I May Become a Teacher!

[MikeyFingers]

I have 2 friends who work at a local music store giving lessons (one on guitar, one on piano). I've been looking for some extra work to put a little more money in my pocket and they said they could probably get me a job there giving bass lessons. Of course I was excited to hear about the opportunity, but I'm nervous too. I don't know music theory at all and I can hardly read music.
They tell me it's no problem since I'll probably just start out giving beginner's lessons to kids; explaining the basics of how to play it and where the notes are etc. That much I can handle, those little beginner's books are easy enough that even I can teach someone how to do it.
But I still feel funny about it. It seems kinda wrong that I might end up being a teacher when I still have so much to learn myself.
I guess all I have to do is stay one lesson ahead of the student and I'll be fine, right?

[MalcolmAmos]

Originally Posted by MikeyFingers

..... I guess all I have to do is stay one lesson ahead of the student and I'll be fine, right?

No not really. Perfect example of why I've had bad luck with music store instructors. Knowing how to play does not qualify one to teach.

[Mr.Phil]

I would advise against it.

[JimmyM]

+1. i think one big qualification of a bass teacher is he or she stay WAAAAAAAAAAY more than one step ahead of the student.

[Schlyder]

no, you should not be teaching.

[bassybill]

Seems pretty unanimous in here, and I'm going to have to agree as well. As someone who trains teachers for a living, I can tell you that staying just one step ahead of your students is no way to teach at all. Please, find a different way to earn some cash that uses the skills you actually have.

[need4mospd]

Look like you're 0-6

Someone that doesn't know theory or how to read music should be nowhere near music students. In fact, just knowing those things, doesn't qualify you to teach either. A LOT of parents would be quite upset if they found out the "teacher" didn't even know the material they were teaching. Do you really want to have that discussion with an angry parent?

[JimmyM]

well at least he's skeptical about it himself:

"But I still feel funny about it. It seems kinda wrong that I might end up being a teacher when I still have so much to learn myself."

good instincts.

[Rickett Customs]

Sounds like if you want to go this route, you get a teacher yourself and correct these formalities...... just my .02

[Demonator]

Its waaaaaaaaaay to easy here to get a job as a bass instructor. Anytime I ask about one at E-Towne mall or J-mall they say no, but we need one, are you interested? I say no, I have been playing a few years not enough to teach, they say "dont matter, just the basic stuff". Come here, you'll be fine. Nobody wants to play bass or teach, they hace a few students lined up but nobody will teach lol.

[sidd_laroy]

even though you don't know things about theory and how to read music, and although they'd definitely be a good thing to know, especially if you're teaching, you'll probably learn a lot while teaching if you do decide to do it.

[Mr.Phil]

Originally Posted by sidd_laroy

even though you don't know things about theory and how to read music, and although they'd definitely be a good thing to know, especially if you're teaching, you'll probably learn a lot while teaching if you do decide to do it.

Right, but the problem is that experience will come at the cost of the student.

[Tim C.]

Originally Posted by JimmyM

+1. i think one big qualification of a bass teacher is he or she stay WAAAAAAAAAAY more than one step ahead of the student.

+1,000.

The ability to educate others comes from a combination of expertise and experience.

Teaching isn't supposed to be a learning experience for anybody but the student, except for the teacher to maybe fine-tune their teaching techniques to better share their knowledge.

[sidd_laroy]

Originally Posted by Tim C.

except for the teacher to maybe fine-tune their teaching techniques to better share their knowledge.

^that's what i was trying to get at with my post.