to take them every two weeks instead of every week. Or even once a month.

Steve Clark · #7 12-15-2009, 10:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by longfinger

The other thing you can do to keep lessons costs down is to take them every two weeks instead of every week. Or even once a month.

Very good point. I saw Kieran Overs for a lesson late in the Summer. I'm still working on the ideas presented to me. I will go again in the New Year.

ctxbass · #8 12-15-2009, 02:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paul Warburton

I think you should go for it. Now. You will need a teacher. But those paticular youtube lessons will help you start. I think the passion part trumps the teacher aspect for the moment, IMO....
...Before it starts, you will get warnings here about injuring yourself without a teacher. If you use good sense and don't play with any pain, at your age, you should be just fine.
Keep the passion at a high level.
Best of luck......

Paul, I guess you are right about this. When I was 25, I was offered a gig in Germany if I would play double bass instead of the Fender. I was provided with an old Kay, no amp, no lessons, suffered nothing but blisters, and had a great time.

Fletcher Lanning · #9 12-15-2009, 02:22 PM

And, even if you don't have a teacher, you have what most of the older players here probably didn't have, a huge online community to answer random questions.

MDEbass · #10 12-15-2009, 02:25 PM

If your school has a bass, I would take advantage of that. If not though, I would go with renting one, and maybe get a lesson every two weeks? Or if that isn't a possibility, then maybe if theres a good bassist at your school, then maybe he/she can get you started until you can find a teacher. Now, that probably isn't the best idea, but if it's all you have, go for it. Good luck.

VitaminC · #11 12-15-2009, 02:44 PM

I go to one of the most expensive public schools in my area. Sadly they find tings like orchestras and jazz ensembles to be too expensive and risky so we are basically stuck with a marching band and that's it.

I'll talk to Tom and she what he says.

The spaced out lesson idea is actually a really good idea and I'll probably do something along those lines. I know of one teacher already of will do something like that.

I drive a Jeep Wrangler so I imagine can fit a 3/4 in the back if I manage it correctly. I have seen the thread but I am curious to as if anyone drives one and could fit a bass in theirs?

Andrew McGregor · #12 12-15-2009, 02:46 PM

So, depending on what sort of music you want to play, you may not need very many lessons... but doing a bunch of them right at the beginning is a good idea, so you don't get into habits that are going to cause injuries and be very annoying to retrain out of later. The basic physical technique doesn't take very long to learn enough to avoid hurting yourself, and then you can work on your own at perfecting it.

You will get people going on about injuries... that's because the characteristic injuries are bad, take a long time to heal, and can easily stop you playing for a long time. Which is really not fun if you love playing the bass, right? Proper technique avoids those problems, and lets you do whatever you want with the bass musically.