Get a teacher!

D.Don · #1 11-30-2009, 05:48 AM

I logged in here for the first time something like 1 1/2 years ago, all new to bass playing, though I've been a musician for all my life (I am 37, started playing acoustic guitar and keys when I was in the early teens, and ended up a keyboardplayer for many years, but have not been playing professionally for about 8 years now due to lack of interest..).

I picked up the bass last spring (2008), and started to learn by myself how to play, bough some books, and came quite a bit by myself since I have a great music ear (never bothered to learn those notes, however I know all about music theory, in theory....).

Now finally I got myself a teacher, just by a coincidence, and the only thing I can say, unless you feel that you are progressing great on your own and with your band etc. GET A TEACHER... It's been three times now with my teacher, and I already read sheets! Last homework was an old motown (respect, aretha), and not that it's a hard tune to play, I just ignored listening to it (since then my ears would pickup the bassline and I'd be "cheating") and instead I struggled with that homework, and now I have learned the tune, all by the sheet, and the other day I practiced for the first time with the recording, which was a very nice feeling...

Though since all scores apparently are not 100% I managed to find a cpl of faulty notes on the sheet, that I have corrected now, and I can't wait to meet my teacher next time to not only present that my homework is 100% worked out, but that I also found some faults in the sheet he gave me... hehehe!

This is great, and now I am starting to eager for more interesting sheets to work with, so that my reading can get up to speed, and I can learn LOTS of music in very little time...

Just some advise from a newborn player...

Cheers,
D.Don

OmegaBass16 · #2 11-30-2009, 03:43 PM

D.Don, I'm in search for a teacher and I wanted to ask you what type of background does
your teacher have? What do you suggest, a teacher with a degree in music and x amount
of teaching experience? A teacher who plays professionally and teaches bass on the side ?
Just trying not to run into anymore bass teacher wannabee's who is just after the $$ and
no productive lesson plan! Thanks in advance.

D.Don · #3 11-30-2009, 03:45 PM

I found an old cat, been playing for ages and still does, and got his theory set way back in the spine since ages ago. Imho, someone who has a solid theory background, but then been out on the field and has a great musician-ship, and of course, a humble and patient personality!

Good hunting buddy!!

Cheers,
D.Don

OmegaBass16 · #4 11-30-2009, 03:48 PM

Thanks for your reply D.Don

dalkowski · #5 11-30-2009, 03:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OmegaBass16

D.Don, I'm in search for a teacher and I wanted to ask you what type of background does
your teacher have? What do you suggest, a teacher with a degree in music and x amount
of teaching experience? A teacher who plays professionally and teaches bass on the side ?
Just trying not to run into anymore bass teacher wannabee's who is just after the $$ and
no productive lesson plan! Thanks in advance.

+1 to D.Don's answer. I'd also add (having found a great teacher 2 summers ago) that it helps a lot if you have fairly concrete goals. Do you want to learn walking bass? Improvisation? Funk? Etc.? Also, do you want a laid-back teacher or a hardass who's going to drive you more?

Knowing the answers, you'll be more successful finding a good match. Also, ask around for recommendations.

Good luck!

Snarf · #6 11-30-2009, 05:02 PM

Coming from a teacher's perspective, it's AWESOME when my students have goals. If they do, we can get into really specific stuff, which makes the teacher more involved and builds more of a mentor relationship. With students that have no direction for themselves, it's a lot harder, and it seems like they're half-assing it, so then the teacher in turn lets a lot of stuff slide.

Speaking of teaching, if anyone needs a teacher regardless of country, time zone, style, anything, shoot me a PM.

EagleMoon · #7 11-30-2009, 05:18 PM

I think this is a great idea. Even for people who have been playing for a long time, getting different input can help you learn. The key is to find a teacher that will teach you what you need to know as well as the stuff you want to know. Some people are better than others. There's no real way to know until you have a lesson with them.

EricF · #8 11-30-2009, 05:35 PM

Nothing will help you progress faster than working one-on-one with a good teacher. I've worked with a couple different guys, and gotten different things out of each one. Finding someone who has the knowledge base, playing skill, and teaching skill to fit your needs is going to make all the difference in the world. There are lots people who know lots of stuff, but a good teacher will be adept at conveying that knowledge in a manner easily understood by the student.

H2ODog · #9 11-30-2009, 06:40 PM

My question is how do you know if you have a good teacher? I know if you spend a few lessons you will know but that gets expensive. What do you look for?

dalkowski · #10 11-30-2009, 07:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by H2ODog

My question is how do you know if you have a good teacher? I know if you spend a few lessons you will know but that gets expensive. What do you look for?

Again, figure out your goals first, then beat the bushes for the teacher who can help you meet them. Start with references/referrals. Then get to know the teacher before you commit to lessons. Ask about his/her teaching style/methods/philosophy. Where have they studied/worked and for how long? Who are their favorite artists and genres? What books will you work from? What does the teacher expect/demand of you and are you comfortable with that? I REALLY think lessons are best when there's a good teacher/student relationship. You might want a buddy, or you might want to feel you're in boot camp once a week.

Open question for teachers on the forum: Would you give a free 1/2 hour lesson for prospective students to see if you'd be a good fit?

D.Don · #11 12-01-2009, 12:17 AM

Wise words spoken in this thread it seems, yes, a goal is a good thing, not the least for yourself. My goal was to be able to sight read and to refine my technique, simply since I started on my own and needed to get the parts that I did not focus a lot on.

It turned out that my fretting hand is close to perfection (probably because I started playing fretless and had to be really hard on the fretting from the start), but my pick hand was really horrible and we have been working on that too, and after struggling to change my habits I finally starts to "get it" and the right hand works better now, not perfect yet, but clearly in the right direction.

D.Don