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Looking for an online bass course

markusd

markusd

Jun 13, 2019
78
27
#1
Hi folks,

I haven't played bass for a while and already started quite late in my life.
So no surprise that I forgot actually quite a lot and my skills and knowledge is more like a puzzle with many pieces missing. I would like to restart on the instrument to make sure I learn again all the fundamentals.

I would like to do an online course, due to current situation but it's also generally more convenient for me.
Please don't missunderstand me, but most online teachers are white. What a surprise, right?
Not that I would have an issue with a white teacher, but I would like to support people of color if possible.

Do you guys have any suggestions for a teacher/course/ Programm that is well designed?

Thanks in advance
 
#5
I also recommend TalkingBass. I think Mark has a great teaching style; no-nonsense and to the point but also upbeat and encouraging. What I love about his paid courses is that you can buy them and keep them forever, which works much better than a subscription model for me. He has loads of free content though, so start with that and then check out his paid courses if you still want more.

StudyBass.com is an amazing free resource that’s also work looking at. What I love about that site in particular is how well he teaches the fundamentals of building bass lines. So many other teaching resources out there send you down rabbit holes of scales and modes, whereas Andrew at StudyBass focuses more on chord tones - see Intro to the Note Choice Pyramid | StudyBass for a great example of what I’m talking about.
 
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#7
markusd said:
Hi folks,

I haven't played bass for a while and already started quite late in my life.
So no surprise that I forgot actually quite a lot and my skills and knowledge is more like a puzzle with many pieces missing. I would like to restart on the instrument to make sure I learn again all the fundamentals.

I would like to do an online course, due to current situation but it's also generally more convenient for me.
Please don't missunderstand me, but most online teachers are white. What a surprise, right?
Not that I would have an issue with a white teacher, but I would like to support people of color if possible.

Do you guys have any suggestions for a teacher/course/ Programm that is well designed?

Thanks in advance
Click to expand...

I'm wondering, if your goal is to relearn fundamentals, why an online teacher is even neccessary? That level of information is plentiful and readily available, including the vast knowledge and guidance within this online community.

Everyone learns in different ways, but fundamentals can be self taught. I mean notes are still notes, time is still time. After that I can see the benefit of a teacher but the fundamentals are better retained if there is some discovery happening, the learner feels ownership of the knowledge.

Of course, if you feel that an online teacher will help you gain that knowledge more effectively then that's what you should do.
 
#8
I agree with you, that it's not actually necessary but from past experience I tend skip annoying topics if I construct my own curriculum and I end up being good in the things that come easy for me while I avoid the parts that demand effort.
Having a "teacher" helps me to stick to the curriculum better.
Music is not a language that comes naturally to me. I started learning in my 20s and stopped for many years now. It's more like a third language that does not stick when not being used.
My wife is a natural with language, she really doesn't need a teacher to pick up a new language in unbelievably fast tempo.
I am like this with certain activities and arts, but unfortunately not with music.
 
#9
Does it have to be an online course? There are plenty of black teachers who do 1:1 lessons. I think they would be better for your situation as they'll keep you honest. An online course will still allow you to duck the challenging stuff. I've recently got back to bass after many, many years off. The advice I got from the forum was to get a teacher, so I did. Best thing I've ever done. Doing it remote is fine, I don't feel like I am missing out at all from not being in the same room.

Also, I get you want to support black teachers, but don't let that stop you from learning my man.
 
#10
I totally agree with you. A (online) teacher would be by far the best. But money is tight right now. Standardized online lessons would be a compromise between completely studying on my own and have a teacher who explains and goes my individual pace.
 
#12
markusd said:
Sorry guys, but did you actually read my initial post?
I was specifically asking for a person of color.
Unfortunately there was only one suggestion that fit.
Click to expand...
You want to choose a bass teacher based on skin colour? In 2021? Imagine someone coming in here and asking specifically for a white teacher. Do you want to learn music or do you want to engage in silly identity politics? :rollno:
 
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#13
Well, I choose by skill and sympathy eventually.
But I doubt that there are only white people skilled although they are the majority of these who offer these kind of courses...
So yes, I want to support people who are in general underrepresented although they have the same skills. And unfortunately skin color is still a reason why people have it harder to be acknowledged and seen with the value they really have, even in 2021 as you say.
Being white is a privilege, sad and messed up, but true.
And to create equity, we need to get rid of privileges, everything else in emty talk. And supporting people of color is just a why to do so.
So what you do not understand is that there is a difference whether someone asks for a person of color to undermine white privilege or whether someone asks specifically for a white person just because they prefer white people.
 
#15
markusd said:
Well, I choose by skill and sympathy eventually.
But I doubt that there are only white people skilled although they are the majority of these who offer these kind of courses...
So yes, I want to support people who are in general underrepresented although they have the same skills. And unfortunately skin color is still a reason why people have it harder to be acknowledged and seen with the value they really have, even in 2021 as you say.
Being white is a privilege, sad and messed up, but true.
And to create equity, we need to get rid of privileges, everything else in emty talk. And supporting people of color is just a why to do so.
So what you do not understand is that there is a difference whether someone asks for a person of color to undermine white privilege or whether someone asks specifically for a white person just because they prefer white people.
Click to expand...
If you haven’t already, you should explore this forum thoroughly. It is a fantastic community of people who are supportive, and selfless with endless advice, knowledge and insight to bass players of all levels. Race unknown, and never mentioned or thought about. I’ve never seen anything close. This is a place for people to share a like interest, and for me personally, an escape from typical life stresses. It’s been a hard year for all of us, and I never expected to find something as close to “race baiting” as this, in this forum. I’m wondering if your post is an intentional effort to create tension? I hope I am wrong, and that you find someone who meets your criteria. Good luck.
 
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