what direction for lessons?

[Doug D]

I've just started taking some lessons to help me expand my playing past the usual bluegrass 1/3/5 stuff.....

My teacher is very diverse in the styles and types of music he can play so he asked me what I wanted to accomplish/which way I wanted to go with the lessons, etc.

I told him I basically wanted to become more familier over the FB in general and wanted to start working toward jazz type walks/runs/chord changes, etc.

any advice what esle I should ask for?

[Eric Hochberg]

If you want to be proactive, why not pick some tunes you want to work on and start there. If they are too difficult at this point for you, your teacher will at least have an idea of some of the music you like. If you don't know any or haven't listened a lot to jazz tunes, now's the time to start. The more familiar you are with the sound of the music, the faster you will catch on.

[LowDown Hal]

Work through the Rufus Reid book.
Then move on to the real books.

[hdiddy]

If you haven't already, I'd go get a decent but cheap bow and get some arco in. I've dropped my bow for some time but did find it highly useful. Regardless, bow or not, you should get some Simandl study in if you haven't already. Much easier to start learning the FB with an established bass technique method. It'll help you with any style of music in the end.

[TroyK]

Originally Posted by ehochberg

If you don't know any or haven't listened a lot to jazz tunes, now's the time to start.

This is honestly one of the most important, least emphasized keys. I can tell in about 3 bars whether someone actually listens to jazz or not, regardless of how well they can play. Bassists, drummers, guitar, piano, horns. It's just the most overlooked keys to the kingdom. Method will not teach you jazz, only enable it. Connect with some records, then ask your teacher for help playing thusly. If he can't help, ask for a referral.

[Doug D]

good points. my teacher did ask for tunes that I like/ styles/ aritst, etc.

tell me more about the rufus reid book. I hear that one mentioned quite a bit....

[PeachinRegalia]

Everyone said it: listen to the music you want to play.

Not only you can get the feel a lot easier, but you'll learn to love it. Is as simple as that.