I'm Nervous: Starting Lessons!

Dr. Cheese · #1 01-23-2010, 03:00 PM

I'm going to my teacher in about a hour. It's the first time I'll be taking lessons in thirty-two years, and I am nervous!

FranR · #2 01-23-2010, 03:01 PM

Just remember that he's there for you!

Be sure to have your bass tuned before you go; might save you some time messing around when you get there.

I can't wait to get to mine - unfortunately there's a waitinglist.

Tommygunn · #3 01-23-2010, 03:02 PM

wow... what started this?

Dr. Cheese · #4 01-23-2010, 03:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tommygunn

wow... what started this?

If you mean lessons, I just want to get better. Being GAS-sy, and buying means nothing if I always sound the same.

Chunk-O-Funk · #5 01-23-2010, 03:50 PM

Ahhhh, you'll be fine.
Just don't show off and slap Higher Ground.

waleross · #6 01-23-2010, 04:58 PM

I took lessons from a studio session player that got me going fast. Later on I studied the Upright however learning the bass guitar, reading rhythms singing aloud was good for me. Now I have a young buck (26) guitar teacher and I'm almost 60...damm,

dave64o · #7 01-23-2010, 05:45 PM

No biggie, you're there to learn. I started lessons a year and a half ago when I was 44 (my instructor is 21).

I also noticed something else - lessons cure my GAS. Listening to the instructors KILL on their cheap gear and then when I walk in with a MIA Precision or a Stingary and play like I do, it's humbling. It reminds me that my most important focus is to LEARN, not to buy/sell/trade.

Enjoy it, work at it, and you'll come out better on the other side. Good luck!

bass12 · #8 01-23-2010, 05:51 PM

Good for you, man. I plan on doing the same thing as soon as I've found the right teacher (I have a friend making enquiries for me at a local university). I haven't taken lessons in about thirteen years and I can't wait to get my butt kicked!

rosanne · #9 01-23-2010, 06:41 PM

I took lessons from as couple of teachers and they were both younger than me. It felt a little strange at first. I was embarrassed at having to take lessons at my advanced age, but quickly got over it.

How did it go?

Mr_Sore_Fingerz · #10 01-23-2010, 06:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chunk-O-Funk

Ahhhh, you'll be fine.
Just don't show off and slap Higher Ground.

Oh come on, that's the bomb!!!

skb5string · #11 01-23-2010, 06:54 PM

Thats great! Any specific areas your looking to study? I've been thinking of doing that myself

Its been a while for me too. I've been playing semi pro and teaching for years but I recently had been going through Norm Stocktons "Grooving for Heaven" series and it has got me thinking about heading back to my college bass teacher. Got more areas of theory I want to hit. Most of my gigs are Christian Chord chart and straight up notation so the sight reading is good but I've lost a little in the theory area. Thats the thing about reading fully notated parts..everything is spelled out for you and you can get lazy and just "read" the part without looking at how harmonically your part is fitting into the mix of things

Dr. Cheese · #12 01-23-2010, 07:33 PM

My first lesson went just fine. I have known my teacher for about six years, and he has heard me play often. Today we worked on II-V progressions and smooth alternating fingering. Since I am busy, I will only be going in once a month, but I feel I will make steady progress if I make study a regular thing.

Matt Dean · #13 01-23-2010, 07:38 PM

You're inspiring me to take some lessons!!! I've been playing for 37 years and am considered to be a pretty good bass player, but I know that I am weak in certain areas and have been thinking about lessons. So, thank you for being a good role model for me!

capnsandwich · #14 01-23-2010, 07:41 PM

I thought about doing lessons from some of the professors here at Capital University in town. I've heard good things about the faculty there. They have an awesome conservatory of music there and most of the guys who come out of there are killers on their instruments.

Tommygunn · #15 01-23-2010, 08:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chunk-O-Funk

Ahhhh, you'll be fine.
Just don't show off and slap Higher Ground.

Pft!!!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr_Sore_Fingerz

Oh come on, that's the bomb!!!

+1

It's the song I play at GC to make everybody think I'm really good!

lol

Tommygunn · #16 01-23-2010, 08:01 PM

But really I'm not joking. Every time I have ever played that song (no matter where) it always gets a lot of attention.

Dr. Cheese · #17 01-23-2010, 08:03 PM

Thanks for the kind words guys. We all know we will get far more from $400 worth lessons than well get from $4,000 worth of new basses, but basses are shiny and fun. They also don't require practice. Practicing, however, is what I know I need. My playing is at a plateau, and the only way out is more knowledge, so getting it is my goal!

Pitbull Growl · #18 01-23-2010, 08:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matt Dean

You're inspiring me to take some lessons!!! I've been playing for 37 years and am considered to be a pretty good bass player, but I know that I am weak in certain areas and have been thinking about lessons. So, thank you for being a good role model for me!

Hell yeah man, go for it.

I got ahold of Jauqo III-X and have been struggling my way thru his 70 lessons. The guy's an amazing individual and a talented bassist who totally got me when I was explaining to him my goals for my playing. Most people snub ya when ya tell 'em you're all about east-coast hardcore, speed metal, and/or death metal... but he understood and treated it (and me) w/dignity unlike others I've spoke to who tried to mold me into what they want to be.

If you're serious about it, I cant recommend him enough for ya. Hit him up, he's as nice as he is talented and will do whatever he can to help you succeed in reaching your goals as a player.