Beginner player advice

#21
Agree with most of what has been said here, at this stage of your journey (actually I believe that at any stage of experience, even for an advanced player) learning songs should be secondary to learning about the instrument and and getting familiar with the fingerboard. Scales, arpeggios, etc will help with that. My focus would be on technique and basic music knowledge at this point, not theory. As others have said, learn to read music, not rely on tab. If you can't read at all, get the Ed Friedland Bass Method (on AMazon) and work through it a page at a time. Its very methodical and well get you learning how to read. Not being able to read musical notation closes off alot of options for learning as you progress.
 
#23
Welcome to TB!

My advice: Be a sponge, not a straw.

Music's a winding road, you won't find everything you want in one place. Just keep moving forward and "expanding".

I have better theory than an ear, and wish it was the other way around. My theory came from keyboard. There's a reason most composers were keyboard players. Noodle around on a keyboard a bit. You'll soon see how major and minor chords fit over the tones of a scale, and how the major and minor pentatonics overlay the same. I played violin a lot but would have picked up very little theory from that compared to piano. Keyboards also have a visual benefit that stringed instruments don't.

I'm pretty agnostic about teaching method. Main thing is that your your tutor is a good player themselves, and sincere in their efforts for you. Good luck on your journey!
 
#26
A teacher who dismisses theory that easily would make me find another teacher asap. I'm not saying that lessons should be some sort of theoretical boot camp, but knowing basic theory is very helpful, even for a hobbyist who plays in a pickup jam band for kicks like me. Pretending that theory is somehow secondary is a red flag. Perhaps this teacher doesn't have reasonable command of even basic theory?
 
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#27
greg429 said:
I’d like to learn as much as possible about the bass and become a complete player, theory and all.
Click to expand...

Your goal of being a complete player makes me think of the new SBL course that starts Monday. There is a thread here:


It may or may not be the right thing for you right now.

In any case, I also think you need learn standard notation instead of TAB. Teaching TAB makes me think your teacher is actually a guitar player. [insert guitarist joke here]
 
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#28
greg429 said:
While I’m definitely learning along the way, my goal I’d like to learn as much as possible about the bass and become a complete player, theory and all.

Would also like to get takes on the utility of learning theory at this stage? Thanks!
Click to expand...
Your goal is too generic and long-term, it means nothing.

I think it's much more useful to set yourself a mid-term goal. Take an evening to think about what would you like to be doing with music for instance ONE year from now, or at a similar identifiable point in the future such as next summer or beginning of 2026. Visualise yourself at that time as if most / a good part of your study plan had succeeded by then. Tell your teacher or share it here, and it will give you a concrete idea on how to spend your practice time wisely to get there. This is real goal-based study.

That said, if you are enthusiastic about learning a specific topic or skill, go for it! This is rather passion-based study, and it's not incompatible with goal-based. You can both follow a goal-based plan and reserve time for your current passionate topic. It doesn't matter if that passion doesn't even fit with the current goal, the point is that when we study something we're enthusiastic about, we absorb it better than anything and it will be beneficial one way or the other. It can even make you feel better when you have to practice stuff you wish you didn't have to. Then in the future you will surely find a way to make it matter in your music.

Change your instructor only if he refuses to help you with your plan and seems to want to stick to an agenda of his own. If he doesn't feel qualified to teach you theory, study theory by yourself but he can still train you with the rest.
 
#29
Dump tab and learn to read standard notation.

Take control of your own musical education.

Whether you think you can, or you think you can't, you're right.

Stop thinking "bass education," and start thinking musical education. Take some music courses at your local college.

Learn the rudiments of playing piano!

Good luck! :)
greg429 said:
Hello - I’m a new member of the forum and this is my first post. Would be great to get some advice from you all.

I’m a late-beginner bass player currently taking private lessons. My teacher is essentially having me play songs of my choice (reading tab) and teaching random technique along the way. I’ve asked about theory/scales etc, but that’s not his teaching focus, and advises that “if I want to play in the band I should learn songs.” While I’m definitely learning along the way, my goal I’d like to learn as much as possible about the bass and become a complete player, theory and all.

Question - should I buy something like the Ari Cap theory course to learn that on the side or consider a different instructor? Or just stay the course at this point?

Would also like to get takes on the utility of learning theory at this stage? Thanks!
Click to expand...
 
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#30
One thing you need to consider about a teacher is if they actually are a bass player. Some guitar teachers also teach bass. You need a teacher who actually is a bass layer. I can't stress enough, the importance of proper technique. Not just for playing well, but to protect your hands from repetitive injury. Sounds like you need a new teacher. Good luck.;)
 
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#32
You can do what you want, but personally, I wouldn't waste a cent with someone teaching me tab. If you want to learn to read, learn to read standard notation, it's the foundation of everything. There are ZERO professional situations where the pit band in Vegas or Broadway, reading charts, etc., is going to use tab. It's time wasted you could have been learning the 'real thing', the language all professionals use.

Of course, a lot of guys will say, 'geez JW, I'm never going to be a professional', I don't need all that, etc. All I can tell you is without it at least in the back of your mind as to how music is played, how you see it from an intellectual vantage point, is like learning to talk, but you never learn to spell or write.

Music is heart, head, and hands, and you will always need all three.
 
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