Banging my head against a brick wall

[johnnyflats]

Have you ever tried helping a friend out with Bass/Guitar related matters but feel their not that interested.
My best mate has just bought an acoustic guitar and asked me to give him an hand explaining a few things to him ( notes on fretboard, that sort of thing ), now i've only been playing bass about 18 months so im no jaco but i was glad to help, he just didnt seem interested and everytime i phone and ask him how he's doing he just says hes not had time to pick up the instrument, i know he has plenty of free time on his hands so do i just give up or carry on plodding along with him, by the way my mates 40years old, same as me.

[Infernal Affair]

I wouldn't worry about it so much. Motivation to play an instrument is an inner thing. Sure you can give all the support you want, but if the person doesn't feel inspired to do something no matter how much you push them then it's not your fault. One way to get him into it is to find a song he really likes, learn it, and play it in front of him. If he sees you do it he'll think, "Man. It doesn't look too bad. Show me how to play it."

I've been "teaching" one of the kids at my church to play bass, and it can be frustrating because some of the basic stuff I taught him to get comfortable on bass he doesn't practice, so I can't really take things to the next level if he doesn't do them. Also doesn't help that he lives far and I only get to see him once a week. However, lately he's been looking up stuff on youtube and been inspired to learn simple stuff, so I think I can work with him from there.

[Lazylion]

Everybody knows it's fun to play the guitar. A few will go as far as actually getting a guitar.
Of those who get a guitar, a few will actually put in some time trying to learn.
Of those who try to learn, a few will have enough talent to make progress.
Of those who make progress, a few will keep pursuing it, keep making time for it, and find their rate of progress accelerating.
Of these, a few will get a lifetime of enjoyment from it, and bring enjoyment to others by performing in public.

Most fall by the wayside somewhere along the way. But you don't know until you try...

[Pilgrim]

If he doesn't care, your pushing won't make a difference. Let it ride.

[fo shizzle]

I had to laugh when I saw this. I just went through the same thing with a buddy of mine. We discussed his guitar playing future for months. He'd send me links to different guitars and ask my opinion. When FedEx brought his guitar to his house, he actually faked sick to go home early.

The next day I asked how it went. He complained that on certain chords you had to strum some strings but not others. I said yes, that's true. He said, that's really hard. I said, that's why they get all the chicks.

He put it on Ebay 3 weeks later...........