Problem with lessons

Mr Grady · #1 02-10-2007, 03:44 AM

hi guys

ive been playing bass now for about 18 months and loving it!

about 4 months ago i found a local guy who gave lessons. he seemed an ok guy (bit of a character...ex punk!) but i was having fun with the lessons. i even suggested to a mate to try him as he taught guitar as well.

we both have the same problem as at times he is drunk when we turn up.
this does have an affect on the kind of lesson we get, as you can well imagine!

what do we do? he doesnt charge the earth, and he never clockwatch's.......in fact, most times i have to say that ive got to go (family meal times and all that)

do we forgive him his little habit, or should we look elsewhere?

i dont think either of us could bring the subject up with him for risk of offending him.

and advice would be gratfully accepted, and thanks for taking the time to read this.

**Freddels** · #2 02-10-2007, 06:19 AM

That's a tough one. You say he doesn't charge much and many of your lessons go way over the alloted time. If you were paying a lot then that would be a different story.

Are you still getting something out of the lessons? On the days that he's drunk, you should have an excuse ready and when you arrive and find him in that condition, just tell him that you have to leave early b/c of [fill in excuse].

I don't think confronting him would do any good except to send you looking for a new teacher (which you should probably start doing anyway).

Bottom line, are you still learning from him? Is there anyone else in the area that teaches? If so, try out the new teacher before quitting this guy.

905 · #3 02-10-2007, 07:12 AM

I think you should look for someone with similar experience, within your budget, but keep seeing your current teacher until you find someone with less of a thirst

Mr Grady · #4 02-10-2007, 09:07 AM

thanks for the replys and advice.

i shall see how things go, and if the drink becomes the norm then i shall look elsewhere.

i was going to say "cheers", but i feel it wouldnt be appropriate!!!!!

steveb98 · #5 02-10-2007, 11:32 AM

There a legendary Jazz guitar player (still around) and he would teach out of his house in the 60's-70's. Many a student would say he would fire up a dube to get ready for the lesson then give great lessons. Then a friend and I used to take guitar lessons from this old guy who had a little store and lived and taught in the back of the store. Most the time we'd come into the store and he was nowhere to be found. We walk in back and he would be out like a light sleeping on the couch. Usually could tell he had a drink or two. So have to wake him up to get our lesson. My buddy and I would joke that one day we will go there and find him dead (he was old.) He was great at teaching how to use chords so took l lesson for about six months.

I would say you have tough decision to make. If you like the way he teaches when he's sober then have to find a gentle way to tell the guy it bothers you when you come in and he's been drinking. But be prepared he could get overly defenive and you'll lose a good teacher. Have to let him know you dig his lessons, but sometimes they aren't what they could be. It isn't going to be a easy converstion to have.

phephron · #6 02-10-2007, 05:19 PM

Many people do things that they should not, but if they don't know it is bothering people, or they don't think that it is going to affect them, they will keep on. If it comes to the point where you are looking at finding lessons elsewhere - tell the guy it is because of the alcohol - it might wake him up. If you lost a job, and didn't know why - wouldn't that bother you?

If he is alcoholic - pointing out that his alcohol is causing him to lose a job might get him to realize he has a problem to get help.

Depth_Charge · #7 02-10-2007, 05:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by phephron

If he is alcoholic - pointing out that his alcohol is causing him to lose a job might get him to realize he has a problem to get help.

Yeah that or give him another excuse to have a drink.

BetterBottomEnd · #8 02-10-2007, 07:19 PM

If you think you're still getting your moneys worth out of the lessons then stick with him at least until you find another teacher.

tjh · #9 02-10-2007, 09:57 PM

If he is impaired while teaching, there is also a very good chance that he is also impaired while performing other activities ... To lovingly (in private) tell someone how much you appreciate their services, and their flexibility (even them as a person) ... but at times notice that they seem to have an issue that hinders how well they are doing it, is not offending them, but doing them a favor ... perhaps ask if you can be of help, or even give him a call earlier on the days you are scheduled to 'remind' him/confirm your appointment ... if he is aware that you are 'noticing' his issue, he may tend to at least clean it up when you are around ... and that is a start ... if he takes offense, it may be a bigger problem than you are thinking it is, because he is obviously harboring internal issues about his usage, or it probably isnt the first time hearing that he has 'an issue' ... either way, to do nothing is to condone it, and it is an issue for you, or you would not have posted about it ... often times it is not the message that people find offensive, but the manner in which it is delivered ... JMHO ...

PSPookie · #10 02-12-2007, 02:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Depth_Charge

Yeah that or give him another excuse to have a drink.

If he is alcoholic, he won't need an excuse. However, if he is alcoholic, having someone point out that he has a problem may help.

Keep in mind that it is a disease of the body and mind that survives by telling the sick person they are not sick.

The devil’s greatest trick was convincing the world that he does not exist.

202dy · #11 02-12-2007, 05:44 PM

Do you want a teacher or just some lessons? That is really the question. You have found someone who is not a professional teacher. His habits mark him as an amateur. A professional teacher can act as mentor. They will show you the rudiments of your instrument and teach you music. The best of them will eventually toss some of their sub work your direction when you are up to it.

BTW, there are very few people who are good bass teachers who also teach the guitar well, and vice versa. One of the students is usually getting a substandard lesson. Maybe your sodden fellow is one of the few but that is judgment call you will have to make on your own.

MichaelScott · #12 02-12-2007, 05:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 202dy

A professional teacher can act as mentor. They will show you the rudiments of your instrument and teach you music. The best of them will eventually toss some of their sub work your direction when you are up to it.

+1 to that. I can't say enough good things about my teacher. He inspires me to play as well as teaches me.

steve66 · #13 02-12-2007, 06:22 PM

If he is doing right by you and you are learning, keep it going. The bonus here is that he doesn't charge the bank and it appears that he enjoys the company. Not many teachers will keep you past your lesson. If it gets to the point where your wasting your time, talk to him. If he picks the alcohol over your lesson time then you have to find another teacher.

mellofello · #14 02-16-2007, 08:01 AM

or you could try this

at the end of the lesson say "that'll be $30" and stick out your hand.

just kidding. the real question is do you care about this person ? if not, then as long as you are getting what you want who cares. If you do care, you should express concern, and try to help him change. I mean if noone calls it to his attention it is likely to become worse and worse.

Introvox · #15 02-16-2007, 08:13 AM

As a Private teacher myself, I find this appaulling.

I have students from 4 years old to 81 years old....adults may be able to handle this, but it is completely unacceptable to teach minors in that state.

There is NOTHING that an alcoholic ex punk muzoid can teach you that someone sober could not....and he is NOT the only teacher who is cheap and sometimes goes over the alotted time, I am $15/30 mins - $25/60 mins, and if the next student is late or cancels, usually means a bonus for you.

Find a trustworthy teacher, may send him a message!