choosing a teacher

[huckingfuskie]

After a year of learning off the internet i decided to look up teachers in my area. So far i have 3 consecutive first lessons with 3 different tutors. I'm just wondering what i should be looking for in a teacher. What are some things a 'good' teacher will show me during a first lesson?

[jgoldbe]

i think you should choose a teacher who makes learning and playing bass fun. when i was younger i played piano, my teacher made it feel like practicing was homework, so i quit piano. when i picked up a bass, i found a teacher and he doesn't only teach me new technique, but we will jam, talk about music/band, etc.

ps. 7 years after i quit piano, i took a music history class in college, my old piano teacher turned out to be my professor. that explained a few things.

[onlyclave]

I think in a first lesson, a 'good' teacher will explain their teaching methodology, explain their expectations of their students and make an assessment of your playing level by having you play some things, do some reading, etc., possibly give you a list of supplies you need like books they prefer to use, maybe a book of manuscript paper, a metronome.

If at a first lesson your teacher asks "What do you want to learn today?" you should go find another teacher.

[VroomVroom]

Inspiration! Does this teacher inspire you to pick up the instrument? That, to me, is fundamental. Without it, you'll either start off stagnant or quickly get there. Obviously, as suggested above, there's more to it. What does this person teach? How much input do you have (more is not always better)? What are her/his expectations, and what are yours?

[StyleOverShow]

It depends on what you are looking to do. Technique is one thing to learn like how to slap, tap, etc. Soloing is another and that usually requires some knowledge of theory.

I like the sort that offer short and long term benefits. In the short run they teach me approaches to playing (I'm currently working on "in the pocket" where less is more with lots of half tone leading steps), and in the long run I am incorporating more theory (flatted 5th,7th and 9ths) into my playing. They also keep me honest in strength and reading exercises. Like I said, it depends on what you are looking for.

Usually personality has a lot to do with it.

[huckingfuskie]

Well i have my first appointment tomorrow, i guess im gonna have to evaluate what im looking for in a teacher. One of the tutors i will be seing suggested that i bring a list of songs i want to learn. This turned me off immensely, my goal is not to become a human-bassline-jukebox. Off course i want to build my song repetoir as much as possible but is that really something i should be paying someone to show me?

I decided im going to be very selective about my tutor. A good tutor should be able to help me shave years off the time it takes to be a competant bassist, where as a bad one can do the opposite. This is an extremely critical decision in my opinion. I hope i make a good one.

[BassChuck]

You don't post your age in your profile, so it's somewhat difficult to advise.

I would say that you're going about this right way by trying out different teachers. You might want to be up front about that with your appointments.

One point I would like to make, and this has to do with the age comment at the top of my post. The teacher is going to help you become a better player. The job is YOURS not your teacher. Young players who are used to being in school sometimes expect teachers to do the work and motivate them, make it 'fun'. That's all well and good for the kids who don't have a commitment to their own talent and goals, but there comes a point in your life and development as a player when you have to take over the motivation, goal and drive. A good teacher has a complete understanding of technique and real world expectations of the job of professional musician and bass player, and will help you start where you are and progress to where you need to be.

Good luck.