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Bass Lessons for the Experienced?

#26
I agree with mrufino1, Scotts you tube lessons are good. He may/may not be a better player than you, but he explains concepts well, and sometimes it is good to hear someone else's take on some of the basics and things we take for granted.
 
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#27
I'm far from OP's level (I still consider myself a drummer who's been playing bass for a bit), but I've taken lessons with Damian Erskine, Anthony Wellington, Lior Ozeri, and less renowned (though extremely talented) musicians, and they all had something different to teach me. Ant in particular has a unique teaching sensibility, a deep passion for bass guitar, and a very thorough approach to theory and technique
 
#28
Great input all! I'm checking out a lot of what has been recommended here and it looks promising. In the meantime, I have signed myself up for theory/reading lessons. "Never too old", I suppose... I'm irrationally nervous about it, but I know it will help in the end!

Cheers and thanks again!
 
#30
Steve Tester said:
I agree with mrufino1, Scotts you tube lessons are good. He may/may not be a better player than you, but he explains concepts well, and sometimes it is good to hear someone else's take on some of the basics and things we take for granted.
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Thanks for your post. I've learned a few techniques and such on YouTube, though it has proven limited in my learning. The part I struggle with, regarding uploaded streaming content, is that it isn't interactive. Question's like "Why would you play that note there, when it's way easier to transition to there?". Not because of defiance, but because maybe they have a reason for it. Maybe if I asked the instructor that question, they'd agree with me.. That way we both walk away possibly feeling like we both learned something. On YT, if I have a question, I have to go searching for an answer on my own (again). I eventually end up falling into a mess of overwhelming info just to find my answers. I get fed up and then I go back to the same old same old. I'm at the point that I'm willing to pay someone to be on hand to answer my questions, concerns and curiosities right then and there and then continue to push forward without any bumps in the road. The problem with teaching myself, at this point, is that I'm completely lost and I really just need professional, interactive instruction. Whether it be by Skype or in person. :)
 
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#33
RickyWoo said:
I wasn't really sure where to post this, though another thread got me thinking about this...

Here's my deal.... I've been playing bass for 20 years and guitar for 25. I've smothered myself in many musical genres and playing styles. I learned all on my own. Never took a lesson. Never learned to read. I've played by ear my entire "playing life". The problem is, I'm not bad and I (hate to sound cocky) don't have anyone to turn to locally, aside from learning theory. I'm wondering where do I (did you) begin when you finally decided you actually wanted to learn to play, in the truest sense of the word? I can learn to read online at a very slow rate, but I need more than that.... I need to understand better and know music more. I've got a great grasp on my instrument, but I want to learn to be able to mix playing by the rules and putting my own flavors in there, and to be able to know the difference. Can any seasoned players guide me in the right direction? Am I over thinking this?
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When I reached this crossroad with guitar and bass, after a couple of decades with no formal training, learning by ear, and developing a strong intuitive knowledge of my instruments and some advanced techniques, I went with piano lessons from a great teacher who understood where I was and helped me apply my knowledge of music to the formal language of music. I learned both clefs, and was able to translate that information to both guitar and bass. She recommended a great "adult learner" piano series, and it came really fast. Suddenly the worlds of jazz and classical were opened more fully to me. I developed into a decent reader on both clefs to the point I went on to teach beginner and intermediate students privately for around 15 years.

I think if I had tried this formal approach with a guitar or bass teacher I would have quickly given up. When you're playing Chris Squire, Geddy Lee, and Billy Sheehan, it's pretty hard to go back to "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star." But on piano, it was all new fresh and challenging.
 
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#35
Skype lessons with a big name sound tempting, especially to someone living in the middle of nowhere. Think back 20years and it would be unbelievable that a guy living in regional Australia could be getting lessons from someone like Carol Kaye. …..but I’m always worried they’d be like “Why are you wasting my time? Come back when you know how to play a bit”


At what point do you become worthy of their time. I guess everyone’s money is worth the same to them though.
 
#37
bigboy_78 said:
but I’m always worried they’d be like “Why are you wasting my time? Come back when you know how to play a bit”
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Anthony loves teaching beginners and prefers them. He says it's much easier than teaching people who can play, because the experienced people have trouble changing anything about their playing. Beginners don't have to unlearn anything.

I'd say go for it since it can only help you. Anytime you can study your craft (whatever the craft may be) with a master, I can't think of a good reason not to. And anyway you can say you studied with Carol Kaye or Janek Gwizdala or whoever...:thumbsup:
 
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#38
bigboy_78 said:
Skype lessons with a big name sound tempting, especially to someone living in the middle of nowhere...but I’m always worried they’d be like “Why are you wasting my time? Come back when you know how to play a bit”

At what point do you become worthy of their time. I guess everyone’s money is worth the same to them though.
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I had similar concerns but then decided to do this anyway, to my great satisfaction afterwards. And Spin Doctor is right about Ant...as with all great teachers, his teaching is about students' progress, not about his ego or something of that sort.
 
#39
How would taking lessons from someone who is offering lessons be a waste of their time? Go for it! The lessons are there to be taught/learned. If an air of "holier than thou" comes off of a teacher, well... they aren't a very good teacher now are they. I'm in no way a teacher, but I love playing music with beginners. A good friend of mine used to be self conscious of getting together for jams. I couldn't for the life of me figure out why. I in turn became self conscious of being a more experienced player haha! That wasn't fair to either of us. We've since jammed many times and he has progressed a lot. And believe it or not, I learned a lot from him too. It's meant to be shared. Don't let experience fool you into believing anyone is better. Let experience guide you. It's there for the taking.
 

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