One off lessons?

Kitschead · #1 06-16-2009, 01:39 AM

Ok here's the deal. I'm going in to have a one off lesson with this sick bass player. Problem is that i really don't know what kind of things we should do. What do you do in a one off lesson? This may be a ridiculous question. so sorry.

TomSauter · #2 06-16-2009, 01:56 AM

The most important thing is that you record it. I've had a bunch of single lessons with folks, and there's always some things that don't sink in until months or even years later. I think it's also a good thing to get the guy to play a bunch of basslines for you on tunes that you know well, and at a few different tempos. Or maybe get him to play a tune solo bass like he would at a concert, or play a tune with him and ask him to play an extended intro or cadenza. In those situations I feel like it's not very useful to spend a lot of time on scales, technique, etc. since you can get that from lots of guys.

Kitschead · #3 06-16-2009, 03:27 AM

Ok great. Thanks for the advice on recording it. Other people have said that as well.

Paul Warburton · #4 06-16-2009, 06:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TomSauter

The most important thing is that you record it. I've had a bunch of single lessons with folks, and there's always some things that don't sink in until months or even years later. I think it's also a good thing to get the guy to play a bunch of basslines for you on tunes that you know well, and at a few different tempos. Or maybe get him to play a tune solo bass like he would at a concert, or play a tune with him and ask him to play an extended intro or cadenza. In those situations I feel like it's not very useful to spend a lot of time on scales, technique, etc. since you can get that from lots of guys.

+1.
Playing some together is important, trading time/solo roles. Simple blues or rhythm changes.

YamBass · #5 06-16-2009, 07:55 AM

Try to spend the most time you both playing. Once I took a one off lesson with one guy that was an amazing player, and we traded 4s with the assignment that I've had to repeat the same exact notes that he played. That was a warm up, then he showed me a lot of technique tips (including bow playing) showed me no less than 10 basslines (even he showed me 2 different basslines for same tune) and we ended with him doing basslines and I soloing, and each time that I did something that he liked we stopped and he wrote it down, each time I did something that he not liked we stopped and he say "why not to try this and that instead of resolving here?".

You can pick some ideas from here, but be sure of recording it!!

Best luck!

Kitschead · #6 06-16-2009, 08:00 AM

All excellent advice. Thanks a lot. This is really helpful

PeachinRegalia · #7 06-16-2009, 08:58 AM

I think that one off lessons have a great thing, they change your playing, although is one lessons, they 're a great experience.

Hey Kitschead, just to be curious, with who are you taking this one off lesson?

Kitschead · #8 06-17-2009, 01:32 AM

I'm taking this lesson off a player in Sydney named Cameron Undy.

damonsmith · #9 06-17-2009, 08:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kitschead

Ok here's the deal. I'm going in to have a one off lesson with this sick bass player. Problem is that i really don't know what kind of things we should do. What do you do in a one off lesson? This may be a ridiculous question. so sorry.

Try to come up with some specific technical questions about things they have together that you don't. You don't want to end up working on basic things you could work on with anyone else.
Practice a lot before hand and concentrate on keeping your technique straight, you also don't want to spend the time working on things you know but are being lazy about. At the same time don't be afraid to show your weaknesses - you are paying this person to help you with things you are not able to do - not to try to impress them.
Lesson are the polar opposite of gigs, gigs people pay you to hear you play well, lessons you pay someone to hear you play things you can't yet play, and thus hear you sound not very good.

Playing together is OK, but is more of an abstract lesson. If you want to do that pay them to make a recording and book a studio. I have learned tons from the musicians I have played with but lessons should be more direct.

drurb · #10 06-17-2009, 09:49 AM

Some wonderful advice here! I want to add to the "record it" advice. I record every one of my lessons. It's amazing how much more valuable it is to discover and hear again the pearls of wisdom that flew by during the session.

hdiddy · #11 06-17-2009, 02:35 PM

I think it would be helpful if you guys gave ideas about what to ask. What would you have asked, for example?

Paul Warburton · #12 06-17-2009, 04:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hdiddy

I think it would be helpful if you guys gave ideas about what to ask. What would you have asked, for example?

"How the hell didja' do that?"

David Kaczorowski · #13 06-17-2009, 04:37 PM

"How bad do I suck?"

Jake deVilliers · #14 06-17-2009, 05:07 PM

"Do you think there's any hope for me or should I go to trade school?"

fingers · #15 06-17-2009, 05:20 PM

I just paid my plumber more than I make at a gig. For less time.

ZonGuy · #16 06-17-2009, 06:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TomSauter

The most important thing is that you record it. I've had a bunch of single lessons with folks, and there's always some things that don't sink in until months or even years later.

How true.

Jake deVilliers · #17 06-17-2009, 07:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fingers

I just paid my plumber more than I make at a gig. For less time.

Yeah, but what he has inside his van is worth $30,000, not including the van.......

Sam Sherry · #18 06-17-2009, 08:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fingers

I just paid my plumber more than I make at a gig. For less time.

You must have heard the one about the lawyer and the plumber. It's lore at my house because I'm a lawyer and I come from a family of plumbers -- my dad, his brother, their dad and their uncle were all in the trade. Anyway:

The lawyer has some trouble with the pipes and he calls the plumber. Guy shows up, heads downstairs and comes up fifteen minutes later, all smiles. "Great news," says the plumber, "You are all set. Here's my bill, and you are welcome." The plumber starts to walk out.

"Wait a minute," says the lawyer. "This is a bill for a hundred bucks! You were only down there for fifteen minutes! That's four hundred bucks an hour! I'm a lawyer and I don't make four hundred bucks an hour!"

"Listen, buddy," says the plumber. "I didn't make four hundred dollars an hour when I was a lawyer either."

David Kaczorowski · #19 06-19-2009, 09:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jake deVilliers

Yeah, but what he has inside his van is worth $30,000, not including the van.......

I have probably about $30K worth of stuff at most gigs.

Let's say it's a 3 set gig and pays decently, $100. 3 sets is usually over 4 hours. $25 an hour. But to be able to do what I do I practice 15-20 hours a week. So in reality I make about $4 an hour. $2 an hour on a $50 gig, etc.

-Sam- · #20 06-19-2009, 09:46 AM

I would listen to the player a bunch and ask them questions about how they approach certain things within their own playing. For example. i would ask Cam about his compositional practise in 20th Century Dog because thats what i feel is the stand out in that band. I would also ask him about his approach to playing more modern rock feels in jazz contexts as thats something that i think Cam is really good at.
I think the trick is to plan questions that no one else can answer. and also be prepared to abandon any ideas or questions you had as they might take you somewhere completely different.