We live in interesting times.

The way we communicate with each other has risen astronomically over the past ten years. The internet has become the main source of communication for many people, with the once-popular-phone now a secondary option for many.

We now have the opportunity to chat with friends over the other side of the world in real-time. We can swap ideas. Discuss similar interests. We can educate.

And that’s what I find the most interesting. The education part. Take teaching the bass, for example. When I first started out, the only real way to learn was from a teacher, or by listening to music/watching videos. If you had no money, then the teacher part was out. That’s what happened to me. I have never had a lesson in my life, simply because I could never afford it. But these days we have so many opportunities to educate ourselves using the internet. I expect a massive rise in the overall standard of bass players (well, ALL musicians) over the next ten years, just because of this reason.

But as a teacher, it is hard sometimes. I can’t get in there and make sure your technique is good. I can’t make sure you’re not picking up bad habits. I can’t fill you full of confidence and energy, so that you continue with your practice. Sometimes people say I “talk too much” in my videos, lol. This is because in real-life I HAVE to repeat myself, so it sinks into students heads. Online, I forget there is a back button, or people can hit rewind on their youtube player. I am still getting used to this! Teaching online and in real-life are two different things…

So you guys that are learning off the net, be sure to pay attention to your technique. And the confidence thing….that is why I tell people I am their “online tutor” when they buy any of my lessons. It’s so they can feel that they can contact me anytime, and i’ll do my best to solve any problems they maybe having.

We live in interesting times, and the next ten years are going to be even more interesting concerning education…

Secondlife, anyone? ;)

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