Starting bass lessons today....

[JoeDemo]

Hello all,

Today I will take my first "official" bass lesson from a real bass instructor, not to be confused with the fake ones

So far I have mainly been a self taught player who has learned by playing along with recordings, with the aid of a few books/dvds or just jamming with buddies. So I am excited but a little nervous too about trying to get to that next level of playing.

I am not sure how the lessons will even go, what the instructor's teaching style will be or anything really. I know the guy is really good and has a lot of teaching experience. I am going in on a recommendation I received from a fellow TB'er, (Thanks Justyn).
Hopefully these lessons will help me get to that next level.

How has others experience been with taking lessons from an instructor? Did it work out for you or do you feel you would be better off learning on your own?

Thanks for any input!!!!!

[dalkowski]

Way to go.

I started back on lessons 18 months or so ago after DECADES of playing without regular tutelage since high school. Best thing I ever did. It's hard work, but my knowledge and skill are expanding exponentially. I didn't know how much I didn't know before I hooked up with my teacher. He's an old-school Berklee grad and just blows my mind every week with the stuff he shows me.

No way I'd be better off learning on my own. Absolutely no way.

One bit of input: You'll get more from your instruction if you go in with a GOAL. When I first met my teacher -- even I signed on for lessons -- I told him, "If I'm at a jazz club and the bass player strokes out between the second and third set, I want to be able to get up on the stage and sit in for him." He told me what I needed to learn and that he could help me get there. I've got a very very long way to go, but he's built my lessons around that goal.

Good luck, and have fun!

[JoeDemo]

Thanks!!!

I am hoping taking lessons from an instructor will help....it can't hurt right!!!!

Once I meet him today I will discuss what my GOALS will be. I guess just becoming a better bass player is not specific enough. I'll see what suggestions he has as well.

[MalcolmAmos]

Yes be specific or you will get his cookie cutter first lesson. That may or may not be what you want.

Be specific; Muting, knowing the keyboard, identifying chord changes by ear, deciding on bass lines on the fly. The more you tell your instructor the more he can help you.

What style of music you like and where you want to be in six months is something you both can work toward.

[dalkowski]

The only way it can hurt is if you and your instructor don't hit it off -- or if he doesn't know what he's doing.

Your goals don't have to be lofty. But expect to go "back to basics" and perhaps to unlearn some habits you may have picked up. Keep an open mind. He may give you stuff that seems rudimentary, but trust me -- it's all building blocks. Stick with it and within a couple months you'll look back and say "wow, I've come a long way."

Oh yeah -- practice your lessons.

Above all, Enjoy!

[Buslady7803]

I started in January with my teacher, he is fantastic. He was teaching my brother guitar but since my bro had a stroke, he has to get over that first and it's happening. He's starting to move his left fingers woohoo!
Anyways...

Arnie is an awesome teacher. He's been doing music since 4.
We're working through a book right now to develop tech and learn where everything is on the fretboard. I can already read music so it helps. We have lots of fun, lots of laughs and good lesson. It's a huge confidence builder, cos I have so little of it to begin with. He works me though difficult spots, repeating a phrase over & over til I get it good. Last lesson my hands were actually tired we worked so much! He catches my bad habits and kicks them quickly. And a teacher needs to be PATIENT.
I'm hoping I get good enough to play in a local band or something, it'd just be fun to be on a stage again.

anyways thats my experience...i think getting along with the teacher is a big deal. Have fun, laugh, joke, don't get overly frustrated if you're having trouble...

[dalkowski]

Originally Posted by Buslady7803

i think getting along with the teacher is a big deal. Have fun, laugh, joke, don't get overly frustrated if you're having trouble...

+1. It's supposed to be fun.

[WorkinOnIt]

The student/teacher chemistry is important. Don't get discouraged if it does not feel right with this first teacher. My first teacher was 3 minutes away, but I could tell right away (after 2 lessons or so) it was not going to happen with him. I bit the bullet and found a GREAT teacher 45 minutes away and took weekly lessons from him for over 2 years. Have fun and practice those scales!. Heh.

Best of luck.

[skabass13]

Joe-

The best thing to remember is that the instructor is there to help you. This may seem obvious, but some people generally forget. As an instructor myself, another thing to be aware of is the fact that your instructor is nervous as well! It is human nature to be a bit nervous when meeting new people. Just relax and be yourself, and remember that the instructor is human too. Do not be afraid to ask questions and become friends with him or her! Feel free to ask any other questions and I hope you have a blast!

-Skabass13

[JoeDemo]

Had my first lesson yesterday and it went extremely well!!!! The instructor is really cool and believe it or not, we are both lefties. I have to brush up a little bit on my music theory and work out some technique issues, but I truly believe this is going to help my playing greatly!!!

Plus it is cool to play with another lefty bassist. Not many here in the Central VA area that I know about. I even got to try out a "real" 69 Jazz bass plus a super nice lefty Alembic. Now I will start having GAS attacks

It's going to be a lot of work ahead, but a whole lot of fun too!!! Thanks for the advice guys, I'll need it!!!

[Buslady7803]

Well that sure seemed to work out! Awesome!!