Originally Posted by: RickBlackerHow do you deal with this and do something productive?

Let's assume he's not interested in learning anything about how music works in even simple theory terms in order to communicate.

Figure out what you want him to do. For example:

1. Make up an extremely simple riff in A harmonic minor. Even just an A note pumped in even 1/8th notes. That way you can practice playing the scale over his bass line.

2. Make up a slightly more interesting bass line (or a whole song!). Write it out in GuitarPro on a bass tab line. Give him an audio & a print copy. See if he can learn. Teach it to him. Then play your guitar part once he does.

If you are going to have to teach him totally by rote, "Put your finger here, play this rhythm (play example on guitar or GuitarPro file), etc.", then you might as well teach him to play something you enjoy.

Alternately, you could have him learn some Dokken songs. :)