• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Trouble finding an actual BASS teacher

FloridaTim

FloridaTim

May 29, 2013
287
553
Kissimmee, FL
#1
I have been thinking of taking lessons, so I started shopping around at the local music stores. I am not finding any teachers whose primary instrument is bass. Lots of guitar teachers that teach bass, but here is a recent conversation:

Me: I'd like to find out about bass lessons
Store: We have 4 guitar teachers that also teach bass
Me: Well I have been playing for about 2 years, play in a couple of bands. I also took lessons when I was younger so I'm pretty good at music theory.
Store: Oh... well one of our guys might be good for you

Anyone else have this trouble?

BTW, I do live in Central Florida, but I am still 1 hour away from Bass Central. Plus, Dave LaRue teaches on Saturdays and I have to work every Saturday.
 
#2
I wouldn't necessarily write off a teacher because he also teaches guitar. Some of them might be bassists first. But very few teachers are able to fill up their schedules by teaching electric bass alone, so many of them will teach guitar as well. Of course, that doesn't sound like the case at that particular store you speak about, but I'm just sayin'.

Also, I wouldn't limit yourself to music stores. You might call the music department at UCF (or another of the colleges with a music program) and find someone who could recommend a good instructor.
 
#4
Offering a couple of thoughts that worked for me;
-Try the local luthiers for referrals
-If you have a university close by with a music program, contact the program director for referrals
-Bass players with the top local bands can be a good resource - especially orchestra, big band, jazz types
-Private Lessons via skype (lots of exceptional instructors use this method)
 
#5
my best teachers have been pro guys who were guitarists/bassists/drummers/keyboardists, they broke down the structure of songs, bands, and scales for me in a way that has really improved my playing compared to my 90s post-hardcore days
 
Last edited:
#6
Go hear local bands and ask bass players you like for lessons. Most of those guys are going to say yes.

And travelling an hour each way for lessons with Dave LaRue doesn't sound like much trouble for the massive opportunity it is. Not only is he a true great on the instrument by all accounts he's a great teacher too.
 
  • Like
Reactions: maxl
#7
It seems to me that the kind of instructor you want/need depends on what your goal is with the lessons. For some things, the perfect instructor might be a guy who is primarily a guitarist/guitar teacher who doubles on bass, but that there are other things that for which you might really want someone who was primarily or exclusively a bassist -- or maybe even a particular bassist or "kind" of bassist. What are you looking to get out of these lessons?
 
#9
Jeff Bonny said:
Go hear local bands and ask bass players you like for lessons. Most of those guys are going to say yes.

And travelling an hour each way for lessons with Dave LaRue doesn't sound like much trouble for the massive opportunity it is. Not only is he a true great on the instrument by all accounts he's a great teacher too.
Click to expand...

I'll DEFINITELY second that!
I've been commuting 45 minutes each way for lessons with Dave every other Saturday since June and must say that it is time and money WELL spent! Dave's a pro/world class bassist and excellent teacher to boot!
 
#14
There are very few if any bass teachers at music stores.
there is very little demand for bass instruction so the void is always
filled by guitar teachers.
Do not hesitate to try a guitar teacher.
I'll echo mpdd, some of my best teachers have been guitar & piano teachers.
 
#15
FloridaTim said:
I have been thinking of taking lessons, so I started shopping around at the local music stores. I am not finding any teachers whose primary instrument is bass. Lots of guitar teachers that teach bass, but here is a recent conversation:

Me: I'd like to find out about bass lessons
Store: We have 4 guitar teachers that also teach bass
Me: Well I have been playing for about 2 years, play in a couple of bands. I also took lessons when I was younger so I'm pretty good at music theory.
Store: Oh... well one of our guys might be good for you

Anyone else have this trouble?

BTW, I do live in Central Florida, but I am still 1 hour away from Bass Central. Plus, Dave LaRue teaches on Saturdays and I have to work every Saturday.
Click to expand...
Hello FloridaTim, I can help you. I am experienced live online bass guitar teacher using Skype. Please check out russrodgersbassguitar.com. Many thanks - Russ Rodgers
 
#16
Russ Rodgers said:
Hello FloridaTim, I can help you. I am experienced live online bass guitar teacher using Skype. Please check out russrodgersbassguitar.com. Many thanks - Russ Rodgers
Click to expand...


There are two people I give credit to for the good aspects of my playing, and my ability to make a living playing music. Russ is one of them - ANYBODY who is considering lessons would be doing themselves a favor studying with Russ.
 
#19
bigboy_78 said:
What sort of set-up at my end do I need for a Skype lesson? I've often thoutgh about it but worry about lag times, poor lighting, dodgy sound etc.

Do I bassicly need my own home studio?
Click to expand...

I'm sure every teacher would have their own list of materials to prepare for lessons.

For example: http://www.russrodgersbassguitar.com/wp/online-bass-lessons/
  1. Computer with high speed internet (A hardline ethernet connection works the best), Also use a usb hub if your computer does not have enough usb ports.
  2. A separate webcam. (The camera that comes in your computer does not have the directional flexibility to help me see a more panoramic view of you like a camera that is mounted further away from you on a stand).
  3. Skype video chat software. (Which is a free download)
  4. Pay Pal account. (This is how you will pay for the lessons)
  5. A (Alesis Mutimix 4 USB) 4 channel mixer, comes with usb cable.
  6. A separate headset microphone with a XLR connection.
  7. A separate set of headphones.
  8. External Monitor (Optional but recommended)
  9. A 3.5mm TRS (Stereo mini) to 1/4 inch mono cable.
  10. A way to unzip compressed audio files.
  11. A 2nd Computer, app capable tablet or smart phone to play and store audio tracks from The Amazing Slow Downer app and run the Dr. Betotte metronome app that we will be using for the lessons.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back