Lessons: Will they Waste My Time?

stepswork4me · #1 10-17-2011, 04:03 AM

Well folks, here's the story. I've been playing for almost 22 years. I'm self taught. I used to practice constantly, like 6 or 7 hours a day for many years. I still play at least a half hour to an hour a day. I've always done originals and have developed my own style through listening to others and just trying things out. I'm pretty happy with how I play. I play a lot with a pick. I do well with chordal playing, multi-string/finger tapping, working in harmonics, and some finger/thumb picking. I don't play slap and do very little finger style. In fact, finger style is awkward for me unless it's a slow soft line. I do ok with just jamming along with folks and improving lines. I don't do well in this situation with runs or fills though. My strong suit is writting. I used to know how to read the bass clef from playing tuba for 6 years but have no clue on bass. I've had the experience of some "traditional" bassists telling me that I shouldn't do what I do on bass and should take up the guitar. I'm a bassist, though. Through and through. I've considered taking lessons for a while. I would like to "clean up" my technique some, learn scales, learn finger style, and learn some more "traditional" stuff for improving and doing fills and such. I just don't want to waste my time or have to listen to anyone tell me that I'm on the wrong instrument or that playing above whatever fret is wrong on bass. Any thoughts or recommendations?

lfmn16 · #2 10-17-2011, 04:09 AM

Lessons with a good teacher are never a waste of time. Just make sure you are clear about what your goals are and find a teacher that supports those goals.

stepswork4me · #3 10-17-2011, 04:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lfmn16

... and find a teacher that supports those goals.

I think this will be the hard part.

Joe Nerve · #4 10-17-2011, 04:27 AM

Make a decision to find the right teacher, turn it over to a higher power, and let it go.

stepswork4me · #5 10-17-2011, 04:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joe Nerve

Make a decision to find the right teacher, turn it over to a higher power, and let it go.

HA! Right on!

Vincent P · #6 10-17-2011, 04:33 AM

I have to agree with everyone, the trouble is that you've been doing it for 22 years as you stated; in some if not most cases this may hamper your ability to take lessons, as you may find it boring but, with the right teacher, the benefits could be very rewarding.

stepswork4me · #7 10-17-2011, 04:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vincent P

I have to agree with everyone, the trouble is that you've been doing it for 22 years as you stated; in some if not most cases this may hamper your ability to take lessons, as you may find it boring but, with the right teacher, the benefits could be very rewarding.

Thanks. I'm guessing that I should find a fairly advanced teacher?

Joe Nerve · #8 10-17-2011, 04:46 AM

I took lessons (around 4 I think?) a while back. Got myself a short list of teachers and got on the phone with all of them. Asked a lot of questions, and went with who I thought I'd be most comfortable with. I was also bargain shopping and in a strange twist for me, went with the most expensive guy. He seemed the friendliest, made me laugh a few times, and I understood everything he was saying to me. He later wrote the book bass for dummies. Pat Pfiefer. I'd have kept going but it was hurting my pocket too much at the time. In hindsight, maybe I didn't make the best choice.

Super cool dude though, and he recommended me for a lot of gigs, which was going above and beyond IMO.

You seem pretty clear on what you want. I'd just make it crystal clear to the prospective teacher, and get a feel for the way he/she handles it. You'll know who's right and who's not, and if you feel they're not helping you can move on to the next person.

CnB77 · #9 10-17-2011, 05:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stepswork4me

Thanks. I'm guessing that I should find a fairly advanced teacher?

Not necessarily. There is never any harm in learning the basics very well (you said you could only do fingerstyle very slowly, and your reading isn't good); just learning something more about your instrument can make you better at what you're already good at. Nothing wrong with adding another trick to your repertoire.

baileyboy · #10 10-17-2011, 05:13 AM

Education is never a waste. Good luck with it all.

dalkowski · #11 10-17-2011, 05:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lfmn16

Just make sure you are clear about what your goals are and find a teacher that supports those goals.

Bam. This, above all. If you don't have goals, don't bother.

stepswork4me · #12 10-17-2011, 05:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dalkowski

Bam. This, above all. If you don't have goals, don't bother.

Quote:

Originally Posted by stepswork4me

I would like to "clean up" my technique some, learn scales, learn finger style, and learn some more "traditional" stuff for improving and doing fills and such.

I would also like to broaden my tapping skills.

I appreciate the input, folks. I guess I'm gonna have to do some real footwork at finding the right teacher. Anybody know someone that might fit the bill in the Cinci area?

kevteop · #13 10-17-2011, 06:07 AM

I've also been playing for about 22 years, and I had my first lesson three weeks ago. I took up the double bass a couple of years ago and wanted to improve my confidence at changing position, handling transitions to thumb position, improve my pizz technique (which I thought was too harsh on my wrist), learn to bow, loads of stuff.

So far my lessons have been anything but a waste of time - I feel like my playing has improved 100% in the last few weeks, no exaggeration.

Once I run out of pressing issues on the double bass I'll be going back to the same teacher with a bass guitar to start filling in some of the gaps in my theory.

MalcolmAmos · #14 10-17-2011, 07:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stepswork4me

. Anybody know someone that might fit the bill in the Cinci area?

You have one of the better music departments in the USA right there in Cinci------i. When I finally learned how to spell Cinci we got transferred to Waxahachie, TX. Never did get used to the Cinnamon in the chilli.

I'd contact the University and see if any of the bass instructors give private lessons.

stepswork4me · #15 10-17-2011, 07:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MalcolmAmos

You have one of the better music departments in the USA right there in Cinci------i. When I finally learned how to spell Cinci we got transferred to Waxahachie, TX. Never did get used to the Cinnamon in the chilli.

I'd contact the University and see if any of the bass instructors give private lessons.

UC?

I don't dig the chilli either. Give me meat, beans, onions, spice and no noodles, please.

Swampman Cory · #16 10-17-2011, 08:01 AM

Echoing the thoughts that partnering up with the right teacher should be able to accomplish exactly what you're looking for.

jallenbass · #17 10-17-2011, 08:16 AM

Contact TB's very own Chris Fitzgerald who is a mod on the DB side and an excellent musician and educator. I believe he lives in Louisville. If he isn't the right teacher for you then I'm sure that he can guide you towards one.

**251** · #18 10-17-2011, 08:23 AM

You don't want a bass teacher you want a music tutor. Someone who plays bass (BG or URB) as a 2nd instrument. A musical guide who understands where you want to go & can teach you concepts & techniques you piece together to get there. I would be surprised to hear there aren't people like that in Cincinnati. Ask local Jazz & Classical players who teaches the advanced musicians & composers near you. Then make contact, explain your goal(s) & ask to get into their schedule.

Intenzity · #19 10-17-2011, 09:44 AM

Quote:

My strong suit is writting.

Clearly.

stepswork4me · #20 10-17-2011, 09:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Intenzity

Clearly.

Typo.