Bass Teachers, how bad do you feel when a student leaves you?

thebaronofbass · #1 05-14-2009, 08:51 PM

I have been taking bass lessons for the past 5 months with the same teacher. For the first 3 months everything went well, I was progressing and I was very passionate about playing bass guitar. For the past 2 months all me and my teacher have been doing is jamming, and he does not give me anything to work on at home. I do not think that I am getting any better, theory or otherwise. I do not want to leave because the teacher is so nice, I would feel like an ******* if I left only 5 months into lessons. What do I do?

Also, I should note that due to sports I have not been able to practice as much lately, only one hour a day. Any help is appreciated, thank you.

thebaronofbass · #2 05-14-2009, 09:05 PM

C'mon...

jimmy rocket · #3 05-14-2009, 09:10 PM

If you're jamming with a purpose (ie. to learn to apply chords notes in context) than that's one thing but it it's just a lazy teacher that's another. At 5 months in there is still plenty to learn. Heck at 5 years in there's still plenty to learn.

Perhaps you could take the initiative and ask to learn specific things. If your teacher is unable or unwilling to do that then you should feel free to move on, no harm no foul.

thebaronofbass · #4 05-14-2009, 09:25 PM

That sounds good, but what if I want to just become a better bass player in every aspect. How do I ask my teacher to become more active and give me more assignments in a nice way?

jimmy rocket · #5 05-14-2009, 09:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thebaronofbass

That sounds good, but what if I want to just become a better bass player in every aspect. How do I ask my teacher to become more active and give me more assignments in a nice way?

Say, "hey you might be a shiftless lay-about musician, but I'm trying to learn something here. Teach me some freakin' modes or something"

you may want to chose different words

It's late and I'm getting punchy

TheHegemon · #6 05-14-2009, 09:31 PM

You can say "Hey is there anything you want me to work on or be working on while I'm at home?"

jimmy rocket · #7 05-14-2009, 09:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheHegemon

You can say "Hey is there anything you want me to work on or be working on while I'm at home?"

Yeah, that's probably a better way to go about it.

But putting my teacher hat on I would say that many times a teacher appreciates knowing your interests and aspirations so that they can think of things to teach or ways to teach them.

CapnSev · #8 05-14-2009, 09:35 PM

It's always a better lesson when my students come to me and ask to learn something. There's no wrong way to ask, just say: "Hey, can we learn _____ today?" Sometimes it gets hard to teach someone something when there's no feedback from the student.

lowendgenerator · #9 05-14-2009, 09:35 PM

Say "hey, if you wanna jam let's do it off the clock. If I'm paying you, teach me something." Otherwise move on.

Stumbo · #10 05-14-2009, 10:44 PM

"We need a better plan than just jamming".

If the teacher doesn't have a plan.....

David1234 · #11 05-14-2009, 10:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CapnSev

It's always a better lesson when my students come to me and ask to learn something. There's no wrong way to ask, just say: "Hey, can we learn _____ today?" Sometimes it gets hard to teach someone something when there's no feedback from the student.

+1

Maybe not be rude and pushy and say "if you wanna jam that's off the clock" - jamming is an important skill. But do state clearly that you feel you've both lost direction and you need to work out a plan and stick to it for the next few months. Then work out a plan, such as 5 songs to learn, and learn them.

I love it when students bring questions to me or material to work on, or have a plan. I hate it when they don't respond to anything theoretical and only respond to jamming, cause I wind up getting in the same rut that you and your teacher are in!

PRUNEFACE · #12 05-15-2009, 11:37 AM

I'd take the iniative and get a book to work on. My teacher selected the books I'm using and we start off each lesson with what I was assigned the week before, then go over the new stuff for next week, and then we play songs (like some of the RHCP stuff) or jam or learn new progressions etc
Anyways, getting a book might solve the problem.

CapnSev · #13 05-15-2009, 11:48 AM

The way I like to teach is tell my students to pick a few tunes they want to learn. We'll learn them. At the same time, at the lessons I teach we dissect the song.
What key is it in? Then we learn about keys.
What scales do you need in this song? Then we learn a few scales.
What time signature is the song? Learn time signatures.
What style? Let's learn to play a certain style.

Then it goes on and on, like learning to play by ear, transcribing the tune, etc. Then they can go home and practice the song and the scales and what not.

It's the only way I can stay on track myself when it comes to teaching.

D Rokk · #14 05-15-2009, 11:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CapnSev

The way I like to teach is tell my students to pick a few tunes they want to learn. We'll learn them. At the same time, at the lessons I teach we dissect the song.
What key is it in? Then we learn about keys.
What scales do you need in this song? Then we learn a few scales.
What time signature is the song? Learn time signatures.
What style? Let's learn to play a certain style.

Then it goes on and on, like learning to play by ear, transcribing the tune, etc. Then they can go home and practice the song and the scales and what not.

It's the only way I can stay on track myself when it comes to teaching.

i like that method.. that was how my bass teacher was.. at first.. then he just got to the point where he said "you play this song like this" and that was the end.. i walked..

SteveC · #15 05-15-2009, 12:01 PM

I would try to ask some leading questions. See what happens. It sounds like you were learning for a while. To me, either your teacher got lazy or he reached his limit on what he can teach you.

I generally have a set pile of stuff that I want to start with - notation, basic rhythms, Book 1-3 of the Hal Leonard Bass Method , that kind of thing - and then I ask students what direction they want to go.

You may just need a different teacher. Sometimes things just don't work. It's no big deal. Students come and go all the time - that's part of teaching. I had a student for 4 years and we had a great relationship and he progressed nicely. I actually had to stop teaching for a while and told him he should find someone else and that it would actually be good for him to get another perspective.

Just some random thoughts...

Cary713 · #16 05-15-2009, 12:07 PM

....but I feel like I might be headed in the same direction with my instructor.
The first lesson he gave me some exercises to work on. Then he canceled the 2nd week. The this week we went over a few songs, (which he was supposed to give me a disc of - but hasn't yet)

....I really want to learn how to apply the theory I'm learning, not just songs. I really like the above mentioned method of dissecting the song. If I know WHY I'm playing a certain part, I'll remember it easier.

I'd hate to leave this guy - He's got a platinum album - and I'm his only student right now...but I may follow some of the advice here and swerve his teaching towards what I want to achieve...

....Ok, carry on with the great advice!

edgewise · #17 05-16-2009, 08:26 AM

My rule of thumb with lessons is:

If I leave feeling like I didn't get my moneys worth, one of us is not keeping up their end of the bargain.

If it is me then I need to buckle down.

If it is the teacher then I need to move on.

This may seem a bit harsh, but you'll kick yourself for throwing away money the longer you string it out. Plus it is not going to get any easier to leave.

Good luck.

-EW

steverosati · #18 05-16-2009, 08:37 AM

I have been on the other end this where the student is so unfocused, they can't even tell you what music they like to listen to. this is frustrating as well, in some cases I feel it is my duty to turn them on to new music and players to give them direction, and from there we start to develop theory and technique. My suggestion would be to bring in some music you are into and have him teach it to you step by step so you know the why and how that bass player is doing what he is doing.

paul_wolfe · #19 05-16-2009, 09:17 AM

I don't like losing students because I feel I've let them down (in the last 6 months though I've only lost one who is going through a divorce and doesn't have the time at the moment)...having said that though I can agree with Steverosati that there are students who are very unfocused. I have quite a strict prequalification process and students are made aware of what I expect in terms of practicing material etc etc.

So it's an interesting question.

There are a lot of guys who 'teach' who do it purely as a paid gig. You need someone who is more prepared to 'mentor' you and inspire you. It's something I try and do - how successful I am you'd have to ask some of my students!

LowDown Hal · #20 05-16-2009, 09:24 AM

If you really like the teacher and do not want to look for someone else...

Maybe try asking that the two of you develop a practice plan. That is exactly what you will be spending, most of, your practice time working on. I say most because, IMHO, the plan should include some time for goofing around. That way you develop a focused plan.

Also, what are YOUR goals?