First of all, welcome to TB. We want you to succeed with the bass and we want you to have fun doing it. We want you to come back and tell us you're having a blast learning new songs. We want to read about your first gig, if that's where you're going with this, or listen to soundclips of you playing. Most of all we want you to feel good and excited when you pick up your instrument. So, we're going to do our best to help.
We hear that you're upset and worried. You were having fun learning a new instrument, and now you've been told you were doing it all wrong. The new way hurts and feels unnatural, and you're frustrated and feel like quitting.
Like you, we've all been through times of frustration and pain. We've all felt like quitting. Anytime you learn something new, there's some element of discomfort initially, and usually a few failures before you get it right.
BUT: as others have said, you shouldn't be in the kind of pain you've described. If that's the case, stop doing whatever is causing the pain. Pain is there for a reason, and if you ignore it, you can do damage to yourself. A little soreness due to stretching or muscle soreness might be normal at first, but no decent teacher would want you to continue to do something that causes the kind of pain you describe, so make sure your instructor knows how you are feeling. Go over the hand positions with your instructor, and make sure he or she knows exactly what aspects are causing you pain.
If your instructor insists that you continue doing things that cause more than a little temporary soreness, find a new instructor immediately.
Others might disagree with me on this, but I'm going to say it anyway: there are literally dozens of examples of famous, successful musicians who did things their own way, ignoring traditional techniques. Everyone is different, and you may not be able to play the way your instructor thinks is "correct." And that may not matter. In the end, the only things that matter are the results: Are you happy with your playing? Is the tone good? Are you able to play the songs you want to play? Are you playing in a way that is safe and comfortable for you? If so, there's no problem.
The other thing I want to say to you is that finding the right instructor can make a huge difference in your experience. Everyone knows this. If you think back to when you were in school, you might recall certain teachers you loved, and others you didn't like. Trying to learn a new instrument from an instructor whose approach is wrong for you, or who doesn't "get you," can be a frustrating experience. You're paying for lessons, presumably, so the instructor works for you, not the other way around. If you're not happy with this one, try another one.
You're going to get a lot of advice here, much of it good. Take what makes sense to you, and please don't give up. Come back and tell us how things are going. We're in your corner.
We hear that you're upset and worried. You were having fun learning a new instrument, and now you've been told you were doing it all wrong. The new way hurts and feels unnatural, and you're frustrated and feel like quitting.
Like you, we've all been through times of frustration and pain. We've all felt like quitting. Anytime you learn something new, there's some element of discomfort initially, and usually a few failures before you get it right.
BUT: as others have said, you shouldn't be in the kind of pain you've described. If that's the case, stop doing whatever is causing the pain. Pain is there for a reason, and if you ignore it, you can do damage to yourself. A little soreness due to stretching or muscle soreness might be normal at first, but no decent teacher would want you to continue to do something that causes the kind of pain you describe, so make sure your instructor knows how you are feeling. Go over the hand positions with your instructor, and make sure he or she knows exactly what aspects are causing you pain.
If your instructor insists that you continue doing things that cause more than a little temporary soreness, find a new instructor immediately.
Others might disagree with me on this, but I'm going to say it anyway: there are literally dozens of examples of famous, successful musicians who did things their own way, ignoring traditional techniques. Everyone is different, and you may not be able to play the way your instructor thinks is "correct." And that may not matter. In the end, the only things that matter are the results: Are you happy with your playing? Is the tone good? Are you able to play the songs you want to play? Are you playing in a way that is safe and comfortable for you? If so, there's no problem.
The other thing I want to say to you is that finding the right instructor can make a huge difference in your experience. Everyone knows this. If you think back to when you were in school, you might recall certain teachers you loved, and others you didn't like. Trying to learn a new instrument from an instructor whose approach is wrong for you, or who doesn't "get you," can be a frustrating experience. You're paying for lessons, presumably, so the instructor works for you, not the other way around. If you're not happy with this one, try another one.
You're going to get a lot of advice here, much of it good. Take what makes sense to you, and please don't give up. Come back and tell us how things are going. We're in your corner.
