Weary of certain teachers

Kickin'Fruit · #1 07-11-2006, 11:44 PM

Im weary of getting a teacher who also teaches guitar, or is his main deal. Seems like they might teach me the wrong technique or not know that much about it. Am I just being paranoid?

IanStephenson · #2 07-12-2006, 06:47 AM

interesting question - I've been looking around, and run up against a similar question: most (if not all) of the teachers round here teach guitar/bass/mandolin/harmonica/nigerean nose flute etc. I'm SO SO jealous of the guys in the other recent thread who could drive over to the next town and hook up with Dave LaRue!!!

Personally I think I'll just hold on for a while, and ask around a bit first.

I can see this working/not working at three levels:

Beginner: The can show you the basics, and assuming they're half way decent they won't let you get into any bad habits. On the other hand you can't be sure (but then again, the bass only teacher might be some self taught lug head with dreadfull technique). You'll probably get better theory from the all rounder who probably has a music degree than from some bass only kid.

Intermediate: Here you're looking for more techniques, and the all round teacher is going to struggle. A guitar player isn't going to be able to teach you double thumbing for example.

Advanced: Here I'd say it doesn't matter any more - you're looking for a mentor. You've already mastered you instrument, so what you need is insight into MUSIC. A sax teacher for example might be able to help you play smooth sweeping arpegios better than most bass players, because that's what they understand.

Personally i think i would just ask around. Basically a good musician and teacher is more use to you than a good bass player.

Ian

s.m.80808 · #3 07-12-2006, 11:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IanStephenson

. . .
Personally i think i would just ask around. Basically a good musician and teacher is more use to you than a good bass player.

Ian

+1

yitsi80 · #4 07-12-2006, 01:43 PM

I can only speak from my experience. I started playing about a year ago. and got my first teacher about 7 months ago. Now he is the coolest guy, has a couple of bands, and is a wicked muscian.
But he is guitarist and mandolinist first and foremost. ( I have stuck with him mostly because he charges me almost nil, because a 1 hr lesson normally lasts around 2 or 3 hours and they are a bundle of fun). However, he does not know about the theory behind basslines. All that said, i would be an even worse bassist today if it was not for him.

On a related note, as somone who is about to moving cities, it is really difficult finding a new teacher in new locations. If there was some talkbass listing and review of local teachers around the country i think it would be greatly appreciated by the community. Cause i am not sold on just walking into the local guitar center or sam ash and saying "hi, can someone please teach me bass?".

those are my 2 notes.
enjoy the day,
yitsi80.
p.s. I am still looking for a teacher in the fort lauderdale, Flordia area or within reasonable driving distance- if you know someone let me know -->yitsi "AT" Hotmail.com

mkettner · #5 07-12-2006, 05:25 PM

I think a bass teacher who plays guitar would be a fine fit to teach bass well. I know from personal experience it really helps as they can simply pick up the guitar and play along with something you are working on. It is the guitar teacher who also plays bass is the one to be careful in my opinion.

Alan Vorse · #6 07-13-2006, 08:33 AM

Theory-wise, a guitarist who knows his stuff could be helpful. In addition to my regular bass lessons, I study theory with a saxophonist. The problem I have is, a lot (not all) of guitarists focus on playing leads and don't know much about GROOVE. Will a guitarist know much about locking in with a drummer? Maybe.

tZer · #7 07-13-2006, 08:54 AM

I started musical life taking piano lessons, added violin, then upright bass and trombone.

Can I play bass? Yep. Am I only a bass player? Nope. Does my well-rounded music education play into me being a more broad, piano player/violinist/tromboner/bassist? Uh, huh.

I am currently taking lessons from a 'bass teacher' whose primary instrument it bass. But our lessons focus 90% on theory and it's application vs. technique and tricks specific to bass. Therefore, I could be getting that same education from a guitar/piano/flute teacher who has their theory intact.

If you are going for getting your fingers in shape and making sure you are not developing any bad bass habits, then having a teacher who is rock-solid in bass-centric teaching is essential. Otherwise, music is music.

steveb98 · #8 07-13-2006, 02:56 PM

You need to audition a teacher the way you would audition a new band member. I usually talk to prospective bass instructor on the phone and see how they respond to the things I looking for. If they can comment on it okay, but if I just get an sure I can teach that I get leery. Then I say I would like to just take one or two lessons to see how it works out. It's more that if you know the material, can they teach it in a way that makes sense to me. By saying I just want to try, if I don't like the person its easy to say I don't think its working and move on.

Also I try to find instructor via recommendation for others. I avoid just calling up a music store or some ad.

Baryonyx · #9 07-13-2006, 04:17 PM

There is one guy who teaches in my area...lets call him "Irish Steve". Now, from what I've seen when meeting him, he knows his stuff, but comes across as deftly arrogant. Whats more, I've heard from people he is arrogant and often condescending when teaching.

I once ehard him make a comment about how he could teach someone to be the next Jaco if he wanted too, but that "There is not enough money in the world" to make him give up those secrets. Makes me wonder why he is "The next Jaco".