Should I get a teacher?

Darylw425 · #1 08-16-2007, 01:59 PM

I'm debating whether or not I should start taking lessons, and am wondering if any of you out there had thoughts on it.

I'm self taught and have been playing in rock and jam band bands for the past 15 years. I know play in a cover band, a tribute band, and other assorted projects from electronica to backing singer songwriters. I read music, have a good knowledge of theory - studied theory in college, as well as ear training. I've played in many pit orchestras. I consider myself a decent bass player capable of holding my own in many situations. Good ear, time, repertoire, gear, tone, can play finger, pick, slap, and have a general solid understanding of music. But i've never taken any lessons.

So...Do i need lessons?

I know i have some improper technique, especially left hand. Also, i never actually "practice" - i dont even know what that would be. i know scales, arpeggios, modes etc. and can play them...but i wouldnt say i ever practice. i play bass all the time- either just jamming along with something or myself, or learning a new cover song to do.

So i guess a teacher could help with those. Since i guess it depends on my goals, here are some: i'd like to be a better all around player that can be hired for many types of gigs. i'd like better technique, i'd like to be able solo better, i'd like to create more interesting lines.

Also, teachers that i have looked up in the new york city area want $50 an hour. Would this be worth it? Are there other options (books, websites, etc)?

Thanks for your input!

grovest · #2 08-16-2007, 02:08 PM

Darylw-

If I were you I'd choose a couple really solid teachers - maybe first listening to them at a gig and determining if they are doing things you'd like to learn how to do or they make choices that wouldn't be obvious to you - and pay for one or two lessons each. Tell them your experience and that you are trying to stretch yourself and collect new ideas from many different sources. Private lessons are not always years-long relationships.

Dave Muscato · #3 08-16-2007, 02:09 PM

Playing all the time and practicing are not at all the same. A good teacher can show you how to practice correctly so that your time is well spent actually improving.

You can definitely learn on the web or through books. Some teachers use method books, anyway. But a good teacher will tailor the book to your specific goals and deficencies. It takes someone who knows the right way to do something to notice and correct someone who's doing it the wrong way (or a less efficient way).

This is a good example of the type of stuff a good teacher can show you, that is difficult or impossible to learn from books or self-study alone:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w_oBJlE5qNc

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JJ1iiYjqXtQ

My advice is to take at least two lessons and see if it's helping you. My guess is that it will. I recommend at least two lessons, because invariable, the first lesson has a lot of stuff that may not actually help you right away (assessing where you are musically, setting long-term goals, basic practice techniques like using a metronome, etc), and by the second lesson you can really get into the nitty-gritty of hardcore improvement.

If you want to get better, practice! That's really the best advice I can give you. Pro level musicians got there by practicing 2, 3, 4... 7, 8 hours per day. I'm not exaggerating. I practice a minimum of four hours each day (and by practice, I don't mean jamming - I mean methodically working on things like sight-reading, speed, articulation, etc). This is not unusual or unexpected from people who are dedicated to music as a profession, for good reason!

Hope this helps,

Dave

tZer · #4 08-16-2007, 02:09 PM

I have been playing for 25 years. I took lessons when I started, played all through high school and in college where I majored in music education (didn't graduate, but that was what I signed on for). I have actively played in cover and non-cover bands ever since.

I found myself a really good teacher last year and took a few lessons and it made a world of difference in my overall approach and attitude. It also opened doors to concepts that would have not necessarily been opened if I had not taken lessons.

Sure, I could have gone the rest of my life without ever taking another lesson and been fine - gotten gigs - continued to improve, etc... but a teacher - a good teacher always kicks things into high gear.

Just know what you want from them and make sure you let 'em know and I bet you won't regret it.

Darylw425 · #5 08-16-2007, 02:21 PM

Thanks guys, interesting replies.

Dave- i should have mentioned that i have a day job (that i actually really enjoy), and have no plans to go pro. it's just a hobby for me, albeit a pretty intense and expensive one.

i make $100 a gig with my cover band that plays 2x a month - do i want to blow all that on a teacher (for a lesson every week)?

It sounds like i could just try it out anyway, for at least two lessons, and see how it goes...

Koki · #6 08-16-2007, 02:27 PM

YES
it can only do good

bluegreenturtle · #7 08-16-2007, 02:32 PM

I would add that if there are any weaknesses that have come out in your playing - maybe your lines are not so good, or your reading is not as good as you would like, etc, or you hear things that you are not sure how to do, then yes, a teacher can definately help. If you can't imagine that you have any weaknesses then maybe a teacher is in order there, too.

$50 an hour in NY is not expensive in any way. You will get what you pay for - any lower than that and I think you might find there is a good reason that they charge less.

CamMcIntyre · #8 08-16-2007, 02:52 PM

I say "Yes" to getting a teacher. If you ever visit the DB side boards, "get a teacher" is about as common of a reply as "carrots"
is on this side.

It sounds like you've got your playin to a pretty high level already-i second the idea of getting a few [ok-even one] really solid teachers that could help you reach the next level. If you aren't hip to the idea of once a week lessons, try twice or even once a month. If it's once a month it'd be more like a one-on-one masterclass where you get a whole bunch of new stuff all at once and then have the next month to work on it.

I can only speak for the theater end of things-if you want to move up in the theater world-try studying with one of the top tier guys to see what they have to say about your playing. If i had the money and time to devote to going out to NYC and studying-there's 2 guys i'd try and look up on the BG side alone...Steve Mack [sp?] & Konrad Adderley. For me, it's because they've played on some of the musicals that i have enjoyed most over the years. Steve Mack w/Rent & Konrad Adderely w/Wicked & The Wild Party + his other stuff.

A big question i've got for you is-what do you want to gain from lessons? You've already got gigs, a day job that pays [assuming], and nice gear. I personally feel that i will be taking lessons for the rest of my playing life as there's always something i can learn from someone.

Ok-i just reread your original post. To me, it sounds like you'd be well suited to study w/a jazzer. There's gotta be loads of guys in NYC that are great teachers.

When you say you want to be hired for many types of gigs-do you include those traditionally played by DB players? If so, take the massive plunge into that world. It opened up a whole other realm of gigs for me.

take it easy.

DocBop · #9 08-16-2007, 04:24 PM

I would say yes like the others. IF you been playing that long with your background you are usually looking for a high end teacher that can suggest fixes in technique and most of all open you up to new ideas. For someone like you, you usually find a teacher known or the style or area of music you want to work on, not your run of the mill teacher. Maybe even a couple lessons with one of the big name players.

As for price I'm in L.A. and $50 an hour is about right and a big name teacher would be much higher, but you usually don't see them for a few lessons anyway so averages out.

So I say yes, but be picky about who you study with, with your background.

chicagodoubler · #10 08-18-2007, 12:13 PM

Personally, I feel that one good lesson shaves a year or more off your journey.

I have students who started out from scratch with me, who have accomplished more in a year than I did in my first 4.

Poop-Loops · #11 08-18-2007, 12:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Darylw425

I'm debating whether or not I should start taking lessons,

Yes.

soong · #12 08-20-2007, 02:25 AM

getting a teacher might cover the holes you've never known you've had over the years...

you never stop learning.

ras1983 · #13 08-20-2007, 04:10 AM

you mentioned you studied music in college? i don't think you need a teacher, since you already have all the basics covered and then some.

what you need is a mentor to take you to the next level of musicianship. try and find an absolute monster from your local area who will mould you into a monster just like a potter moulds clay.

JimmyM · #14 08-20-2007, 05:17 AM

That's what I did. I took lessons from Dave LaRue for 3 years. Best thing I ever did. He brought me to the next level of musicianship. He was an amazingly big help.

Darylw425 · #15 08-20-2007, 07:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ras1983

you mentioned you studied music in college? i don't think you need a teacher, since you already have all the basics covered and then some.

I studied some theory and ear training in college, but nothing bass specific. i've gotten where i am from reading a ton- books, Bass Player magazine...and of course TB.

Thanks for the thoughts guys. I have called a couple teachers in the area and want to chat with them on the phone to get a feel for them and see what they think.