Practice

[ProbablyTooLoud]

I'd add that to learn to read music, don't let pride get in the way of using beginner's books geared towards kids. If you have a piano, it can make learning to read notes and understand theory and structure easier, for some people, because it's all right there, left to right, low to high, in black and white.

 

[Whale guy]

Every student that I have had, I have started with ear training first. I would give them finger exercises for technique and Fingerboard knowledge. Pretty much, the rest of the time is spent on ear training.

I often sit at a piano or keyboard and play and have them try to figure out what I was playing, and how to work with it.

You can do this my listening to any music. Cut the bass down on the stereo and learn the song. You will get it faster than you think.

Good luck!