Show your teacher this:
Then walk out and get another teacher.
This is text book (below) and doesn't work for a lot of people. It doesn't work for me at all.
It is contrary to Adam Neeley's video above.
Watch videos of your fav bass players and most of them don't play the way shown below either.
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Also, you'll have bass teachers who are guitar players who want you to keep your fretting fingers perpendicular to your fretboard while teachers who are actually bass players want you to keep your fingers as parallel (flat) against the fretboard as possible as another way of muting when needed.
Teachers should inspire, not 'rip you a new one'.
Granted, they're not there to tell you you're great when you're not, but there are better ways to get you to change bad habits and work on time.
This is gonna seem like I'm nit-picking you, but it's something I've become really aware of lately that sort of pertains to this post. It's also a long response - sorry about that...
I've been listening to a bunch of Dave Elitch podcasts/interviews over the last few months, because I really like his mental approach to drums, music, life, passions, etc. His focus is drums, but his approach applies in many areas. For those who don't know, he's been a founding member in a few notable bands, does session work, and is well known as a sort of 'mercenary' for some pretty major touring acts (Mars Volta, M83, Miley Cyrus, etc). Of equal note, he [Invalid or Expired Link Removed] that many of us would think 'why the hell would that dude need lessons?' He's well regarded for his emphasis on fundamentals/feel, serving the band, and critiquing body mechanics for better efficiency, avoiding injuries, etc.
Anyway, he talks on several occasions about drummers coming to him to really break-down their drumming, and mentions that students will often tell him "oh, so and so said to do it this way" or "this guy who has tons of youtube videos said to do it this way". His very blunt reply is often "who the f*ck is that guy? I've never heard of him." His point isn't to trash them as players, rather that the internet and all these tutorial/tips videos often come with an assumption that these players are an authority. He also makes the point with people who go to music school and take their teacher's word as gospel, without really questioning their real-world experience. (i.e. This teacher played as a kid, went to music school, graduated, and then stayed in the system and taught for a living.) Certainly there's value in that teacher's knowledge/academic experience. On the other hand, Dave will raise the point that perhaps there's more/different benefit to working with someone who's done significant touring, gigging, sessions, etc. I argue there's inherent value in both, but I think a lot of people will grant authority to monster players with online followings without really questioning how valuable or useful their advice is to the individual player.
I've heard/applied the technique in that Adam Neely video (applying counter-pressure with plucking hand elbow). Likewise, I can tell from watching his videos that he's a much more knowledgeable and talented player/composer than I am. So I'm not bashing him. That said, I wouldn't consider his handful of credits and his YT following enough of a weight that I would throw it in the face of a teacher I was otherwise happy with (and connecting with). I also wouldn't automatically take a player's technique, tips, or approach as gospel if their following is largely due to YT videos.
This may get some contentious replies, but it's worth thinking about since the online tutorial phenomenon is a very new one with benefits & flaws...
I have actually improved since last video of the first few bars of River People.
