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Finally starting lessons

oldrookie

oldrookie

May 15, 2007
1,922
104
Avon, IN
#1
I've been trying to teach myself for a couple of years and I can hash my way through most songs if I have access to the written notation. Slow stuff is preferred.

I know my technique leaves a lot to be desired and I've plateaued with stuff I can play. It's pretty apparent that I can't figure out how to resolve the things I am struggling with on my own.

Decided to take Christmas gift money and start with some lessons.

Honestly, I'm a bit nervous. Instructor is a nice guy, has a solid grasp on theory and played professionally for 25 years.

Anybody else hit the wall trying to teach yourself to play and had a good results from jumping into lessons? (Okay, I know a lot have, just looking for some good stories to bolster my decision.)
 
#4
Good choice!
Everyone can benefit from lessons no matter how many years you've been playing.

Though I've been teaching for years, I can learn something new from every bass player I sit down with...students included! Sometimes my students inspire me and teach me things I never would have thought of otherwise!

I took lessons a few years ago and it helps you think outside the box. Our brains get "rat-holed" into a certain way of thinking...and lessons can break that mental block.

A good teacher will totally make you feel comfortable and not expect you to do any wacky acrobatics.

It's like visiting the doctor...tell him where it hurts...let him know where you have weaknesses playing the bass and he'll give you the right perscription (theory, technique, etc.) :D
 
#5
Thank you all.

Nervous excitement describes how I'm feeling. Always had the excuse, "Well, I'm teaching myself," when I messed up. Losing a crutch can make you feel wobbly.

Wouldn't be nervous if I didn't want to be at least competent as a bassist...but I really, REALLY, want to play to the best that I'm capable of playing.

Wish I had had the means to do this when I was a kid.

Supposed to have lessons on Saturdays, but have to wait a week due to the holiday this weekend. Some irony here, always thought New Year's Day to be the dumbest holiday, now it gets its revenge.
 
#7
Dude I am in a very similar situation. I have been playing in the same cover band for about six years. When I was first asked to join I really had never played bass. I was one of those guys that hacked around on an acoustic for a few years so I understood the basic idea of playing root notes but that was it. I managed to learn a ton of songs by tab, but I really never took the time to learn the instrument. Long story short, I started taking lessons about two months ago and the results have been amazing. Best musical investment I have ever made by far. I have made more improvement in the last two months than I had made in the last three years.
 
#8
I too got myself some lessons for Christmas. I have only had my Bass since April (Birthday present from my wife) and have been kind of screwing around with it since then and finally decided to get the lessons while my wife and I were signing my son up for some drum lessons. I had my first one on Monday and can't wait to go back this Monday. I never thought I would have so much fun repeating the same scale over and over. Just trying to get it perfect then a little faster.
 
#9
Not meaning to be preachy but I would like to offer some advice based on my recent experience taking lessons. First lessons are not a miracle that instantly make you get better. They just aim you in the direction of improving. You have to practice. The harder you practice and the more focused you are in your practice the faster you will improve. If you spend your practice time noodling around without focusing you won't get very much out of it. Your instructor may be a good teacher and will give you specific things to work on for the week but if he doesn't, come up with them on your own or ask him to give you some. This will help keep your practice time focused and will also help you see your improvements. I have had more of those lightbulb moments that keep you excited about playing in these last two months than I have had in the previous three years just from focusing my practice sessions like that. I hope you keep posting on this thread. I would love to hear about what you are working on, any lightbulb moments you have, etc.
 
#10
DonovanJM said:
I too got myself some lessons for Christmas. I have only had my Bass since April (Birthday present from my wife) and have been kind of screwing around with it since then and finally decided to get the lessons while my wife and I were signing my son up for some drum lessons. I had my first one on Monday and can't wait to go back this Monday. I never thought I would have so much fun repeating the same scale over and over. Just trying to get it perfect then a little faster.
Click to expand...

That's awesome. I literally spent an hour this evening playing through modes over and over and over and over. And I actually had fun. I had hit a wall with my learning because I tried to sidestep this kind of practicing. But I understand now why this stuff is so important.
 
#11
Noose is right - bass lessons will only benefit you if you're willing to put in hard work. Let's face it, all development on an instrument is hard work.

But on the flip side, developing your skills without the influence of other bass players is difficult.

The best environment (in my opinion) is to have mentors in your life who are higher in skill level...and also have peers who are equal in skill level who you can both glean from and positively influence. Getting together with like-minded musicians at your same skill level can have a synergistic effect...and you'll gather momentum like you couldn't imagine.
 
#12
I'm old enough not to expect a magic bullet...and disciplined enough to practice a lot. Have played/practiced at least 30 minutes a day (other than one week out of the country) since I got the bass.

I mentioned earlier that I wish I had started young, but the truth is I probably would not have been disciplined enough to get everything out of lessons that I will now. Marital arts training resolved a lot of that for me.

Your experiences are really interesting and I am now probably more excited than nervous.

Thanks all.
 
#13
Noose said:
That's awesome. I literally spent an hour this evening playing through modes over and over and over and over. And I actually had fun. I had hit a wall with my learning because I tried to sidestep this kind of practicing. But I understand now why this stuff is so important.
Click to expand...

I know exactly what you mean. Afters a few hours of doing modes and singing the notes.. go turn on a CD and be surprised how quick you start figuring stuff out. Very rewarding.
 
#14
No kidding Drifta. I have always been horrible at figuring songs out by ear, until I started working through modes all the time. Earlier I sat down and figured out "Big Empty" by STP by ear. While that may not be the most impressive feat in the world, for me it was huge breakthrough because I figured it out by applying theory and not just making a random guess at what notes the bass line consisted of.
 
#15
oldrookie said:
I'm old enough not to expect a magic bullet...and disciplined enough to practice a lot. Have played/practiced at least 30 minutes a day (other than one week out of the country) since I got the bass.

I mentioned earlier that I wish I had started young, but the truth is I probably would not have been disciplined enough to get everything out of lessons that I will now. Marital arts training resolved a lot of that for me.

Your experiences are really interesting and I am now probably more excited than nervous.

Thanks all.
Click to expand...

Funny that you mentioned martial arts training. I was thinking the same thing. Though it may not seem like it, music is very similar isn't it. I train in brazilian jujitsu and I experienced a lot of the same kidns of things in doing that that I am now finding with music. Especially in terms of practice. In jujitsu the funnest thing to do is live sparring where you are wrestling and using your techniques to try to make the other guy give up. This is so similar to playing songs that you know in the sense that you tend to use techniques you are most comfortable with and avoid leaving your comfort zone. When you do try something new that you might not completely understand, there is a good chance that you wil make a mistake and get choked out. (kinda like hitting a bad note and having everyone give you one of those *** looks.) You will eventually improve in jujitsu this way just by feel, but for the fastest improvement you absolutely MUST drill techniques and work on fundamentals to the point of perfection.
 
#17
oldrookie said:
I mentioned earlier that I wish I had started young, but the truth is I probably would not have been disciplined enough to get everything out of lessons that I will now. Marital arts training resolved a lot of that for me.
Click to expand...

Similar situation here. I started playing Bass about 6 months ago. I'm 30 years old, had never picked up a bass previously. When I was younger, I never had the drive to play an instrument. My mother taught piano lessons and was big into music. I just never had any desire to be a part of it. Never learned piano. I got a guitar for xmas when I was 14 but I barely touched the thing. It's pretty much been a decoration (I still have it). I had actually wanted a Bass. At the time I felt like everyone and their brother played guitar, I just wasn't interested.

I finally made the plunge and got a Bass because I had a couple other friends who were in the same situation. Rather than just sitting around and drink beer, we figured we could be playing instruments and drinking beer. The first day we jammed out together, we were hooked (It was the day after I got my bass. I really sucked though). From that day forward we've played no less than 10-15 hours a week together. I can't even count the amount of time I practice on my own. It almost immediately turned from casual to serious. Sometimes I'll think to my self... 'what if I had gotten a bass instead of a guitar'. Though I know I'd never have been as disciplined. It's almost like it came into my life at the perfect time. The drummer also gets hard on himself too. He started playing a bit before I did. He works at one of those practice space places, so he's always seeing musicians that have been playing since they were 8. Though at the end of the day it really just gave him a lot more drive. He even has practice pads setup in his car (no pun intended here).

I've yet to take any formal lessons, but It's something I've been thinking about doing recently. I'll be curious to see a followup of how the lessons go. When I started I went through the whole StudyBass website about 3 times over. That was invaluable to me. For me the thing that's really helped to avoid plateauing, is having other people to jam with regularly. What I get out of solo practice and what I get from jamming with other people are completely different things.
 
#18
I started taking lessons when I was 44, you're never too old!

I had OK results after the first year or so but wasn't really getting where I hoped. I switched instructors last spring and that made a huge difference. Even after taking the summer off (he was away for a long term gig) I'm really happy with the progress I've made under him. He's got a lot of long term pro experience and studied jazz under a very well known instructor, so his credentials are very good. But most importantly he knows how to teach, he knows how to motivate, he listens to what you want out of your time investment and adjusts his approach accordingly, and most importantly makes it his goal to make me a better MUSICIAN (as opposed to teaching me bass).

With the right teacher, you'll be amazed at the progress you make.
 
#19
dave64o said:
Just remember that YOU'RE the boss. If you're not getting what you want, talk to the instructor about it. If he can't or won't give you that, then find another instructor.
Click to expand...

Yes, it's true when it's non-academic lessons. When it comes to instruction in an institution for a letter grade, the teacher can be flexible, but ultimately you must do what he/she tells you.
 

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