Never too late for lessons

joshmickelson · #1 03-29-2010, 10:54 AM

After 13 years of playing bass, I am getting my first lesson. I have scheduled a lesson with Peter Huffaker here in Denver. We go to church together, and both play bass on the music team. He went to college with John Patitucci and is a well respected bass player here in Denver. He plays for the Lone Tree Symphony, various churches and a lot of jazz gigs. I think he is going to open up a whole new world of playing to me.

I am a little intimidated to unlearn all of my bad habits, it could possibly be fairly frustrating, but I think that is a good thing. I really want to learn how to read music as well, and I think these lessons will really help me with that.

Any suggestions on getting the most from my lessons?

waleross · #2 03-29-2010, 11:32 AM

Don't be intimitated he's just another musician. I studied the string Bass and electric many years ago ....even got a music degree....big deal !! I have gone back to lessons on the guitar and drums. Just take it slow and set reasonable goals to reach in between each lesson. Everbody learns at a different speed. What I do is try for 15 min to 30 min. max for quality practice time.

joshmickelson · #3 03-29-2010, 11:36 AM

Im definitely not intimidated by Peter, we have been friends for years now. Just nervous about my own abilities, I am overall really excited about the lessons though.

Arnold · #4 03-29-2010, 11:40 AM

As both a student and a teacher for many years, my advice is "listen to your teacher!" Sounds so simple and obvious but I know from my own experience in both worlds that it can be hard to do.

Jim Campbell · #5 03-29-2010, 12:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by joshmickelson

Im definitely not intimidated by Peter, we have been friends for years now. Just nervous about my own abilities, I am overall really excited about the lessons though.

think of learning as a journey,not a destination....start from where you are and move forward and don't sweat what you haven't learned yet

togglehead · #6 03-29-2010, 01:52 PM

Another thing...dont just tell your teacher you understand something because you want him to feel youre learning at a good pace. ACTUALLY LEARN things...and be honest with yourself about your pace. Put your pride away...and focus on learning.

In the long (never ending) run...you'll be happier with a stronger foundation in fewer points than a weak knowledge of lots of things.

joshmickelson · #7 03-29-2010, 02:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by togglehead

Another thing...dont just tell your teacher you understand something because you want him to feel youre learning at a good pace. ACTUALLY LEARN things...and be honest with yourself about your pace. Put your pride away...and focus on learning.

In the long (never ending) run...you'll be happier with a stronger foundation in fewer points than a weak knowledge of lots of things.

that's great advice.

thanks everyone for the input.

RobertPaulson · #8 03-29-2010, 02:42 PM

I've been playing about 12 years and lately i've been wanting to find someone to take lessons from. I have been able to learn a lot from books/online videos and just from playing solo/with the band, but lately I don't seem to be getting as much out of self-study. I'm sure I have a ton of habits that will make a classically trained bassist cringe. As soon as I find a teacher around here that's up my alley I'll probably be in the same boat as you.