I'm Struggling To Learn Bass With A Learning Disability

[MrNoob]

So I'm a high school student who's in special education and takes bass lessons (outside of school). I feel like being learning disabled is really affecting me being able to learn bass.

I've been taking bass lessons for probably almost a year and all I've really been able to do is memorize the frets and play songs along with my teacher but fail to be able to do them without him.

He's been trying to push arpeggios for weeks now but I don't understand them at all. If you asked me ANYTHING related to arpeggios I'd have no idea what to say even though we've been going over them for over a month.

I don't know what to do. It makes the lessons so stressful because I'm simply not learning anything. I know it's not my teacher's fault, we get along well and he's works quite nicely with me despite not knowing I have a disability.

I've been thinking of telling him but I don't know what difference it would make and I'm honestly embarrassed cause I just don't have the mental capacity of most his other students.

If you're wondering what the disability is, I have ADD, am suspected of autism, and have a very low processing speed of 70 (one point away from the mentally handicapped mark). The low processing speed is basically what it sounds like, in short it means I am extremely slow.

I have all of that along with a couple other weaknesses. It's so exhausting. It shows in my lessons. Like for example I'm always messing up because I can't read the music and play at the same time. I usually mess up when it comes to repeating lines or moving onto a different one because I find step by step processes to be extremely confusing but that's really what music is all based on.

I don't want to give up on music because it's my biggest passion but my conditions are really holding me back. Any advice? I know this isn't something usually discussed here but I'm at such a loss.

 

[lfmn16]

Let your teacher know. He may be able to find different ways to teach you; otherwise he may just think you're not trying.

Don't give up, instead try to find fun in the journey. Enjoy what you have accomplished and worry less about what you're still working on.

 

[fearceol]

Let your teacher know. He may be able to find different ways to teach you; otherwise he may just think you're not trying.

Don't give up, instead try to find fun in the journey. Enjoy what you have accomplished and worry less about what you're still working on.

Plus one to the above. I would definitely inform your teacher.

I would just add...try to develop you ear by playing along to songs (keep them simple to start). Work out the bass lines by trial and error. It is worth the time and effort. Even if blues music is not your thing, it is still a great way to learn basic arpeggios and how they "fit into" a song. A good ear is a major asset.

Best of luck..and don't give up.

 

[Goatrope]

Just take a step back, little brother. Give yourself some relief, and maybe some time off between lessons. Spread them out so you have more time to digest them.

Think about what it is that draws you to playing bass. Play what you can, and try to feel what you’re playing. You already have the spark. Fan those flames at your own pace.

Keep asking questions here. Lots of free suggestions and talented people to share their journeys. Many of us have taken an untraditional path to get where we are.

 

[two fingers]

Just take a step back, little brother. Give yourself some relief, and maybe some time off between lessons. Spread them out so you have more time to digest them.

Think about what it is that draws you to playing bass. Play what you can, and try to feel what you’re playing. You already have the spark. Fan those flames at your own pace.

Keep asking questions here. Lots of free suggestions and talented people to share their journeys. Many of us have taken an untraditional path to get where we are.

Well stated.

First off @MrNoob your writing and grammar far exceed most people here.

Second, you've come to the right place! We're here to help!

I'll second one of the points stated by @Goatrope in that it would help if you try to "feel" the music. You might literally be thinking too much. Feel the rhythm. Feel the melody. Feel whatever it is that brought you to music, and to bass, to begin with.

I think you may be "getting in your own head" a little. In other words, it's clearly stressing you out. And that stress likely increases every time you go to pick up your bass.

That bass is your friend. It WANTS to make music with you. Bond with it. Literally HAVE FUN with it.

Also, play all of your exercises slowly at first. And then build up speed. (I would give that same advice to anyone.)

You are not being graded here. You are not being graded at all. There are no scores. We all play for joy. So, relax.

I read somewhere that there are glands in your face that release endorphins (chemicals that make you feel happy) every time you smile. So, when you pick up your bass, smile a big wide smile. Then take a breath. Then start slow. Remember to have fun.

 

[MCS4]

Honestly, you may simply be experiencing fairly common troubles that have nothing to do with your learning disability at all. Music theory is maddeningly difficult for a lot of people to understand regardless of how intelligent they are. I am generally considered smart by general societal standards (honors in high school/college, attended an Ivy League law school), but I could have written almost the *exact* same post back when I was in high school and taking a few music theory lessons. My ability to memorize scales and arpeggios was almost non-existent, and nothing about the written theory of music made sense to my brain -- it was a slow process of brute-forcing learning and memorization, and even then never got me very far very fast.

I never really learned more than rudimentary music theory, but I have a rich and fulfilling musical life that is based upon my individual strengths and a focus on the types of music that I enjoy and can be creative with based more upon my ear and rhythmic abilities (mostly rock/metal). If you feel this passionately about learning the material, keep at it, and try to appreciate whatever amount you are actually able to learn. If that becomes too frustrating, there's nothing wrong with trying to find enjoyment out of music in a way that does not require deep knowledge of theory, as long as it is fun and rewarding for you.

 

[Oddly]

Let your teacher know. He may be able to find different ways to teach you; otherwise he may just think you're not trying.

Don't give up, instead try to find fun in the journey. Enjoy what you have accomplished and worry less about what you're still working on.

All of this.
It's not a race, it's not a job.
It's meant to be a fun and relaxing way to express yourself.
You're in high school and have an entire lifetime ahead of you.
Take it slow and easy.

 

[denhou1974]

At what point will you consider yourself to have "learned bass"?
Over 26 years I've played hundreds of shows for thousands of people and I'm still learning.

Learn some songs and practice them on your own without notes, tab, or sheet music. And no instructor. Reading sheet music/notes becomes a crutch.

Also, you need to spend more time playing what you love. Arpeggios? Not much fun IMHO. I only spend 10% of my time on rudiments and theory. 40% is spent playing my favorite songs or jamming to a drum loop.

 

[lfmn16]

At what point will you consider yourself to have "learned bass"?
Over 26 years I've played hundreds of shows for thousands of people and I'm still learning.

Learn some songs and practice them on your own without notes, tab, or sheet music. And no instructor. Reading sheet music/notes becomes a crutch.

Also, you need to spend more time playing what you love. Arpeggios? Not much fun IMHO. I only spend 10% of my time on rudiments and theory. 40% is spent playing my favorite songs or jamming to a drum loop.

+1

I've gone over to the dark side and am playing exclusively guitar now, but even after 40 years of playing bass I still practiced regularly, usually daily. I don't mean playing songs I already knew, I mean actual practice.

Now at the ripe old age of 61 I'm taking jazz guitar lessons. The bass player in my Rockabilly band is taking lessons at 68. The quest for excellence is never over.

My favorite story is about Pablo Casals. I've heard different versions, but this is as good as any:

Even when he was 90 years old, Pablo Casals known as the world's greatest cellist, practiced this instrument for four or five hours every day. Someone asked him why at his age, he still worked so hard on the music, and he responded, "Because I think I am making some progress."

 

[emblymouse]

This is no different than what many of us experience with algebra. Being pelted with answers when you don't have any questions yet is not only a waste of time, but now it's making this a negative experience. My best advice is to just play. On your own. Find some pleasure in this, entertain yourself. Pretty soon you'll have your questions!

 

[Mushroo]

Arpeggios are chords, played one note at a time.

Example: If you play C, E, and G all at the same time, that is a C Major chord, right?

Now if you play C, and then play E, and then play G, that is a C Major arpeggio.

Another example: If you play D, F, and A all the same time, that is a D Minor chord.

And if you play D, then play F, and then play A, that is a D Minor arpeggio.

If you are a visual learner like me, think of lines and spaces on the musical staff.

C Major arpeggio is notated space, space, space: C, E, G

D Minor arpeggio is notated line, line, line: D, F, A

Does that make sense? Any questions?

 

[bass12]

Two Fingers beat me to it: your writing is better than most of what is on display around here. You seem articulate and bright. What you describe makes me think of how mathematics used to make me feel (and still would if I had to take those classes again!). I would discuss your concerns with your teacher. One of the things about teaching is that there are invariably multiple ways of doing it, and what works with one student may not work with another. If your teacher is a reasonable person then he or she will have no problem taking your issues into consideration and using that information to develop some tactics for helping you to better understand things. I myself have struggled with music theory over the years and for me it has really been about finding the right learning approaches. It's also about relaxing and not stressing about what doesn't sink in. The more you stress the more difficult it is likely to be for you to absorb the information. You don't need to stress - you are young and have plenty of time.

By the way, I'm pretty sure that any number of us here would be happy to explain arpeggios to you until you understand what they are.

 

[JRA]

your teacher already knows that you are not mozart. he would figure the same thing about me and the previous posters. you say you're "slow" at learning, but you're impatient enough to post here --- i'm thinking you're like all the rest of us = you want to 'hurry up and know something'!

The quest for excellence is never over.

Even when he was 90 years old, Pablo Casals known as the world's greatest cellist, practiced this instrument for four or five hours every day. Someone asked him why at his age, he still worked so hard on the music, and he responded, "Because I think I am making some progress."

OP: you've begun a process. if you want to progress = never give up! good luck (practice, practice, practice!) improving your skills and your bass chops --- oh, and good luck with your impatience, too!

 

[RichardW]

Your teacher wants you to succeed, so you have to tell him/her about whatever impediments that might affect your ability to learn. A good teach will adapt his/her teaching style to fit the student (I say this having been married to a school teacher for 30+ years).

EVERY PERSON ON THIS FORUM HAS STRUGGLED WITH THE BASS. Don't give up! Your goal is simply to be the best bass player you can be, not to be as good as or better than any else. Don't compare yourself with anyone.

If been playing the bass for 15 years and still consider myself more or less a beginner. I envy you because you are starting as a young person.

 

[mrcbass]

+1 on telling your teacher that you have specific issues with learning. There are many ways to learn and teach things - especially music. If he/she does not already know them, your teacher may be able to do some research to discover techniques that have worked for others with your particular issue.

I can't imagine that it's easy to proclaim such a weakness, but it will be to your benefit if he is aware of your needs.

Best of luck and carry on!

 

[CryingBass]

Pick some easy songs that you like to listen to, and try to play along. Charts, arpeggios, scales, modes... - theory and sight-reading challenges nearly everyone on TalkBass ( when we are being honest anyway ).

Get some fun out of it. Jam with others if you can. Love the music first, then work on the theory.

And as others have said above, your communications skills kick ass. The Bass will follow.

 

[Fielding]

Hey man, I'm a high school English teacher and I work with students like you describe yourself every day. Most of the time, it's about finding a way to help you learn things. Use the strategies you use at school that work. Those strategies are often less about the content and more about how you learn best.

Most of my students have extended time on their IEPs. So, give yourself some extended time to learn a concept. They also have their material chunked out in manageable pieces, so try that too. What are some learning strategies that work best for you? Let's see if we can't apply it to learning bass.

If ADD is a thing set a timer. Give yourself manageable times to practice, say, arpeggios. Then give yourself some time to just noodle around and learn where the different sounds live on the fretboard and the different places you can make the same sound. Unstructured exploring is still learning.

You'll get it bit by bit. Keep at it.

 

[mambo4]

also, don't be afraid to just grab your bass and make stuff up.
don't worry about what scale or note or chord it might be
don't worry about where you might go next
don't worry about whether it's valuable or right or wrong

just experiment without any pressure, and listen,
until you find something you like the sound of.
everything else comes in time
but the fun part happens now

 

[B-Lo]

I echo what most others have already stated.

1. Don't beat yourself up...be patient with yourself and it will come in due time.

2. Definitely let your instructor know what your challenge is. A good instructor will try to come up with ways to help you grasp the concepts. He/she may simply need to slow down.

3. Stick with it! I can tell you're up to the challenge because otherwise, you wouldn't be here. Don't give up my friend and ask as many questions as you'd like...that's what this forum is for.

 

[Perrygoround]

You say you are worried because you can't read music and play at the same time. Don't worry about that too much. Most people can't do that either, and that has never stopped anyone from playing.
I guess that in certain situations it is a must (i.e. if you play in an orchestra or at some really professional level), but most of us will never have to do that.
If your goal is just to have fun playing, and joining a pop/rock/punk/metal/funk/reagge/arternative etc... band with some friends, most likely you will never "have" to read music and play at the same time.