How to know if you are a bass player

[TheGreatSealof]

I have been learning the bass for almost three years. I do not play with a band or have ever had the opportunity due to my 12 hour workday. It's just me, my learning books/DVD’s, and my iPod.

I enjoy playing with my iPod because it affords the band experience that I am lacking.

I am getting discouraged because 8th notes are about as fast and skillful that I can get. I practice at least an hour or more every day, (It kills my sleep schedule but I feel the need to practice). I practice on average 4 hours per day on weekends.

Is this all I am ever going to be? A mediocre player? Anyone else out there like me or am I alone?

[jgroh]

If you can play even a little you are a bass player IMO. I might look into getting a teacher and maximizing what little time you have though. You will progress much faster with a competent teacher.

[Mikerotunno]

You probably don't have a natural ability to be a musician. Some people can practice for triple the amount of time then someone else and still be 10 times worse. I personally can tell whether someone is a natural or not just from seeing them play with a couple months of experience. Obviously i have never seen you play but it sounds to me like you aren't a natural born musician.

[PimasterPearson]

First of all, there's a good chance that you're not as bad as you think you are.

Second of all, you may not be practicing effectively. I'd recommend that you schedule a few lessons with a good teacher, if you can find one. He or she can help you with your technique, and give you effective exercises and tips to get the most out of your practice time.

It's great that you put so much time into practicing every day. Keep it up!

[Doner Designs]

With a practice routine like that you can't help but get better. You must love it to practice that much, so why worry about how good you are (unless your goal is to do it for a living). If its a hobby you enjoy, just enjoy it.

I replied because I'm probably not very good but really enjoy playing home alone or (rarely) jamming with a friend or my son. I have no gigs either but am not really seeking that either. As with other hobbies like golf and tennis, I never got very good but had fun with it.

If its important to you to have gigs, others will probably have some ideas on how to get that going.

[kbaxter26]

I certianly fit the "not naturally born musician" role. It IS very frustrating indeed. But, with a tenacious atitude and a lot of work, I believe you can still become a competent Bassist. Will I ever be as good as my fav Geddy? No. But, I am determined to push.

[abemo]

Practice makes perfect, but only if done properly. Focus on always taking on something a little tougher than what you are currently able to do.

[hsech]

I think we all have some natural ability. It just takes some longer than it takes others to tap that natural ability. If you drive a car, use a computer or do technical things you must be coordinated. Just keep at it.

[Thumper]

I practiced 10 years before anybody wanted to jam with me, 15 years to my first gigging band. Been gigging steady for 30 years now. I'm not naturally gifted but have worked hard, just keep at it if you like practicing you'll get there.

[PrietoBass]

^^^^^^ +10 on Thumper's response! Be persistent.

It's possible you are not seeing the return on your effort investment because you may be practicing incorrectly or practicing the wrong things.

I can't get fornal lessons because of my schedule and family responsibilities. I'm hearing impaired, which makes it harder to figure out things by ear. I've been learning/playing for 4 years. I don't play in a band either.

In order to have some "structure" in my practice I ordered Roy Vogt's TMBG. I watch videos (DVDs and YouTube) and transcribe as much as I can.

It's all Ok by me because I'm not in a race against time; I just enjoy the little moments.

[jbybj]

IME, progression of my playing skills was not linear. On a scale of 1-10, 10 being a virtuoso, I went from 1 to 3 in about 6 months. From 3-4 took about 20 years. 4 to 5 took about 8 years, then I had a breakthrough, maybe it was that 10,000 hours I've heard about, I shot from 5-6 in about 3 months, and I've been holding steady at 6 for about a decade. Plenty good enough to jam, join the occasional band, and have boatloads of fun. But then, I have been doing that since I was at level 3.

So sure, lessons can be great, but as long as you are inspired and enjoying it, persistence is my key.

[BAce]

I'll second jgroh's comment that lessons are a great way to fast track your abilities. I had guitar lessons when I was a kid, but I've never had any "official" bass lessons. But given your 12 hour work days, lessons may not be possible. Another way to get to be a better player is to find a guitar player or two to join you once in a while. Playing along side others made me a better bass player, especially if they were REALLY good guitar players with patience. It's amazing what you can learn. By the way, good doesn't necessarily mean fast. I have a bit of arthritis in my hands now, and my playing has gotten a little slower. Lately I have discovered how much I enjoy playing a note or two and letting them ring out, where once upon a time I would play a lot of short fast notes.
Sometimes we get stuck in a rut and can't seem to progress till we try to learn a new thing. I remember well (many years ago) being taught in 5 short minutes by a guitar player, how to play a major scale on my bass. Up to that point I only knew how to play a minor scale (go figure!) and had hit a brick wall, couldn't go any further. Learning that major scale opened up a whole new world for me. That's just one example of learning something new, and then being able to use it daily. You may find something new for yourself that pushes you over that brick wall.
So no, you're not alone

[cyclopsbookworm]

Not everyone who sings is Chris Cornell...and yet look at all the karaoke bars that are still around. I'm not really particular on who is or isn't a bass player. What was said about natural ability has some truth to it, much like any given skill. Most can do it to some extent, and some are simply awesome at it. My nephew beats the snot out of me at video games, but I still have fun with them. So in that sense, everyone has a bit of a bass player in them.

My philosophy on skill is be happy, but never satisfied, so that way you're always facing forward. An instructor is a great idea. If you cannot afford one (like myself), there's a cool book called bass aerobics that has simple to not-so-simple basslines from all sorts of different techniques and playing styles, genres, etc. It's set up to have a one lesson a week times 52 weeks. Nothing fancy but a good exercise. Also, the 'learn whole songs' idea is effective too.

*edit* A metronome is also a must-have tool.

[Douger]

What’s wrong with 8ths, 8ths in a scale as in single notes? 8ths on a single note? I assume your playing to songs on I-pod so why let 8ths discourage you. I don’t know your music type or if your trying to emulate Flea or something but playing bass or being a “bass player” isn’t about how many notes you can play and how fast you can play them it’s about playing the bass, have you ever heard AC/DC! There’s some punch you in the face killer bass or you think Rodger Waters worries about 8ths, take my advice be your own bass player and don’t worry if some dude at the music store is playing something really fast or a snapin and a poppin cuz he thinks he’s so cool, he’s not, he’s a douche bag
“don’t be a db” Just learn some tunes you like to play or go on u-tube and play to bass jam tracks, the boss loop station is cool to and hopefully you will find some people to jam with and have fun cuz there are people out there who want to jam and have fun.

[two fingers]

+1 Douger! A lot of good advice here. Relax and enjoy playing. If you are working 12 hour days, you have enough to stress about. Don't let the bass guitar ADD to your stress. Let it TAKE AWAY from stress. Just let go and feel the music you are trying to play. Stats, such as how many 8th notes one can play per second, per minute, or per 4 hour gig mean nothing. (Honestly, I have been playing for over 2 decades and have no idea what my "max speed" is. It never occurred to me to find out.)

Just jam and have fun! Try to look up some online lessons. Try to learn some harder songs. Just keep stretching yourself.

4 hours a day on weekends????? Go find a GIRL why don't ya?!?!?! Have a beer! Fire up the grill! Go to the beach! The bass can wait a little! You work really hard already. Let the bass be play time for now.

[olivexwka]

I might look into getting a teacher and maximizing what little time you have though.

[Bearded Wizard]

I had absolutely no natural talent. Now I can do things with a bass guitar that were beyond my wildest imagination of what was possible with it when I first started, beyond anything I'd ever heard done. To me, more than practicing, that's from intensive listening. I'm in a situation where I listen to music constantly. Virtually all of my waking hours find me with music playing. And beyond that, anyone can learn to play, but to really play, you have to live the music. Playing a song about something you've never experienced is like someone who has never been able to see trying to describe what the moon looks like. That's the difference between filling out the mix with some low notes and being the soul of the song; the anchor of the sublimely transcendant combination of vibrations at different frequencies through the air that we call "music".

[Bob Gross]

Find some other student musicians to jam with. Even if you don't get great, you'll have more fun. But keep in mind that in music, you're always a student. And that's the beautiful thing about music. There's always more to learn. I've been playing for over 50 years and still practice and try to learn something new every day. If you love it, keep at it.

[rude_basstard]

What do you mean by 8th notes? 8th notes walking lines aren't anything to look down on.

But as for your initial question-- Find a friend that plays guitar (if he knows a drummer, even better). And jam with him. Start with songs you both know. Move on to songs he knows and you don't and figure out something to play for them. If you can ******** your way through songs you don't know, congratulations; you're officially a bass player.

If you can't find anyone who can jam with you on your schedule, find some acoustic songs with no bass part, and play along. If you have trouble with that, maybe lessons are your next step to get past your current hurdle.

[Green1]

Originally Posted by TheGreatSealof

I have been learning the bass for almost three years. I do not play with a band or have ever had the opportunity due to my 12 hour workday. It's just me, my learning books/DVD’s, and my iPod.

I enjoy playing with my iPod because it affords the band experience that I am lacking.

I am getting discouraged because 8th notes are about as fast and skillful that I can get. I practice at least an hour or more every day, (It kills my sleep schedule but I feel the need to practice). I practice on average 4 hours per day on weekends.

Is this all I am ever going to be? A mediocre player? Anyone else out there like me or am I alone?

Three years is not that long, don't get down on yourself. We have all been there. Set small goals for yourself and don't try to do too much all at once. It is easy to get overwhelmed when you feel like there are many areas where you want to improve and not enough time in the day to get to everything. Don't be too concerned with your speed, it will come.....focus on playing clean and accurate and work on your groove.....a guy that can groove his ass off will get far more work than someone who can play a hundred miles an hour. Check out Todd Johnson's technique builders book as well as Adam Nittis permutation exercises.....lots of good stuff that will work both of your hands, while improving speed, accuracy and hand strength. Good luck!