Bad habits from not have lessons?

[dbsfgyd1]

Have any of you who's self-taught at some point found that you have developed some bad habits that you think you would have avoided had you started with proper lessons? And if so, how tough was it to correct them?

I have been playing bass for a few months somewhat consistently - i.e., practice few nights a week for 30-60 hours each session.

For now, I have decided to not get proper lessons as I have difficulty scheduling a regular time. So I have used books and internet for learning. I play piano and know my chords and theory, so where I need a lot of learning is mainly on technique and how to think like a bassist.

I am just curious what the chances are that I will develop some really bad habit that would make me years from now say - damn, I should have started with proper lessons....

I know everyone is different. But wonder what everybody's experience was (those who are self taught).

I would never discourage one from taking lessons from a qualified instructor. That said, finding one that can help you might not be a simple as it seems. If you do it become a partnership be tween you and your instructor, Your rate of improvement requires more rigid amounts of dedicated work on a regular basis specifically on what is taught. Add hock marathon sessions will not accelerated your progress faster than daily 30-45 of work.

Finally, record and review your work, and if there is a recurring issue share it with your instructor. A recording is worth a thousand words.

Finally, best wishes.

 

[vindibona1]

I've probably responded to this zombie thread some time ago. But for those just tuning in...
I've studied and taught many subjects in my lifetime. But I'll address the two PHYSICAL subjects that I hope will put perspective on things: Trumpet playing and Alpine Skiing. I've also begun studying Mandarin Chinese and have stopped self teaching for the moment for the same reasons I will site regarding trumpet playing and skiing. Much applies to bass guitar as well.

Anecdotes:
I needed to switch from guitar to trumpet for college and initially begun self teaching, but shortly after started private lessons. In those few days of self teaching a developed an improper embouchure and my first teacher didn't catch it ("smile" system). Because of all the different physical aspects to play trumpet every other physical move and sequence was compromised by a self induced bad embouchure. I was able to correct some of it with 4 years of weekly private lessons, but in over 40 years of playing I never reached my potential. And when I got high enough on the "food chain" of playing I tore my obicularis oris and was never the player I once was even with a defective embouchure. I quit trumpet officially on March 20, 2020.

Alpine skiing. I wasn't self taught from the beginning, but taught incorrectly. I did attain a certain level of proficiency, became a professional ski instructor, but when it went to get my Level III certification I failed the exam FIVE times. Even with coaching the flaws that I was taught initially, didn't get spotted and I lived with defeat and frustration for 10 years. FINALLY I ran into an actual competent ski instructor who did spot the basic, but nuanced flaws. Fortunately the cure for the bad habits were very very different, so it was more of OVER-WRITING that bad with the good. It took half a season, split over the end of one season and the beginning of the next. On my SIXTH attempt I passed EASILY. Having proper basics, over the next 10 years I realized that MOST ski instructors, particularly at the beginning/intermediate levels HAVE IT 180° BASS-ACKWARDS in their teaching. That's why there are so many terminal intermediate skiers. Subsequently I made a lot of other instructors, and particularly management mad as a single one of my lessons outpaced 3 lessons from other instructors. Management didn't like the potential loss of student revenue.

Bass guitar? No different really. There are a lot of folks who can play, but can't play clean, fast, or more importantly, musical. MUSICALITY is something that some are born with, some need coaching on and some with no possibility of playing beyond paint-by-numbers. For those that don't have nuanced ears and a natural ability, folks like us go a LOT farther, a lot faster with private instruction. This goes for bass and just about anything else physical. Sports guys get daily training... And we musicians are supposed to be happy with once-a-week lessons... if we're lucky???