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where do i start? looking to give beginners lessons!
- Thread starter Sarley
- Start date
Sarley said:
Perhaps if you had given some of this information in the original post, the responses would have been different. How do you expect anyone to give you constructive advice if you don't provide any background about your qualifications?
What approach are you taking with the lessons you have been giving for free?
WHOO!! GET 'EM BOY!! Ha.Thats what I was thinking but didnt wanna get into it with anyone in someone elses thread. Haha.
well i shouldnt really need to, its not like im auditioning for anything, im just asking some fellow bass players what approaches they take and some good resources to use.
and as for the lessons i have given, it was just a friend who wanted to improve his sight reading and i just used the book my teacher made for me as, that was the most effective book i have used, just walked him through the notes on stave and then after getting the hang of that, teach notes in first position, i brought in some rhythems in that position. nothing that inspiring, just a helping hand
haha, man, feel free to do as you please, i always enjoy a bit of banta!
some of these new age bass players ay! think they are the best! whatever happened to music from the heart? youtube videos! because id much rather sit around with a chap who has faith in me and wants me to get better each time i see him, not a video of some guy who knows nothing about my situation! which some of the peeps in here are saying there is nothing you cant teach which is already on youtube. ********!
Alright, let me be a 'dickhead' here and clarify my response. With better spelling and capitalization:
In order to be a good teacher at any level you need to be a very experienced student. Why is this? Because after X years of training and study (and I don't know what relevance X is) you can formulate your own teaching regimen based on your experience on WHO you're teaching, WHAT you're teaching them, WHEN they have shown a mastery of the lesson, WHERE their development needs to go next and WHY you are teaching them what you are.
I, too, hold multiple diplomas in music and it was only about halfway through my college education that what I was really learning was how to practice. At some point there are no more bass lessons to take, and in fact in college most of my private lessons were on interpreting the music I was studying. A Brahms downbeat is played differently than a Beethoven downbeat. A Duke Ellington style walking bassline is different than a Count Basie one. At that level they don't teach you how to operate your instrument.
Your initial question reeks of every n00b teacher's post of "I think I'm a great player because I can play many styles and know many techniques and have a Myspace page therefore I'm ready to teach so what do I teach people?" Can you show a brand new student how to hold a German bow? How about a French one? Can you articulate the differences between how each one handles? Can you show them three different fingerings for a two octave major scale on electric bass? Can you identify why his legato lines sound choppy when he makes a position shift? Can you even show him how to hold his double bass in a standing or seated position? Do you know how to adjust your strap? Which way to you slide the rosin cake on your bow? Why?
If you think you're a badass bass player because of your mastery of slap and you think you're going to set the world on fire with your teaching method, then let me give you a spoiler alert before you view these:
YouTube - ‪SLAP LEVEL 1-7‬‏
YouTube - ‪level 8 - 12‬‏
YouTube - ‪LEVEL SLAP 13 -18‬‏
YouTube - ‪level 19 - 24‬‏
YouTube - ‪SLAP LEVEL 31-32-33-34-35-36 BY SERINO GIANNI B6‬‏
Go over to the Basses thread and see how long it takes you to find someone complaining about paying $500 for an instrument at Guitar Center and it has a ding on the back. Now how would you feel if someone took $45 from you for a bass lesson and he showed you "theory", "technique", "licks", etc? At least the $500 sucker has a bass albeit with a ding. You are -$45 and an hour of your time is lost.
When you have a lesson plan framework of what your teaching methodology is going to be then come back here and ask for advice on teaching methods, lesson materials, individual student challenges and know what you're talking about dead cold.
If you need an outstanding example, look up HAViC5 here on Talkbass, look at his Youtube channel and follow his blog at Adamneely.com. He knows his stuff and because he has such broad experience as a student he gets it as a teacher.
There's your answer.
I can see both sides of the coin in this debate. OP, I realise that your intentions are well meant and that you are qualified in so far as you have the knowledge. However, imparting this knowledge to others, brings into play, a whole new skill which not everyone possesses. I'm not saying you don't possess this skill. It's just that it will probably take a bit of work and preparation on your part before you are "qualified" in this field.
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f22/does-anyone-know-descent-bass-theroy-book-667467/
This time last year, you were learning some theory. Now, you "hold a higher diploma in bass".
Wow, what a difference a year makes! Congrats on the higher diploma!
I had a student on Saturday who came in wanting to learn the solo from a Canned Heat song - she's mad keen on 70's blues. Easy. We started by exploring Am pentatonic and while learning correct fingering, muting and plucking. 5 minutes into it she had a good understanding that the best way to 'learn' the solo was to get the tools to create the solo.... and not just this solo but any solo. (she's a horn player and music teacher so got the general gist straight away).
But IMO the key is to understand the goal of the student and work backwards. Ask - What are the fundamentals that this individual needs to put them on the right path? When you think about it EVERYONE teaches themselves when they practice. The teacher just points the student down the right road
But IMO the key is to understand the goal of the student and work backwards. Ask - What are the fundamentals that this individual needs to put them on the right path? When you think about it EVERYONE teaches themselves when they practice. The teacher just points the student down the right road
And there is this one too. From two years ago.
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f73/good-theory-book-get-me-started-609884/
So lets recap
....After a year of searching for a theory book, he again asks for help searching for a theory book. Fast forward another year, and he is asking how to teach beginner level lessons.
And then makes claim of having a "Higher Diploma in Bass" when his level of competence to teach is questioned.
Then proceeds to call those who questioned his ability to teach "dickheads".
:scowl:
^ This. Not only the teaching/learning styles you should be aware of, recognize in your student, and know how to adjust a lesson plan accordingly... but you also have to take into consideration the process a human brain goes through in learning and developing an advanced motor skill. From a Verbal Cognitive stage of learning, to a fully Internalized skill set.
The OP's teaching credentials aside, other aspiring music instructors might want to take the above advice with a grain of salt. I'm not slamming MalcolmAmos for making the suggestion because he was trying to be helpful, but what used to be considered gospel among educators has recently come under scrutiny. A few years ago, a group of psychologists caused quite a stir when they published an article suggesting that the idea of different learning styles is somewhat of a myth.The Washington Post has a brief summary at Invalid Link Removed.
For those who enjoy parsing dense academic writing, the original article can be found at [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
Disclosure: I teach college, but my field is psychology and not music. I don't have the patience to give bass lessons!
I'm not a professional musician, and I hold no degrees in music. That said, you don't HAVE to have a degree or be a professional to teach. What you need to know is how to teach adults (which includes older kids).
Adults respond well to "learner centered" activities and "knowledge of results". You should develop a curriculum that lays out a roadmap for where you will take your students. Once you take them as far as you can, they can seek a more knowledgeable teacher, but there is a LOT to learn that doesn't require a music degree to teach.
As has been suggested, start with the fundamentals. DON'T move on until the student becomes proficient in each part of the curriculum.
Make sure you never "lecture" your students. Make them teach themselves, you are the facilitator. You are there to steer them in the right direction, not to show them how smart you are or how good you can play. Learn to judge their level of commitment. Some students will be obsessed with learning to play and spend hours a day practicing. Others (like myself) will have other commitments that keep them from playing as much as they would like. Make sure you give them enough material to challenge them, but not so much that they are overwhelmed and become frustrated.
Keep in mind that playing should be FUN. It's something that no one HAS to do. If your students don't look forward to their lessons and practice time, something is wrong.
The biggest thing that helps adults learn is to know "why". Make sure you develop a curriculum that progresses logically, each lesson preparing the student for the next.
I think some people take music WAY too seriously. If they are professionals, I can understand that. I take my job seriously too. But most of us play for fun, because we enjoy it. Music is a hobby, and an artistic outlet. If you want to teach, then teach. Don't let the naysayers stop you.
Adults respond well to "learner centered" activities and "knowledge of results". You should develop a curriculum that lays out a roadmap for where you will take your students. Once you take them as far as you can, they can seek a more knowledgeable teacher, but there is a LOT to learn that doesn't require a music degree to teach.
As has been suggested, start with the fundamentals. DON'T move on until the student becomes proficient in each part of the curriculum.
Make sure you never "lecture" your students. Make them teach themselves, you are the facilitator. You are there to steer them in the right direction, not to show them how smart you are or how good you can play. Learn to judge their level of commitment. Some students will be obsessed with learning to play and spend hours a day practicing. Others (like myself) will have other commitments that keep them from playing as much as they would like. Make sure you give them enough material to challenge them, but not so much that they are overwhelmed and become frustrated.
Keep in mind that playing should be FUN. It's something that no one HAS to do. If your students don't look forward to their lessons and practice time, something is wrong.
The biggest thing that helps adults learn is to know "why". Make sure you develop a curriculum that progresses logically, each lesson preparing the student for the next.
I think some people take music WAY too seriously. If they are professionals, I can understand that. I take my job seriously too. But most of us play for fun, because we enjoy it. Music is a hobby, and an artistic outlet. If you want to teach, then teach. Don't let the naysayers stop you.
Here are a few links to check out:
~Teaching Bass
1 Teaching ideas
2
Carol Kay's bass learning/playing advice
How much to charge?
Find a teacher
Also check out the link below in my sig. for more great TB info that you can use to teach bass.
~Teaching Bass
1 Teaching ideas
2
Carol Kay's bass learning/playing advice
How much to charge?
Find a teacher
Also check out the link below in my sig. for more great TB info that you can use to teach bass.
So that was an awful lot of words that basically said that you're going to be unsupportive in this man's adventure to learn how to teach beginner bass and just want to puff yourself up to feel better about your lack of life achievement. :scowl:
There.
Now I'm a jerk, too. I fit in.
Besides, you are obviously not a good teacher and so can't coach anyone about anything related to teaching. The key to becoming a good teacher is not demeaning people who want to learn and try to make them feel inferior.
I think our friend who was sensible enough to ask questions to people he thought would be supportive of him was a brilliant sign that he is a good student.
And you're not a good student yourself...
You couldn't learn when to shut up.
Sweet advice, bro. All around. And an additional +1 to having fun. Too much seriousness takes the joy out of music and the soul out of playing.
:bassistSo that was an awful lot of words that basically said that you're going to be unsupportive in this man's adventure to learn how to teach beginner bass and just want to puff yourself up to feel better about your lack of life achievement. :scowl:
There.
Now I'm a jerk, too. I fit in.
Besides, you are obviously not a good teacher and so can't coach anyone about anything related to teaching. The key to becoming a good teacher is not demeaning people who want to learn and try to make them feel inferior.
I think our friend who was sensible enough to ask questions to people he thought would be supportive of him was a brilliant sign that he is a good student.
And you're not a good student yourself...
You couldn't learn when to shut up.
Just noticed your call sign. I'm KE5HZI, 73's and all those good numbers. Ham radio stuff........
.
