A little craig's list treat from a (guitard?) that will make your hair stand on end

[basschrs]

Geeze, I want to find this guy and punch him

http://philadelphia.craigslist.org/muc/1154644461.html

Edit: The 1st part of his post is actually pretty good info, yes we need theory, no debating that. It's his last statement that is the reason I posted this one (read my comments below).

[SlappyMcLardfat]

Agreed. I'm already pretty disappointed with the Price Police, and now this? Boooo philly craigslist! But, I did snag an SVT-CL for $700!

[B Sus]

I truly, truly hope that was a joke.... Cause if not,

[FrknPuertoRican]

That was the dumbest **** I've ever heard. Anyone that is educated in theory is capable of teaching it, but no one knows how it applies to the bass like a bass player.

[basschrs]

My favorite part is:

Now, if you plan on teaching a student bass player just songs instead of how to really play, then you may have a point. But where is the value of what you have taught him?

Seriously, what the frick dude?

[Rockman]

I think you people need to read the content a little carefully. He said he was a music major, and in the list of instruments he never says anything about guitar, and never says anything about that. I'm actually going to side with this guy on this one. He is very right about a piano player being the most qualified when it comes to tonality and tonal interactions.

[MooseLumps]

I see nothing wrong with the post.
He is commenting on guitar teachers teaching bass theory to bass players. there is not problem with this, in fact, i greatly support this practice. for many of the reasons stated.

As for teaching songs, you are just giving a man a fish. Instead, hand him the rod and show him how to fish. If he is hungry, there is nothing wrong with giving him a can of tuna, but he should be taught to fend for himself.

[Joe Nerve]

????

not sure what's getting you all about that ad. the person just says that a guitar or piano teacher is qualified to teach a bassist "theory as it applies to tonality in building chords." he doesn't say anything about being an all round bass teacher. the only 'dis he makes is his statement about there being more to the bass than playing the roots - which is what a lot of player (and craigslist teachers) are doing anyhow.

what did I miss?

[edit] 2 others with the same thought as I was posting mine. Happy I'm not alone here.

[basschrs]

My main problem with his post is that, it's all fine and good when he is discussing theory. But at the very end he takes his comments and just sticks them straight into the bass teacher's heart and twists the knife. He seems to very clearly indicate that bass teachers cannot do more than simply recite a series of notes that make up a song. Never mind rhythm, groove or feel of a song. He makes a point to say that if a bass player wants to learn "how to really" play, etc.... Right there he lost me because, he assumes that bass playing is basically understanding bass clef and chord theory.

So, summary: his post - not too bad info; but his purpose - bzzzzzzz, I'm sorry Alex, that's not quite the right answer, you didn't say it in the form of a question.

[Eric Perry]

Originally Posted by Rockman

I think you people need to read the content a little carefully. He said he was a music major, and in the list of instruments he never says anything about guitar, and never says anything about that. I'm actually going to side with this guy on this one. He is very right about a piano player being the most qualified when it comes to tonality and tonal interactions.

Same here.

[modulusman]

Nothing wrong with what the guy on craigslist said.

[excane]

I have no idea why everyone is getting their panties in a bunch over this.

[dmusic148]

I'll agree that it's a good idea to study with a pianist, even study piano. I did, and i think it has helped me be a better all-around musician. Of course he didn't teach me bass per-se, but he did teach me music, which is always a good thing.

[Snarf]

Originally Posted by MooseLumps

I see nothing wrong with the post.
He is commenting on guitar teachers teaching bass theory to bass players. there is not problem with this, in fact, i greatly support this practice. for many of the reasons stated.

As for teaching songs, you are just giving a man a fish. Instead, hand him the rod and show him how to fish. If he is hungry, there is nothing wrong with giving him a can of tuna, but he should be taught to fend for himself.

Some students just want to pay you to teach them songs and will STOP paying you if you force scales and harmony on them. I'd rather keep getting those monthly checks.

I think the Philly post is just fine. He wasn't talking about a piano player teaching a bass player about playing bass lines. He was talking about theory in a pure sense, not in terms of practical application for the bass. And yes, it's important to know both sides.

[Toastfuzz]

Good thing I don't know any music theory, I might be offended

[basschrs]

I have no problem with his post about theory. It's just his last comment that seems to insinuate that bass teachers have no capability beyond playing quarter note roots. The first part of his post was never the problem (I don't think anyone will argue that), but he seems to be taking a general stab at bass teachers / players saying any guitar teacher with a lick of theory about tone and chording could teach bass better then a bass teacher (i.e. someone who actually plays bass and knows how to groove and get an actual rhythm going).

[B Sus]

I guess my whole point to this is that a guitar teacher is just as or more capable of teaching a bass student theory as it applies to tonality in building chords. For that matter, a piano teacher would do just as well or better

He didnt bother to mention that an actual BASSIST as a teacher could do the same things. I dont teach yet, but I've had plenty of theory training in both classical and jazz. But he makes it sound like just because the piano and guitar teachers are "more familiar" with treble clef, they can do better than me.

[steveksux]

Originally Posted by excane

I have no idea why everyone is getting their panties in a bunch over this.

They're cheaper if you buy them in a 3pack rather than seperately....

Randy

[basschrs]

Originally Posted by B Sus

He didnt bother to mention that an actual BASSIST as a teacher could do the same things. I dont teach yet, but I've had plenty of theory training in both classical and jazz. But he makes it sound like just because the piano and guitar teachers are "more familiar" with treble clef, they can do better than me.

Exactly. His whole post seems to demean bass teachers to rote memorizing, quarter root note playing robots who can't teach someone "how to really play". That's what got me worked up too.

[excane]

Originally Posted by steveksux

They're cheaper if you buy them in a 3pack rather than seperately....

Randy

I have enough already scattered around my apartment from forgetful females.