Finding An Instructor

**MetalcoreBP** · #1 03-03-2013, 07:16 PM

I tried the method in the sticky showing how to locate a fellow TB member for lessons, but the people in my area haven't been active on TB in a long time. How did you guys find a decent instructor? I'm near Akron, Ohio. I tried the Craigslist route. I finally heard back from one guy. We had a good phone conversation then he stopped responding to my email and phone calls to set up a time and day. I tried my local music stores, but they never responded to me. I tried google, but never heard back from any of them either. Where did you guys find your instructors? I'm an intermediate player trying to push myself to the next level, but I can't find an instructor to help me out. Any advice would be appreciated.

oniman7 · #2 03-04-2013, 05:28 PM

Know any local bands? Try contacting their bassists and asking. Where I teach is a studio that does lessons and recordings up until 8PM and then does live music. Look for something like that, or a conservatory of music, in your area.

Emprov · #3 03-04-2013, 05:32 PM

Contact Denson Angulo, aka Bassius, and see if he's still doing lessons via skype/video chat. Heck of a nice guy, fantastic instructor and I doubt that you'll ever see a better bassist.

Zootsuitbass · #4 03-04-2013, 06:26 PM

In this day and age with Skype? You could study with anyone it seems.

**MetalcoreBP** · #5 03-05-2013, 01:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zootsuitbass

In this day and age with Skype? You could study with anyone it seems.

I actually do not own a dependable pc to use Skype with. I use my phone and a tablet for 99% of my home computing needs.

groooooove · #6 03-05-2013, 10:19 AM

skype lessons

you can do them with mike frost, he's a buddy of mine. wonderful teacher and musician. www.mcfrost.com

are there any colleges near you? find their bass teacher, or get in touch with anyone on the music faculty and ask them if they know anyone.

i personally dont like skype lessons, but they can be a good solution. try the colleges, though.. your most likely to get a good teacher that way.

Bass Mentor · #7 03-06-2013, 11:11 AM

Skype is a wonderful medium and my students learn well. If you have a proper set-up you are not limited to geography or travel time, etc
Make sure you are learning musical facts with your instruction..

Good luck with your search!
Steve Bryant

Zootsuitbass · #8 03-06-2013, 01:14 PM

I had my first Skype lesson the other day with notorious metronome hating character. It was fine.. Some audio nuances were difficult but overall for a 1500 mile spread it was solid. That said I would never take a double bass lesson this way.

lyla1953 · #9 03-06-2013, 05:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MetalcoreBP

I tried the method in the sticky showing how to locate a fellow TB member for lessons, but the people in my area haven't been active on TB in a long time. How did you guys find a decent instructor? I'm near Akron, Ohio. I tried the Craigslist route. I finally heard back from one guy. We had a good phone conversation then he stopped responding to my email and phone calls to set up a time and day. I tried my local music stores, but they never responded to me. I tried google, but never heard back from any of them either. Where did you guys find your instructors? I'm an intermediate player trying to push myself to the next level, but I can't find an instructor to help me out. Any advice would be appreciated.

I couldn't get any decent referrals at the stores, on TB or just asking around locally for good instructors. I wanted someone wasn't just a guitar player teaching bass but published, actively gigging and formally trained. I finally found success by contacting Cincinnati University/Academy music dept heads.
Once I got on that path things happened pretty quick. Might help in Akron.

**MetalcoreBP** · #10 03-06-2013, 05:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lyla1953

I couldn't get any decent referrals at the stores, on TB or just asking around locally for good instructors. I wanted someone wasn't just a guitar player teaching bass but published, actively gigging and formally trained. I finally found success by contacting Cincinnati University/Academy music dept heads.
Once I got on that path things happened pretty quick. Might help in Akron.

I'll give this a try. Thanks.

oniman7 · #11 03-06-2013, 05:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MetalcoreBP

I actually do not own a dependable pc to use Skype with. I use my phone and a tablet for 99% of my home computing needs.

Quoting because it seems everybody missed this

derekd · #12 03-09-2013, 12:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oniman7

Quoting because it seems everybody missed this

Yeah, but there's a Skype app for android phones and tablets, and iPads, so the OP can still do Skype lessons.

I studied jazz with a world class player across the country in NYC for a year. He captured our lessons and either emailed them via heavymail or burned to disc and mailed them for an extra fee.

**MetalcoreBP** · #13 03-09-2013, 01:00 PM

The guy I was talking with contacted me earlier this week. I took a lesson from him this morning. It was good to have someone right in front of me catching my sloppy tendencies that I never knew about. Thanks for the help everyone. I have a lot of work ahead of me. I thought I was better than I actually am.

derekd · #14 03-09-2013, 01:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MetalcoreBP

The guy I was talking with contacted me earlier this week. I took a lesson from him this morning. It was good to have someone right in front of me catching my sloppy tendencies that I never knew about. Thanks for the help everyone. I have a lot of work ahead of me. I thought I was better than I actually am.

Don't sweat it. We all have the same experience when we get in front of someone better. Good luck with it.