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There might be something to this because I believe I was born into bass playing.
When I was little I would get into so much trouble any time I found myself within sight of a piano. Any church, school, someones home... the moment I had a chance I would sneak over to it, lift up the lid very quietly and BAMMMMMMMM I'd begin pounding out a loud bass note. Always the thunderous keys on the left, never the tinkly ones on the right. I wanted to feel that rumble.
I knew every time I was going to get yelled at, grounded and possibly beaten with a belt when my dad got me home but it didn't matter. I got to make that noise. Other than my obsession with pianos I was a very well behaved and polite, well-mannered kid my parents said.
When I was little I would get into so much trouble any time I found myself within sight of a piano. Any church, school, someones home... the moment I had a chance I would sneak over to it, lift up the lid very quietly and BAMMMMMMMM I'd begin pounding out a loud bass note. Always the thunderous keys on the left, never the tinkly ones on the right. I wanted to feel that rumble.
I knew every time I was going to get yelled at, grounded and possibly beaten with a belt when my dad got me home but it didn't matter. I got to make that noise. Other than my obsession with pianos I was a very well behaved and polite, well-mannered kid my parents said.
Very interesting thread. The answer is yes and no. Seriously, let me explain.
I am a multi-instrumentalist. I play guitar (acoustic and electric), bass, and drums well enough to gig with all of them. I also dabble with keyboard/piano. I did take guitar lessons as a teenager (in my 50's now), but self taught everything else. Despite that, I am most comfortable on bass...it feels more natural to me. The other instruments are much more work.
I also teach guitar, bass, and just recently started teaching drums as well. I don't advertise, just get students by referrals from former students, or more often by people that approach me after gigs. I currently have 6 guitar students, 3 bass students, and two drum students. They range in age from 7 years old to mid-thirties. Some of my former students also gig.
And here is what I've noticed. Some students just seem to naturally learn faster, with much less effort. Just like athletics...some people are just more naturally athletic.
That being said, self-determination, focus, and hard work makes up for a lot. To be world class at anything, you have to have natural talent...but also have to work very hard. Quite a few people have one or the other, but very few people have both talent and self-determination. And that is true no matter the instrument.
I’m sort of like the little girl in a Terry Pratchett story who was asked if she could read. Her answer: “Probably. I never tried.”
That’s a good attitude to go through life with. You don’t know for sure until you try. And from what I’ve seen, most people can do most things at least adequately if they give it a fair shot. Not to say they will necessarily attain mastery. Or even be able to do it with a high level of proficiency. But most times they can still do it enough to get by if they want (or have) to.
That’s a good attitude to go through life with. You don’t know for sure until you try. And from what I’ve seen, most people can do most things at least adequately if they give it a fair shot. Not to say they will necessarily attain mastery. Or even be able to do it with a high level of proficiency. But most times they can still do it enough to get by if they want (or have) to.
... hey, wait a sec...
My wife claims everyone is born a drummer - most people grow out of it, though. 
The human brain can "rewire" itself and does so all the time (psychological addiction is proof of this). The brain is what develops an ear or muscle memory or limb independence or whatever attributes are required to be a "world class musician".
Anyone can do anything they're physically capable of doing, if the drive to do so is strong enough.
Anyone can do anything they're physically capable of doing, if the drive to do so is strong enough.
I am a bassist primarily, but also play drums, my dad is a drummer, now my 8 year old is beginning drums. I have to say, you can tell pretty quick if someone is predisposed to drumming. I had my 8 year old hitting kick on the 1, snare on the 3, and keeping the hi hat going within minutes. I had my wife come up to prove to my kid that he was doing great. She is a huge music fan, but at 35 she could not keep a beat. It’s like the whole rubbing your belly and patting your head thing...
I wanted to be a drummer. I really wanted to play the drums. My parents wouldn't hear of it. At 18 I couldn't afford a drum set but I could afford a bass. The rest is history. That said, I really relate to drums and drummers. I'm interested. That makes my relationship with drummers all the better.
I’d love to sit n talk with
Dean N & Bassngtr.
I lean toward Bassngtr’s take...and I am a Nurture over Nature kinda guy.
Still i believe some of us are born with certain gifts that others may try their damndest to capture...but (as Bassngtr implies) the ‘trying’ is what separates them (us!)
Consider reading a book entitled “Men At Work” by George Will.
Don’t let Mr. Will’s politics get in your way...it is (ostensibly) a Baseball Book.
It’s a favorite of mine. He does a poetic job of examining Nature vs Nurture...natchil born talent vs 20,000 repetitions.
It’s a great read that fits Right into this discussion. Cheers!
Dean N & Bassngtr.
I lean toward Bassngtr’s take...and I am a Nurture over Nature kinda guy.
Still i believe some of us are born with certain gifts that others may try their damndest to capture...but (as Bassngtr implies) the ‘trying’ is what separates them (us!)
Consider reading a book entitled “Men At Work” by George Will.
Don’t let Mr. Will’s politics get in your way...it is (ostensibly) a Baseball Book.
It’s a favorite of mine. He does a poetic job of examining Nature vs Nurture...natchil born talent vs 20,000 repetitions.
It’s a great read that fits Right into this discussion. Cheers!
With the rapid advances in genetic engineering, we can reasonably expect that many of the major congenital defects may soon be treated succesfully in utero. If all goes well, no one will have to be born a drummer again.
I would say that anybody can learn an instrument but those with natural talent will still shine more in certain situations. Dimebag is a great example of this... the dude practiced constantly but theres still this X factor to his playing that put him in the top level of all players. People can learn his solos all day long but rarely does somebody actually nail it.
Why is no one amazed at the run-of-the-mill bass player's ability to maintain digit independence of four or five fingers on the fretting hand and one to three fingers on the plucking hand? And many do it while simultaneously singing contrapuntal vocal lines.
Welcome... the only real way to rid yourself of the earworm, is to sidle up to Gorn, and get your groove on...
... don't forget the mirrors, and of course... the disco ball.
