I re-started lessons today

WickedPissah · #1 03-23-2010, 08:03 PM

After a long hiatus from bass instruction, I re-started lessons with my old teacher today! It was there I realized that I really kinda suck, and I have lots of work to do. My advice to fellow TBers is this: If you're stuck in a rut and feel like your playing is not where it needs to be, try out some lessons. Even if you don't think you need them, it really helps to have another bassist show you what you might be doing wrong and how you can fix it.

pbass888 · #2 03-23-2010, 08:10 PM

go to my thread im re learning bass after a 22+ year break... and working on jazz... ill agree that even the best athletes use coaches.....

here is the thread.
walking lines recommendation
best of luck!

JimmyM · #3 03-24-2010, 09:07 AM

well said and very astute of you to realize it. more people should be so self-aware on here.

kesslari · #4 03-24-2010, 09:33 AM

Cool - learn stuff, get inspired, and groove harder!

Vociferous · #5 03-24-2010, 09:50 PM

Wicked, I took your advice and I start lessons next wednesday (in Boston). Maybe the same teacher! I am going to learn to play more cleanly and solidly, while increasing my knowledge of theory. There's always another step.

WickedPissah · #6 03-24-2010, 10:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vociferous

Wicked, I took your advice and I start lessons next wednesday (in Boston). Maybe the same teacher! I am finally going to learn to lay cleanly and solidly, while increasing my knowledge of theory. There's always another step.

I'm actually not in the city, but just a bit outside. Where are you getting lessons?

Vociferous · #7 03-26-2010, 03:23 PM

Yeah, me too, Wicked. I live in Stoneham but am going into town to get some lessons from Ryan Fardy. I need some help on targeting chord tones and walking. I haven't played out in about ten years, but am now interested in developing my skills to the point of being able to do solo bass performances.

Setebos · #8 03-26-2010, 03:51 PM

I took a couple of months of lessons when I started playing about 4 years ago. Then stopped with lessons. After that I played on an off. For the last 1 and a half I restarted playing and practicing almost daily.
Last October I decided to start taking lessons. On one side because I wanted to start going through Jazz and fusion stuff and because that, I thought, would force me to study more music theory. Something I tried to do by myself several times before but that was never able to keep up with.
5 months later I'm still taking lessons (1 every 15 days) and I can see I'm understanding the instrument much much better. I got into reading charts (lot of work to do on that yet), can understand better when other musicians go thru different theory issues.
I can see how much it has opened my mind and help me developing my skills.

**251** · #9 03-27-2010, 08:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WickedPissah

After a long hiatus from bass instruction, I re-started lessons with my old teacher today! It was there I realized that I really kinda suck, and I have lots of work to do. My advice to fellow TBers is this: If you're stuck in a rut and feel like your playing is not where it needs to be, try out some lessons. Even if you don't think you need them, it really helps to have another bassist show you what you might be doing wrong and how you can fix it.

I always try to take what I cannot do into my lessons. Who/where is your teacher? I've been going into Payne Music in Brookline for a long time. I can swing but not rock. That needs fixing. 8-)