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where do i start? looking to give beginners lessons!

S

Sarley

Dec 17, 2009
25
0
#1
hello all,

currently looking to start teaching beginners how to play bass, and dont really know where i would start?

anyone know of any good books/methods of doing so?

thinking of maybe trying to find a nice theroy book we can fill in the missing pages, anyone help?

thanks :)
 
#2
Start with tuning and how to hold the bass for proper fingering. Then show them how to play Smoke On the Water, just for something to do. Theory is a good idea, but you'll have to evaluate each student individually as to whether or not they will have the mental patience and aptitude for it. Try to always have them working on something they actually want to know how to play or they will disappear. Ask them.

Otherwise, explain to them that there are some things that they need to study, things that aren't necessarily a song, but that can be boring---and include in that "why" it's important. Also, encourage them to "play" with their instrument like a toy. It's a good way to get familiar with how things sound and work. You might challenge them to make up something to come back and play for you each lesson. It doesn't have to be intricate, just anything at all that they enjoy doing.

Make it fun, not a chore for them, unless they are the serious type who is ready to throw down on hard work. They're out there.
 
#3
Sarley said:
hello all,

currently looking to start teaching beginners how to play bass, and dont really know where i would start?

anyone know of any good books/methods of doing so?

thinking of maybe trying to find a nice theroy book we can fill in the missing pages, anyone help?

thanks :)
Click to expand...

If you're asking an internet forum how to do this I question your credibility in teaching anyone anything.

Don't think you have some revolutionary idea that isn't already covered by a thousand other youtube videos.
 
#6
onlyclave said:
If you're asking an internet forum how to do this I question your credibility in teaching anyone anything.

Don't think you have some revolutionary idea that isn't already covered by a thousand other youtube videos.
Click to expand...

I need to call you out on this one, brother. He asked an honest question and this was a very contemptuous response.:rollno:

I think that the Complete Idiot's Guide to Playing Bass Guitar is a good start for a new learner. Takes them through the steps. Also, Hal Leonard has very good books that take the learner through stages. Progressive Bass is another one.

These all take you though holding, tuning, fretting, picking/plucking. Then they progressively move through theory and stuff.

I might recommend the Hal Leonard books the most for kids. The thinner books might be less intimidating for a kid than the idiot's guide book, which is quite a bit thicker.
 
#7
kb9wyz said:
I need to call you out on this one, brother. He asked an honest question and this was a very contemptuous response.:rollno:
Click to expand...

I disagree. onlyclave's response is very relevant. Do you think that somebody who hasn't an idea where to start teaching to beginners, should be doing so? There's more to teaching than just being a good or decent player.

If the OP doesn't know how to design, or even where to start, a lesson plan for his students, he shouldn't be contemplating the idea of becoming a teacher. There are enough mediocre "music" teachers out there.

Teaching how to play an instrument involves way more than having students follow the exercises written on a Hal Leonard book.
 
#9
pandaman37 said:
bass guitar for dummies is great, but it has quiiite a bit of theory involved, the first few and the last few would be good but a great portion of that book would just be jibber jabber to a student just beginning on bass.
Click to expand...

Bass Guitar for Dummies might be good, for Dummies and beginners, but any respected, professional, non mediocre, music teacher wouldn't use that book as teaching material; at least not as a main source for lesson plan.
 
#10
kb9wyz said:
I need to call you out on this one, brother. He asked an honest question and this was a very contemptuous response.:rollno:
Click to expand...

I agree. Clearly the OP is new to teaching and just looking for some advice. And if i'm not mistaken, everyone was new at one point or another.

I give lessons and also take lessons. I ask questions. And if my teachers didn't ask their teachers questions then i would be worried. Nobody knows it all. And learning more can never hurt you.

So have an open mind. Give the man some honest advice. I'm sure he didn't post to get a bunch of crap saying he's not good enough.




Anyways, I agree with teaching things they want to know while also incorporating basics and fundementals. Nobody wants to start off by doing something they hate. Ha.

Good luck!
 
#13
Hellbastard said:
Sorry, but having an open mind doesn't have anything to do with encouraging or helping someone give mediocre music lessons.
Click to expand...

Then maybe start your post with 'Don't bother reading this as I don't actually want to help you solve your problem' :rollno:
I don't want to start an argument, but there's no need to get on your high horse about this. Everybody starts somewhere and if somebody is asking for advice or help, and you can answer, the done thing to do is help them.
 
#14
Wannaflea said:
Then maybe start your post with 'Don't bother reading this as I don't actually want to help you solve your problem' :rollno:
I don't want to start an argument, but there's no need to get on your high horse about this. Everybody starts somewhere and if somebody is asking for advice or help, and you can answer, the done thing to do is help them.
Click to expand...

I agree everybody starts somewhere. That's the reason most people go to college to become teachers. I'm not a music teacher.

the OP doesn't necessarily have to go college to become a good teacher. But as a musician, he has had at some point in his life music lessons. Use that, what did your teacher had you do on the first lesson? Probably scales and chords tones for a couple of lessons. Start there.

I'm sorry to be harsh, but there's a reason why so many people complain about music teacher being mediocre, most of them don't bother or are too lazy to prepare their lessons and just follow a book.
 
#15
Hellbastard said:
I disagree. onlyclave's response is very relevant. Do you think that somebody who hasn't an idea where to start teaching to beginners, should be doing so? There's more to teaching than just being a good or decent player.

If the OP doesn't know how to design, or even where to start, a lesson plan for his students, he shouldn't be contemplating the idea of becoming a teacher. There are enough mediocre "music" teachers out there.

Teaching how to play an instrument involves way more than having students follow the exercises written on a Hal Leonard book.
Click to expand...


Yes, perhaps Onlyclave's responce was relevant, but at least the OP had the common sense to ask for opinions first before taking on the important task of giving lessons. Lots of others might have just jumped in and started where ever they thought was a good place. Also IMO, Onlyclave could have followed his responce with some constructive advice.
 
#16
Start with a few YouTube videos going over popular bass lines that are easy-moderately difficult. Show people not only you playing style, but your teaching methods as well. Advertise on different bass forums, facebook, twitter, etc. and watch the traffic on your videos. If your videos get high traffic and lots of "Likes", that is a solid indicator that people like the way you explain things. Doing it for free and getting paid for it are vastly different. You could just post a new video every week or every other week for as long as you choose, but you'll never be paid. Once you see that people are responding to your teaching videos, it may be worth it to put some ads in your local news papers and start talking to people you know that are interested or have friends & family that are interested. Come up with a pricing system, that way when people ask you how much you're not fumbling numbers. To be competitive, you should call local instructors as a potential client and get some of their prices. Good luck.
 
#18
sorry for wanting to help others learn!!

I just dont want to go into teaching without a decent plan, which why i asked on here.

Is it wrong to want to get into teaching? and also i dont want to blagg it and make easy money, just want some good refferences to go by. i am a well experienced bass player and looking to inspire others, well trained on db and bass guitar.

so whats the problem? can even give experienced bass players lessons like i have done so in the past for free, but now i want to get into it seriously, ripping people off is the last thing i want to do, and maybe a post in here would get me some good tips to go by, but no.

so if your going to be dickheads about it and have no advice that is of any importance then please dont bother replying.

p.s and i hold a higher diploma in bass so, im qualified, not just like im trying to make money from this trade and abuse it, as i have to much respect to. hence why im here.
 
#19
also, i wasnt sure on how to start, jump into theroy? or just chill with positions, and L & R hand exercies and maybe even exposing them to groovy players? there is a lot to think about, dont want to rush rush into anything and also dont want to take it to slow. please understand, i can teach, its just that when you pick up an instrument, your first teacher will be the one you need,rely on and remember the most. so just wanted advide from bass players who have been in the same position as me.
 
#20
Read this. Then relate it to your student. A cookie cutter lessons, one way fits all, is not the answer. You give the student what they want, and need, in a way that they can understand and use what you are teaching them. Link Removed

How do you know what style your student is and what they want. Well, have a little of all four methods in your lessons then see which way the student likes the best. That then is the way you go with that student.

Good luck.
 

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