What the **** am i suppose to do?

[s3lggiW]

I moved to a city with a population of 60,000. The interstate has a sign when you get on of the next two closest cities. One 500 miles west, the other 200 miles east. There are 3 bass teachers that i know of, and i have searched hard for them. One is to busy to teach it seems, and the other just doesn't care for teaching. I seem to have personality differences with the 3rd, and i don't think we'd benefit from lessons. I've read all the books, i have 4 sets of instructional books, but i benefit most from hands-on lessons. I'm a fast learner, i just need someone to help me learn. It sucks, but that's just the way i am, and i wouldn't trade it for anything because it's how i learn the most. What am i to do? I waited 8 months to find a teacher that doesn't want to teach, and searched 3 months for a teacher that's to busy to teach. I'll email the 3rd guy again.

Does anyone have any experience with online (webcam) lessons? I don't think they'd help much, but at this point, i just ****ing need something.

3 years I've been wanting to play and learn. It just does not seem to be in my cards. What am i to do?

Sorry for the rant.

[Foamy]

Get over your issue preventing you from learning from the one guy who CAN and WILL teach.
It's time to grow and mature a bit.
We all have those types of people we have to deal with - through school and through professional careers.
If they have the talent, and are willing to teach, and you are willing to learn, then it can work.
Just because you don't "like" someone, that doesn't mean you can't respect and learn from that person.
But your harboring the bitterness is like drinking poison and wanting the other person to die.
Take the good with the bad - try a reset on the relationship.

[Fergie Fulton]

Three teachers....wow three more than I had where I grew up. Best person to learn from in your situation is yourself. Take control and watch and learn from those around you for technique. Great resources here on TB. Technique is easy, it's common sense and a few ergonomics that suit you.
Now as for music, any good music teacher can teach you that, find one, preferably a piano teachers, music is music and will adapt to any instrument.
So rather than create problems to put you off, create solutions to get you moving.
Any questions I will try and help if I can.

[SR505bassman]

Originally Posted by Foamy

But your harboring the bitterness is like drinking poison and wanting the other person to die.

+1 I LIKE this one!

[lowfreq33]

What city do you live in? There are probably a few people on this forum that are close to you and could help.

[snyderz]

I have no problem with rants. So I'll rant on you. Only 60,000? Try living in a town of 6,000. Lots of music teachers here, so I have a feeling there are more than 3 in your area. Maybe not listed, but they are out there. You asked if web lessons are any good. Did you try a few to see for yourself? Go to a bunch of gigs, or open mics, and talk to the bass players. They will know if there are local teachers, or might even offer to teach. Lastly, maybe bass just isn't your instrument. Many of us here, with exceptions of course, just loved it, and learned it.

[s3lggiW]

Originally Posted by Foamy

Get over your issue preventing you from learning from the one guy who CAN and WILL teach.
It's time to grow and mature a bit.
We all have those types of people we have to deal with - through school and through professional careers.
If they have the talent, and are willing to teach, and you are willing to learn, then it can work.
Just because you don't "like" someone, that doesn't mean you can't respect and learn from that person.
But your harboring the bitterness is like drinking poison and wanting the other person to die.
Take the good with the bad - try a reset on the relationship.

Interesting response.

The guy, as i understand, has 3 children, one of whom is sick. He doesn't have a full time job, and makes his money from lessons. He spends most of his day at home with his kids. He's not devoted to lessons at all, which is understandable. The other guy has too many commitments with other bands and projects to commit to lessons on a steady basis.

Originally Posted by snyderz

I have no problem with rants. So I'll rant on you. Only 60,000? Try living in a town of 6,000. Lots of music teachers here, so I have a feeling there are more than 3 in your area. Maybe not listed, but they are out there. You asked if web lessons are any good. Did you try a few to see for yourself? Go to a bunch of gigs, or open mics, and talk to the bass players. They will know if there are local teachers, or might even offer to teach. Lastly, maybe bass just isn't your instrument. Many of us here, with exceptions of course, just loved it, and learned it.

You make a good point. I'll try to find some players around here. I don't know where

A town of 6,000? Lol. Towns around here are lucky to have a population of 6,000! Or a grocery store for that matter. It takes some getting use to.

[BogeyBass]

Well sounds like its time to move.

I can think of a hundred or so morons willing to teach in LA alone.

There is thousands of online lessons, and even video games now that teach guitar....im sure bass is on the way.

Being that i learned how to play on my own, i most likely dont have much more than a ass hat answer for you.

Otherwise not liking the 3rd option/person is understandable.
But you may very well be able to learn something if you set aside your pre judgment.

I dont understand, just learn major and minor scales and practice those daily. Learn how to fret the strings well, and most of all learn and memorize what note every fret is.

All this takes about a year, and if you do so, can all be done with a book ....you will be a better player than most guys that have been playing for 20 + years......who still dont know minor or major scales, and have to stare at the fretboard to still find more than 2 A's

[oldcatfish]

internet + money + skype = lessons anywhere!

[warnergt]

A lot of guitar teachers can teach bass. It might not be ideal
but it can be pretty good. Contact the guitar teachers in
your area and see if they will help you learn bass.

[ksandvik]

... during all that time you would learn a lot yourself by just practicing. Or looking at various YouTube lessons that are plentiful... Even better, join a band or two and attend any jam you could find, public or private.

[flowinowen]

YO! I live in an establishment (not a town) of less than 5k. The closest city (asheville) is an hour away. I'm the only jazz bass player, and one of two upright players in town.

That being said- we're in a digital age. Keep on the internet, you'll learn quite a bit from online publishings. Listen, Listen, Listen. Bass players, piano, sax, drums, everything. Get some etudes under your fingers, they come in handy when running over the board.

Get out and play! they'll know your name around town eventually. Hope it helps!

[theretheyare]

i really dont understand the anger. Do you seriously think that you are entitled to a teacher that exactly meets your requirements?

But well, since you seem to know exactly what you require, why dont you tell what it specifically is what you seek to learn, so people here can help you better?

By the way, to be somewhere where nobody can give you what you want, is a great place to be. It means that you, once you learned it through one channel or another, will be the only person around capable of providing that area of our venerated craft. That should make you indispensable and marketable up there whereever you are.

[ChrisPbass]

skype? youtube? Tons of info on the 'net. No it's not someone sitting a foot from you ... but come on....

[Stumbo]

Check the >500 links reference in my sig.
Lots of stuff to learn there.

[Munjibunga]

Originally Posted by Foamy

.

I like your screen name. Foamy was little Maurice the Indian boy's dog's name in Timberland Tales. I love the one where Maurice accidentally saw Kathleen naked in the shower.

[Darko74]

lessons shhmessons! youtube my friend or Play Bass Now with MarloweDK - free bass lessons, funk bass exercises, bass guitar lessons, bass tutorials, electric bass lessons, learn to play funk

[Foamy]

Originally Posted by Munjibunga

I like your screen name. Foamy was little Maurice the Indian boy's dog's name in Timberland Tales. I love the one where Maurice accidentally saw Kathleen naked in the shower.

Cheers, Munji!
I'll look that up!
In my case, I jacked it from Foamy the Squirrel. Check out the Tech Support clip.

[ronaldpdbrandt]

Sorry to nit-pick, OP, but how is the #2 guy a bass instructor if he doesn't want to teach anyone? That's like saying, "I'm a janitor, but I don't work for anyone or clean anything."

Is there a music shop in town? Check bulletin boards there and at music clubs, record shops, etc. What about the local Craigslist? Keep looking, and someone will pop out of the woodwork.

[bherman]

Originally Posted by s3lggiW

I moved to a city with a population of 60,000. The interstate has a sign when you get on of the next two closest cities. One 500 miles west, the other 200 miles east. There are 3 bass teachers that i know of, and i have searched hard for them. One is to busy to teach it seems, and the other just doesn't care for teaching. I seem to have personality differences with the 3rd, and i don't think we'd benefit from lessons. I've read all the books, i have 4 sets of instructional books, but i benefit most from hands-on lessons. I'm a fast learner, i just need someone to help me learn. It sucks, but that's just the way i am, and i wouldn't trade it for anything because it's how i learn the most. What am i to do? I waited 8 months to find a teacher that doesn't want to teach, and searched 3 months for a teacher that's to busy to teach. I'll email the 3rd guy again.

Does anyone have any experience with online (webcam) lessons? I don't think they'd help much, but at this point, i just ****ing need something.

3 years I've been wanting to play and learn. It just does not seem to be in my cards. What am i to do?

Sorry for the rant.

Take a look at Scott Devine's lessons online - free! Also consider getting a Carol Kaye or other "How to Learn Electric Bass" book with CD/DVD. Would be a great place to get basics down.