Suggestions For Choosing An Instructor (Help Needed)

Hi!

This is my first post here at TalkBass ... please accept my apologies in advance if this question has already been raised (I did an extensive search prior to asking, honest!) and/or answered.

I'm a self-taught drummer who has recently decided to pick up bass. I have everything I need to play but I really want to do things correctly from the start. My hope is to avoid errors or mistakes early on (speaking from experience with self-teaching drums) by immediately acquiring personal instruction. I feel that I could benefit greatly from a regimented learning structure.

My question is: How do you go about choosing an instructor? What criteria would you suggest that he/she meet to qualify as a capable instructor?

Some obvious answers might be: Level of experience/expertise, education, a friend of a friend, etc. I guess what I'm looking for is a checklist that I can follow which will ensure that when I do choose an instructor, that he/she will will not hinder me by teaching me incorrectly. What should I look for?

I hope that made sense. Any suggestions or assistance will be greatly appreciated. Encouragement for or against instruction is also appreciated. I'm very eager to get started. Thanks in advance!

Chris
[email protected]

 

Thanks a lot for the info. I dig what you said about it being an intructor-lead situation, and not a "Hey, wanna learn how to play that Nirvana song?" scenario.

I'm in Sacramento, CA by the way, so in case there are any qualified instructors in the vicinity, please feel free to shoot me an email if interested.

Let's hear from some others!

Chris
[email protected]

P.S. Making adjustments to my profile right now!