Bass lessons from Guitar teacher?

[thedg]

I'm looking to start taking some long overdue bass lessons, and scanning my local Craigslist posts, most of them are guitar teachers that also teach bass. Should I hold out for a teacher that primarily teaches bass, or am I over-thinking it? Any experiences from either side of the argument?

[fractiouslowend]

nothing wrong with taking bass lessons from a guitarist. just make sure they actually *play* bass, and are not just a guitarist on bass

[Lesfunk]

It really depends on the teacher. I started out back in the day getting lessons from a guy who taught out of a small Mom and Pop music shop. He taught me theory as well as Sabbath and Rush on a nylon string classical guitar. I am forever in his debt. He created a monster

[fleabee]

I attempted taking bass lessons from a guitarist. HUGE waste of money in my case.

[JasonLamb]

i teach bass but went to college for jazz guitar...but, in the last 7 years, the only bands i have been in were on bass, and the majority of my practice has been on the bass guitar......so i would say if you want to learn bass specific stuff from a metal shredder...probably not gonna work out. Just make sure that they have some sort of idea what they are doing on the bass.

[thedg]

fleabee - what were the issues?

[LM Bass]

You can learn a lot about music from any good teacher, but there's the rub. . .

[JB36]

Depends on the teacher and I would ask a lot of questions to determine the teacher's perspective and ability on bass. When I was looking for a teacher, I did not want a guitarist who could play some bass. I ended up with very good teacher who played guitar first, but has been playing bass for a long time and is a very good musician. It has worked out well for me....theory, reading, and some live playing situations. I can have lessons where my teacher plays parts on guitar myself on bass. He's even opened the drum room and has done the same here. Having a versatile teacher has been benefical for me.

[Billnc]

I'd like to think I can do both and am certainly not the only one. I've studied jazz guitar and can read and play jazz on bass. At 51 I've put many years and hours of practice into both. I do however get angry at the prevailing attitude of guitarists who don't play any bass teaching it 'cause anyone can do it'. I've taught guitar since 1986 and played bass since 1991. I waited 4 years to start teaching bass.

[thedg]

Thanks for the info, gang - I just don't want to pay for a guy to fill up his schedule by teaching the 4 string guitar.

[Gaetano Paul]

Originally Posted by thedg

Thanks for the info, gang - I just don't want to pay for a guy to fill up his schedule by teaching the 4 string guitar.

Yeah I am a guitar/bass teacher. THough I love the bass, it is a really hard thing to make a living only teaching the bass. Its even difficult doing guitar and bass. The most bass student I have ever had was like 40% of my students, and that was very short lived. Like the others have said just make sure he actually knows how to play the bass. Some signs may be can he slap and pop, can he play with his fingers, does he own a nice bass, things like that. I liked the guy who said something about a nylon guitar because my teacher first taught me bass and then guitar, and while he always had his Les Paul sitting there he mainly used his nylon guitar for all the bass lessons. And I to love my teacher, wish I knew where he was now........

[LM Bass]

I wonder if there is a sticky about how to pick a teacher? I'd have lots to contribute to that if there is one.