Do you want BASS Lessons ? Why ?

[Bass4real]

I've been playing Bass for most of my life 

And will until my heart stops , I will have a Bass over my shoulder when it does.

I've never not once took a Bass lesson ,

I believed and pretty much still do to this very day , if I took Bass lessons I would develop a style that was someone else's (Bass teacher)  and not even realize it .

I taught myself with my personal experiences joining bands , starting bands recording original music , I I've been  in alot of bands most were original music and 2 cover bands , I never liked playing another bands music. 

NOT that there is anything wrong with playing cover songs live  . It just wasn't for me.

I'm the only person that could teach me and show me how to become the Best Bassist I know.

 I've been that exact thing for about

30 + yrs.  I'm honestly not being conceited 

I do truth , My style, technique, technicality was taught and learned by myself and me only, my technical playing, is self taught .

I'm going to learn more and play something different everyday .

I understand that certain rules should be followed in life more than music.

In music I have a passion for avoiding but not ignoring " the correct way " the correct way for me isn't the same for other bass players.

DON'T BE AN IMITATION 

BE AN INSPIRATION 

IN LIFE AND THE BASS GUITAR 

: ? )

 

 

 

[mikebass456]

Very well put. I've never had a bass lesson, but found my own way through the instrument to play various styles of music in quite a few bands since the early 1990's. 

I'm always aware that there are many players who are far better than me, and I take inspiration from them.  There are also those who are newer to the bass than I am, and offering encouragement and support is what I try to do.

My mantra is that I'm good at what I need to do on the bass - I don't practice on my own for hours and hours, but play often with others to keep me learning and improving. 

Playing different styles of music keeps everything fresh and interesting - I'm currently learning a load of new folk rock songs, in a band with fiddle and accordian for the first time.

While I'm enjoying playing, and other people enjoy listening then that's the most important thing.

[stewblack]

3 hours ago, Bass4real said:

DON'T BE AN IMITATION 

BE AN INSPIRATION 

IN LIFE AND THE BASS GUITAR 

: ? )

This was me. For decades. 

I started taking lessons a few years ago and my playing and understanding of the instrument has improved beyond recognition. 

Each to their own of course, but after a lifetime of trying to invent the wheel I now see the world differently. 

 

[mikebass456]

1 minute ago, stewblack said:

This was me. For decades. 

I started taking lessons a few years ago and my playing and understanding of the instrument has improved beyond recognition. 

Each to their own of course, but after a lifetime of trying to invent the wheel I now see the world differently. 

 

Completely understand you. My head doesn't learn best through formal teaching, more finding my own way until I get to where I need to be! As a result, I've no 'surplus' talent other than what I have learned to do, if that makes sense.....😆👍

[chris_b]

That's like saying talking is enough and I don't need to learn to read or write.

 

Lessons have nothing to do with brain-washing. They give us the tools with which we can express ourselves more fully and more completely.

[Chienmortbb]

14 minutes ago, chris_b said:

That's like saying talking is enough and I don't need to learn to read or write.

 

Lessons have nothing to do with brain-washing. They give us the tools with which we can express ourselves more fully and more completely.

I do agree that we have unto keep an open mind, taking in from those that know more than us. The trick is to find out who that is. 

[mikebass456]

Yep - fully agree with what you're saying.

However, for the level of bass playing I do, I don't need a full level of understanding of all the scales, sight reading etc.  I'm just getting up, learning some songs and making folks happy (hopefully).....😉👍

[Rosie C]

32 minutes ago, chris_b said:

That's like saying talking is enough and I don't need to learn to read or write.

 

Lessons have nothing to do with brain-washing. They give us the tools with which we can express ourselves more fully and more completely.

 

Lessons also make my learning quicker - it would take years to discover for myself the knowledge my bass teacher has.

 

[Bilbo]

I think that the greatest difficulty that anyone has in developing their own style is in realising that you already have it. 

Our individual development as players is the consequence of a million individual experiences including what we hear, what we like, what we are shown by teachers and what we discover ourselves.

I have taught a few people over the years and NONE of them sounds remotely like me. I think the argument that going to a teacher will result in one developing someone else's style is one of those justifications that make you feel better about the things you HAVEN'T done. I hear it a lot about reading music - 'it will rob my playing of all feeling and emotion'.

Teachers give you knowledge and insights that you lack - nothing more and nothing less. They don't tie you up in a straightjacket. Most teachers are not bass players and don't give you lessons, they just expose you to new ideas or information you previously lacked. My two most important lessons were with a drummer and a trumpet player and lasted about 15 seconds each. Formal lessons are a great way of accelerating progress but, in music, 99% of your learning is undertaken without a teacher being present.

A teacher gives you tools. How you use them is up to you.

[stewblack]

14 minutes ago, Bilbo said:

I think that the greatest difficulty that anyone has in developing their own style is in realising that you already have it. 

Our individual development as players is the consequence of a million individual experiences including what we hear, what we like, what we are shown by teachers and what we discover ourselves.

I have taught a few people over the years and NONE of them sounds remotely like me. I think the argument that going to a teacher will result in one developing someone else's style is one of those justifications that make you feel better about the things you HAVEN'T done. I hear it a lot about reading music - 'it will rob my playing of all feeling and emotion'.

Teachers give you knowledge and insights that you lack - nothing more and nothing less. They don't tie you up in a straightjacket. Most teachers are not bass players and don't give you lessons, they just expose you to new ideas or information you previously lacked. My two most important lessons were with a drummer and a trumpet player and lasted about 15 seconds each. Formal lessons are a great way of accelerating progress but, in music, 99% of your learning is undertaken without a teacher being present.

A teacher gives you tools. How you use them is up to you.

Superbly expressed 

[Dood]

As a teacher of many years (and successful students) I can offer the other side of the discussion. Now, I am very passionate (really Dan, Reeeeaaaallllly?) about eveything bass. I've made it my career and it is my life. Not one of my students has ever come away from lessons feeling that I have taken anything, anything away from them. That's not how teaching works. As Bilbo has so brilliantly put it, "A teacher gives you tools. How you use them is up to you."

 

On the subject of feeling that you can't be taught, well that can be down to your experiences of being taught. I have been very lucky to work in a wide range of settings including SEND students, ADHD, Autistic, behavioural 'needs', those suffering from Dementia and those 'incarcerated', mainstream school and private studio lessons. There's a difference between being an experienced teacher and an experienced musician. A good friend of mine is an A list, top-tier guitarist, but in his own words, he hates teaching 1-2-1 lessons and finds it frustrating and difficult. You can be "taught" by someone who isn't a best fit and if this happens on more than one occasion for example, this can embed a confirmation bias based on previous experiences. You might not have met the right teacher yet to suit you and, let's face it, we are all very different! 

[Woodinblack]

9 hours ago, Bass4real said:

I've never not once took a Bass lesson ,

I believed and pretty much still do to this very day , if I took Bass lessons I would develop a style that was someone else's (Bass teacher)  and not even realize it .

 

Would never happen. I have had lesson, I ended up developing a style which was my own but more consistant and more flexible. But I still sound like me.

Its like driving lessons, you still go to where you want to go, you just don't crash on the way!

[Bass4real]

10 hours ago, mikebass456 said:

Completely understand you. My head doesn't learn best through formal teaching, more finding my own way until I get to where I need to be! As a result, I've no 'surplus' talent other than what I have learned to do, if that makes sense.....😆👍

 I agree with ya mikebass 

I know lessons wouldn't take anything away from my style 

I actually taught Bass lessons a few years ago I had 10 students from 13 to 52 .

I was learning as well as teaching.

That's when I noticed I was just showing them how I did things , Why I did it that way .I was teaching them to play things like me.

Not purposely of course.

But I was doing just that.

 At this point of my playing bass ,

Lessons would have a profound impact on my playing , no matter good or bad impact.

I'm to stuck in my ways 

BUT 

My being stuck in my ways is great place to be stuck, If you know what I mean.

 

Thanks for your reply Mike 

I appreciate it 

 

[FretsOnFire]

I took 2 guitar lessons about 12 years ago and found myself not enjoying the instrument to the point it put me off playing as all I was doing was practicing the F barre chord over and over and running up and down the fretboard doing finger strength exercises.

 

It was only when I spent my time playing songs that I wanted to play did I really fall in love with the instrument and it's been that way ever since.

 

If I could give my old self advice it would be to save time and don't take lessons but go your own way 

[Bass4real]

8 hours ago, Bilbo said:

I think that the greatest difficulty that anyone has in developing their own style is in realising that you already have it. 

Our individual development as players is the consequence of a million individual experiences including what we hear, what we like, what we are shown by teachers and what we discover ourselves.

I have taught a few people over the years and NONE of them sounds remotely like me. I think the argument that going to a teacher will result in one developing someone else's style is one of those justifications that make you feel better about the things you HAVEN'T done. I hear it a lot about reading music - 'it will rob my playing of all feeling and emotion'.

Teachers give you knowledge andlnl insights that you lack - nothing more and nothing less. They don't tie you up in a straightjacket. Most teachers are not bass players and don't give you lessons, they just expose you to new ideas or information you previously lacked. My two most important lessons were with a drummer and a trumpet player and lasted about 15 seconds each. Formal lessons are a great way of accelerating progress but, in music, 99% of your learning is undertaken without a teacher being present.

A teacher gives you tools. How you use them is up to you.

Honestly I never thought about a style 

I just played what I played 

Until I was playing for about 5 yrs.and I started to jam with a really good guitar and drummer , and I had a hard time playing Bass to their originals because I had no idea what kind of Bass player I was because I learned Bass mostly from playing any song I could actually play to , you name the genre , I tried learning it.

I could kinda play alot of different music.

I just couldn't play anything that wasn't already done.

I stopped practicing and playing other bass players and that's how I started to play and

concentrate on my bass playing .

Not every other bass player.

I'm really glad I did that when I was still a young beginning bassist.

I have nothing against anyone taking Bass lessons or anyone that Teaches Bass lessons .

I don't regret not ever taking lessons.

I'm absolutely sure I would not be the same bass player I am today if I did.

Not better , not worse  ,just a different bass player.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Bass4real]

37 minutes ago, FretsOnFire said:

I took 2 guitar lessons about 12 years ago and found myself not enjoying the instrument to the point it put me off playing as all I was doing was practicing the F barre chord over and over and running up and down the fretboard doing finger strength exercises.

 

It was only when I spent my time playing songs that I wanted to play did I really fall in love with the instrument and it's been that way ever since.

 

If I could give my old self advice it would be to save time and don't take lessons but go your own way 

Exactly 

I always say 

Be an INNOVATION 

          NOT an

       IMITATION 

     Be an innovator

       Instead of an 

            imitator 

I actually taught Bass lessons 

for a guitar shop years ago.

I know what I know not what someone else knows about bass 

I was just teaching students my particular way of playing , 

NOT to be themselves first and foremost, and their becoming a better original bass player will happen without my lesson .

 

 

 

[itu]

A lesson maybe just too strict word here. First of all, we all learn stuff that was played and performed before us. In our learning phase we listened to the others and tried to imitate something that already existed, "standing in the shoulders of giants". To me this "lessons affect you and your creativity" is - sorry you all - pure BS. A teacher can offer you tools. It is true that if your tools are limited, your style will be limited, too. But - and this has been here many times - learning to use your tools gives you more possibilities to express yourself.

 

I have met very few people who can create original music. No matter what I can still hear the giants behind them, because we use the same scales and tunings after all these centuries. Listening to modern music or very old music can open up ears to understand the evolution of music. I'd say original choices are very rare. But listening to the music in a scale of centuries gives good understanding, why we play today like we play. (And no, bass is not a g-word, or violin, and its predecessors have had many strings, and frets and so on. That "Jaco needed four strings" nonsense is just BS. And Dragonetti needed three.)

 

After being in music schools for two decades since the age of 5 years, I still struggle with bass. My technique is far from perfect, my speed comes from Mediocrates, theory I know basics and a bit more, AND I feel my limited abilities to learn anything anymore is frightening. In the bands I play, I try to join the community, and give the best I can to the music.

 

Every song gives me the opportunity to learn something new. Once again: In terms of expression, those tools help me to make that song mine.

[Bass4real]

3 hours ago, itu said:

A lesson maybe just too strict word here. First of all, we all learn stuff that was played and performed before us. In our learning phase we listened to the others and tried to imitate something that already existed, "standing in the shoulders of giants". To me this "lessons affect you and your creativity" is - sorry you all - pure BS. A teacher can offer you tools. It is true that if your tools are limited, your style will be limited, too. But - and this has been here many times - learning to use your tools gives you more possibilities to express yourself.

 

I have met very few people who can create original music. No matter what I can still hear the giants behind them, because we use the same scales and tunings after all these centuries. Listening to modern music or very old music can open up ears to understand the evolution of music. I'd say original choices are very rare. But listening to the music in a scale of centuries gives good understanding, why we play today like we play. (And no, bass is not a g-word, or violin, and its predecessors have had many strings, and frets and so on. That "Jaco needed four strings" nonsense is just BS. And Dragonetti needed three.)

 

After being in music schools for two decades since the age of 5 years, I still struggle with bass. My technique is far from perfect, my speed comes from Mediocrates, theory I know basics and a bit more, AND I feel my limited abilities to learn anything anymore is frightening. In the bands I play, I try to join the community, and give the best I can to the music.

 

Every song gives me the opportunity to learn something new. Once again: In terms of expression, those tools help me to make that song mine.

I'm liking your reply , I'm just the kind of person and BASS player that for most of my life did whatever I thought would separate my Bass playing from being known as just another BASS PLAYER .

I was just that I let guitar players tell me what to play, drummers that thought I should play bass like every other bass player we knew. When in a band I wouldn't be a " typical bass player" that is something I never said, but I've had it said to me.

WTF is a typical bass player. I would be told to stay in the back next to the drummer, turn it down , don't play so many notes by obnoxious musicians not liking when a Bass player was not gonna be their personal lump of clay . to mold into the typical bass player.

Anyway I feel the same , I learned and still do ,  something different , something new every time I pick up a BASS , which is pretty much every day I will never stop trying to get better , I don't think any musician ever thinks they are as good as their ever gonna get.

If someone actually believes that , well they are not a musician or won't be for much longer.

I don't think lessons are a bad thing , and I  only speak about my personal experiences of being self taught .

I know it's the work I put in ,  not someone else's part time job that made me a real bass player .

 

Thanks for your reply 

I appreciate ya

 

 

[Dood]

17 hours ago, FretsOnFire said:

I took 2 guitar lessons about 12 years ago and found myself not enjoying the instrument to the point it put me off playing as all I was doing was practicing the F barre chord over and over and running up and down the fretboard doing finger strength exercises.

 

It was only when I spent my time playing songs that I wanted to play did I really fall in love with the instrument and it's been that way ever since.

 

If I could give my old self advice it would be to save time and don't take lessons but go your own way 

 

That's a fault with the teacher not 'reading the room'. Plenty of great musicians out there who are supplementing their income with "a bit of teaching", but have no teaching experience. I'm not surprised you were put off, where's the fun in endless exercises? 

[Woodinblack]

18 hours ago, FretsOnFire said:

It was only when I spent my time playing songs that I wanted to play did I really fall in love with the instrument and it's been that way ever since.

 

If I could give my old self advice it would be to save time and don't take lessons but go your own way 

 

That says get a better teacher. When I was young I did piano lessons, which was all the old classics, and I was good but got bored. Ultimately my teacher went a bit mad, and my mum was concerned she was dangerously so, so I moved to a different teacher. The first thing that teacher asked me was 'what is it that you want to play', which is nothing that had been asked before, so I went through the keyboard parts of plenty of rock songs and it was great.

[Bilbo]

Dood's right.

 

I did a bit of teaching about 30 years ago but I quickly learned that I wasn't very good at it. Teaching is not playing and playing is not teaching. I recall a conversation I had with Jim Mullen once where he was discussing something and mentioned his teacher. This guy had won the UK Jazz Guitarist of the year a million times and still had lessons. That's wisdom.

 

I won't be teaching anyone again. I am happy to discuss things and share thoughts and ideas but I won't take money off people to do it. A good teacher is precious thing.