I took lessons for about 3 months. My teacher primarily taught guitar but even told me himself a dedicated bass instructor was what I needed. We went over reading music and playing cold duck time.
Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
Bass lessons from a guitar teacher?
- Thread starter eric_B
- Start date
It depends, I was taught bass from a mostly guitar teacher that could play bass. But he taught me mostly theory, and how to 'jam'. And I was like 14 lol but I ended up teaching myself proper technique years later.
A guitar teacher won't teach you anything about theory you don't already know, and probably can't teach you the proper mechanics of playing a bass, ie correct fingering etc. Find a bass teacher.
I've taken lessons from one of the best, most-respected guitar players/composer/teachers in Michigan, and I've taken lessons from one of the best, most-respected bass players/teachers anywhere, and there's NO COMPARISON!!!
Learn to play bass from a bassist who is also an excellent teacher. If he, or she, doesn't live near you... find one who will do the lessons via Skype.
Learn to play bass from a bassist who is also an excellent teacher. If he, or she, doesn't live near you... find one who will do the lessons via Skype.
Thanks for the replies, some good points made.
About trying out teachers, it seems there are 2 types of music teachers around here:
1) musicians who try to make a living out of it by performing, teaching, doing workshop, etc. Some give single lessons but most work with a 10 lessons or 6 month or whatever plan.
2) music schools with certified teachers for each instrument. You have to sign up and take the full school year. It's harder to quit if you should decide to.
I think nr 1 would suit me better. However, I think the quality of nr 2 would be more consistent and nr 1 can vary more.
About the Skype lessons: I've used Skype but not for educational purposes.
Do you like it? Can a teacher at distance see your technique mistakes and correct them?
About trying out teachers, it seems there are 2 types of music teachers around here:
1) musicians who try to make a living out of it by performing, teaching, doing workshop, etc. Some give single lessons but most work with a 10 lessons or 6 month or whatever plan.
2) music schools with certified teachers for each instrument. You have to sign up and take the full school year. It's harder to quit if you should decide to.
I think nr 1 would suit me better. However, I think the quality of nr 2 would be more consistent and nr 1 can vary more.
About the Skype lessons: I've used Skype but not for educational purposes.
Do you like it? Can a teacher at distance see your technique mistakes and correct them?
No don't do it. Most guitar teachers have not a clue as to proper electric bass technique. Notice I did not add guitar to "electric bass" because it is NOT a big guitar. Find a good bass teacher who teaches 1-2-4 fingering as opposed to one finger per fret which is a guitar technique.
The guitarist in my band has been a great teacher for me. He's a truly exceptional musician. Despite not being a bass specialist, I have learnt and continue to learn a lot from him. And we now work well together as a duo. I came to bass playing later in life so I am happy to learn from anyone with more experience than myself, no matter what their specialism.
The stereotype that guitar/bass teachers are bad instructors should stop. My teacher learned guitar first but decided to learn how to play the bass next. He's not the type of guy to just show off electric guitar lines on bass, he's serious when he teaches bass. The rhythmic fundamentals, role, harmonic function etc. Another great example is Scott Devine.
It depends on the teacher--some will do it well, some won't.
And I am an example--I taught guitar & bass for several years--Most of my students turned out fine.
Most took guitar--I tried to get some to play bass, at least for the bands we had.
My first bass student was amazing on bass--and later took guitar as well--and did great.
None of the bass students sucked.
And I am an example--I taught guitar & bass for several years--Most of my students turned out fine.
Most took guitar--I tried to get some to play bass, at least for the bands we had.
My first bass student was amazing on bass--and later took guitar as well--and did great.
None of the bass students sucked.
