Finding a good bass teacher

[Llaslo]

How do y'all normally go about finding a good bass teacher? I've been checking craigslist and i've called a couple of music lesson places, but it all seems to be guitarists who also teach bass.

[sharpbass]

You can search here on TB.

[MrLenny1]

A dedicated bass teacher in most music stores is extremely rare.
My buddy tried that route and couldn't find a dedicated bass teacher in
5 stores that he called. Do what sharpbass says.
I tried teaching bass but could not find any bass students.
Now I teach guitar.

[Marty Forrer]

Quite a few gigging bassists teach, so one avenue is to approach a bassist at a gig who you think is a good player and ask if they teach. If they dont, they may know of someone who does.

[dalkowski]

Originally Posted by MrLenny1

A dedicated bass teacher in most music stores is extremely rare.
My buddy tried that route and couldn't find a dedicated bass teacher in
5 stores that he called. Do what sharpbass says.

^^^ This. And when you find potential teachers, try to have some more specific goals beyond "I want to learn bass." Are there songs you want to learn? Are you trying to get into a band? etc. This will help you weed out teachers AND give the one you choose something to built lessons on.

Good luck. I had an awesome teacher a few years back and it was sheer luck that I even met him.

[73maverick]

After 14 years of marriage to a professional musician, I can attest to the fact that they don't bite. If you're close to a college or university with a music program, there may be upperclass/grad students who give private lessons. My DH learned flute from a local student -- she's since gone on to far bigger and better things, but she gave him a great foundation.

I was lucky -- I found a great instructor at my local Guitar Center, though I know YMMV with that. I found my other teacher while playing around in the used gear. He taught me a few licks and gave me his contact info for lessons. Turns out he's a gigging funk bassist who knows theory cold and has the patience of Job.

Craigslist is worth watching ... aside of that, my best advice is to go to places where musicians hang out. If you like someone's playing, tell him or her. That alone should be enough to open doors. Best wishes.

[Staredge]

I asked here. This is who I was given, and I'd recommend him. He does lessons by Skype, so location isn't important.

http://www.marylandbasslessons.com/

[SJan3]

Originally Posted by dalkowski

^^^ This. And when you find potential teachers, try to have some more specific goals beyond "I want to learn bass." Are there songs you want to learn? Are you trying to get into a band? etc. This will help you weed out teachers AND give the one you choose something to built lessons on.

Good luck. I had an awesome teacher a few years back and it was sheer luck that I even met him.

How does this aid your selection process? Rather, the student should seek a teacher well versed in the fundamentals of the instrument so that the student may apply the lessons learned to whatever application he/she chooses. Learn the instrument not just songs.

[oniman7]

Originally Posted by MrLenny1

A dedicated bass teacher in most music stores is extremely rare.
My buddy tried that route and couldn't find a dedicated bass teacher in
5 stores that he called. Do what sharpbass says.
I tried teaching bass but could not find any bass students.
Now I teach guitar.

I went to 5 different stores looking to teach and none would hire me. I teach mostly guitar. I only teach one bass student and that's at my house instead of the studio

[Bass Mentor]

I am a pro bass player with a ton of credits--- www.stevebryantbassguitar.com

Who teaches privately in my home studio or worldwide via skype www.bassmentoring.com

I teach chordal playing and theory to pro and semi-pro bassist that prepares them for being a working player....I also teach dedicated adult beginners and intermediate who are ready and willing to do the work... I teach from my home studio and worldwide via Skype with Neve pres and an HD wide angle camera.. just did a session last week with a student in New South Wales, Aus.
The feed back I've gotten over the years from students is they found more useful instruction taking privately in working musician's studio/home and learning good music content along with the physical elements of playing.. It's well worth your time to research good teachers --- good luck!
Best!

Steve

[Mushroo]

Originally Posted by SJan3

How does this aid your selection process? Rather, the student should seek a teacher well versed in the fundamentals of the instrument so that the student may apply the lessons learned to whatever application he/she chooses. Learn the instrument not just songs.

I couldn't disagree with this statement more; the musicians I know who "learned the instrument" are playing in their bedrooms, while lesser musicians who "learned the songs" are getting gigs and making people smile.

Studying with a teacher who isn't familiar with your style (trying to learn metal from a jazz player for example) is a sure fire way to shoot yourself in the foot and kill your enthusiasm. (Q: "Hey teacher, how do I learn the Steve Harris 'gallop' technique?" A: "Transcribe these Charlie Parker solos!") Not to mention that a teacher who actively gigs in your genre of choice can give you excellent non-musical advice to achieve your goals (gear, strings/setup, networking, connections, venues, bands/albums to check out, lifestyle, etc.).

[SJan3]

Sounds like you want him to chew your gum for you too..
Disagree all you want. All of the best players I work with can switch gears from rock to jazz to country to r&b to whatever. They know their instrument.

[N.F.A.]

Check on TB for suggestions.
Go to a bass shop and ask.

[Llaslo]

Thanks all for the advice. There is a music studio not far from my house, and i have a lesson with a bass instructor there tomorrow. We'll see how it goes. We did talk quite a bit on the phone about my goals, styles of music I like, etc.

[Lo-E]

Good luck with your lesson tomorrow, Llaslo!

If you find later that the teacher isn't to your liking, Marty Forrer is right on the money:

Originally Posted by Marty Forrer

Quite a few gigging bassists teach, so one avenue is to approach a bassist at a gig who you think is a good player and ask if they teach. If they dont, they may know of someone who does.

This is how I've found all of my teachers.