Stopped taking lessons, looking for guidance

Mahumadi · #1 07-30-2010, 10:43 AM

Without getting too far into it, I stopped lessons and heres the run down. The first 2-3 lessons were great with him teaching me new modes, reviewing last weeks modes and fingering exercises. I learned an assload and had more than enough material to practice inbetween lessons (hour a week). It then began going downhill and the final straw being last week.. He was teaching me a technique, but only gave me 5 minutes or so of instruction on the technique and when he realized I was having a lot of trouble with it, he decided it would be best to rush me out as his new student arrived. Im sorry, but if I was an instructor and had a student who couldnt grasp what was taught, Id ask the oncoming student to allow me 5-10 minutes to work with the guy whos having trouble. Seems more reasonable than sending them home not knowing wha the hell theyre supposed to do. So, I went home with no practical exercises and not knowing what the hell I was doing with the technique and wondering where the hell my money went. In fact it pissed me off so much that Im not going back although he still owes me 2 more lessons. ($40).

/rant

So, in short, haha, im looking for guidance. Im going to be getting a real book in bass clef, so aside from learning and practicing some standards, what else can I do in the downtime of not having an instructor to better learn jazz theory/techniques?

BobWestbrook · #2 07-30-2010, 10:52 AM

Sorry, but I think you're in the wrong here. He gets paid by the hour, and has another person scheduled, so his actions were reasonable. My advice, though you didn't ask for it: swallow your pride and go back, at least for your last two.

fearceol · #3 07-30-2010, 10:58 AM

I think it would be a waste of money, since you have prepaid, not to go back to him for the final two lessons. Better to get something in return for your money. Perhaps he could continue where he left off with the technique lesson.

After that, it seems like you should seek out another teacher.

Mahumadi · #4 07-30-2010, 11:08 AM

Thats my goal.. to seek another teacher. Though, these would have been my last 2 lessons for a while due to school and band obligations with recording.

I understand that I should get what I paid for, but at this point its hardly worth my time. Losing 2 hours each lesson day (driving and downtime between work and the lesson etc.) for what? To be taught something and be rushed out? Not knowing what to play and no practical exercises?

I understand its an hourly job, but at the same time, my last instructor would do this for me and other students (when I was waiting for my lesson). It never bothered me being on either spectrum, and I dont feel as though a student should have an issue with it. If it were them Im sure they would like to have the extra time and courtesy. To me that shows the instructor cares. Being rushed out after a small block of instruction and no clue what the hell Im supposed to do speaks volumes and is a complete waste of time, money, and energy.

Maybe I am in the wrong for not going back? Who knows, oh well

Thunderthumbs73 · #5 07-30-2010, 11:18 AM

Yes, it's your rant.

You're walking out on lessons you've already paid for. Error #1. So far as any one of us can tell, you've made no effort to indicate the grievance to the teacher. Error #2. You've made no allowance for the teacher to acknowlege and correct the problem you indicate. Error #3.

NineSpine · #6 07-30-2010, 11:23 AM

I have a feeling that if you got there and this instructor said "Hey I have another student I need to cut into your time with, so just hold on", like you expected him to do for you, then that's what you would have quit over.

ridgeback · #7 07-30-2010, 11:40 AM

some things take longer to get to grips with than others and just cant be grasped in one lesson..maybe???? it was you and not him at fault..???? maybe you just dont like the teacher.??? there are 100000000 "what ifs" and basicly its your time and money so your choice ..for what its worth i think you will find something with the next teacher and the one after that...you want to get better you have to practice..your teacher can only take you so far but having an open mind and a better understanding of musicians and how they work will stand to you in the long run..attitude and humility are for me very important parts of working with people,bands,recording,live sound engineers will all do something you wont like at some stage,you wont get things your way all the time..bite the bullet finish your other 2 lessons and then make your mind up on the guy,could have been a bad day..him or you..s*** happens sometimes.

chrisbass0013 · #8 07-30-2010, 11:47 AM

+1 ridgeback

Mahumadi · #9 07-30-2010, 11:49 AM

In my experiences, when I have a problem, I voice my opinion. Ive had a few instructors over the last 2 years, but not one has done what was done to me. I could confront him, yes. However, confronting him would get me nowhere simply because it would make things awkward. So, now he knows I dont like his style and I have 2 more lessons, so what attempt would he really make to ensure I get the most out of the last 2 lessons? Seeing as how the one prior was a complete waste of money, time, and energy, I highly doubt an effort would be made to ensure I get my moneys worth.

This is just skimming the surface guys. Its easy to see if an instructor is making a decent attempt or if its about the money. The lesson plan fell apart, things were made up on the fly, etc. Way too much to get into, but I appreciate the constructive critisism

Ridgeback, Im confused as to why you would say.. "you want to get better you have to practice."? Very true, however, I dont remember stating that I dont practice, in fact I think the point of this rant was that I have nothing to practice to review the technique I was.. taught..

Ok this wasnt supposed to be a /rant thread, but work is pretty boring today lol.

Mahumadi · #10 07-30-2010, 11:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NineSpine

I have a feeling that if you got there and this instructor said "Hey I have another student I need to cut into your time with, so just hold on", like you expected him to do for you, then that's what you would have quit over.

Wow, Im curious as to how you know my personality so well? Are you some sort of stalker? I mean.. I can give you a pair of undies if youre that desperate to sniff them. I kid, I kid

Re-read my post. More specifically the part where I mentioned that my last instructor did this to me and I had no issues with it what so ever.

Thunderthumbs73 · #11 07-30-2010, 11:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mahumadi

However, confronting him would get me nowhere simply because it would make things awkward.

Adults communicate to each other when a problem arises between them.

Waterpilot · #12 07-30-2010, 11:55 AM

You take 10 minutes, the next student takes 5 extra minutes, and the one after that takes another 10... By the time you get to the 4th student he's running almost 30 minutes behind. What's the Mom, who is dropping her 12 year old off for music lessons and racing her 10 year old off to soccer practice supposed to do now?

I think you're over reacting. Doesn't your instructor have an e-mail address so you can get some clarification?

Mahumadi · #13 07-30-2010, 12:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Waterpilot

You take 10 minutes, the next student takes 5 extra minutes, and the one after that takes another 10... By the time you get to the 4th student he's running almost 30 minutes behind. What's the Mom, who is dropping her 12 year old off for music lessons and racing her 10 year old off to soccer practice supposed to do now?

I think you're over reacting. Doesn't your instructor have an e-mail address so you can get some clarification?

Indeed he does. He also has a cell phone and yes I do have the number as yes I did speak to him yesterday.

Ive been in many situations where I was unclear on certain things that we went over (with other instructors), but I was able to go home and review the notes and work through the exercises and eventually it would "click". However, when you have a situation where I am completely lost and there was little to no instruction given to me, how can I work with that?

I think it is acceptable in that instance to offer a few extra minutes. In the other case, like with my last instructors, it isnt reasonable because it can be worked out through notes and such. There is no extra time needed. He knew I needed the time, I could see it in his eyes, but hey that money is better than a student who looks up to you and wants more than anything to be a good and competent bass player.

/rant (for the time being)

Mahumadi · #14 07-30-2010, 12:07 PM

Sorry if im coming off as a prick. I do appreciate the constructive critisism.

As a side note.. I have no hard feelings toward the man. I just dont want to spend money on his instruction.

Waterpilot · #15 07-30-2010, 12:12 PM

I understand your frustration. Maybe give him one more shot though, especially since you're paid up anyway. We ALL have bad and/ or off days. Maybe that was one of his.

ridgeback · #16 07-30-2010, 12:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mahumadi

In my experiences, when I have a problem, I voice my opinion. Ive had a few instructors over the last 2 years, but not one has done what was done to me. I could confront him, yes. However, confronting him would get me nowhere simply because it would make things awkward. So, now he knows I dont like his style and I have 2 more lessons, so what attempt would he really make to ensure I get the most out of the last 2 lessons? Seeing as how the one prior was a complete waste of money, time, and energy, I highly doubt an effort would be made to ensure I get my moneys worth.

This is just skimming the surface guys. Its easy to see if an instructor is making a decent attempt or if its about the money. The lesson plan fell apart, things were made up on the fly, etc. Way too much to get into, but I appreciate the constructive critisism

Ridgeback, Im confused as to why you would say.. "you want to get better you have to practice."? Very true, however, I dont remember stating that I dont practice, in fact I think the point of this rant was that I have nothing to practice to review the technique I was.. taught..

Ok this wasnt supposed to be a /rant thread, but work is pretty boring today lol.

yeah mate sorry i know you never said you did not practice....
what i was getting at was practice is only one part of what your doing,anything you learn in life is down to what you put in.having the musical ability is a tiny part of being a player/worker/whatever.your attitude and understanding and open mind is what makes you good and also helps getting jobs..if you dont like the guy or his way of teaching thats one thing..but like you have said you have had other teachers and i am sure many more over time..its not what they teach its what you take from it..over 25+ years of playing i have picked up stuff from starters to pros.i have learned from musicians i cant stand on a personal level but just having eyes and ears open have helped me in so many ways..

Marginal Tom · #17 07-30-2010, 12:15 PM

If he rushed you out after five minutes of instruction on a new technique, he was probably either (1) giving you some extra material because you had five minutes left and he had another student scheduled or (2) somewhat disorganized. What, if anything, did you get out of the rest of your lesson?

If he was just disorganized, and it hadn't been a problem before, he may have just been having a bad day, been distracted by a family illness, etc. I'd go back for the two remaining lessons, and let bygones be bygones.

Thunderthumbs73 · #18 07-30-2010, 12:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mahumadi

Sorry if im coming off as a prick. I do appreciate the constructive critisism.

As a side note.. I have no hard feelings toward the man. I just dont want to spend money on his instruction.

If you've learned how to better handle the situation, and will actually handle it differently (aka now reaching out to said instructor about the problem, when you wouldn't before), then no harm done. If not, then you haven't learned a thing from your thread, and it is also clear you are not even looking for guidance as you originally asked, and which is in the title of your thread.

I do hate to sound harsh. But asking for guidance, criticism, etc... without a mindset and willingness to take the suggestion and act on it, is just spinning wheels for everyone...

Do the right thing. Please. Talk to your teacher. It's not "confrontation". It's being an adult.

Richard Lindsey · #19 07-30-2010, 01:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mahumadi

I dont remember stating that I dont practice, in fact I think the point of this rant was that I have nothing to practice to review the technique I was.. taught..

Then practice the stuff you were taught in previous lessons or in the earlier part of the last lesson. You don't necessarily stop working on something because you learned it once. There's ALWAYS something you could be practicing.

I'm with the majority: to me, it seems as if you're overreacting. I can see that it would have been nice to get a few extra minutes, but that's how it goes sometimes. (With music teachers as well as with therapists.) The guy didn't really owe you the extra time. And re-read Waterpilot's post above.

It's your dime, but if I were you, I would go to the next lesson and start off by saying something like, "You know that thing you started to show me at the end of the last lesson? Can we go over that again? I didn't quite get it, and I need a little more time to get a handle on it." See how it goes from there.

Richard Lindsey · #20 07-30-2010, 02:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thunderthumbs73

If you've learned how to better handle the situation, and will actually handle it differently (aka now reaching out to said instructor about the problem, when you wouldn't before), then no harm done. If not, then you haven't learned a thing from your thread, and it is also clear you are not even looking for guidance as you originally asked, and which is in the title of your thread.

I do hate to sound harsh. But asking for guidance, criticism, etc... without a mindset and willingness to take the suggestion and act on it, is just spinning wheels for everyone...

Do the right thing. Please. Talk to your teacher. It's not "confrontation". It's being an adult.

+1.