Teacher lessons vs. Internet Lessons

Warrior33 · #1 12-01-2008, 07:32 AM

Hi guys,
It's my first time on that forum, and I find it quite usefull. So thanks to you all!
I've been playing bass for about 2 years but never had any lessons... basically, I try to absorb EVERY tips and tricks I can find/hear/read..and it helps. I consider myself a bit below the average bassist (maybe I'm being modest, maybe not...

)
But I want to take my playing to the next level, and I'm willing to take lessons at some point, very soon...
Now my question: Is it enough to learn from lessons you may find online (youtube, for example)? How effective is it?
And if I take lessons - considering I'm not a total beginner, how much time should I invest in them?

any advice is welcome!

SuperDuck · #2 12-01-2008, 07:36 AM

There is no substitute for hands-on interaction with a real person. Online lessons can give you good tips, tricks, and information. Online lessons cannot, however, correct your posture, tell you that you're applying too much pressure with your fretting hand, force you to use your pinky correctly, answer questions that you have, etc. You get the point. A teacher can help correct problems that you don't know you have. Online lessons give you information, real teachers give you knowledge!

Money spent for time with a good teacher is money well spent. You will progress faster and become a better player with a real teacher. They encourage you, give you goals, and if you find the right one can become a great friend and/or mentor over time.

Online lessons can be a great supplement, but I personally have progressed the most when working with a real person.

ColdSteelRain · #3 12-01-2008, 07:56 AM

I've gotten a lot of useful information off the 'net and books, but I didn't learn to actually play the bass until I took lessons. YMMV.

lomo · #4 12-01-2008, 07:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SuperDuck

There is no substitute for hands-on interaction with a real person. Online lessons can give you good tips, tricks, and information. Online lessons cannot, however, correct your posture, tell you that you're applying too much pressure with your fretting hand, force you to use your pinky correctly, answer questions that you have, etc. You get the point. A teacher can help correct problems that you don't know you have. Online lessons give you information, real teachers give you knowledge!

Money spent for time with a good teacher is money well spent. You will progress faster and become a better player with a real teacher. They encourage you, give you goals, and if you find the right one can become a great friend and/or mentor over time.

Online lessons can be a great supplement, but I personally have progressed the most when working with a real person.

+1

mister-o · #5 12-01-2008, 08:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SuperDuck

Online lessons can be a great supplement, but I personally have progressed the most when working with a real person.

Another +1. If you respect your teacher and he/she has good skills, lessons can be incredibly motivating as well as enriching.

fearceol · #6 12-01-2008, 08:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SuperDuck

There is no substitute for hands-on interaction with a real person. Online lessons can give you good tips, tricks, and information. Online lessons cannot, however, correct your posture, tell you that you're applying too much pressure with your fretting hand, force you to use your pinky correctly, answer questions that you have, etc. You get the point. A teacher can help correct problems that you don't know you have. Online lessons give you information, real teachers give you knowledge!

Money spent for time with a good teacher is money well spent. You will progress faster and become a better player with a real teacher. They encourage you, give you goals, and if you find the right one can become a great friend and/or mentor over time.

Online lessons can be a great supplement, but I personally have progressed the most when working with a real person.

And yet another +1.

spade2you · #7 12-01-2008, 09:54 AM

It's good to have lessons from time to time because there is a plethora of great info on the web and great books, but NONE can take a look at your form or take a listen to what you're doing to tell you what areas need improvement.

artistanbul · #8 12-01-2008, 10:09 AM

paying for a teacher is a good motivation for learning as well.
and they give you assignments that has to be done in time. that keeps procrastination in check.

MD · #9 12-01-2008, 08:20 PM

When I was 11 years old I began formal stydies on cello with a graduate student from The Manhattan School of Music. He was having a terrible time convincing me to keep my left elbow from drooping down to my side, forcing bad wrist/hand technique.

One day he walked out of the room. A few minutes later, he came back in with a mic stand, a steak knife and a roll of duct tape. He proceded to tape the knife to the end of the mic stand; pointy side up. He then placed the stand under my left elbow.

Forty years later, we're still great friends, and when I pull out my cello or DB, well.. I think ya'll know where my left elbow is!

Can't get that off the net.

Good luck.

SuperDuck · #10 12-01-2008, 08:22 PM

Great story!

dave64o · #11 12-02-2008, 10:07 AM

I started playing around 7 years ago and have learned almost entirely from books, playing with people, and from various resources on the internet. I would say the average TB'er is still way beyond my talent level but I've been getting by and having fun.

Then I started taking lessons about 5 weeks ago. I don't think the instructor has done much for me that I couldn't have done on my own, but having an instructor I paid for is a great motivator. Like so many others have said above, there's nothing like having a one-on-one session with an instructor to give you a new perspective. Honestly, I'm not sure I'm going to stick with him for a long period because there are things he said he doesn't focus on (in part because they're not his strong points) that I was hoping to get out of lessons, but even after a short time with him I see several improvements in my playing, not to a higher drive to practice.

Based on my personal experience, I'd say lessons are worth it.

kesslari · #12 12-02-2008, 10:22 AM

There's also an "accountability" with an instructor, at least that's how it feels for me.
On his side of the deal - to provide value. On your side of the deal, to work on what he gives you.

I took my first lesson in many years this weekend.
Good instructor. He feels that there are holes in my playing that can be addressed by better understanding of intervals and inversions.
I know about intervals and inversions... and they're kind of boring to practice.
I've seen these same exercises online, and blew past them.
But now I'm working on them, because I feel accountable.
And I have a pretty high level of certainty that they will help me improve my musicality a great deal.

MrLenny · #13 12-02-2008, 12:10 PM

Get a good teacher and save yourself years of bad habits upfront.
Online lessons can't see poor fingering and hand positions.
Also, doing a weekly assignment keeps you motivated.

StyleOverShow · #14 12-02-2008, 01:00 PM

After playing for a long time, I started taking lessons. The feedback was incredible with helpful input on technique, execution, exercises and probably most importantly: style/taste. The two most instructive teachers I've worked with over the last decade have said the same thing about my 'natural' style: reduce it! Given the time span, I must be a slow learner!

hen8 · #15 12-02-2008, 08:33 PM

paying a teacher/instructor can help you motivate your skills..
it is better to have a one on one session rather than online lessons..

BigOldHarry · #16 12-02-2008, 08:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SuperDuck

There is no substitute for hands-on interaction with a real person. Online lessons can give you good tips, tricks, and information. Online lessons cannot, however, correct your posture, tell you that you're applying too much pressure with your fretting hand, force you to use your pinky correctly, answer questions that you have, etc. You get the point. A teacher can help correct problems that you don't know you have. Online lessons give you information, real teachers give you knowledge!

Money spent for time with a good teacher is money well spent. You will progress faster and become a better player with a real teacher. They encourage you, give you goals, and if you find the right one can become a great friend and/or mentor over time.

Online lessons can be a great supplement, but I personally have progressed the most when working with a real person.

+1000

Warrior33 · #17 12-03-2008, 07:37 AM

I feel what yall sayin',
thanx for the feedback/advice!

Infernal Affair · #18 12-03-2008, 11:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dave64o

I started playing around 7 years ago and have learned almost entirely from books, playing with people, and from various resources on the internet. I would say the average TB'er is still way beyond my talent level but I've been getting by and having fun.

Then I started taking lessons about 5 weeks ago. I don't think the instructor has done much for me that I couldn't have done on my own, but having an instructor I paid for is a great motivator. Like so many others have said above, there's nothing like having a one-on-one session with an instructor to give you a new perspective. Honestly, I'm not sure I'm going to stick with him for a long period because there are things he said he doesn't focus on (in part because they're not his strong points) that I was hoping to get out of lessons, but even after a short time with him I see several improvements in my playing, not to a higher drive to practice.

Based on my personal experience, I'd say lessons are worth it.

I have similar experiences as you do, playing bass for several years without a teacher. I have always wanted to take lessons, but just have never bothered to look up teachers or save up the money for them. Reading this post has been a big inspiration to say to myself, "What is keeping me from doing so?" I definitely plan on taking lessons next month when my schedule lightens up now! Gotta look up some good teachers in my area.

jdbernard · #19 12-03-2008, 12:46 PM

My story is a bit different. I started playing bass after about a decade on trumpet and a lot of experience composing. I taught myself for the first six months or so before finding a teacher I felt good about. Most before her were guitar players moonlighting as bass instructors. I didn't want to play bass like a guitarist, I wanted to play bass like a bassist.

I got lucky with a good teacher who really knew her stuff. In the time I was studying with her I made leaps and bounds on the instrument. I already knew most of the music theory behind the music, so most online lessons were painfully elementary. A teacher can tailor her instruction to your specific needs. Online lessons can't point out your weaknesses and address them.

Of course, lessons are only as good as the teacher. Make sure your teacher is out gigging and is successful as a bassist.