Im going to a 2 week Music school at UNH. SYMS if any one has heard of it, Think the teacher there will mind if a bring my 6 string fretless ( which is my number one) or should i go traditional and bring my 4 banger ( aslo fretless). Im a little worried, i once had a teacher when i opened my bass case and had my 6ixer he got this look, then proceded to teach me nothing until i stopped going, apparantly there a bias against 6ix strings? So just asking for some TBer advice
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Im torn between what to bring.
- Thread starter Jmassie
- Start date
funkybassplayer
Commercial User
Wel if the sixer is your main axe then i would say to take it. If you instructor feels that the four would be better for what you are doing then take it.
Are you getting paid? Is this for a grade? Bring the 6 anyway!!!!!! If he gives you flack, tell him to listen with his EARS. Novel concept, eh? If you insist on the 6, do it well. You might enlighten him to new ideas or he'll tell you it's voodoo witchcraft.
Don't let anybody tell you what instrument to play! (Well, of course, unless it is a producer paying you $1000 per song and he wants a Fender).
Since you've had such an odd experience once already with a teacher giving a nasty look, I would just call the school and ask them if there is prefence that student bring a specific type of bass -- but I still think you should bring whatever you prefer, and the sixer being your #1 bass, even more so.
As long as you have lines on those fretless, you'll be fine. . . .
Since you've had such an odd experience once already with a teacher giving a nasty look, I would just call the school and ask them if there is prefence that student bring a specific type of bass -- but I still think you should bring whatever you prefer, and the sixer being your #1 bass, even more so.
As long as you have lines on those fretless, you'll be fine. . . .
Well that teacher must have not been so knowledgable if the 6'er threw him off that much. Go for what you want to play and if they are a good teacher than they can should be able to show you anything on any instrument. But it would be a good idea to bring them both.
thanks for the posts guys, the teacher is Nate theirn ( Spelling may be wrong) has any one heard of him?
+1. At the end of the day, music is about listening. That's odd that a person in the position of being a teacher would shun an instrument because its build or appearance doesn't suit his/her eye. Don't let that stop you from bring your 6er. If you dig it, bring it. A six string bass can make good music every bit as much as a four string can.
funkybassplayer
Commercial User
when i started music school my instructors were thrown of by my 5er because i strung it EADGC. ocasionally the would be trhown of while working with me but the were quite accepting. a couple of them did question me "why no B".
Jim Carr
Dr. Jim
- Jan 21, 2006
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Contact the teacher directly and respectfully. Follow his instructions. If he says, "Bring the 4-string," agree to do it, but ask him if he would briefly explain his request. His materials and approach may work better with a 4-string or 5-string.
Be sure to be brief, cordial, and respectful. You want this teacher to take you seriously and give you his full effort. Teachers are people, too, with egos, feelings, opinions, etc.
So, be diplomatic, very polite, and politically savvy. First impressions ARE lasting impressions. All IMHO.
Be sure to be brief, cordial, and respectful. You want this teacher to take you seriously and give you his full effort. Teachers are people, too, with egos, feelings, opinions, etc.
So, be diplomatic, very polite, and politically savvy. First impressions ARE lasting impressions. All IMHO.
Mark Wilson
Supporting Member
Bring your main bass.
If the teacher refuses to teach you, demand you use his bass.
Why would your old teacher refuse to teach you?
That's so ignorant.
If the teacher refuses to teach you, demand you use his bass.
Why would your old teacher refuse to teach you?
That's so ignorant.
Unless the teacher or the school specifically said in person or in their literature bring a 4-string, I think you'd be safe bringing whatever you're comfortable with.
I find his reaction strange. He should have at least offered an explanation for his action. Some folks have have predetermined opinions and bias against certain aspects of a particular type of bass. Stupid, as we all well know, but true.
The teacher should of let you know beforehand what he expected and what type equipment to bring.
I would have marched down to the business office and demanded an immediate refund of my money based on the fact the instructor refused to give the lesson without telling why. When you pay for a service, such as lessons, you should get what you pay for. The teacher was not up front. A six string was probably either not up his alley or he didn't know enough about it to teach you.
Musicians can be such tempermental types, can't they?
The teacher should of let you know beforehand what he expected and what type equipment to bring.
I would have marched down to the business office and demanded an immediate refund of my money based on the fact the instructor refused to give the lesson without telling why. When you pay for a service, such as lessons, you should get what you pay for. The teacher was not up front. A six string was probably either not up his alley or he didn't know enough about it to teach you.
Musicians can be such tempermental types, can't they?
I think im gonna take my 6 string, I play better on my 6 then my 4 and its a better tone, thanks for you input guys
I find it typical, at least in my environment. Any deviation from tradition seems to insight a witch hunt.
As a bassist, I see entirely too many stereotypes that make bass BORING! There's a certain understanding that the bass is a support instrument, but that doesn't mean we aren't allowed to ever be flashy or show some sort of actual style. There's a difference between being a mostly support instrument and "do whatever the hell I say and like it, inferior musician!". Perhaps some dudes hate it when bassists aren't all interchangeable, and we shouldn't be interchangeable! When everyone plays and sounds the same, it's incredibly boring and also known as modern music.
