Help me decide on music lesson stuff (update)

Chop Logic

So heres the thing.

I play bass, a little guitar but mostly bass. My dad rented me a stand up bass a while ago, and while I do enjoy playing it, I really didnt know what I was doing, seeing as how its kind of a different instrument. The teacher my dad got was mostly an electric bass teacher, but I liked him so I kept him anyway. Well, we kind of broke up (heh) and now I want to get another teacher, this time strictly for upright bass. I'm pretty well versed in music theory so it would mostly be for the technical aspects of the instrument.

My freind whos very good at music, just, kind of out of nowhere decided that he wanted to play the bassoon. Hes tried this with other instruments before, but never got a teacher for any of them and was never that dedicated, but with the bassoon, he says he really wants to learn it, hes getting a teacher and everything. So that got me thinking, I've always really wanted to play an instrument. While I do like the bass a lot, I've always just loved the sound wind instruments have. I have an ocarina, and I really love the sound it has and love playing it, but its not a 'real' instrument, if you know what I mean (I wish there was a 'real' instrument that had the same sound). So this made me think of trying to learn to play the clarinet, I've always really loved how it sounded and wanted to be able to play it.

So heres the problem. I'm not sure how expensive getting an upright bass teacher and a clarinet teacher would be (Since I'm a student in high school, I can rent one from the school discrict for nothing). I know I want to get lessons for the upright bass, because bass really is my primary instrument and I feel like if I was ever going to playing music in anything more than a casual setting, it would be the bass. The clarinet I would see more just as soemthing I really want to try and think that I would enjoy a lot. I guess if I decide the clarinet isnt really my thing I can just stop taking lessons right? I just dont want to not try it out now, while I can rent one for free, and end up regreting it.

I guess theres really nothing to lose in trying it right? I guess I kind of ansered my own question in typing this out but if anyone has any advice anyway I'd love to hear it, I'm still not 100% sure what I'm going to do.

seraphiminia

Does your high school have a band? And if so, do they offer any beginner band courses for high school students?

If your school does have a band but you can't take a class there, you may want to just talk to the band teacher and see if he/she can hook you up with clarinet lessons or let you know of someone who can teach you.

Encouragement: if there's any way you can do it, go for both! I started out on trumpet in middle school, and in high school I also learned how to play the French horn, alto sax, and acoustic guitar--having a strong foundation in one instrument definitely makes it easier to learn others, I think.

Chop Logic

Yeah my high school has a band, but I dont think they teach any instruments to kids, the band director does give 'lessons' every week, but its mainly just him going over the band music with the kids. I'm actually in the band, I play bass though.

I guess I'll ask around and try and find out how much the two lessons cost, thats probobly going to be the deciding factor.

Solvent

Seems like you've pretty much decided what your course of action is already! As someone who played the clarinet for a long time, allow me to just warn you that it's not a simple intstrument. Sure, there are harder and more complex out there, but even so, it's not the sort of thing I'd recommend anyone try to teach themselves without assistance.

EggyToast

There's a lot of wind instruments that sound very similar to an ocarina w/o being an ocarina, such as certain models of tin whistles. Of course, learning how to play an actual wind instrument will make playing an ocarina, or a "maxed out ocarina," that much more rewarding.

I've actually been taking lessons on upright bass, classical style, for about a year now. I feel like I'm at the point where I can say I actually play it, although it still requires practice Lessons are definitely the way to go if you're serious about an instrument, as it cuts down the "floundering" period significantly, and you start to learn technique and generally useful things far earlier than you would on your own.

Chop Logic

Thanks for the advice and comments.

Yeah, what I meant by the Ocarina comment was that I really genuienly love the sound it has. All I did today was play it, I've been reading songs out of this huge book of jazz songs I have with it, its awesome. But, it only spans an octave and a half and theres not a lot of room for dynamic changes. I meant I wish there was an instrument that had a similar sound, but was more versitile. If anyone knows of one I'd love to hear about it.

So I think I'm going to look around at some more wind instruments, because I figure I might as well take advantage of the fact that I canr ent all these instruments for close to nothing, before I leave high school and would actually ahve to pay to rent them. I usually like bass, or more low end instruments, so I'm going to look around and then decide. Still, I've really always loved how the clarinet sounded.

If anyone else has anything to say or any advice, its really appreciated.

Chop Logic

So I talked with my band teacher today, and he said whatever I wanted to borrow I could, thatd be fine, for free even. So thats cool. I also mentioned the clarinet, and he said it was a cool idea, if he had any he'd let me borrow them, otherwise I could ask the middle or elementary schools.

Complication: When I mentioned this to my dad, I also mentioned the fact that I got the number of someone who might be able to get me a string bass teacher. He made it pretty clear he didnt want me getting lessons for both, which I guess is understandable. And I'm definatly getting lessons for upright bass. Bah. So... if I cant get lessons for it, should I even bother? I mean, I'm almost positive I can rent it totally for free, so, what should I do?

Kind of off topic, but if I got a job, I'm sure I could pay for it myself. That might be a good idea, because a lot of times I want to buy stuff, but feel bad asking my parents for money for it (art books, art supplies, books... bass ocarina oh man I want one so bad)) especially stuff thats somewhat novel or 'unneccesary'. You guys know what I mean. Maybe I should look into that. I'm 16 by the way.

So yeah, what should I do?