A guy with a P Bass walks into a bar.....

[IamGroot]

Its Jam night.

He gets up and a trainwreck ensues which ends shortly into the first song.

He shows up for his first bass lesson with you the following Monday.

What do you tell him?

 

[rufus.K]

I ask if he has the dough to pay for the lesson.

 

[Malcolm35]

Let me hear what you can do.

 

[Spidey2112]

What do you tell him?

(Spidey): If I told you once, I've told you a thousand times... take the lesson first, before 'jam night'!

 

[two fingers]

Nothing different from what we've already been working on. If he brings it up, we'll talk about it, and maybe discuss some ways to avoid that particular train wreck in the future. Otherwise, it's business as usual.

 

[bassGtar]

Its Jam night.

He gets up and a trainwreck ensues which ends shortly into the first song.

He shows up for his first bass lesson with you the following Monday.

What do you tell him?

The rate just doubled.

 

[SLO Surfer]

Its Jam night.

He gets up and a trainwreck ensues which ends shortly into the first song.

He shows up for his first bass lesson with you the following Monday.

What do you tell him?

Oreo cookie comment = point out something positive, address a negative, end with another positive.

Example; “you looked great on stage! That’s said, you caused a major train wreck and should probably think about switching from bass to recorder lessons with Ingrid Kelschmimer to gain a better understanding of the most basic music fundamentals as you clearly have none. Also, I really liked how you looked on stage!” The student is then left feeling like they need to say, “thank you,” which would be the correct response.

 

[zontar]

Be glad he is wishing to take lessons.

 

[Marc DLarosa]

At least you brought the right bass. Good thing the sound guy didn't murder you. [edit] We still can't find the drummer...

 

[Lenny JG]

That I saw him flop at the gig.

 

[5StringBlues]

Payment up front.

 

[Tom Bomb]

"Put your hands in the air. And step away from the bass."​

 

[whero]

Its Jam night.

He gets up and a trainwreck ensues which ends shortly into the first song.

He shows up for his first bass lesson with you the following Monday.

What do you tell him?

Well, there's nothing in the story that says the train wreck was the bass player's fault, so... I tell him nothing.

I'll ask him (a) to play me stuff to see where he's at, (b) what his goals are, and then we'll discuss a plan to get him from a to b.

 

[jamro217]

"Nice shoes." That always goes over well and is a reliable icebreaker.

 

[DrBnz]

3 things .... In 2 minutes or less.... tell me all you know about music theory.

Play me your best A minor scale - run up for 2 octaves and then back down.

Now.... tell me what you thought of your performance during jam night.

 

[wheelsup247]

If I were a teacher (and I’m not), I would laser focus on that same jam night song that was a train wreck with the student, with the goal of the student being able to apply what he has learned (including theory, scales, timing) and redeem themself by getting back up there on a future jam night with the same song and doing a great job. Again, I’m not a teacher, though it does seem like this would be rewarding for both student and teacher, and most of all just plain kind.

 

[Nashrakh]

I"m a bit concerned that the OP does not clarify whether the player in question might be the teacher in this scenario.

But in all seriousness, it gives you a good starting point. Prep him for the next jam because the player seems willing to dive in headfirst.

 

[themickster]

Its Jam night.

He gets up and a trainwreck ensues which ends shortly into the first song.

He shows up for his first bass lesson with you the following Monday.

What do you tell him?

The same as I'd tell any other first timer.

 

[jj.833]

If you really don't know where to start teaching a guy that's interested, you should not teach.

 

[5StringBlues]