I was wondering how to go about finding a teacher in my area that can help me grow as a musician. I'm already a busy player and I have 8 years of working experience under my belt, but it occured to me that there has got to be someone around that I could learn from. I had this realization while reading an interview with Ron Carter, the article listed Ron's 10 rules for the growing bassist. Rule #1 was "Find a teacher, period." Is there an organization with liceansed bass instructors, or should I just start asking around. I want to find someone who has the heart of a teacher, and is willing to really pass along valuable insights, not just theory.

Find someone you like that won't let you coast. Cause you can only coast when your going downhill.

Where do you live?

Knoxville, TN.

Go to Nashville. hehehe

How far are you from Nashville? If you're driving distance, go see Roy Vogt - a great teacher, and a really nice guy. Amazing player too. say hi from me!

http://www.royvogt.com/

cheers

Steve
http://www.stevelawson.net

Thanks Steve. I have thought of driving out to Nashville a couple of times a month. It's about three hours away though. I think it over.

I second Steve's recommendation of Roy Vogt.

Three hours each way is a long way, though.

What I would look for in a teacher is someone who has a degree in music and lots of professional experience.


Sometimes those people can be found teaching music at community colleges.

I concur.

Some community college music programs are really strong, too -- especially for getting some foundational stuff.

You can hook yourself up w/ some private lessons, but also enroll for the occasional theory, ear training, etc. courses.

Peace.
--SW

Thanks for the suggestion Steve. I emailed Roy and I am going to drive out to meet him in a couple of months. I am willing to make the drive a couple of times a month for the summer. I will be taking theory classes here at the college I'm at now, so I just need Roy to help me mature in my weak areas. Thanks for the imput everyone.

Great - 3 hours isn't that long to travel for a lesson (I've got students who travel double that each way...), if it means you're going to get the information you need. Roy's a great guy, you'll do just fine with him. He's a very experienced teacher.

let us know how you get on!

Steve
http://www.stevelawson.net

Roy has a Master's Degree in electric bass from the University of Miami.

He's one of the only people that has that.

He wrote his own major program and got it approved.

He is the first person ever to get that degree from anywhere and he did it in 1980.

I noticed this on his websit. Very cool

I've been to Knoxville plenty of times. I agree that Nashville is a long haul down I-40. Of course, that stretch is one of the nicest drives I've ever made.

You might call on some of the public school band directors for advice. I also noticed on the web there is a Knoxville Jazz Orchestra (with a youth program) and a youth symphony orchestra. Good sources of potential teachers there as well.