Taking lessons with your favorite musician.

santucci218 · #1 06-20-2010, 05:36 AM

Imagine you had a chance to take lessons with your favorite musician, would you? I have that chance now and to be honest, I am totally scared! I really love his music, and I bet I could learn a lot, but to be honest, I am totally uncomfortable with my playing when comparing myself to him. I mean, I have taken lessons before, but not this seriously. I guess that im just looking for reassurance that no matter what, its a good choice to do this and I shouldn't be so self conscious about my lack of theory and such.

NavyCherub · #2 06-20-2010, 05:43 AM

Definitely, getting direct insight on playing from someone I admire already seems like it would be an amazing experience. I'm sure it would be a little more than nerve wracking, but always remember that they are only human like anyone else.

capnsandwich · #3 06-20-2010, 05:44 AM

It'll pass. Everyone who wants to advance usually feels inadequate to their mentors. After a while you'll learn some things that'll help build your confidence back up and you'll be glad you did it, not to mention a better musician. BTW, who are you taking lessons from?

santucci218 · #4 06-20-2010, 05:47 AM

this guy..

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

sedgwick1489 · #5 06-20-2010, 07:28 AM

I did this. Two of my favs are Jeff Berlin, who I took lessons from at his One Week Intensive, and Dave LaRue who I was able to take a years worth of correspondence lessons from. They were both awesome and not the least bit intimidating. Both provided lots of positive feedback and I learned tons! Now, if I can just get Nathan East nailed down I think my lesson bucket list will be complete.

GM60466 · #6 06-20-2010, 07:31 AM

10 years ago, I spent an afternoon with Joe Osborn. It changed my complete approach to playing the bass. It definitely helped me become a better player.

G

cnltb · #7 06-20-2010, 07:34 AM

I'd do it-he's a 8 string guitarist??

Jim Nazium · #8 06-20-2010, 07:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by santucci218

Imagine you had a chance to take lessons with your favorite musician, would you?

The only reason I would hesitate is that my favorite musicians are so much more advanced than I'll ever be, that it would seem kind of pointless. It would be like asking Steven Hawking to teach me high school physics. If I could take some lessons from John Patitucci or Christian McBride, I'm sure it would be a cool experience, but the stuff I need to learn right now I can learn just as well from a local guy (for probably half the price).

But in your situation, if the guy is local and willing to give you lessons, go for it. At least try it out. Don't be intimidated. You aren't there to compete with him. He's probably eager to share what he knows with a motivated student (and if he's not, then find a teacher who is).

AJ Brown · #9 06-20-2010, 07:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sedgwick1489

Jeff Berlin, who I took lessons from at his One Week Intensive

I'm thinking of doing this... can you elaborate on your experience with Jeff?

**Freddels** · #10 06-20-2010, 11:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AJ Brown

I'm thinking of doing this... can you elaborate on your experience with Jeff?

Me too!

Billnc · #11 06-20-2010, 12:27 PM

I did, Pat Martino, one few hour lesson, and a 600 mile drive. Well worth it. I came out with a plan for the next year or so, working on stuff one step at a time. This was about 4 years before I tood up bass.

HaVIC5 · #12 06-20-2010, 01:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by santucci218

this guy..

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

Heck yeah, Tosin is a great musician, I love his playing and approach. He tackles the 8-string guitar in a way that nobody else does that really elevates the expanded range beyond pure novelty. Great stuff. I met him at a jazz club in DC where I was playing (not knowing who he was at the time), and he was just as sharply dressed as you always see him in his youtube videos, haha.

sedgwick1489 · #13 06-20-2010, 01:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AJ Brown

I'm thinking of doing this... can you elaborate on your experience with Jeff?

Jeff was awesome! Feels you out really quick to see where you are weak and knows exactly what to material to assign. Jeff is a seriously high caliber musician, but when teaching lessons he is right there at whatever level you require. As Jeff states in many of his threads, he teaches music and knows what it takes to get from A to B to C......so, if your not at A yet, that is where you will start. If you are at D, then you will start at E, etc. As Jeff is such a high caliber musician nothing gets by him, but I found his feedback, corrections, and suggestions to be spot on and always delivered in a very respectful positive and constructive way. I found Jeff to be the type of guy who as long as you are working hard and doing your part he will bend over backwards to help you succeed..........I wish he was still on TB, I miss him.

If you are looking for a 1-wk intensive review, there are several excellent ones under Gen. Inst. so I won't duplice those.

All the best,
Tim

santucci218 · #14 06-21-2010, 03:31 PM

Well, i signed up for the end of the month to take a lesson with him. SO NERVOUS.

kesslari · #15 06-21-2010, 03:40 PM

You're a sham, a faker, a talentless hack, and all that will be painfully exposed while he laughs in your face and humiliates you on youtube. Deal with it.

Now that you've gotten that out of the way, you can focusing on learning music from someone whose abilities, direction and talents you respect.

Craig630 · #16 06-21-2010, 03:55 PM

When Goerge St. Pierre first faught Matt Hughes, he lost to nerves because he Idolized the guy for the past 5 or so years.

When next they met, he realized "'ey dat Matt 'ughes iz juss a guy like me, eh?" and he schooled him.

You'll get voer the jitters, man up and rock out!

Gawd · #17 06-21-2010, 04:10 PM

A lesson with Tosin would be an awesome opportunity. Take it!

**travep** · #18 06-21-2010, 04:26 PM

Good teachers are not intimidating. Great players are often not the best teachers. They are different skills. You have to do it b/c it could be the best musical experience for you but be careful not to put too much weight on it. Even if it's not what you've built up in your mind, you can still learn a lot...and it could be a really good experience.

Have fun!