Cannot +1 this enough. I learned so much more when I took lessons from an improvisational jazz bass teacher who focused on
(1) Learning as many songs and standards as is reasonable each week
(2) Focusing on improvising along to my teacher playing the melody on piano. He wouldn't stop unless I asked, so I needed to keep time with him. If I made a mistake, and lost my place, he would keep playing and I'd listen to where he was and jump back in when I found it again
(1) Learning as many songs and standards as is reasonable each week
(2) Focusing on improvising along to my teacher playing the melody on piano. He wouldn't stop unless I asked, so I needed to keep time with him. If I made a mistake, and lost my place, he would keep playing and I'd listen to where he was and jump back in when I found it again