Selecting a Bass teacher

Zegie · #1 12-20-2009, 10:21 AM

After reading some of the extremely informative threads on TalkBass Forums I’ve decided to get myself a bass teacher right after Christmas. I’ve realised I need both the skills of a teacher and the discipline of regular lessons with achievable goals.

Can anybody please advise me on what I should look for, and questions I should ask when selecting a bass teacher so that I can be sure I am getting the best tuition for my money.

I want to learn bass from the bottom up, be able to read music and get to grips with the necessary aspects of musical theory as well as becoming competent on the instrument so that I may be able to sit in with a band and play a variety of pop standards in the band's key.

The problem is I am not sure how to select a good teacher and what questions to ask, and perhaps more importantly what his/her answers might tell me about their teaching/instrument skills.

Apologies if this has been covered before (I have searched).

Thanks.

Zegie · #2 12-20-2009, 11:35 AM

BTW I want to learn quickly and intensively.

Ed Fuqua · #3 12-20-2009, 11:47 AM

There is no "quickly". Depending on what skill sets you already have and what innate ability you have, certain things may come easier than others. And starting from scratch, you WILL have an accelerated learning curve to start out with. But, just like with anything else - sports, chess, martial arts, knitting - the deeper you get, the slower the going. Hey, if it were easy, everybody would do it. Instead, there's GUITAR HERO.

You want a teacher who has a good foundation in the fundamentals of music (theory, technique/physical approach), but also someone who has the ability to approach what you need to learn in a variety of ways, that communicate to different kinds of students. I would suggest looking for someone who doesn't rely entirely on commercially available material (books written by other people), someone who doesn't approach teaching merely as learning vocabulary (licks).

Learning to read music IS one activity that you can learn and work on entirely on your own, if all your teacher wants to do is work on reading or read through exercises, find somebody else.

bertbassplayer · #4 12-20-2009, 11:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ed Fuqua

You want a teacher who has a good foundation in the fundamentals of music (theory, technique/physical approach), but also someone who has the ability to approach what you need to learn in a variety of ways, that communicate to different kinds of students. I would suggest looking for someone who doesn't rely entirely on commercially available material (books written by other people), someone who doesn't approach teaching merely as learning vocabulary (licks).

+1. You also need to make sure you get a guy who is going to teach you the style of music you want to play... while also challenging you with other styles. If you want to play rock and the guy is only going to teach you country, while it might expand your horizons it might end up making you disillusioned. Also remember, that just because a person is a good player, it doesn't make them a good teacher. You want a person who is going to make you better, not someone who will just show off their skills. If all else fails, references are always good.

G00D+~VIBES · #5 12-20-2009, 12:05 PM

It is key to be completely open and up-front from the beginning. For instance, once you *think* you've found the guy for you, let him know you'd like to see how the first couple weeks go before you make any major commitment. If this isn't hip for him just pass.

Another good idea, is to go see live music and find a player who emulates where you see yourself. Then after the show ask him if he gives lessons. If he hasn't had any students before, but still seems willing to try, give him a shot.

Never forget that the primary job of a student is to ask the *right* questions for his own understanding and assimilation.

Zegie · #6 12-20-2009, 12:09 PM

Thanks guys useful stuff. By way of clarification, by 'quickly' I mean I'm in a position whereby I can devote substantial amounts of my time to learning BG.

Quote:

You want a teacher who has a good foundation in the fundamentals of music (theory, technique/physical approach)

That's exactly it - but how do I go about finding out?

phaneo · #7 12-20-2009, 12:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bertbassplayer

+1. You also need to make sure you get a guy who is going to teach you the style of music you want to play... while also challenging you with other styles. If you want to play rock and the guy is only going to teach you country, while it might expand your horizons it might end up making you disillusioned. Also remember, that just because a person is a good player, it doesn't make them a good teacher. You want a person who is going to make you better, not someone who will just show off their skills. If all else fails, references are always good.

+1
I had a teacher a one time who was the most amazing bass player. Had played on tons of albums toured the world etc. He could spend 30 min jamming while I sat and watched. While extremely entertaining not really worth the $25 a week. Just remember, you are hiring them to teach you what you want to learn. You should receive the services you are paying for. IMO

Billnc · #8 12-20-2009, 12:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ed Fuqua

Learning to read music IS one activity that you can learn and work on entirely on your own, if all your teacher wants to do is work on reading or read through exercises, find somebody else.

Yep, it should only take a couple of minutes (after the initial learning curve) of any lesson time, mainly to check up to see if the work is being done.

MalcolmAmos · #9 12-20-2009, 01:12 PM

Finding a teacher is hard. Lot of people can play, but, like the skills to teach. Ask musicians who they use and why.

Ed Fuqua · #10 12-20-2009, 03:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bertbassplayer

+1. You also need to make sure you get a guy who is going to teach you the style of music you want to play... while also challenging you with other styles. If you want to play rock and the guy is only going to teach you country, while it might expand your horizons it might end up making you disillusioned.

I gotta disagree Bert, a good teacher is not going to teach you "style", he's going to help you learn the skill sets to play any kind of music you want to play.

becker4567 · #11 12-20-2009, 03:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by G00D+~VIBES

It is key to be completely open and up-front from the beginning. For instance, once you *think* you've found the guy for you, let him know you'd like to see how the first couple weeks go before you make any major commitment. If this isn't hip for him just pass.

Another good idea, is to go see live music and find a player who emulates where you see yourself. Then after the show ask him if he gives lessons. If he hasn't had any students before, but still seems willing to try, give him a shot.

Never forget that the primary job of a student is to ask the *right* questions for his own understanding and assimilation.

Good ideas here! It seems like you need two teachers. One for teaching music, and one for teaching bass. I would suggest you find a good bass player and ask him to teach you the basics on bass playing. There is alot more to it than just slinging it over your shoulder. Once you understand what it takes, how to hold it properly, and where to put your fingers, and a few basic bass riffs, as well as pick vs finger playing, then move on to reading and understanding music. But you should really understand, it's going to take time!

Zegie · #12 12-21-2009, 04:30 AM

I'm not in any particular hurry - I understand it will take as long as it takes. The reason I am keen on finding a good teacher is based on my experience of learning a language.

For years I went on with CD's, teach yourself material, phrase books, TV courses and, sure, I could speak a few words on holiday and even order drinks and a meal - in other words I could get by. (Play a few riffs and a couple of well learnt tunes)

BUT I couldn't have a proper conversation, use the phone, or read the newspapers. (Read a score, Jam along).

THEN I enrolled on an intensive course (3 nights a week) in the Spanish Embassies own language Institute. And guess what? I learnt Spanish in 3 months (and I'm thick, like THICK!) - OK my vocab. wasn't great but learnt the fundamentals, tenses, grammatical structure and rules (basic music theory, essential technique).

I happen to think that there are parallels here, I believe music theory is like learning a language.

Fortunately at the Spanish Institute I could rely on the quality of the tutors - like they were the best! - and it was taught traditionally (grammar based) properly and methodically - no choice - take it or leave! But it works and works well!! 15 years later despite no regular use I can still have a reasonably intelligible conversation in Spanish. Rusty - sure, but the rules and structure are well remembered.

The 64 thousand dollar question is:

How do I find the equivalent in the wonderful world of Bass?

Quote:

It seems like you need two teachers. One for teaching music, and one for teaching bass.

Good suggestion - if a little clumsy - but it may well come to this.

Zegie · #13 12-21-2009, 09:18 AM

BTW. I am UK based. (Yea... well... someone has to be!)

Chupacabra · #14 12-21-2009, 12:13 PM

You could start by searching your area on http://www.musicteachers.co.uk/ You may not find exactly what you're looking for, but anyone you dig up in a search could have the info/contact details of someone more suitable.

You could ask at local colleges or universities. Once again, they may not offer what you're looking for, but they may have details of something/someone more suitable & being part of the education establishment, they can probably tell you which are the best colleges/universities to be asking the same questions.

Zegie · #15 12-23-2009, 03:29 AM

Well I've found a couple, one of whom teaches at a local college and seems on the ball theory wise too.

Thanks for all your useful comments, I'm also looking into online tuition before I finally decide on a way forward.

Cheers.

scrunks11 · #16 12-23-2009, 03:50 AM

a good teacher gives you the tools for all techniques and types of music and you can apply them to your own style of playing.

Gab124 · #17 12-23-2009, 06:58 AM

I am a 20 year self taught veteran - so I need help. I have read through so many threads in this forum and got a good grasp on what is needed in a teacher and what is not. I finally found one in town, and so far like what he is doing with me. So far it is such:
Have rarely picked up the bass so far - he teaches and thoroughly quizzes me on memorization of major scale degrees and associated chords verbally without the bass in my hand (I call him the music Nazi). I am currently working on spelling out all chord formulae to him on command and verbally and then performing the associated arpeggios – all of them, major, minor, 7, sus, dom, augmented etc etc., in any key. I understand where he is going in that when we start to actually improvise I can communicate verbally musician to musician to more fully understand what is happening and not just memorizing shapes etc. He is not a fan of scales but a firm believer in chord tones and key centers as well as proper hand positioning and technique (quizzes also include verbally naming string, fret, and finger positions for any given degree). He has 35 years teaching with theory degrees. The kicker is that he is a guitarist by profession, but I really do not think that matters so much as he is teaching me to be a musician. Time will tell.

Mr. Mig · #18 12-23-2009, 07:12 AM

Here is a thread that may help you on avoiding what you may not want in a teacher.

http://www.houstonbasslessons.com/fi...s_teacher.html

Billnc · #19 12-23-2009, 07:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr. Mig

Here is a thread that may help you on avoiding what you may not want in a teacher.

http://www.houstonbasslessons.com/fi...s_teacher.html

I agree, with one caveat, I teach both. Taught guitar for 10 years, and did not teach bass guitar until I had 5 years professionally under my belt on the instrument. It is possible to double! (actually my business card would lead you to believe I'm a bassplayer who teaches guitar).

Having said that, I get angry when bass students are assigned to the guitar teachers at the studio I teach at. I'm the only professional bass player there, yet all the guitar teachers are assigned bass students.