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Online Lessons besides Scott's

#21
Lorin Cohen said:
What are you hoping to work on/develop in your playing? Styles you play?

I think starting there will help guide where to look for instruction.
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This is key when looking for teaching advise, plus knowing yourself -where you stand as a player-.
If I would have to pick online lessons, I'd go with Jim Stinnett (RIP). May not be a popular choice, as in young, trendy, etc. but had 30 years of Berklee experience. Always solid and grounded advise.
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCTLM0C5Acp-0xi4ZEb-mSQg
 
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#23
I haven’t tried any of the other online learning platforms, so take this with a big strain of salt. But Ive had a subscription to SBL for a few months now and the paid subscription is a lot better than the stuff he puts out on YouTube. For me it’s the range of teachers they have on the site that sold me on trying it out.
 
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#24
+1 to others:
SBL probably isn't for everyone, but don't base judgement on their Youtube channel... Definitely explore the two week trial previously mentioned.

What SBL calls "lessons" on their Youtube channel are really just fluff. The membership content "courses" are much better, set up in a modular format and include quite a few different instructors. Like @HeadWind, I found enough value to get a lifetime membership when my year was about to expire and they sent me an offer that was only very slightly more than the cost of a year.

The SBL Master Classes are even more in-depth: multi-week courses and each week has multiple modules. I've got several of the Accelerator master classes and have found good value in them (Jazz, Technique, Fretboard, Ed Friedland's Walking Bass, Practice), and feel like my playing/approach has definitely improved.

I've also found good value in some of Janek Gwizdala's instructional books, and he also has Janek's Bass Studio (but I haven't explored that as of yet). The books priced well even when not on sale, but get on his email list and he usually runs sales around the holidays for 20-30% off.

A good private/personal instructor (online or in person) who listens to you and develops a curriculum based on your specific current skill level and goals is always a good option as well, because there's additional accountability for learning. But it might take some work to find the right one though... I've met some that just phone it in, and/or don't have any form of lesson plan.

5sg.
 
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#25
fivestringgecko said:
+1 to others:

But it might take some work to find the right one though... I've met some that just phone it in, and/or don't have any form of lesson plan.

5sg.
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This was my experience 100%. Almost 20 years ago I studied with an extremely well recommended local teacher who would start every lesson with the phrase “what do you want to learn today”. Even after a year of lessons and multiple conversations he never came up with a lesson plan, just the “what do you want to learn today”. Frankly, I never knew what to ask him to learn, because I didn’t know what there was TO learn. I was hoping for more of a road map I guess. Eventually I got pretty apathetic because I didn’t see any improvement and I moved on. The crazy thing is that this guy is an AMAZING teacher to this day and has been invited to and participated in multiple “bass retreats” and online seminars offered by world renown bass players. Initially I chalked it up to either the guy having a teaching style that I didn’t mesh with or me not being the best student (I am not), but over the years I wondered if maybe he might’ve phoned it in. Water under the bridge.

All that to say that it’s in your best interest to learn from as many teachers as you can until you find someone that is compatible with how you learn. Online, in person, over Zoom or whatever.

Also, as much as I’m enjoying what I’m doin……I’m definitely going to check out Adam Nittis patreon. Thank you @GastonD for sharing that!
 
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#26
If your teacher, or the program you're in, doesn't have a stepwise and easily digestable path for how you're going to get from Point A to Point B, or if the transformation and desired outcome isn't super clear, move on..

Before working with anyone or with any program, always ask: "What am I going to be able to do at the end of this program?"

All good teaching is rooted in clear learning outcomes and objectives.
 
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#27
Lorin Cohen said:
If your teacher, or the program you're in, doesn't have a stepwise and easily digestable path for how you're going to get from Point A to Point B, or if the transformation and desired outcome isn't super clear, move on..

Before working with anyone or with any program, always ask: "What am I going to be able to do at the end of this program?"

All good teaching is rooted in clear learning outcomes and objectives.
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To learn music on the bass, I chose the Joe Hubbard intermediate 2-year program. Not cheap but really good and I am a much better bass player because of it. I highly recommend this course.
 
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#28
Lorin Cohen said:
If your teacher, or the program you're in, doesn't have a stepwise and easily digestable path for how you're going to get from Point A to Point B, or if the transformation and desired outcome isn't super clear, move on..

Before working with anyone or with any program, always ask: "What am I going to be able to do at the end of this program?"

All good teaching is rooted in clear learning outcomes and objectives.
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Makes me think of the Suzuki Method for Violin /cello / etc.
 
#30
mambo4 said:
Another Vote for Mark J Smith's Talking Bass
- no fluff, just the lesson
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Just picked up two of his courses. I like the no-subscription option that you can just purchase your course and thats it - I have way too many subscriptions already for other things I don't need another. Also so far no daily spam. There are a few online teachers out there that seem to think if you e-mail all the time it is a good thing. I have had business coaches spout that sort of BS before, and I can't see how they can think this is a good thing.

IMHO i'm not going to buy your product if you are pestering me constantly, it puts me off your brand, courses and with something like Bass there are options out there from many other teachers. I'll find the same content elsewhere, through a company that doesn't bombard me with e-mails.
 
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#31
I had a sub to SBL and I only went to the online lessons probably 3 or 4 times in one year. I just couldn't get into his lessons, it seemed to be all over the place and the lessons that probably would have help he wanted to charge extra for those. I got tired of all of the rambling and him showing off all of his new basses that most of us couldn't afford, i.e. his $15k Fedora bass and other, seemed it was a different expensive bass a lot. I know he's making millions and he did work to get there, but don't rub it in with the basses. And I too got tired of the bombarding of emails and so on, So I canceled. I found better lessons on YT.
 
#33
TCabrera said:
I got tired of all of the rambling and him showing off all of his new basses that most of us couldn't afford, i.e. his $15k Fedora bass and other, seemed it was a different expensive bass a lot. I know he's making millions and he did work to get there, but don't rub it in with the basses.
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This statement doesn't make any sense. Scott doesn't deliver any lessons on SBL (at least not for a very long time). He does the one off bass hangs each month but they aren't lessons and they are easy to avoid.

The lessons are delivered by the likes of Phil Mann, Adam Neely, Gary Willis, Todd Johnson, Ari Cap, John Patitucci, Rufus Philpot etc. None of these instructors are showing off fancy instruments or "rubbing it in". They are high quality and to the point. The beginner pathway is delivered by Ian Allison with a Fender Jazz. Nothing special. No showing off. Just a well structured set of lessons.

The SBL academy tends to be like marmite which people either love or hate. If anyone is interested in SBL then I'd suggest they try themselves (using a throwaway email address) and see if it works for them.

Personally I don't like the subscription model and would prefer to purchase courses when I feel the need e.g. as others have mentioned from Talking Bass. But that is personal preference.
 

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