Bass instructor looking to "branch out"...

[fretlessman71]

Hi folks. You missed me, I know, don't get mushy, let's move on...

I've been a bass teacher now for 20 years. And it occurs to me that I have musical information that I'm able to teach that isn't limited to my instrument. So I'm trying to find a way to tap into this realm.

I've heard of many people who have taken lessons from musicians whose main instrument differed from theirs. Joe Satriani used to take lessons from a pianist in New York who would end the lesson as soon as Joe played a wrong note, and Jeff Berlin once spoke of a lesson he had with Joe Zawinul. Seems normal to me - I mean, how many of us perform with other bassists? Why not take a lesson from someone who has a very real interest in how you sound as a bassist - because it affects them directly as a musician?

Problem is, I have no idea what to call this new (not so new?) idea. "Bass Lessons" sounds like it's strictly for bassists, "Music Lessons" sounds accurate but impossibly vague, "Musicianship Lessons" is too much for most people to pronounce, as well as a little on the pretentious side... so here I'm stuck.

I'm also not sure how to market this idea... but I have a feeling that if I can come up with a concise name (or maybe it's already out there, in current usage, and I just haven't heard it), that could largely take care of itself.

Wondering if the vastly diverse bass brethren here might be able to help a body out. Thanks in advance.

[Jim Campbell]

Originally Posted by fretlessman71

Hi folks. You missed me, I know, don't get mushy, let's move on...

I've been a bass teacher now for 20 years. And it occurs to me that I have musical information that I'm able to teach that isn't limited to my instrument. So I'm trying to find a way to tap into this realm.

I've heard of many people who have taken lessons from musicians whose main instrument differed from theirs. Joe Satriani used to take lessons from a pianist in New York who would end the lesson as soon as Joe played a wrong note, and Jeff Berlin once spoke of a lesson he had with Joe Zawinul. Seems normal to me - I mean, how many of us perform with other bassists? Why not take a lesson from someone who has a very real interest in how you sound as a bassist - because it affects them directly as a musician?

Problem is, I have no idea what to call this new (not so new?) idea. "Bass Lessons" sounds like it's strictly for bassists, "Music Lessons" sounds accurate but impossibly vague, "Musicianship Lessons" is too much for most people to pronounce, as well as a little on the pretentious side... so here I'm stuck.

I'm also not sure how to market this idea... but I have a feeling that if I can come up with a concise name (or maybe it's already out there, in current usage, and I just haven't heard it), that could largely take care of itself.

Wondering if the vastly diverse bass brethren here might be able to help a body out. Thanks in advance.

music instruction/education,multi instrumental

[Toronto Bassist]

I think "music lessons" is fine. Sure it's vague, but you can fill out the details in whatever advertising you're using. Whether it's posters around town, or an ad in craigslist, you can specify that the lessons apply to all instruments, that you teach techniques that can appeal to a broad spectrum of players.

Really, even when one is a bass teacher, just putting "bass lessons" on your flyer (or whatever) is vague. Bass lessons? Does that include theory? What styles of bass playing? Does this include slapping? Sight reading? And so on. So the point is, any title is going to be a bit vague...you need to put details in somewhere to flesh it out.

[fretlessman71]

Originally Posted by Toronto Bassist

I think "music lessons" is fine. Sure it's vague, but you can fill out the details in whatever advertising you're using. Whether it's posters around town, or an ad in craigslist, you can specify that the lessons apply to all instruments, that you teach techniques that can appeal to a broad spectrum of players.

Really, even when one is a bass teacher, just putting "bass lessons" on your flyer (or whatever) is vague. Bass lessons? Does that include theory? What styles of bass playing? Does this include slapping? Sight reading? And so on. So the point is, any title is going to be a bit vague...you need to put details in somewhere to flesh it out.

Yeah, you're not wrong. What I run into is the following:

• People don't want to read details.
• I can't do anything to change this.

However, to your point, if one isn't interested in reading the details, why would they be interested in anything other than bass lessons?... I would hope that someone who knows what they're looking for would be willing to delve a bit deeper into a flyer/ad/what-have-you.

Maybe the solution is to offer "Bass and Musicianship lessons". Enough to be reasonably clear at first, but also enough extra to get them to say, "What do you mean by musicianship?" And once the hook is set, I can reel 'em in from there. Whatcha think?

[MalcolmAmos]

Music Lessons:

Piano
Guitar
Bass
Banjo
Fiddle
Harmonica
Jews Harp

123 Elm Street
Somewhere, USA
Phone 123-456-7890

[fretlessman71]

I think you missed the point, Malcolm. I can't teach piano, or banjo, or fiddle... but I CAN teach people who already know how to play their instrument how to be better musicians. I'm not interested in passing myself off as a "jack of all trades" teacher.

[Roy Vogt]

An untapped market would be giving "groove" lessons to drummers. Basically getting together and helping them learn to play various feels, styles, would be invaluable for young drummers, especially playing and learning from a seasoned player.
I've taught this as Special Studies at Belmont a couple of times, most notably to Will Denton (DC Talk, Stephen Curtis Chapman, Keith Urban). It's also fun if you get to teach a good drummer
You could also teach "Jazz and Improvisation" lessons a la Lennie Tristano and the late Charlie Banacos.

[fretlessman71]

Yeah, that's more the direction I'm thinking. Groove lessons, improv lessons, theory lessons. Boy - if there was a drummer around here who was able to teach groove lessons to bassists, I just might take a lesson or two myself - what harm, right?

[Jim Campbell]

Originally Posted by fretlessman71

Yeah, that's more the direction I'm thinking. Groove lessons, improv lessons, theory lessons. Boy - if there was a drummer around here who was able to teach groove lessons to bassists, I just might take a lesson or two myself - what harm, right?

may be a tad busy for a business card.....howzabout something like

"improve your musical ability"...."on any instrument"....the fretlessman71 method

[251]

Originally Posted by fretlessman71

Hi folks. You missed me, I know, don't get mushy, let's move on...

I've been a bass teacher now for 20 years. And it occurs to me that I have musical information that I'm able to teach that isn't limited to my

<snip>

of itself.

Wondering if the vastly diverse bass brethren here might be able to help a body out. Thanks in advance.

My teacher is a guitar player who covers bass. Dan has always encouraged me to treat him like a tutor. Once we had gotten through the basics, he tutored me through my 1st ensemble experiences. I have taken several project ideas to him. The 1st was based on Mike Dimin's Chordal Approach. Dan's guitar background enriched the lessons. We experimented with chord melody for 9 months. Dan tutored me counting Latin rhythms when I played in a Latin ensemble. I had a dreadful time sliding '& of 2' into the downbeat. We still talk about soloing & the patience needed to develop a jazz solo. The lessons work well because we can play duets & are in different ranges, making things easier to hear. Hearing what is going on around you while you play is such a valuable skill.

Why not call yourself a Music Tutor. You can play rhythm & keep time for your students. If you find students on enough different instruments get them together & tutor them together with ensemble charts.

As you succeed, hire your friends to help carry the load. Good luck. 8-)