Has anyone gone for instruction after many years of playing?

EBBassMan · #1 01-27-2009, 11:49 AM

I've been playing bass for 19 years. I took lessons when I first started, but playing in bands took over from that after about a year. Since then I have been self taught.

I'd like to improve my sight reading and get a better understanding for practical applications of theory. Just wondering if anyone has gone to an instructor after this much time playing, and what your experiences were like.

DocBop · #2 01-27-2009, 12:32 PM

It's great because you know what you want and instructor knows you got skills. Plus easy to relate the material to music you are familiar with. Side benefit is if you are good they sometimes will refer you for work.

DudeistMonk · #3 01-27-2009, 01:36 PM

I played with minimal/poor instruction (HS band for 3 years and a sub-par IMO instructor for a few months) for about 3 years, then quit for about 4 years, then took a theory course and learned some stuff on my own for a year...Now I've been doing weekly instruction for about 9 months... Nothing else compares to a qualified bass instructor. I've learned more in 9 months than all the time before that....

Just be prepared to drill the theory stuff into your fingers, that's the sucky but important part.

**iriegnome** · #4 01-27-2009, 01:37 PM

I have been playing for 28 years. Played 25 states as well. Toured and played 5 nights a week professionally. Tonight I have to have a meeting with my band and explain why I want to play full time when I can't play a major scale. Never learned them. Never needed to. Now after all this time, I have to know them flawless or it seems that I may be out of my band. After 8 years with them.. Has me a little freaked out. So, for the last 3 weeks I have been cramming, but I don't know if it has been enough...

bass12 · #5 01-27-2009, 01:41 PM

After 20+ years of playing, I've been feeling like I really could benefit from some lessons with a good teacher. I've started back on sight reading and my next step is to actually find a teacher. With music, there's always more to learn and you CAN teach an old dog new tricks...

Lesfunk · #6 01-27-2009, 01:49 PM

I enrolled at M.I. at age 28 after playing for 13 years. I was getting offers for gigs that I just couldn't do because of my lack of reading and harmony skills. I was already a pretty good player so other musicians just assumed I had more devoloped skills the I actually did.
Though my experience at B.I.T. didn't turn be into Nathan East or Pino palladino, I did learn what is required to work profesionally and I managed to raise myself up a level on the employability scale.

lightningDolt · #7 01-27-2009, 01:58 PM

Iriegnome,
let us know how your Band Meeting turned out. If you have been playing with them for so long they aren't going to suddenly turn on you for something that hasn't been necessary (up to now) and certainly something you would be willing to learn.
Again, let us know how it turned out.- lightningDolt

TL5 · #8 01-27-2009, 02:10 PM

[raises hand] Me!

I started playing in 1977. I played professional for several years, semi pro even more.

I took my first lesson in May 2006. I too wanted to understand what and why I played the way I did. Also, wanted to know more theory and open up more melodic ideas on my fretless.
I've enjoyed them. My teacher is a pro and has been great and very supportive.

Unless something changes, tonight will be my last lesson for a while. This job economy keeps taking its toll.

ASIDE: When I first floated the idea to my wife that I was interested in lessons at The music store down the street. Her first response was, "So you're taking a job teaching?" She was more than a little puzzled as to why I wanted to take lessons.
I did give lessons last summer to a beginning student. I think learned almost as much giving/preparing the lessons as I did in the years prior to taking lessons.

zachbass02 · #9 01-27-2009, 02:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TL5

[raises hand] Me!

I started playing in 1977. I played professional for several years, semi pro even more.

I took my first lesson in May 2006. I too wanted to understand what and why I played the way I did. Also, wanted to know more theory and open up more melodic ideas on my fretless.
I've enjoyed them. My teacher is a pro and has been great and very supportive.

Unless something changes, tonight will be my last lesson for a while. This job economy keeps taking its toll.

ASIDE: When I first floated the idea to my wife that I was interested in lessons at The music store down the street. Her first response was, "So you're taking a job teaching?" She was more than a little puzzled as to why I wanted to take lessons.
I did give lessons last summer to a beginning student. I think learned almost as much giving/preparing the lessons as I did in the years prior to taking lessons.

Brian Shind is a great teacher and really knows his theory. I studied with him back when Mars Music was open and he taught there (almost 10 years ago).

LowBSix · #10 01-27-2009, 02:27 PM

Always good to have a strong teacher!
After touring with "hit single bands" I studied hard at the age of 32!!!

tZer · #11 01-27-2009, 02:36 PM

ME!

Started playing (with lessons) in the early 80's. Took lessons again a couple of years ago from a really good teacher.

For me (and others from what I've read) going back as a 'mature' player has HUGE advantages. You're no longer grasping in the dark for whatever it is you think you want to do - you know what you want and your teacher will love teaching someone who's that invested in their own education.

Two thumbs up here! Then one down (in a quick, striking motion) hitting an "A" fretted at the 5th fret on the "E" string - followed by a muted, pop, followed by a hammered octave "G" to "A" (5th to 7th fret, "D" string)...

**iriegnome** · #12 01-27-2009, 03:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lightningDolt

Iriegnome,
let us know how your Band Meeting turned out. If you have been playing with them for so long they aren't going to suddenly turn on you for something that hasn't been necessary (up to now) and certainly something you would be willing to learn.
Again, let us know how it turned out.- lightningDolt

Don't mean to steal the thread, but I will let you know. My biggest issue is my 3 guitar players all have BA or Higher in music theory. I don't think I am that bad, always room for lots of improvement, plenty of better players and that kind of thing.

Infernal Affair · #13 01-27-2009, 03:28 PM

Besides the music dojo courses I have never taken a formal lesson. However, it is one of my resolutions this year to finally start taking formal bass lessons. I just hope the general economy gets better.

Dertygen · #14 01-27-2009, 03:44 PM

For those needing help to read music check this out:

http://www.studybass.com/lessons/rea...reading-music/

That alone in one night, I had it down.

EBBassMan · #15 01-27-2009, 04:10 PM

The reason I'm thinking about this is that I'm moving back to NY from Orlando due to a breakup with my (now ex-) fiancee. I had been trying to get a business off the ground here, but the economy sucks and I have been offered my old job back if I move back north.

I want to find a good band situation to be playing in once I move back, but I think after 19 years of seasoning, some instruction and a better grasp of theory could really expand my horizons and open more doors. I'll be living in Westchester County. Does anyone know of any good instructors in Westchester or lower CT?

EBBassMan · #16 01-27-2009, 04:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iriegnome

Don't mean to steal the thread, but I will let you know. My biggest issue is my 3 guitar players all have BA or Higher in music theory. I don't think I am that bad, always room for lots of improvement, plenty of better players and that kind of thing.

That's not good. So what if they have studied advanced theory? After 8 years of playing together it becomes an issue now???

realbadgroove · #17 01-27-2009, 04:21 PM

You could always go out and buy a few books about theory and some sheet music. I would start there and it will cost alot less. Also if you live near a university you can sometimes take classes for free without credit if you are looking to learn theory.

**iriegnome** · #18 01-28-2009, 07:23 AM

Well, they want me to sit down individually with all three guitarists to get perspective and point of view for each and to develop a "working relationship with our instruments" for all 3. Then I have to make personal strides on my individual playing and show marked improvement. I also have to show that I am making an effort towards the learning on my own 'personal' time... I understand that I most certainly could improve my knowledge. Don't actually mind it at all. But at 43, single father of 3, house payment, car payment and such, things just do not happen that quickly.

tZer · #19 01-28-2009, 07:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iriegnome

Well, they want me to sit down individually with all three guitarists to get perspective and point of view for each and to develop a "working relationship with our instruments" for all 3. Then I have to make personal strides on my individual playing and show marked improvement. I also have to show that I am making an effort towards the learning on my own 'personal' time... I understand that I most certainly could improve my knowledge. Don't actually mind it at all. But at 43, single father of 3, house payment, car payment and such, things just do not happen that quickly.

Wow, man... that's intense.

On the up side of getting lessons - you can learn a HUGE amount quickly if your doing it because you want to learn it.

It'll be a lot harder to learn and especially do it quickly if your cramming.

And that's a lot to absorb in a short period of time and have it be meaningful beyond maybe being able to "pass a test". But is that what you really want out of an education?

Sitting with each guitar player and getting a personal, bass to guitar, relationship is always a great thing. Anytime you can get a better connection with a musician, your ability to jam together only improves.

But your story - it's so strange that after playing together for so long, such things are only now coming to light.

Quote:

Originally Posted by EBBassMan

After 8 years of playing together it becomes an issue now???

Not to be paranoid, but to me that almost seems like they're setting you up for failure with all those demands. Sort of to alleviate themselves of guilt - Hey, we gave him a chance - he just couldn't get there...

And how are they going to evaluate your progress? Is there a time table attached? Are they going to be quizzing you each week?

How's their attitude toward you? Are they dickish or does it feel like friends trying to help you out? Those are some pretty harsh demands out of people you've been playing with for so long, don't you think?

WhiteKnuckles · #20 01-28-2009, 08:25 AM

I played for almost 20 years before my first formal lesson...two years of lessons and my overall playing has dramatically improved.

My technique was solid, but my 'thinking' was limited. Sure, I'm a much better player overall...but nowhere close to where I should be after so many years of playing. So, I keep taking lessons.