What do I look for in an instructor?

[lowsideonacurve]

More power to the person that can give lessons on the side and supplement their income to pay bills/buy groceries/add to their kids college fund/whatever, but that doesn't necessarily make them a good teacher.
Don't get me wrong, I'm not down on teachers, I know there are good teachers out there too. I also know that they are just people too and like everybody else, some of them do a lousy job.
Many years ago, I took a few lessons from a guy that nearly bored me to death. At the time I already knew how to play a little by ear and the only thing I learned from him was how I could open a Mel Bay book on my own and save $20 a pop. Unfortunately I don't have the self discipline make that work.
Now with the internet, I've learned a lot on my own, but need some structure.
So....I'm planning on starting lessons again and wondering what I should expect from an instructor and how to recognize a good one early on.

[onlyclave]

Originally Posted by lowsideonacurve

Unfortunately I don't have the self discipline make that work....but need some structure.

If you can't discipline yourself and/or you don't know what you're doing then that's why you need an instructor.

People get the wrong idea about what music lessons really are about. I figured this out halfway through college as a music major that they weren't teaching me how to play my instrument, they were teaching me how to practice. The instructors I had gave me guidance and direction and then feedback on what I was doing but nobody showed me how to slap or read or how to set the knobs. I played some really fun stuff and also some really boring stuff but it all had a purpose. Sometimes it was apparent and sometimes it took me several weeks to understand what the point was.

What you should look for is an instructor that teaches music, not bass operation, and teaches you how to practice on your own.

[lowsideonacurve]

Originally Posted by onlyclave

What you should look for is an instructor that teaches music, not bass operation, and teaches you how to practice on your own.

Good advice.

Thanks,
Allen

[MalcolmAmos]

YouTube - Taylor Mali on what teachers make

[LaklandBass]

Find an instructor that is willing to teach you what you want to learn.
I took lessons for 3 months when I was 14 so I didnt get into any bad habbits. Then at age 18 I started lessons again to work on slightly advanced techniques... and the teacher SUCKED. He kept telling me that I had to learn how to read music and thats what he tried to force on me every week. When I signed up I told the shop owner that I wanted instruction on slapping technique and tightening up my playing. As it turns out the "bass specialist" couldnt slap at all which is probably why he kept trying to force me to read music. Not that I dont think you should read music but I certainly wasnt interested in paying $90/month for something I could teach myself.
Needless to say, I quit taking lessons there.

[LaklandBass]

My point is that you should find someone who can teach you what YOU want to learn. Its your money so you should get what you want. Also, read Vic Wootens new book... great reading and very inspirational.
Onlyclave is absolutely right by the way... get an instructor that can help you learn to help yourself as well as show you the right techniques.

[lowsideonacurve]

Originally Posted by MalcolmAmos

YouTube - Taylor Mali on what teachers make

I wasn't bashing teachers, read the second sentence of my original post.

[lowsideonacurve]

Originally Posted by LaklandBass

My point is that you should find someone who can teach you what YOU want to learn. Its your money so you should get what you want. Also, read Vic Wootens new book... great reading and very inspirational.
Onlyclave is absolutely right by the way... get an instructor that can help you learn to help yourself as well as show you the right techniques.

Thanks