Giving lessons to a friend - any tips?

[6StringSlinger]

Hi there all,

Long time lurker making his first post

A friend of mine recently got a bass clef type design tattooed on her ankle. As a joking comment i suggested she actually learn some bass. Now she seems to be holding me to giving her lessons.

I've been playing bass for around 6-7 years but recently switched to guitar (i know, im such a traitor!).

Anyhow where do i start? I have some technique and some theory but im no teacher. Im a really big proponent of theory but at the same time i don't want to frighten her off by presenting loads of theory dry theory when im not really sure how interested she actually is. How do music teachers keep their lessons fun and interesting while still presenting crucial (although sometimes boring) theory and challenging their students?

Any advice on where to start, good order in which to learn things, how teachers generally format their lessons, anything and everything to do with bass pedagogy would be very much appreciated.

Cheers all!

[rythmicillusion]

If switching to guitar makes you a traitor, then I guess I'm about to assist the enemy

1) Make sure she isn't hurting herself while playing the bass. The last thing I want to happen in a lesson is to have somebody forge a negative relationship with how there body relates to the instrument. It's hard enough for most folks to get beyond the initial discomfort of the fingertips, let alone sore fingers, cramped wrists, ached backs, etc. The way I see it, playing the bass should feel good!

2) If you are theory minded, and it sounds like your are, it could be hard to stay away. You might feel the urge to give her a scale pattern, explain Tritone substitutions or how to approach Giant Steps soloing in 7 right off the bat. My advice...don't do it! You are far better off showing a simple repeating bassline from a song she likes, or a well known melody (twinkle twinkle), or even a simple improvised groove you come up. I think it starts with relating personally to the instrument, and realizing that "Hey, I can do this!"

It will soon become apparent if she decides to treat the bass as a serious venture or just something cool to bang around on once in a while, or somewhere in between. If she says something along the lines of "wow, this bass thing is so great, I want to try playing in a band", you know it's in her best interest to hip her to key centers, chord progressions, rhythmic figures, and so on.

3) Give her a "crash course" in the names of the parts of the bass, and the names of techniques used. I find that if you present this stuff right, it can be really interesting for other people and can serve as a jumping off point. For example, you might take a moment to explain the strings, the tuning pegs and how the bass is tuned. You can make a little melody "playing" the tuners, which I always think sounds kinda funny. You can encourage her to play around with them, but "not to go too far" for fear of damage to the bass or string. With one stone, you've explained the tuners function, how they work, and their potential limitations...without sounding like a complete dweeb!

4) Make sure you yourself are having a good time! If not, make sure you steer the ship into friendly waters. Nothing worse than feeling tense, awkward or no sense of motion with a lesson. Sometimes you gotta get creative to move things along. Sometimes even the simple act of putting on a well known or interesting song and then "pulling out" the bass line can be enough.

It doesn't hurt to throw around a bassist joke here or there. "What's the difference between a pizza and a professional bass player? The pizza feeds a family of four", and so on.

Good luck, and let us know how it goes!

[Stumbo]

You might want her to get a book that you can help her through. Something like Bass for Dummies. Or maybe take a look at some of the threads I've collected on various topics about learning about the bass and music in general and pick a couple to work from.

MUST READS
**************************************************
If only I knew then what I know now... If I only knew then...(covers all topics of being in a band)
Best musical advice you ever got Best musical advice
Things every bassist should know? Things every bassist should know




NEWBIES
**************************************************
Most common mistakes? Beginners common mistakes/where to start
Guitar players as bass players...... Guitar players switching to bass
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f8/advice-first-bass-506102-post6817723/ First "bass" advice
Which would you upgrade first? An amp or a bass? Upgrade bass or amp first?
Tabs or music Tab or not to tab?
When Did You Get Off Tabs? Getting off tabs
http://www.thelibster.com/bass/ Introductory Bass Lesson (click on Beginners)
The 'feel' Developing musically
http://www.musictheory.net/index.html Xlnt visual Beginning Music Theory (Power Point lessons), ear trainer, chord calcs
Newbie learning modes! Learning "modes"
http://www.download.com/NoteCard/300...-10004005.html Download program-learning bass clef(as recommended by TB member AlphaMale)
http://www.playthebass.com print flashcards for learning bass clef, print staff paper
For bass teachers, and students seeking them Find a bass teacher




LESSONS, BOOKS, MUSIC THEORY, EAR TRAINING, JAM TRACKS
************************************************** ****
Practicing
Practice Practice Practice How to practice bass
Pacman's sure-fire scale practice method How to practice bass
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f15/can-anyone-recommend-good-headphone-amp-494539-post6634274/ Headphone amps/mixers/trainers
Need advice on best headphones Recommendations for good headphones


Online lessons
A LOT of Free Lessons, how to's and other stuff from me! TB member Dmanlamius has free video lessons
Who do you think has the best lessons on youtube? Who's the best youtube bass teacher?
http://www.studybass.com/ Bass studies,online metronome, fretboard printer, bass clef tutor,more.
http://www.activebass.com/ Tab based lessons by members for members covering all types of bass instruction.
http://www.playbassnow.com with MarlowDK including videos.
http://www.thelibster.com/bass/ beginners' guide/lessons, tech advice,drills, bass sound files,tips,Q&A, links/more .
http://www.musicdojo.com/index.asp Online bass course (5 day free trial)
http://www.cliffengel.com/ Free and paid lessons
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showth...92#post6857992 Cliff Engel customer reviews
http://www.cyberfretbass.com/index.php For all bassists


Books and instructional materials
http://www.bassbooks.com/shopping/default.asp Books, DVDs, all styles and methods
looking for "the bass guitar bible!" Looking for the Bass "Bible"
http://playbassnow.com/recommended-learning-materials/ MarlowDK's recommended books
Best Theroy book "Best" theory/harmony book
Book list for GI Theory Links TB Book Links - all styles,levels and techniques

Theory
Need help reading bass clef Read bass clef
I need to learn how to read music for bass, how do i do it? Learn to read music
Reading Music Learn to read music
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f22/sight-reading-486398-post6521582/ Improve site reading
Introduction to Scale and Chord Theory Intro to scale and chord theory
I need basic music theory help... Learning Theory
Circle of Fifths Question Key signatures/Circle of 5ths/Cycle of 4ths
Circle of Fifths Question Circle of 5ths (spreadsheet format)

The reason for Modes Reason for modes
Modes...How to use them practically in music. Using modes

Music Theory/General Instruction Links TB Gen.Instruction Theory links list
Theory Forum FAQ and Links Theory (from the DB side of TB)
http://www.teoria.com/ Online study of music theory. Check out the tutorials, exercises and reference dictionary

Getting creative
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f30/creating-bass-lines-8154/#post80043 Creating bass lines
Bass Line Construction: Target Approach Creating bass lines - Target Approach
Scales and improvisation Playing scales
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f22/what-good-ways-approach-playing-over-chords-503344/#post6770334 Creating bass lines for a jam
what is in front of/behind the beat? Playing behind/ahead of the beat
The 'feel' "Feel"

Going "pro"
Foundation Degree in Popular Music Practice does it mean anything? (help please) Becoming a session player
Advice for aspiring Studio Players or anyone that wants to "Go Pro"

Teaching Bass
Lesson Plan for Bass Teachers
To teach or not to teach


Software: Transcribing, Slow Downer, Looping, Recording, Utilities
Software for Transcribing? Transcribing software
A way to slow down MP3s without altering the pitch? Slow down software
I need software to slow down a song so its easier to learn Slow down software
The Big Free Music Related Software Thread Free music software thread
best free recording software Cheap but good recording software
FREE Software Thread - Utilities & Applications You Cannot Live Without Computer utilities/software you can't do without

Free Jam tracks
http://www.freejamtracks.com/index.html


Online ear training.
http://www.good-ear.com/
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...lineScreen.swf Test your ear



COLLEGE MUSIC
**************************************************
Colleges? So you want to be a music major in college
Solfege - What's the Point? Solfege
http://www.music.vt.edu/musicdictionary/ Virginia Tech Multimedia Music Dictionary (music theory terms)
Just Had My First Audition on Bass [Long Post] Auditioning for college jazz band
Ok... College audition dilemma College audition dilemma



STYLES
**************************************************
--Blues
Slow Blues bassline help needed! Slow blues
http://www.music.vt.edu/musicdiction...ogression.html Blues Progressions explained with samples
http://www.amazon.com/Blues-Bass-Jon.../dp/0793586682 "Blues Bass" by TB member Jonster (John Liebman)
Looking for some Blues books Blues books
http://www.amazon.com/Razor-Sharp-Bl.../dp/B000PHU7J2 "101 Razor-Sharp Blues Turnarounds by Larry McCabe
http://www.amazon.com/Complete-Rhyth...ref=pd_sim_b_1 "Complete Rhythm Guitar Guide for Blues Bands" by Larry McCabe


--Funk,Groove,R&B
Old School funk song suggestions... Links to over 20 funk,groove and R&B bass players
Funk 101 Funk 101
http://www.amazon.com/Funk-Bass-Buil...146101-2319058 "Funk Bass" by TB member Jonster (John Liebman)
http://www.amazon.com/Funkmasters-Gr...ref=pd_sim_b_1 R&B/Funk
http://www.amazon.com/Standing-Shado...1863330&sr=1-1 James Jamerson book/CD

--Latin
Latin help. Learning Latin music
http://www.amazon.com/Latin-Bass-Boo...2222000&sr=1-1 "The Latin Bass Book" by Oscar Stagnaro and Chuck Sher


--Jazz
Knuckleheaded question of the day Learning to play jazz
http://www.outsideshore.com/primer/primer/index.html Jazz Improvization Primer - Sabatella (Book/Online)
Good books to learn walking bass? Walking bass lines
jazz scales? not played bass in over a year Jazz Scales
http://www.jazzstandards.com/history/index.htm History of Jazz


--Metal
Teach me to play metal bass... Metal
how do you learn to growl/scream?? How to scream/growl

[MadMan118]

Originally Posted by rythmicillusion

2) If you are theory minded, and it sounds like your are, it could be hard to stay away. You might feel the urge to give her a scale pattern, explain Tritone substitutions or how to approach Giant Steps soloing in 7 right off the bat. My advice...don't do it! You are far better off showing a simple repeating bassline from a song she likes, or a well known melody (twinkle twinkle), or even a simple improvised groove you come up. I think it starts with relating personally to the instrument, and realizing that "Hey, I can do this!"

That was defiantly one of my early mistakes in teaching.