well I've had a couple of official teachers in my time as far as the bass goes. In the UK I studied with Geoff Gascoyne (bass player for Jamie Cullum). he's actually one of my oldest mates now and we hang out whenever we're in the same country. In Berklee I had a private teacher for one semester called fernando Huergo.
But my real teaching came from Laurence Cottle when he first inspired me to play the bass. He was my mentor for the first few years, although he never gave me a lesson ever. I would tape all his gigs, come home at night and transcribe all the stuff he had played. Then spend the next day learning it all. Then he would come round the next day and pick me up and take me to his next gig and so it would continue.
My main teachers have been records. just transcribing and learning on my own. It's one of the most focussed ways of picking up what is important to you, and what inspires you.
Mustn't forget Hal Crook at Berklee, one of the most influential people on my musical being. Incredible teacher and trombone player, you must check him out.
Easy,
Janek
