Internet Instruction - what do you think?

[Jawbone]

First don't say, "you get what you pay for". There are a few "by donation" only sites, studybass.com comes to mind that are top notch.

Since the internet is now the quickest way to “everything” (how else would we be here) and the quickest means for DIYs, tutorials, tabs, covers of songs, information, instruction etc., and now becoming one of the largest higher education means available globally, how does musical instrument instruction stack up to the old fashion way, 1 on 1 or class room?

Berekley Music, which at one time was prestigious, now offers online classes (why not, biggest money sucking machine out there (Online schools that is – 60% dropout / failure rate and most students are still on the hook for the debt / loan).

Do you master instructors think it is a practical alternative to learning to play the bass? Personally, the availability to quality lessons for someone like me in norcal is slim to none. Not a lot of options up here for quality instructions or you have to drive a ways, which with gas prices makes it a pretty expensive lesson.

One site that comes to mind is “How-to-play-bass”. Some brit who charges 200+ annually for a subscription to his site to teach you to learn to play bass. Or there’s notreble’s very own marlowedk, playbassnow.com, just a few of hundreds that are out there. (ever notice they don’t have a “true” customer feedback section). Oh, and then there are the up close and personal sites where the instructor will skpe a lesson – now that’s entertaining.

What do people (instructors) think of these “pay for lessons” websites? Are there EVEN any good ones?

I know some of you are looking for supplemental income and may have your own site – not trying to be disparaging (as along as their good and you’re not trying to rip off your brother).

Peace out!

 

[DaveDeMarco]

Jawbone,

This is a very valid question these days. I have seen some quality content on some of the sites offering bass tutorials. However, I can distinguish good quality from poor quality because I'm an instructor. I'm not sure that the average aspiring bassist would be able to tell the difference on many of these sites. At first glance, there appears to be an abundance of content. Sadly, once one digs in they may find that the site offers nothing more than exercises and licks, with very little in the way of context.

This is also precisely the reason that so many students get frustrated with the vast array of instructional books. They look great on the rack, really offer little in terms of meaningful content. In 16 years I've never had one student who worked through an entire method book. Some of my students showed up at their first lesson with a stack of books that cost them hundreds of dollars, yet they still couldn't tell the difference between a major and a minor chord.

Some of the new technologies are great but there's really no substitute for having a quality instructor work with you.

Dave

 

[Bass Mentor]

I would agree that making sure you are studying lessons of good music content is a must..and many books out there as well as many of the free web lessons are not of a good quality...make sure that you are learning about chord tones, reading, how progressions function, harmony, etc.....an overabundance of scales and licks are a tip off that you will not learn something of substance....good luck in your search!
Best!
Steve