Fundamentals of being a good instructor

[The Alexander]

I have been considering becoming an instructor the last month, and I thought I would come here for some advice on what I need to do to be an asset to my student(s) growth musically.

After searching for a little bit, I have come up with the following things to work on:

-Technique
-Music theory
-Standard notation (reading music)
-Timing/groove
-Ear training (not really sure on how to do this)

I am more concerned about what I need to know more than anything. I don't want to be a bad teacher that limits their students.

Thanks so much.

[pauljacksonfan]

Warning. Long post.

In my experience as a teacher I've come to some conclusions. The first one is not to try to force something on the student. When talking technique this means; show your student what he needs to able to play. You might not even have to talk technique at all if it already looks decent. If, on the other hand, your student only uses one finger per hand a small talk on technique would be apropriate. This is because of one thing and one thing only: technique is extremely boring to a beginner and chances are he'll never come see you again. Remember, the most important thing for a teacher is to motivate and inspire the student. Knowing what they like will also let's you know what to teach them. They like Green Day? Then show them proper pick technique and discuss the difference between upstrokes and downstrokes. If they only want to play like Flea or Mark King; then of course you should teach them how to slap.

One thing almost everyone likes is to learn songs. Songs they like. Get to know your student a bit before having your first lesson. Find out what kind of music they like and prepare an easy song by that band (or in that style). Gradually progress to more difficult material and also incorporate fun bass lines that might not be in the style they're interested in. I Got You (I Feel Good) by James Brown that every beginner loves to learn. Let's face it. It's fun song even though it's already been played to death.

As for music theory, limit it to triads at first. Make sure your students know exactly what the difference between major and minor is. Progrees to arpeggios and chords with more extensions gradually. And for beginners there's no need to go beyond 7th chords. I would recommend not focusing too much on scales either. Knowing the major and natural minor scales (and maybe the pentatonic scales) is plenty.

Reading is something most beginners are uninterested in and should be approached cautiously. A great way of integrating it into your lessons is only describing the basics and giving the transcriptions of the songs you've taught them but only in standard notation. Then, if they ask you how one of the songs you've played earlieris played you just tell them "exactly as it's written in the transcription. If you've taught your students the C-major scale and basic notation (like where you find C, E, G etc) you can tell them about accidentals and how that work. Knowing this will enable them to grasp reading at a pace that is comfortable. Of course, if they tell they want to learn how to read (fat chance), teach them to read.

Compared to the stuff I've described, ear traing is a piece of cake. Using a piano or guitar, play basic chords and have your student find the root note on their bass. Limit the range at first (i.e only notes from C-major within the first position) but open it up gradually. Always have them say which note they're playing and then what the chord's called. You should also have them mimic you; play a line on your bass with you back turned and have them try to figure it out. Finding the right line always feels like a true accomplishment to the students. This is a great way for them to start teaching themselves lines off of records.

Hope I've been any help.

[morf]

Good post there

[The Alexander]

Wow. That really did help a lot.

What if the student wants to learn a specific style of music, such as jazz or blues?

Im pretty sure that I can just have the student play along with some SRV, or any other blues artist, but I have no idea what to do with jazz.

Suggestions?

[stephanie]

Do you take lessons yourself? It would be advisable to study diverse styles of music before diving in to teaching. That way you'll be able to teach anything from pop to jazz. Some students might be bored by theory while some may crave it. You never know. Everyone will be different and you want to be prepared for that. So study. Study hard.

[The Alexander]

I am currently taking lessons right now, but my teacher suggested that he could get me a job teaching at the same store he works at. That is what sparked this whole thing.

I guess the whole purpose of this thread is for me to learn what I need to study to be able to instruct.

[RicPlaya]

My biggest beef with instructors is they can show me all kinds of stuff, especially when it came to theory. But when it came to applying theory in my every day playing and how to impliment it is when the problems start. Don't baffle me with your infinate knowledge of music, how do I best utilize the tools?

[IanStephenson]

Those are all good things that you need to know TO BE A GOOD BASS PLAYER.

To be a good TEACHER you need to learn to think as the student does. Figure out what they know, and find the next step FOR THEM to take them to where they need to go. The tricky part is that where they SHOULD go, where they want to GO, and the direction they want to GO IN to go are often different.

For example, you know they need all the things you listed to be a good bass player, but maybe they just want to be a slap monster, but all they want to PLAY is pentatonic riffs... They don't want to break out of their comfortable box, even when where they SAY they want to go is outside that box. Students THINK they know what they should be learning (and if you're getting paid you have to acknowledge that), but if they REALLY know what they need to know they wouldn't need a teacher.

You need to learn ways of pushing them in the direction they want to go - perhaps by giving them pieces which they enjoy playing, and but which have "new stuff" in them which push them where they should be going. For example theory is easier to diguest if they can learn two pieces and you can them point out that they just did the same thing twice in two contexts, then discuss WHY that pattern isn't just a fluke.

It's a bit like getting a kid to eat vegtables - YOU know its good for them, and when they grow up they'll understand that (and be glad you "made" them do it), but in the short term you need to figure out how to sneak the good stuff in without them noticing.

Ian

(I don't teach bass much, but I do teach in my day job)

[pauljacksonfan]

Nice post there, Ian. I think it augments mine quite nice. You get many good points across. Sneaking in stuff is great as is repeating stuff in different contexts. Repetition is a great tool for teaching. However, while the vegetables are good for you, if you only you only get the vegetables and none of the candy, practicing will become more and more like homework. And suddenly you're not doing it for yourself but because the teacher said you had to. Remember to never forget that bass playing should be fun above all else.

And for G3; I'm sorry to say this, man. But you can't teach waht you don't know. So if you happen to get a student who only wants to play jazz you should probably recommend him another teacher. Or, if you feel you're up to it, teach him the basics of walking, playing heads and trying to solo over some standards. But don't try to be what you are not. Know your limits.

[The Alexander]

Originally Posted by pauljacksonfan

But don't try to be what you are not. Know your limits.

That is why I have given it a lot of thought, and decided that I am not mature enough as a musician to teach lessons.

Thank you all very much.

[Correlli]

Teaching Approaches In Music Theory: An Overview Of Pedagogical Philosophies

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/080...lance&n=283155

[pj-mike]

The things that you had to work at when you were first learning will be easy to teach. The things that came easy will be difficult to teach. Work on how to teach the things that came easy. Everyone has different learning styles. Think of as many ways as possible to get something accross.