Which bassists have been or are self taught?

Progressive · #1 01-26-2006, 02:30 PM

I recently learned that Chris Squire, the bassist for Yes, was self-taught! This amazes me, because the songs I have heard of Yes have some of my favourite bass lines and texture to them. Let's see how many bassists you know of that are self taught? I feel inspired not to take lessons; I feel like being a rebel. =P

FunkSlap89 · #2 01-26-2006, 03:03 PM

I've heard that flea has had barely any instruction (besides his initial lessons from Hillel Slovak).

Chili · #3 01-26-2006, 03:17 PM

yeah i think Flea is basicly self tought, i'm not sure how much or what hillel tought him but other than that the rest is all him...i think, i cant think of anyone else whos self tought, when anyone else pops in my head ill give a post....ME! lol

Suckbird · #4 01-26-2006, 03:28 PM

Billy sheehan is self-taught..

I took lessons for about a year but i never learned anything som i guess that makes me self-taught too...

Muzique Fann · #5 01-26-2006, 03:40 PM

AFAIK, Reed Mathis has never had a lesson in his life...and I'm glad he hasn't.

Scottie · #6 01-26-2006, 03:55 PM

Michael Anthony probably studied at the feet of Stanley Clarke and Jaco. His bass lines are simply breathtaking and macnificant.

zongeek · #7 01-26-2006, 04:31 PM

Mick Karn

AxtoOx · #8 01-26-2006, 05:02 PM

Depends on how you define sef taught. From my experience most "self taught", jam w/ other people and pick things up that way (show me how you did that) or watch other players. Now books,DVD's and videos. I think a lot is picked up from other people, they just didn't pay for lessons.

crapusername · #9 01-26-2006, 05:25 PM

isn't Steve Harris self taught?

iamlowsound · #10 01-26-2006, 06:27 PM

les claypool comes to mind. and flea is self tought on bass, but not on trumpet

lowsound

Woodchuck · #11 01-26-2006, 06:45 PM

Stu Zender.

Prahainspring · #12 01-26-2006, 06:47 PM

Percy Jones (?)
Mick Karn

Those are the first two to pop out of my head. Interestingly enough, both are fretless players.

**Blackbird** · #13 01-26-2006, 06:53 PM

Jaco claimed he was "formally self-taught".

Tony G · #14 01-26-2006, 06:56 PM

I'm self taught, but I don't think thats what you mean.

bassksun · #15 01-26-2006, 07:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wm1724

Percy Jones (?)
Mick Karn

Those are the first two to pop out of my head. Interestingly enough, both are fretless players.

Percy Jones: I am a self taught musician. I grew up in a fairly rural part of Central Wales and there were no electric bass teachers around in those days..

MaskedJackal · #16 01-26-2006, 09:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crapusername

isn't Steve Harris self taught?

Yessir. He just got a bass, dug the sound, and was taught the E,D,C, and G notes by Dave Murray. That's about it.

Woodchuck · #17 01-27-2006, 05:12 AM

If I'm not mistaken, I think Rocco learned on the fly as well.

6-3-2 · #18 01-27-2006, 07:09 AM

I don't think Flea totally counts, he was well versed in Jazz Trumpet before taking up bass, so he must have already had quite a bit of musical know-how under his belt.

Dr. Cheese · #19 01-27-2006, 08:52 AM

I find it unremarkable that Chris Squire is self taught. He came up at a time when the electric bass was a very new instrument and there was not much in the way of formal instruction aimed specifically at the the bass guitar. Even today, bass guitar attracts many people because if it is very easy to play basic pop or rock on it. Most of us are self taught to one degree or another. That is what we do when we learn songs from CDs or check out players at concert or on video.

chips · #20 01-27-2006, 09:01 AM

probably fieldy