How do I fire my teacher?

lord toranaga · #1 02-07-2008, 12:26 PM

I want to fire him.

I told him I wanted to learn theory along with bass technique.
I told him no TAB.
I told him I wanted to learn jazz.

this is my third lesson, and I am learning a TAB version of "running with the devil"

he is a nice guy, and I prepaid for 10 lessons.
On the paper work he gave me, there is no refund policy statement.

Any ideas on how to fire this guy, tactfully?
Should I get my money back?

I thought of donating the lessons, I already paid for ,to my friend whom is just learning guitar.

yem · #2 02-07-2008, 12:33 PM

How about "it's not you, it's me"?

Matthew Bryson · #3 02-07-2008, 12:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lord toranaga

I told him I wanted to learn theory along with bass technique.
I told him no TAB.
I told him I wanted to learn jazz.

this is my third lesson, and I am learning a TAB version of "running with the devil"

Did you ask him why he was teaching you such a simple song, and why he was teaching you from TAB? Did you remind him the deal was NO Tab, theory, and jazz? What was his excuse?

Personally, I think he owes you a refund for all 10 lessons. (obviously he needs fired as your teacher) Although this guy doesn't sound like that type that is likely to do the right thing and refund your money - I like the idea of donating the lessons to somebody who still needs to learn simple technique.

santucci218 · #4 02-07-2008, 12:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by yem

How about "it's not you, it's me"?

thats always a classic.

or just tell him you found a man with a bigger "bass."

santucci218 · #5 02-07-2008, 12:35 PM

yeah, all honestly, just talk to him man to man. Let him know what the problem is.

lamarjones · #6 02-07-2008, 12:38 PM

i hear you on the tab thing.

but we don't have any idea where you are in the playing.

I SERIOUSLY doubt you will get your money back, my advice is to just learn all you can with what you have paid for, and then move on and make certain that you are going in the direction you are in.

I would say, if you could play running with the devil with ease when he presented it to you, then you surely didn't need it. If you can play it perfectly right now and in time, then it might not have been enough of a challenge. If you can't play it perfectly without having to think or double check, then you should just learn whatever you can for the remainder of the lessons.

But donating them is also a good option if you don't mind being out the cash. And also, if its your hard earned cash.

lord toranaga · #7 02-07-2008, 12:47 PM

good advice Lamar.

I would not call runnin' a challenge, but I can get it with probably two practice sessions.

I am learning from the Hal Leonard Bass method book, and having him correct my form during the lessons.

I am a beginner at bass, and need to learn as much as possible.
I will probably keep the 10 lessons, and take a more pro-active approach to managing my teacher.

I have one semester off music theory, and have been producing records for 15 years.

My ear is good, I practice 2-3 hours a day, I am advancing rather quickly.

thank you for all the advice.

PocketGroove82 · #8 02-07-2008, 01:00 PM

If you move to Baltimore, I will give you the remaining lessons you already paid for, for free, then we can continue on.

I wish I had more students who came into lessons with your 3 criteria.

Matthew Bryson · #9 02-07-2008, 01:03 PM

Your first post gave me the impression that you were a more advanced player. It sounds like the teacher is teaching you what you need to learn. You do have to walk before you can run, you know. If you need two practice sessions to nail Running with The Devil, then it is really not below you - that is the level you are at. There's nothing wrong with that. Your teacher sounds like he has a more realistic idea of where you are at and what you should be working on than you do.

I'd actually recomend sticking it out for all 10 sessions before making any decisions. Try to trust this teacher and see what happens. It really can't hurt you.

Quote:

Originally Posted by lord toranaga

I would not call runnin' a challenge, but I can get it with probably two practice sessions.

I am learning from the Hal Leonard Bass method book, and having him correct my form during the lessons.

I am a beginner at bass, and need to learn as much as possible.

Trevorus · #10 02-07-2008, 01:04 PM

Do it the Trump way.

Mike Shevlin · #11 02-07-2008, 01:06 PM

You are more tactful than I would be. No artist is going to respond well to negative feedback & you don't want to piss off a local musician that you are going to run into in the future. I would call him and tell him that you learned 'Running' easily and that you would love to learn some more advanced JAZZ material. Some teachers don't want to hit you to hard in the first few lessons - he may be feeling you out. If he does not change his direction with you quickly, his playing skill may not be worthy of his job.
If this situation doesn't improve, you can always print this thread out & give it to him.

grace & groove · #12 02-07-2008, 01:09 PM

Runnin' is a common song to teach groove. There is no left hand technique involved in the song so it is a good start. If you wanna be a jazz bassist, groove is your foundation.

Just trust the guy.

Matthew Bryson · #13 02-07-2008, 01:24 PM

Keep in mind that the OP got his first bass two months ago for Christmas, has learned every bit of technique he knows from a book over the last two months, and admits that the teacher is still correcting his technique.

He's also posted a thread announcing his intent to go pro and play bass for a living.

He sounds to me like a beginner who wants to run before he can walk. It sounds to me like he went to a teacher, as a beginner, and requested only advanced topics be covered in his lessons. The teacher started him off with beginner stuff. I don't see the problem.

To Lord Tangere - I am very sorry if I've interpreted your posts incorrectly - There was this:

Quote:

Originally Posted by lord toranaga

I have one semester off music theory, and have been producing records for 15 years.

Which makes it sound like you normally take music theory classes (at college? - Music school?), and have taken just a couple of months off. It also makes it sound like you are a professional record producer with a well established career.

Your other posts sound like you are a beginner, maybe a kid.

It’s hard to tell if you are a professional guitar player and record producer for a big studio who is looking to start doubling on bass guitar or if you are a newbie with stars in his eyes.

Filling out your profile might help.

lord toranaga · #14 02-07-2008, 01:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by grace & groove

Runnin' is a common song to teach groove. There is no left hand technique involved in the song so it is a good start. If you wanna be a jazz bassist, groove is your foundation.

Just trust the guy.

My teacher does not even know about Jaco P, Or Stanley C.

He did not even have any simple blues charts.
I don't want TAB, I need to learn to read music.

Mr Bryson, I feel no need to prove to you who I am, but than you for your advise.
I am a newbie bass player, I am progressing quickly. I don't want to waste time just learning to play A TAB'ed tune from Guitar Pro software.

my teacher has taught me a few things.
I need to learn more music theory, he said from the beginning that he would do it, but has not presented me with anything yet.

Matthew Bryson · #15 02-07-2008, 01:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lord toranaga

Mr Bryson, I feel no need to prove to you who I am, but than you for your advise.
I am a newbie bass player, I am progressing quickly.

I'm sorry if I offended you. I don't need you to "prove who you are" - whatever that means. I understand that you are a Newbie bass player. With that said, there is a HUGE difference between a 40 year old Newbie bass player who is proficient on other instruiments, and a 15 year old Newbie bass player who has never played another instrument. We don't know which you are. Good luck with your quest to learn to play bass.

lord toranaga · #16 02-07-2008, 01:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PocketGroove82

If you move to Baltimore, I will give you the remaining lessons you already paid for, for free, then we can continue on.

I wish I had more students who came into lessons with your 3 criteria.

I would Love to live in Bmore. That is a most gracious offer, you are too kind.

T-steve · #17 02-07-2008, 01:47 PM

Just print out your post here and read it to him......seriously, you did a fine spelling out what you don't like and if the guy has a problem with your requests, he's fired.

btw- I would never have a "pre-pay for 10 lessons, with no money back" policy, ever.....that's kind of unethical..

lord toranaga · #18 02-07-2008, 01:50 PM

MAtt, no hard feelings, thank you for your help.

Saetia · #19 02-07-2008, 02:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lord toranaga

My teacher does not even know about Jaco P, Or Stanley C.

He did not even have any simple blues charts.
I don't want TAB, I need to learn to read music.

Mr Bryson, I feel no need to prove to you who I am, but than you for your advise.
I am a newbie bass player, I am progressing quickly. I don't want to waste time just learning to play A TAB'ed tune from Guitar Pro software.

my teacher has taught me a few things.
I need to learn more music theory, he said from the beginning that he would do it, but has not presented me with anything yet.

It's not about "proving" who you are it's about filling out your profile so "we" can give better advice. The more we know about you other then a vauge outline of a few words the better us TB'ers can assist you.

With that, FILL OUT YOUR PROFILE!

You're bound to hear it many times when asking questions if it's not filled out so either fill it out or get used to it

None of my response was intended in a harsh way... just been hanging around here for enough years to know.

+ infinity to those who mentioned learning to walk before you learn to run. The little things pave the way for much more.

Peace

-Benny

Caca de Kick · #20 02-07-2008, 02:13 PM

Quote:

there is a HUGE difference between a 40 year old Newbie bass player who is proficient on other instruiments, and a 15 year old Newbie bass player who has never played another instrument. We don't know which you are

Matt is exactly right. It's probably something you didn't want to hear, but it's true. As a classically trained musician, I can surely say a player that is brand-new to the instrument will not be playing jazz, let alone reading it, by the 2nd lesson.

A teacher is always going to benefit you, just give it time, it's a process.

-Mike