That’s IT??? These are glorious.
My lesson experiences have been unbelievably rosy and sweet compared to all of this. Thank you so much for this.
The flamenco guy… that’s my favorite.
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@tamaraster
That sounds like a nice teacher.
I remembered that we have a music school close by and I looked it up. Unfortunately it seems there is no bass teacher there and it’s also quite expensive. It seems to me that this is a high standard school that prepares for international contests and the like I think. The chapest course for any instrument or vocals is 57€/month for 2 people. I don’t think I want to go there even if they had a bass teacher.
I also messaged my guitar playing collague and I’m not sure if I should push further or leave it as it is or wait until he picks it up again - he didn’t seem very fit in the meeting today:
“Hey! Apart from someone playing drums - The bass community I’m in strongly encourages to play with other people so would you like a jam session? You think we could get that going?”
“Hi! Surely more interesting than playing to a backing track! Maybe a department band isn’t a hollow dream anymore!”
“Yes! What about Andre? Didn’t he say that he’s learning drums? Or were we just kidding about the band at the time?”
tumbleweed
No answer 
I still hope the first answer is a good sign and he kind of agreed. I’ll continue to try to make plans without forcing myself on him 
I also found out that he plays drums as well but for jamming it seems he’d prefer the guitar.
@Graphics1988
While I am sorry you had to experience all this those stories are just hilarious as outsider. Sorry. “Do you have a second bass?” GOLD!
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Thanks guys - Id like to take a bow - but really…it was nuthin LOL
Pathetic though - right?!!
*Flamenco guy used too leave me such long messages on my cellphone, they would TIME OUT! I didn’t realize that was even possible - but he managed numerous times…wondered when I was coming back…and if I could bring him a tea before the lessons started …ughhh. lol
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I didn’t have a bass teacher before Josh, but 14 years ago one of my closest friends, who is was a double music major (and plays professionally today), taught me accordion and voice. If you have a friend who is capable and willing, that’s the best way to go. I learned a lot, and much of it benefits me today while learning bass. When he went professional, that’s when the lessons stopped; it as just a perfect time and I got to learn a lot.
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It reminded me of Jaco’s story towards the end 
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Yes, this was how I learned most of what I knew on guitar many years ago. Plus playing in groups of friends or clubs where you can help and learn from each other.
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Even though it didn’t end well, I’m curious about this guy. Flamenco guitar playing, 1970’s clothes, drunk, and cups of tea. There’s something about it. He sounds too cool 
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He sounds like the drunk guy at the bar that won’t stop talking to you no matter how rude you are or how many jokes you play on him.
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And he could also be a total master of music. You just never know 
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Yeah, I was not saying the drunk guy at the bar couldn’t play, prob can play drunk as a skunk better then when he is not tuned up.
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It’s the old Jackie Chan drunken boxer scenario 
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lol - yep… he was a fantastic guitar player, no doubt - he just figured his low notes on the guitar were all ya needed to teach a person to play bass. (I guess)?
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I’m all packed up and ready to go to my first ever, one-on-one lesson.
I wasn’t sure if I should bring my fretted or fretless (or if it even matters), so I’m bringing the fretted just to play it safe.
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Excited? Anxious?
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Both. I’ve had to change my underwear twice…
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Good plan!
If you bring a fretless, expect a teacher to start focusing on intonation minutae almost instantly, and the basic ideas of the lessons will fade into the background until everything is perfectly in tune.
When everything gets perfectly in tune, the next month of lessons is just slides and vibrato.
Best to give a teacher a heads up when you’re bringing in a fretless, and be real clear on what you want to work on with it.
ANNNND - have a great lesson! Looking forward to the report.
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Good luck sis… Have fun and learn tons!! You’re a Badass!
Welcome Home…
Lanny
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Okay here’s the report:
(1) It took me about 2 minutes to totally connect with this guy, and he seemed to connect with me. He is a humorous, somewhat comical fellow, much like our own Josh… so much so, I felt like I was sitting in the room with @JoshFossgreen himself. I immediately felt comfortable and at ease with him, and knew this is the guy that would take me to the next level of badassery. It’s important for you to understand this as you read the next part of my report.
(2) I never took my instrument out of the case the entire time I was there. That’s right, I didn’t play a lick while I was there. Not what I was expecting going in: I thought he would immediately want me to “show him my stuff”. That didn’t happen, and I’m okay with it. I’ll explain why in the next part.
(3) We spent the entire 30 minutes in an interview, “getting to know each other” type of conversation. He asked if I knew how to read, and I told him I’m 25% into an intense sight reading course. He told me to keep doing that, as there’s a high demand for bass players who can sight read. That made me happy.
He wanted to know what my goals are; what type of music I want to play; what I’ve been working on; what’s my favorite genre(s); etc. We talked about the different scales, modes, and key signatures. He seemed to have been probing to see where I’m at with my knowledge of theory.
I also asked him a lot of questions, and he answered each one thoroughly. The time just flew by.
(4) He stressed the importance of the 12 bar blues and how that fits into just about every genre of music, explaining that so much modern music evolved from the blues. I wasn’t aware of this fact, and have no reason to disbelieve him. He gained my trust right from the beginning.
(5) I left there with instructions to brush up on the 12 bar blues in different keys, and be prepared to play it on the bass while he plays guitar. This is what I’ll be doing on my next session with him next week.
SUMMARY: I’m extremely happy with this decision, and very pleased that my friend recommended him.
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Great to hear that you have found a teacher @PamPurrs who
- You can connect with.
this is probably the most important thing because being comfortable when you’re putting yourself out there will enable you to get the most out of it. - getting to know the teacher and discussing all aspects of your needs and expectations will ensure the teacher can structure the lessons to best develop your skills etc.
- Teachers are also really good to bounce ideas off, ie: if your not sure they can be a great sounding board.
Hope it goes well for you.
Cheers Brian
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Good for you!
Also: Did I miss something? The last thing I remember is you asking Josh to contact you for online lessons!? Did he recommend a local teacher or how where you able to avoid the experiences Graphics1988 made? Was it just luck!?
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