Am I an ok Bassist...?

[Lecker]

So I am 15 and I've been playing for about half a year,
on my inherited Peavey Cirrus5 BXP
and I can play stuff like Michael Jacksons - Get on the floor like the back of my hand
and I can pick stuff up by ear pretty quick,

I dont have too much theory training, but my ear compensates for it
I was just wondering if im off to a good start or not...

[80'sRocker]

Do you rely on Tab? (good to begin with, but don't rely on tab). Fingers/pick or both? Do you know all the note names? Any scales? Do you do exercises? Can you learn by ear? Can you setup your bass when needed? These all come into play eventually

[Phalex]

I've been playing bass for 31 years. I don't have much theory training, but my ear compensates for it. I pick stuff up pretty quick.

I gig like a mad man, and guitar players and drummers really seem to like playing with me.

Sounds like you're on the right track, but there's nothing wrong with picking up some theory while your still young. If you turn out not to need it at all, there's no foul in knowing it anyway. More tools and a better understanding of music can only make you a better player when you're old like me......

Keep it low!

[EdMerc]

Wow! I haven't thought about, or heard, that song in a LONG while. It just so happens that song is from the album "Off the Wall", which is the first album I ever purchased.

What's a 15 year old doing listening to that???

If you can truly play that song, then I don't think you have much to worry about. Keep at it. Expand your repertoire. You'll be alright.

Ed

[Lecker]

I never use tabs...personally I kinda find them confusing....
I mostly finger, barley ever pick except for my own compositions,
but I slap probabbly half of the time. and I'm preety good at it.
i've realised latley that I mostly memorise patterns for scales,
but obviously i know B E A D G so it takes me a while but I can figure them out, like when i play jazz...
and setting up my own bass I proababbly can, but i dont have the money to afford a new one just in case I might screw it up, so I get a friends teacher to do it.
and I do simple exercises for streaching and slapping

and yea im doing as much ear theory as I can, Im for sure going into music, because I've already preformed in two jazzfests across america for trombone and singing

[Lecker]

Montreal International jazzfestival (I live there...)
and The LA jazz institute jazzfestival becaue im part of the yougest jazzband in the entire world. (JazzKidz ensemble)
and I learn most songs from this guy
http://www.youtube.com/user/DavidSinRocks
and get on the floor:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ndp5_2LL_M

[scott0606]

Off to a great start I'd say! Never hurts to check out some of the great resources online to improve your theory. It will do wonders for your playing and make you a much more versatile player.

Some good resources I have used are:

http://www.studybass.com/tools/chord...-note-printer/

playbassnow.com/

Also check out Janek Gwizdala's site. Some very cool things on technique that I have found very valuable

http://janekgwizdala.com/home/

[Lecker]

thanks guys
great confidence booster :P
and it''' help alot

[chadhargis]

My advice would be to find a good teacher. They can spot things you are doing wrong or need improvement on and save you years of frustration.

I can reccomend a couple of our fellow Talkbassers who do lessons via Skype if you're interested.

[Lecker]

I dont have a webcam
too bad :/

[janekbass]

if you're looking for lessons I just launched a site dedicated to video lessons here:

http://janekgwizdala.com/videolessons/

and for a limited time I'm offering a special deal to people who sign up before the 31st of dec 2010 right here: http://janekgwizdala.com/videolesson...special-offer/


Janek

[iamjustin]

if you have a chance at the age of fifteen, get into a music class
nothing has helped me learn stuff about music theory and musicianship than being in a class
not to mention that you will probably will be able to play with musicians and get that experience

[TrevorOfDoom]

nope, you suck and should just quit now.



seriously, who cares? as long as you're having fun and playing music that makes you happy, it doesn't matter! if you wanna get better, get better! (especially if Janek is offering you lessons!!)

[elgecko]

You might want to think twice about posting your street address.

[Dr. Cheese]

Originally Posted by chadhargis

My advice would be to find a good teacher. They can spot things you are doing wrong or need improvement on and save you years of frustration.

I can reccomend a couple of our fellow Talkbassers who do lessons via Skype if you're interested.

+1

[JimmyM]

get on the reading. makes your good ear incredibly better.

[JtheJazzMan]

Originally Posted by JimmyM

get on the reading. makes your good ear incredibly better.

Hmm, I am a reading proponent, but I think I have to disagree slightly.

How about transcribe something then right it out into notation? Takes care of ear training and a familiarisation of music.

[JimmyM]

Originally Posted by JtheJazzMan

Hmm, I am a reading proponent, but I think I have to disagree slightly.

How about transcribe something then right it out into notation? Takes care of ear training and a familiarisation of music.

learn to crawl before you run, dude.

[Rudreax]

Originally Posted by JimmyM

get on the reading. makes your good ear incredibly better.

Sage advice here. Otherwise, you're pretty good. Work on some theory, start finding people to play with.

[bolophonic]

You are light years away from where I was as a 15 year old bassist. Keep doing your thing and learn every single thing you possibly can.