Becoming a good bassist?

[Dirk Diggler]

DIY, an instructor will not get you to "good" any quicker than you studying yourself.

And as a bonus, you'll end up with your definition of "good" rather than someone else's idea of "good".

Good luck,
Dirk

 

[HubbardsFate]

I remember a couple of years ago listening to CBC radio, and they had a story about a guy who had just died and who was considered, if I recall correctly, one of the world's foremost bluegrass banjoists (I could be wrong on the genre/instrument...)

The age he was at when he started playing/studying music? Frickin' 43...

So yes - it is possible to become a pretty great player, even starting out at a relatively older age. That said, you'll have to put in the time. A lot of people are in love with the idea of being a guitar/bass/whatever player, until such time as they realize that it does, in fact, require significant effort/practice. Extreme examples (from the guitar side of things): Steve Vai and Eddie Van Halen, who were putting in up to twelve hours per day (as teenagers, and I'm sure it carried on into their adult years to a degree) to learn to play/be able to keep playing like that.

 

[DuluthDank]

1. Get a good teacher.
2. Get in the habit of playing at least an hour per day, 5 days per week.
3. Check back in 10 years.

 

[10emmanuel]

thank you very much for all the encouraging answers!!!

 

[10emmanuel]

It’s just a matter of some education. Because it’s really just another skill that can be learned like any other. No different than learning how to make a good omelette or pilot a space shuttle. You’re not born knowing how to do it. You have to learn, either by instruction or through trial and error. It’s all a matter of gathering the needed resources for learning what you want to learn and (ideally) finding a teacher to help you along. Having a qualified teacher - whose teaching style works for your personal learning style - is the single best way to smooth and shorten your learning path.

Can you learn it at 30? I’ll be 67 next month. In the last two years I’ve learned basic French, and got heavily into synthesizers on a technical level. Just recently I decided I wanted to learn about, and how to play, Metal style bass. I’m working on that as we speak. And I’m seriously contemplating finally picking up and learning to play the saxaphone, which is something I’ve been thinking about for the last 40 years. (I’ve played every family of instrument but reeds so far. Horrors! There’s a gap in my musical experience!!! ) Figured it’s now or never considering my age.

So is 30 too late? You tell me. In my case, as long as I’m still breathing I figure any time is a good time to learn something new. I’m always looking to acquire new skills and knowledge.

But that’s me. What about you?

inspiring !!

 

[4Mal]

Immerse yourself in music. Listen to the point where you can listen closely and being focused, then pick in your bass and play the line slow and clean... think of it as ear training combined with musical memory.

You have to own the scales, the various ways to connect the dot's on the neck of course. For me I run the modes daily or at least a few times a week. However good bass playing for most play ping environments is not about dexterity. It is about being in the right place with the right note at the right time... It is simply not about 'fancy' to me... that is musicality.

I will freely admit that other bassists are more impressed with bass pyrotechnics. While I respect the ability of those that can deliver it... ultimately I find the music not interesting... to me. YMMV

What is most important to me as a live player is... big ears. They will lead you to the point where in a new playing environment you will be able to predict what comes next ...

lastly ... enjoy the journey, don't burn out on striving for perfection. If it is in you, you'll get there. If not, maybe being a competent side man in a band with a great hang is good enough. It is for me.

 

[Bunk McNulty]

I have never, and do not expect ever, to actually make a living as a bassist. But I’ve been good enough to always find work as a weekend warrior. And made the journey, so to speak, from 3 chord rock to Steely Dan. Not because I have talent, but because I’m always ready to put the work in. When I was in my 40s, I took lessons for a while. Just to see how I was doing. My teacher, who was 24, looked at me after my first lesson and said, “Don’t worry. You are a bass-player.” So I take occassions like this to remind myself that I may be tootling my wood-note wild, but somehow I’m getting the job done. Best of luck! “If you feel you got it, don’t ever give up.”

 

[WrapRough]

hello guys!I am 30 years old and intermediate low self thought bassist. I proposed myself to become a good bassist and musician. Is it a kid's dream or is it really possible ?
I know anything in this life is impossible but Realistically speaking, can that happen?

Regards to everyone, long life to music

Define "good"

 

[WrapRough]

DIY, an instructor will not get you to "good" any quicker than you studying yourself.

And as a bonus, you'll end up with your definition of "good" rather than someone else's idea of "good".

Good luck,
Dirk

That's a pretty ridiculous statement.

 

[dbsfgyd1]

hello guys!I am 30 years old and intermediate low self thought bassist. I proposed myself to become a good bassist and musician. Is it a kid's dream or is it really possible ?
I know anything in this life is impossible but Realistically speaking, can that happen?

Regards to everyone, long life to music

Talent will float to it’s own level. How about you put the time and effort to be the best bassist you can be and don’t worry that other stuff?

In that regard, what criteria are you using to judge yourself? Do you record so you can hear how you actually sound? Are you playing by yourself, in a band, or to prerecorded music? Thought about taking some basic music theory classes classroom or online? How much time do you have to pursue this goal?

Finally, will you enjoy the process and be satisfied when becoming the best bassist you can be (which is a moving target as you grow BTW) when you find out you aren’t the next Jaco, Prista, or Entwistle?

I can’t say it’s impossible as there are too many unanswered questions. I just listed a few basic ones. It’s up to you to answer them, and in that pursuit you will find your answer. Best wishes.

 

[lfmn16]

That's a pretty ridiculous statement.

The only people that would say that are people who have never had a good teacher.

 

[WrapRough]

The only people that would say that are people who have never had a good teacher.

It's bizarre. Is it just playing bass that the poster thinks this approach applies to? Why does Federer have a coach despite being a multiple grand slam champion?

As I say, a ridiculous comment!

 

[Acoop]

To be good at anything takes being critical of your ability. ... And 10,000 hours of practice wouldn't hurt. ...

 

[iriegnome]

hello guys!I am 30 years old and intermediate low self thought bassist. I proposed myself to become a good bassist and musician. Is it a kid's dream or is it really possible ?
I know anything in this life is impossible but Realistically speaking, can that happen?

Regards to everyone, long life to music

Practice and Play every chance you can get. Find a guitar player who is at your level (or better) and a drummer and play! That is the best way to become a good bassist. Practice, play, repeat... Oh - buy as much gear as you can. Us bassists seem to accumulate a ton of it (that part is optional)

 

[GreyBeard]

Everybody learns and progresses at different rates. I taught instrumental music for 40 years, starting kids on various band instruments in 6th grade and continued teaching them through high school graduation. Sometimes I saw students, whom I thought were pretty hopeless, stick with it and like someone turned on a switch, become good players out of the blue. No one can tell you how long it will take for you to become a "good" bass player. Practicing with a drum machine or metronome will do wonders for your timing. Playing along with records etc. will help you learn what goes where. I'm 71 years old and have been playing bass since I was 18 and I'm still trying to find ways to improve. What helps me the most is to record and then listen too my gigs and jam sessions. I use a little zoom recorder. (I'm on my second one)

 

[Drucifer]

this isn't necessarily true. Sean Hurley was touring with Arlo Guthrie at age 16. He started playing at age 12.

Yes, and Scott LaFaro took up bass at 18 and five years later was one of the most influential bassists in jazz, so it is definitely possible. But these are exceptions, and most people will require more time to develop a lower level of proficiency. How long depends on how much time you dedicate, along with a bunch of other factors.

The key to achieving success is how you define success.

 

[Drucifer]

The 10,000 hour rule of this book has been debunked somewhat, but still a good read and still a valid point, achieving success requires a substantial input of time.

 

[ryco]

Maybe learn guitar and/or keyboards first so you can get the sounds of chords and progressions into your ears first. 2¢

 

[pepj]

In 10 years, its possible.
People can play 30 plus and its not really happening, so for me, its aptitude and what else do you have.
Ears, great, ok, indifferent..?

 

[GreyBeard]

Maybe learn guitar and/or keyboards first so you can get the sounds of chords and progressions into your ears first. 2¢

I started on acoustical guitar when I was 16 and keyboards later in music school. Learning both really helped me to understand how bass works in the overall scheme of music.