Bad Habits

[Mushroo]

That said, your teacher should be teaching you safe and universal techniques, so you can pick up any bass and start playing, whether you are sitting, standing, or bouncing around the stage like a pogo stick. Beware teachers who are too specific, like: "you must play a p bass with flats in the standing position with the upper horn level with your sternum, keeping both wrists at an 11 degree angle."

It's rock n roll, for Pete's sake.

 

[Lobster11]

While my instructor is a good guy on a personal level I am seriously wondering if I shouldn't find someone else.

If I'm understanding you correctly, your instructor has taught you (1) to play with only finger on your plucking hand, (2) with only two fingers of your fretting hand, (3) only sitting down without a strap, and (4) without insisting that you learn some basics before jumping into learning to play songs. That sounds exactly what too many beginners do when they decide to just teach themselves, and they wind up regretting later that they never got an instructor. Yeah, I think you need a new instructor.

 

[jasonrp]

One thing I had wished I did in the beginning is to say or at least think every note I played. It's annoying and slows you down BUT you start seeing connections between your strings and the fretboard much sooner

Say you start the 1-2-3-4 practice mentioned earlier on the fifth fret E, think of the notes rather than index-middle-ring-pinky

 

[RedHatter]

If I'm understanding you correctly, your instructor has taught you (1) to play with only finger on your plucking hand, (2) with only two fingers of your fretting hand, (3) only sitting down without a strap, and (4) without insisting that you learn some basics before jumping into learning to play songs. That sounds exactly what too many beginners do when they decide to just teach themselves, and they wind up regretting later that they never got an instructor. Yeah, I think you need a new instructor.

My current instructor comes to my house each Sunday for an hour lesson for the price of $20, very less in price than any of the others that I have looked into. Unfortunately I cannot afford (again, real life sadly) the rates of other instructors and I am a little leery about online bass lessons. I checked out Scottsbasslessons.com for the free trial, but other than watching a couple of videos I didn't get very in-depth with it.

Any thoughts on this?

 

[Mushroo]

My current instructor comes to my house each Sunday for an hour lesson for the price of $20, very less in price than any of the others that I have looked into. Unfortunately I cannot afford (again, real life sadly) the rates of other instructors and I am a little leery about online bass lessons. I checked out Scottsbasslessons.com for the free trial, but other than watching a couple of videos I didn't get very in-depth with it.

Any thoughts on this?

I think you would get more out of a monthly $80 lesson with a good teacher, than a bad weekly lesson.

Are there any bass players in your area you would LOVE to learn from? You'd be amazed, a lot of "big name" players are surprisingly accessible for lessons.

 

[DiabolusInMusic]

If I'm understanding you correctly, your instructor has taught you (1) to play with only finger on your plucking hand, (2) with only two fingers of your fretting hand, (3) only sitting down without a strap, and (4) without insisting that you learn some basics before jumping into learning to play songs. That sounds exactly what too many beginners do when they decide to just teach themselves, and they wind up regretting later that they never got an instructor. Yeah, I think you need a new instructor.

This. Your teacher sucks at their job. If you came to me and said "I just want to learn songs" I would have ignored your request and taught you how to play bass instead. Mind you, I would have provided a lengthy explanation as to why that is a bad route.

I also agree that one good lesson is better than four crappy ones. You do not do learning at the lesson, it occurs between the lessons on your own time. Having a few weeks between lessons can allow you to really sit with ideas.

 

[RedHatter]

I think you would get more out of a monthly $80 lesson with a good teacher, than a bad weekly lesson.

Are there any bass players in your area you would LOVE to learn from? You'd be amazed, a lot of "big name" players are surprisingly accessible for lessons.

Unfortunately, no. I live in a somewhat rural area with the closest, biggest city (Saint Louis, MO) about 45 minutes away. In my immediate area there are a lot of guitar players, but literally zero bassists. Besides liking the sound of a bass so much, this was a factor in buying a bass to begin with.

 

[RedHatter]

This. Your teacher sucks at their job. If you came to me and said "I just want to learn songs" I would have ignored your request and taught you how to play bass instead. Mind you, I would have provided a lengthy explanation as to why that is a bad route.

I also agree that one good lesson is better than four crappy ones. You do not do learning at the lesson, it occurs between the lessons on your own time. Having a few weeks between lessons can allow you to really sit with ideas.

I wasn't going to say anything about this but the above quoted makes me think that it needs to be said.

About two weeks ago I was getting very frustrated and so I told my instructor as much. His reply was (almost verbatim here, folks):

"Well in the beginning you told me that you only wanted to learn songs, so you pretty much backed me into a corner from the very beginning."

I can't help but think at this point that this guy has just been taking my money and putting in next to no effort when it comes to actually 'teaching'. In fairness, I have a small notebook that each week he leaves me with things to practice (pieces of songs and/or scales) but as of late I am beginning to wonder why I'm even paying this guy.

 

[Wolfenstein666]

I don't have much in the way of advice for you regarding technique, but I can offer some encouragement!

Don't walk away from it dude, you've already come this far. It took me a couple years of playing to get to get comfortable with it. When I played through a song for the first time I was psyched. It takes a lot of time but its very rewarding! Keep at it!

 

[Mushroo]

Unfortunately, no. I live in a somewhat rural area with the closest, biggest city (Saint Louis, MO) about 45 minutes away. In my immediate area there are a lot of guitar players, but literally zero bassists. Besides liking the sound of a bass so much, this was a factor in buying a bass to begin with.

Personally I would gladly travel 45 minutes once a month to study with a top teacher in St. Louis. I'm not from that area, but I bet if you asked around TalkBass, you can find recommendations for an amazing teacher.

 

[MYLOWFREQ]

From my understanding, in the beginning you told your instructor that you don't want to learn about the theory, notation, etc. And you only want to be able to play some songs. You offered him $20 per lesson and he is not forcing you to go through the proper way of learning the bass.

I think it's great that you realized the importance of right technique and theory. Don't get ever frustrated, you've been gone through the hardest part which is imo to be able to play notes on an instrument. So from now on, you'll only get better. Never keep doing the same things that cause pain. Take a break, and also take a look at your posture. You might need to get a new instructor. Find what motivates you the best. To me, it was playing along my favorite songs. There's a plenty of players teaching How to play a certain song on the internet, a good motivation. Also the internet bass folks are fun to watch and are educational in general.

 

[Billybladez66]

Hey guys, I'm new here so I apologize if this isn't in the correct place.

That said, here's where I am now...

I decided that I wanted to play bass because, well, seems like everyone plays guitar. I went out and bought a 4-string bass and amp and immediately realized that I didn't know what to do next. After spending days of searching the internet looking for what to do next and becoming extremely frustrated I figured that the best way to begin this journey would be to hire an instructor.

After speaking over the phone to a couple of instructors in my area I found one that seemed to click with what I was interested in playing (Classic Rock and Blues) so I hired him. That was around six months ago. During our first session I remember telling him that I wasn't interested in learning scales and whatnot but that I just wanted to learn songs.

I realize now, after six months later of playing, how ignorant that was - in my defense, I really didn't understand how important scales and theory are to bass (and any other instrument). So... for the last six months I've just been learning songs and pieces of songs at a snails pace. I've come to realize that I don't want to be one of those guys you see at a Guitar Center who don't really know how to play their instrument but that only know a dozen or so songs or pieces of songs very well (think the whole 'No Stairway to Heaven' from Wayne's World).

My instructor has just let me get away with using only one finger for my plucking hand and only the index and middle finger for my fretting hand. I didn't fully comprehend until recently how important it was to use at least two fingers for plucking and all four fingers for fretting notes. Now, unfortunately, I have the bad habit of constantly falling back into using the first two fingers of my fretting hand.

My question I suppose is - how do I begin to retrain myself to use all four fingers of the fretting hand and two fingers of my plucking hand? I know that it's all about practice, but I am looking for (hoping for) something a bit more specific. Scales? Practicing using 4/2 fingers with the songs/pieces that I know?

Any help is greatly appreciate as I am really struggling with this.

Sounds to me like you've identified the problems...that's half of it...recognition. Now just actively work on correction while learning to play the songs.
On another note.... You should tell your instructor to kick rocks on the bad advice of one finger only....has he never actually seen a good bass player in action?????

 

[RedHatter]

From my understanding, in the beginning you told your instructor that you don't want to learn about the theory, notation, etc. And you only want to be able to play some songs. You offered him $20 per lesson and he is not forcing you to go through the proper way of learning the bass.

You are correct. I've come to realize that there is so much more than just learning songs and that I want all of it.

Fact of the matter is this - I don't want to play in a band. I don't want to play out for money. I just want a good, fundamental knowledge of the instrument in order to sit back and play. Bad day at work? Kids driving me crazy? Go in the other room and play to soothe the soul. That's what I am looking for.

 

[groovaholic]

YouTube is your friend!

Find the beginner bass lessons by Billy Sheehan, Flea, Scott Devine, and Ed Friedland.

Play along with them.

It's free, and worth a lot more than the mediocre instruction you've been getting.

 

[ONYX]

I can't help but think at this point that this guy has just been taking my money and putting in next to no effort when it comes to actually 'teaching'. In fairness, I have a small notebook that each week he leaves me with things to practice (pieces of songs and/or scales) but as of late I am beginning to wonder why I'm even paying this guy.

Never underestimate the value of a good instructor.

As a bass and guitar player. I am completely self-taught--never had a lesson in my life. However, I had formal training on the trumpet for many years. The high school I went to had an excellent jazz program, but it was by audition only. Not being much of a jazz player at that age, I convinced my parents to pay for private instruction. The first day I went to this guys studio, he asked me "Why are you here? What do you want to learn?" I told him that I wanted to learn jazz. He laughed and laughed and when he was done, he said: " I can't teach you to play jazz, nobody can do that. I can, however, teach you the skills necessary to play jazz. If you want to play jazz, you'll need to figure that out for yourself."

At the time, I thought he was a total d***. But years later I finally got it. The "good habits" I learned in those grueling trumpet sessions carried over into my bass playing.

 

[Lobster11]

About two weeks ago I was getting very frustrated and so I told my instructor as much. His reply was (almost verbatim here, folks):

"Well in the beginning you told me that you only wanted to learn songs, so you pretty much backed me into a corner from the very beginning."

I can't help but think at this point that this guy has just been taking my money and putting in next to no effort when it comes to actually 'teaching'. In fairness, I have a small notebook that each week he leaves me with things to practice (pieces of songs and/or scales) but as of late I am beginning to wonder why I'm even paying this guy.

To be fair, he gave you what you told him you wanted, perhaps despite his better judgment. IMO he should have explained to you why he thought that was a bad idea, in hopes of persuading you to not be so exclusively song-focused, but you can't really blame him for giving you what you paid him for.

Still, that doesn't explain why he would only teach you how to play with one finger on one hand and two on the other, or that you should only play sitting down because the strap gets in the way. It sounds like he is well-intentioned, but just not really competent as an instructor. And if he's only charging you $20 a lesson, I wonder if that's because he knows he isn't worth more than that.

 

[MYLOWFREQ]

I see. Imho though, playing with other musicians is part of the process and even you say you don't want it, you would like it you don't have to be in a band or anything like that but a living room jam with a friend at least is what I mean.

Also I forgot to say that make sure that your bass is setup well. It makes a big difference.

 

[pcake]

a few thoughts. in addition to posture - which can't be overlooked - your wrist may have been sore from playing too much too soon. muscles must strengthen gradually, tendons and ligaments strengthen over time. you can't rush it.

you can't learn to play a song at full speed unless you're experienced, and often not then. learn to play songs slowed down, and don't feel bad about it - some of the fastest guitar players in the world do the same.

if you can't afford a decent teacher, you can still learn, and if you want, learn by playing songs. paul wolf's free lessons are a good way to learn how to fret and pick with the right fingers while learning songs. lots of classic rock there.

beginner songs
[This invalid link has been removed]
Song Tutorials | How To Play Bass

or here's every free song tutorial he offers
Song Tutorials Arranged Chronologically | How To Play Bass

last, as MYLOWFREQ says, make sure your bass is set up right. high action makes a stringed instrument hard to play - too high action can hurt your fingers and wrist, too. i have some wrist damage, and i find that i do best with a short scale bass, light strings and low action. lower action makes it easier to press down your strings, and that can help you play faster, too.

 

[RedHatter]

To be fair, he gave you what you told him you wanted, perhaps despite his better judgment. IMO he should have explained to you why he thought that was a bad idea, in hopes of persuading you to not be so exclusively song-focused, but you can't really blame him for giving you what you paid him for.

Still, that doesn't explain why he would only teach you how to play with one finger on one hand and two on the other, or that you should only play sitting down because the strap gets in the way. It sounds like he is well-intentioned, but just not really competent as an instructor. And if he's only charging you $20 a lesson, I wonder if that's because he knows he isn't worth more than that.

Right. And also I'd point out that once I realized that I was going down the wrong path he began to leave scales for me to practice (which I have been, even though it can be incredibly boring). The strap thing, I have no idea, I can't speak to that. The whole two finger thing is a style that he refers to as 'The McCartney Claw' and points out (quite regularly) that is the way that Paul McCartney plays. Basically it's like that vulcan 'Live Long and Prosper' salute from Star Trek - four fingers split in two, if that makes sense.

 

[Growlmonkee]

Just a couple of thoughts...If I were your teacher, I would not allow you to play with one finger on your plucking hand, (some very good players play that way...but...) to start out you are better off establishing timing with your index, and middle finger, alternating. Does your teacher spend time with you on hand, wrist, body, finger positioning, (he should). You should have been given that 1-2-3-4 on each string exercise, by your second lesson, and should be doing scale exercises not long after. Have you even glanced at the circle of 5th's yet, with him? Are you learning the names of notes ..every note you play? With no mention of any theory whatsoever, ...your playing in the dark. A one hour lesson with a good teacher, once a month could give you plenty to work on for that month, when you're just starting out. No one needs a teacher to listen to a recording slowly, and figure out what notes are being played slowly, and be able, after some effort, to play an easy song you like. I'm not suggesting you quit your job, and go to a full time music school, but you should be getting more than you are describing from a 1 hour lesson, for your money, a good teacher could equip you with as much as most beginners could handle....and also ask them to please know it before your next lesson, because he does not wish to teach you the same things over and over.