Scared of Learning Bass?

[Geddy Claypool]

Alright, a little background. I've been playing bass for about two and half years now, after six years of guitar. I've been pretty much entirely self-taught, picking up everything I know by listening to the greats (Geddy, Les, Timmy C, Gordon Moakes, Entwistle, John Paul Jones, and Marcus Miller to name a few). While I realize that I still have miles to go as far as learning the craft goes, I've developed a playing style completely on my own that I'm really into, and one which has gotten me quite a few compliments in the past.

My issue is this: I have the opportunity to take bass guitar lessons at my university. And while it would certainly be nice to have a little more technical proficiency, I'm honestly terrified of losing what I already have. A lot of my style is (in my mind) very unique, not following a lot of the 'rules' of bass. I feel like by taking lessons, there is a very real possibility that I will lose whatever this style I already have is, and things like "this is the proper way to do this or that" will alter my ideas about playing.

Any thoughts?

[M0ses]

You're wrong. Take the lessons. They won't hurt.








probably.

[beam2611]

Your style and the way you hear music won't change
however the tools you will gain from a good teacher or program
will make your life easier in the long run and will allow you to
express yourself on the bass more easily...

Good luck

[Michael Case]

Originally Posted by Geddy Claypool

Alright, a little background. I've been playing bass for about two and half years now, after six years of guitar. I've been pretty much entirely self-taught, picking up everything I know by listening to the greats (Geddy, Les, Timmy C, Gordon Moakes, Entwistle, John Paul Jones, and Marcus Miller to name a few). While I realize that I still have miles to go as far as learning the craft goes, I've developed a playing style completely on my own that I'm really into, and one which has gotten me quite a few compliments in the past.

My issue is this: I have the opportunity to take bass guitar lessons at my university. And while it would certainly be nice to have a little more technical proficiency, I'm honestly terrified of losing what I already have. A lot of my style is (in my mind) very unique, not following a lot of the 'rules' of bass. I feel like by taking lessons, there is a very real possibility that I will lose whatever this style I already have is, and things like "this is the proper way to do this or that" will alter my ideas about playing.

Any thoughts?

You're playing will only be affected negatively if YOU let it. I'd say what's more likely going to happen is you'll gain the knowledge to explain what you already know and do. Learning how to read music, what arpeggios and scales are, and the other aspects of music you'll study in lessons wont kill your creativity.

Most of the players you say you've learned from knew music theory. Do you think they aren't unique?

[Mayers]

It depends your teacher. I didn't learn a lot of technic with every teacher I got but more theory stuff, to learn the language. Learn to slap or tap or false harmonics, I have all learn that by myself.

[bikeplate]

HI

Learn music. Sounds like you are playing by ear, which is great. I started the same way. After I got instruction, my ear didnt go away. It got stronger and the musical knowledge I obtained just made it easier for me to grasp things quickly and adapt on stage or at an audition. The day you stop learning, is the day you die. Be a sponge. Take it all in.

Rob

[Roadman]

I've heard this sort of thing forever and it drives me crazy.

Can anyone give me just one example of an area of life where increasing your knowledge is a detriment?

[fearceol]

Did anyone say that technique was going to be the mainstay of these lessons ? If you are happy with your technique, and it's not going to cause you any physical problems later on, then so be it. Nothing wrong with trying out something new though. It might even suit you better than what you have now. No harm in testing it out. Besides all this, there are lots of other aspects of playing to be learned. Lots of people have neither the opportunity (if so, then not the money) to take lessons, and would give anything to be in your position.

Forget the negativity and go for it

[DudeistMonk]

the only thing that will effect your style is that you will have words to describe it. Right now you can only say I have this style that I really like, post lessons you can quantify that to a degree "I play a lot of minor 6ths over such and such a chord and it sounds really cool.." This will make it easier to apply this treatment to other tunes, other bands, guitarists using different chords.... Really can't hurt.

[chadhargis]

A good teacher will evaluate your current ability and work to improve you.

Unless your technique is holding you back or might cause injury, then I don't see why they would change it.

[Dr. Toboggan]

they are going to break your hands and make you start all over again the RIGHT way

[Geddy Claypool]

Perhaps I didn't explain myself clearly enough. I feel that technically, I'm a proficient bassist. My worries are that I won't hear or adapt to music the same way after I've heard it through "somebody else's ears". Know what I mean? Sort of a 'don't fix it if it ain't broke' situation.

[sloasdaylight]

Originally Posted by Geddy Claypool

Perhaps I didn't explain myself clearly enough. I feel that technically, I'm a proficient bassist. My worries are that I won't hear or adapt to music the same way after I've heard it through "somebody else's ears". Know what I mean? Sort of a 'don't fix it if it ain't broke' situation.

If you don't want to take lessons then don't. I can promise you though that almost certainly you're not as good technically as you think you are, and that taking lessons with a real bass instructor is going to improve your technicality, improve your understanding of the instrument, improve basically everything about how you play and approach the instrument. If YOU think that nothing is broken then don't take lessons, and that's your call, but I think that's an arrogant way to look at things.

I've never once believed that the whole: "If I learn music theory or take lessons I'll lose what makes me unique" line of thinking. What makes you unique is the way your brain processes information. You're going to be able to use all the knowledge you gained through instruction and lessons to help you really express everything you feel when you're playing.

[Michael Case]

Originally Posted by Geddy Claypool

Perhaps I didn't explain myself clearly enough. I feel that technically, I'm a proficient bassist. My worries are that I won't hear or adapt to music the same way after I've heard it through "somebody else's ears". Know what I mean? Sort of a 'don't fix it if it ain't broke' situation.

Why would you even think this? You are you, the way you hear and process music is YOU, it'll never be altered by taking lessons. Take lessons that focus on reading music, learning harmony, and other musical "facts."

Besides, if you're learning from listening to other players as you said your OP then don't you think you've already heard music through "someone else's ears." Dude, all music exists in a tradition and you're a part of that. What you hear is based in that too.

[Geddy Claypool]

I never meant to come across as arrogant in any way. I simply meant that I'm happy with where I currently stand.

Thanks to all for the advice.

[Michael Case]

Originally Posted by Geddy Claypool

I never meant to come across as arrogant in any way. I simply meant that I'm happy with where I currently stand.

Thanks to all for the advice.

It's not arrogant, it's a little ignorant (no offense) though. A good teacher will not, and cannot, force you to hear music differently than you do. That can only happen if you begin to question yourself because of the stuff you pick up.

I'd suggest you take lessons, they'll keep you moving forward musically which is important. Find a teacher who you relate to, if you take a lesson with a person who seems like the type to make your playing conform to some arbitrary idea of "right" move on. You should study music academically to enhance your art and a good teacher will know how to help you.

[sleepytime]

Originally Posted by Geddy Claypool

I never meant to come across as arrogant in any way. I simply meant that I'm happy with where I currently stand.

Thanks to all for the advice.

At 2 1/2 years experience, you have not even scratched the surface of music. I have never, ever once heard an experienced musician express regret for that experience and wish to return to their former ignorance. That just boggles the mind.

[Jazz Ad]

There is no known example of a musician becoming worse by actually learning music.
Now if you are "happy with where you currently stand", why even bothering yourself with the question? You don't want to do it, don't.

edit : I just listened to your band. Originals are cool, nice tone, however your timing is really terrible on the covers. I'm not exagerating or trying to be a smartass.
On Led Zeppelin you play only half of the song, the Bad Times. Lessons would definitely help you with this.

[ndarling]

you do not sound arrogant to me.remember that practice is supposed to make perfect,but it never does. just have fun. playing music,bass is for your enjoyment not anyone else.

[Billnc]

Originally Posted by ndarling

playing music,bass is for your enjoyment not anyone else.

This would not be the case once one enters a band.