Newish Teacher

[jondog]

OK, my guitarist teaches lessons for a living (in addition to our cover gigs) and he has started referring people who want to learn bass to me. I have had a few students before, and I think I've done a decent job, but we have never lasted more than a few months (either because I moved or they lost interesst). I know the basics of reading music and can teach it, I know how to show them to produce good tone, I know how to show them common scale patterns, and I can help people figure out their favorite songs. What else should I be doing to be a good teacher?

 

[Matt Ides]

Are you working them through a basic book. That way they can see the progress they are making and it is easy to give them exercises to do every week.

Plus some students aren't in it for the long haul.

I always got more from teachers that had a book and other exercised to work from that gave me more than enough to keep me busy...not overkill though.

Also, working on different things...scales, but also ear training, varied rhythms, chords and chord structures, sight reading or reading in general, basic left and right hand tech/exercise, them transcribing from songs they like.

 

[Stephen S]

I'm a jewish teacher, it was hard at first, but now I'm doing fine.