Newbie Question: How fast can you get good?

[MartDog]

Hello All,

I'm new to the bass and to the site and I have somewhat a silly question.
I have been playing for the past 3 weeks and love it, but want to improve more rapidly. I am currently taking lessons once a week and practicing around 10-15 hours a week. I have good rhythm and am able to keep a beat. Still working on dexterity and finger placement on my left hand. My teacher explains theory and technique. So I think I'm off to a good start. So my question is;

In what time frame can a person get good at the bass?

The way I measure "good" is if you are able to perform some kind of solo.

I am aware that people learn at different rates and have different skill levels etc..... but this is just a general question.

Maybe the question should be;

How long did it take YOU Guys / Gals to get good?

Thanks in advance!

[theshadow2001]

It takes as long as it takes

[James Hart]

Originally Posted by MartDog

How long did it take YOU Guys / Gals to get good?

26 years and counting... I'll let you know when I get there!

Seriously, I was 'jamming' with other beginners within 2 month of starting. Beyond that, this is an art, there is no test, no race to win.

Being good, to me, means playing my part with confidence... making it both supportive of the song and interesting both melodically and harmonically.

Some days I'm close... but I'm still learning!

[xprookie]

36 years and still learning!

[Erick Lam]

The very first thing I played on my first bass is the intro of "For Whom The Bell Tolls", which is "some kind of solo".

Instant goodness.

[Scott in Dallas]

Originally Posted by MartDog

The way I measure "good" is if you are able to perform some kind of solo.

By that definition, I'm still not good.

[Earthday]

I may be misunderstanding you, but if your goal is to be able to play "some kind of solo" bass might not be the instrument for you.

[lemur821]

"Some kind of solo" is very vague. You could probably play some kind of solo today, although it might not be the sort you have in mind.

[NamelessOne]

being able to solo does not necessarily make you good. listen to a guitarist sometime...

however, I've gone from nothing to being able to jam, keep time, etc. in a couple months. I'm not as good as I'd like to be, not by a long shot, but I'm getting better just as fast as my expectations rise. if you're more motivated, you could beat that, and if you're not motivated, it could take a while.

[MartDog]

Thanks for your input folks. It's motivating to hear your stories. I'm hopefull to play as long as some of you guys (wish I started earlier in life).
As for my "definition" of being good enough to solo, I should expand a little. I want to be able keep up with a beat and play something random (that sounds good).
Anyway, thanks again.
This site is awesome!!!

[All_¥our_Bass]

Originally Posted by Erick Lam

The very first thing I played on my first bass is the intro of "For Whom The Bell Tolls", which is "some kind of solo".

Instant goodness.

Oddly enough you decided to mention metallica with "some kinds solo" after it. Hmmm...

[Neb Maro]

Shoot, I'm still working on the C scale and dexterity concerning it. Once I build up a certain speed I'll start learning other scales. With my line of practice, I won't get "good" for a long time. I can't even differentiate guitar chords by ear yet. Still, because of my learning the bassics (heh) I'm going to be danged solid. Then the solos am improv will come. So, "good" is subjective. If you can solo and do little else, how good are you?

[All_¥our_Bass]

It took about two years to be able to solo. And another 6 months to get good at it. Don't worry I still groove and keep good time. Mainly I have to work on speed and endurance. But everyone is different. I've practically lived, breathed, and ate bass nearly everyday since the day I got it though.

I don't mean to brag. Just keep playing and learning and learning and playing. Keep yourself motivated.

[BrandonBass]

the better you get, the more you know your not good enough...thats what i learn anyway

but funny thing is, after playin bass for liek 3months i began jamming with these guys nirvana songs and stuff. and the guitarist thought i had been playin for years because i was headbanging like crazy while playin 'smells like teen spirit' loL

[xprookie]

If you want to build up some strength and speed, listen to Rocco Prestia of Tower of Power. He's got some of the best finger speed..I got to meet him during the summer, great guy! He has a good DVD with Dave Garibaldi, and a couple guys from TOP.

btw - he said he only plays a 4 string bass.

[RWP]

Good is of course a relative term. I suspect within a few months you will start to like what you are hearing. You should be able to hold down a bass line and have fun. As you get better you will start to know your limitations and areas that need work. Go easy on yourself, listening to bass players like Victor Wooten are inspirational but humbling. After years of playing, I am no where near where I would like to be.

[MistaMarko]

Bass playing is not all about PLAYING A GOOD SOLO. There are so many more aspects to it. In some ways you sound like a lead guitarist trapped inside a bassist's body, but I assume you aren't.

Billy Sheenan said it well in his interview.

"To get good, there are two simple steps.

1. Get a bass
2. Practice your ass off"

Couldn't have said it any better.

[drumsnbass]

what's the hurry?

it's about the journey dude, not the end.

[rocknrollinroo]

best bet i recon is to find a consenting drummer and start lovin that kick drum and keep at it!... trust me he'll thank you for it

[WillBuckingham]

Don't mean to rain on your parade, but 10-15 hours a week is not much, MartDog. If you can make time, try to work yourself up to 4-5 hours a day (think of it as 3 or 4 1-hour sessions) and you will notice drastic improvement.