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Just because you are talented it doesn't mean you have a brain

Just because someone is good at something doesn't mean they are good at teaching that something. As anyone who's been to college knows, some instructors and professors may be experts in their subject matter, but are completely horrible teachers. Teaching itself is a skill, just like playing an instrument is.

I don't necessarily buy into this old saying, but he might ...

"Those who can, do. Those who can't, teach."

Maybe he's too busy getting good.
 
Wow ... $20/hr ... hey big spender! The kid told you he isn't giving lessons, end of that discussion. I've had people ask me to show them stuff. I tell 'em, "watch my fingers next set". I'm busy making music, and have absolutely no inclination (or financial need) to teach.
 
i agree that:
- I might have been intimidating to the kid...Some weird older guy (me) comes and says "be my teacher sensei".

Maybe I though the kid would have been nicer, as "hey thanks man, let's have a brewskie".

Next time I won't be so pushy or approach the band id a different way...Although as I remember I already tried this:

- When I gigged with another band, there was this band that played really good, and we invited them for a beer. They got weird and left. We were like, okaaay. That was weird...They were way younger by the way.

Maybe me being older than these kids I am approaching to hang out with. They think I am the weird one, cause I am...older.
 
Jeez, maybe the guy just dosen't like giving lessons...... sometimes money dosen't matter.

+1 Just because he can play does not mean he can teach or even wants to teach. I believe he made that clear to you more than once. I don't think it was a matter of intimidation eaither clearly he has nothing to be intimidated about. He said no but you didn't want to hear him. I'm sorry but "you" acted the 'tard in this case. :rollno:
 
The "kid" had the advanced and intelligent part of the dialogue here. He knows what he wants and sticks to it. That's a very sophisticated adult.

Perhaps he spend his time learning and improving himself instead of teaching and that's why he was so good. Duh!

Also, $20/hour wouldn't buy you that conversation time with a pro around here.

FWIW
 
My take:
1) he has no interest in teaching
2) he has no time for teaching
or
3) he has no talent for teaching and knows it.

I can sympathize, and have been in a similar situation.
I couldn't teach worth a damn, and haven't the time or patience for it.
 
I've had people come up to me after some of my upright gigs and ask if I give lessons.
I always say no, because a)I don't play with conventional fingerings/technique (drifted to upright from electric; play both), so I don't want to send anyone down the wrong path; and b)I know of several upright players who are very good teachers, so I typically send those asking to the well-known teachers.
I could say yes, and give some lessons, and make a little extra $$ but, honestly, I wouldn't feel right taking the money. OTOH, I never mind "showing a few things" to someone and talking about all things bass - always great to connect with a fellow good player and/or encourage those just starting out, etc.
Good players don't necessarily make good teachers - different skill sets, although of course there's lots of overlap.
 
dude, he does not want to teach you, period. If I was that kid I would start a thread with the following subject:

''Just because you have money it does not mean you can buy everything you want.''

And wrote something like:

Last week I played a gig and at the end a weird guy came to me and asked me If I would like to give him some classes.

Me: Sorry dude I dont give lessons.

Stranger: c'mon I will pay you.

Me : Yeah but I dont give lessons.

Stranger: I have money dude I can pay you.

Me: Cool but I DONT GIVE lessons.

Stranger: jezz man, you will make 20 bucks per 30 minutes, what you think?

Me: sorry I have a to go.
 
Let’s see....

You asked him to teach you essentially 4 times in what amounts to a 10 - 15 second conversation. He said no 3 times. I understand your frustration from wanting to learn from somebody you admire as a player and being told "No", but I think asking once, maybe twice should do it. How many times does he have to say "No" before you get it? He may have said no initially because of a lack of time, other commitments, lack of desire or whatever, but I'm pretty sure that last no is just because of your nagging.

I'm sure you weren't just trying to be a pain, and I believe you truly wanted to learn something from this guy, but when you ask for help and it gets denied move on. Find yourself a local established instructor or hang out at clubs and just "watch and learn". I find I learn a ton of stuff just by watching and listening to bands. I don't mean plagiarism and copying songs (unless it’s a cover band); I'm talking about techniques and song structure / compositional stuff. Sometimes what you learn is how NOT to do things, and that can help even more than some of the other more positive things you learn.

Maybe next time you're at a show and you see a good player just ask the guy/gal "Hey that one riff in the third tune was awesome and totally carried that song. How did you come up with that?" This plays up to his ego a bit and he may tell you or he may not. If he does, great! If not, oh well, maybe next time. This way you come off as a fan and a cool guy, rather than as a _______ (choose your expletive of choice).

I'm sorry things didn't go your way, but I can kinda see why. Just don't give up. You'll find a good instructor soon enough.
 
I have approached several of my area's best players for lessons and they all sent me to the same guy. I now take lessons from him.

I don't teach either, mainly because I'm not a good teacher. There are some that have a capacity to pass on information well and others that know what they know but don't know how to tell you what they know. I would be the latter.
 
But when I was 18 I played music for fun and spend my free time doing whatever I though was fun. I did have a job, but it was a part time job, and far from serious. Like any normal kid he probably has no interest taking on a serious endeavor like teaching, let alone an older guy that practically nags him for lessons.

Also, 20 bucks? Really? You see someone you think is truly talented and offer him a slap in the face? I think even if he would have taken on a student an offer like that would repel him from you faster that a squatter kids' Body odor.

Sorry man, I think you were wayyyy out of line on this