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- Thread starter IrishRifles
- Start date
I think you put this question in the wrong forum. Move this to General Instruction and you're likely to get some good responses.
A bass player. Not a guitar player that fancies himself a bass player. An actual bass player. That's generally enough.
Ask a mod or report your own original post saying that this should be moved to general instruction.
Someone who listens, is patient, gears lessons to the stuff you want to learn, and has the ability to teach. A teacher that will challenge you, introduce you to new concepts, holds you accountable, and isn't afraid to suggest a direction you haven't considered.
Enthusiasm. Nothing beats meeting the teacher and feeling pumped up and motivated to do homework.
A good teacher will know as much about learning as they do about music. They will want to understand the material from the student's perspective and have guidance about the path that the student is on. They will enjoy teaching as much as they do playing.
I don't know exactly how you screen teachers for this, though if you're working with one for a while you can tell if they want to be doing it, and whether they understand from the student's perspective. I would ask them how they approach teaching, and what resources they use to make them a better teacher. If their answer is about their own playing, that would be a flag for me. If OTOH they say at least something about theories of learning then I would be encouraged. If they tell you they have a set curriculum, that could be a good thing if it fits where you are and your own learning process, but it could be a sign that they won't adjust to the student. If they do have music education training, I'd ask how they keep current (since their schooling) to see if they're open to new approaches vs. stuck in a single dogmatic approach.
I have had bass teachers who were very good players, but were not interested in the craft of teaching itself. Sometimes they are both, but not always. They should be skilled enough players to demonstrate whatever you're learning, of course, but being a good player alone is not sufficient.
This should go without saying, but if you take up lessons with a teacher, you should leave each lesson with a plan of what you will practice before the next lesson. It should be clear, and it should be related to your interests and appropriate for your skill level.
I don't know exactly how you screen teachers for this, though if you're working with one for a while you can tell if they want to be doing it, and whether they understand from the student's perspective. I would ask them how they approach teaching, and what resources they use to make them a better teacher. If their answer is about their own playing, that would be a flag for me. If OTOH they say at least something about theories of learning then I would be encouraged. If they tell you they have a set curriculum, that could be a good thing if it fits where you are and your own learning process, but it could be a sign that they won't adjust to the student. If they do have music education training, I'd ask how they keep current (since their schooling) to see if they're open to new approaches vs. stuck in a single dogmatic approach.
I have had bass teachers who were very good players, but were not interested in the craft of teaching itself. Sometimes they are both, but not always. They should be skilled enough players to demonstrate whatever you're learning, of course, but being a good player alone is not sufficient.
This should go without saying, but if you take up lessons with a teacher, you should leave each lesson with a plan of what you will practice before the next lesson. It should be clear, and it should be related to your interests and appropriate for your skill level.
#1, IMO/E: A good teacher will create an effective learning plan that will help you advance toward your goals, whatever they may be. If you don't have clear goals (or don't do the work of practicing), any teacher will disappoint you in either the long term or the short term.
How do you find a good bass instructor? Ask bassists in your area who they take lessons from and why they like this person.
It's word of mouth, and expect to be put on a waiting list. If there is no waiting list, well that speaks volumes right there...
It's word of mouth, and expect to be put on a waiting list. If there is no waiting list, well that speaks volumes right there...
truly know your abilities and shortcomings as a bass player...find someone (a bass player) who can enthusiastically teach you what you want/need to learn and then take you to the next level.
As a previous user stated, first and foremost a true Bass player. Not a Guitar player that thinks they can play bass.
Someone who is versatile, experienced, patient, knows what it takes to learn this instrument and understands how frustrating learning new techniques and concepts can be for beginners. There is nothing worse than a player who is amazing but arrogant and disrespectful towards someone who is trying to learn. If you have a chance to see their playing and teaching style ahead of time, that would be ideal.
A lot of it comes down to your goals too. When I was getting started, my main goal was to be a session player (studio and touring). I knew that the most important quality in a session player was to be a well-rounded and versatile player, so I studied with several different teachers who were all professional working bassists and were each great at different styles and techniques. Different teachers will have different strengths.
If you're looking to learn a specific technique, find the person who is best at that. If you're looking to be a successful session player, find someone with experience in that field. If you're just looking to play as a hobby and learn certain songs, then you don't need to get the most versatile, experienced and expensive teacher out there.
A good teacher will evaluate your playing, give you exercises that focus on your weaknesses and constantly challenge you.
Someone who is versatile, experienced, patient, knows what it takes to learn this instrument and understands how frustrating learning new techniques and concepts can be for beginners. There is nothing worse than a player who is amazing but arrogant and disrespectful towards someone who is trying to learn. If you have a chance to see their playing and teaching style ahead of time, that would be ideal.
A lot of it comes down to your goals too. When I was getting started, my main goal was to be a session player (studio and touring). I knew that the most important quality in a session player was to be a well-rounded and versatile player, so I studied with several different teachers who were all professional working bassists and were each great at different styles and techniques. Different teachers will have different strengths.
If you're looking to learn a specific technique, find the person who is best at that. If you're looking to be a successful session player, find someone with experience in that field. If you're just looking to play as a hobby and learn certain songs, then you don't need to get the most versatile, experienced and expensive teacher out there.
A good teacher will evaluate your playing, give you exercises that focus on your weaknesses and constantly challenge you.
If you are under 20, understand that most of the teachers you have had in school have been, or should have been, the source of motivation in your learning. With private lessons in a specific area, such as bass performance, it is YOUR job to be motivated and the teachers job to supply the information you need. So, don't expect them to 'inspire' you or do things to make if 'fun' to practice. If you need that, you're in the wrong business. A good teacher in this area is someone who enjoys and loves playing so much that it is an inspiration to be around them. Learn to be that person.
The best a teacher can do for you is to save you time, to keep you from having to experiment with things that aren't productive. A good teacher will have walked the path you are taking and show you the way. A bad teacher is a waste of time.... have to courage to leave. You are in charge of your learning.
The best a teacher can do for you is to save you time, to keep you from having to experiment with things that aren't productive. A good teacher will have walked the path you are taking and show you the way. A bad teacher is a waste of time.... have to courage to leave. You are in charge of your learning.
Slightly off topic but relevant - While nothing beats sitting a room knee to knee with an good instructor - practically speaking this method has a geographic constraint in terms of both convenient proximity and available local talent. A great alternative, which also grants access to some of the worlds best instructors who's primary business IS education, with zero geographic constraint is with the use of Skype and its FREE. Yea, you have to go high speed to use it but "I've heard" that means you also get your p**no - I mean Talkbass faster too!
Seriously, private lessons via Skype are great!
Seriously, private lessons via Skype are great!
Good teacher needs to enjoy teaching YOU. If you dont connect with him then he isnt the right teacher for YOU. It is a relationship.
Other then that, he has to know *** he's doing.
Other then that, he has to know *** he's doing.
