How good am i as a beginner bassist

[r_bnks]

I can play plenty of difficult songs. That doesn’t mean I can play them in a way that anyone wants to hear. Record yourself and let us hear it.

Exactly. Keep checking your playing is the most important. When I started playing I thought I play songs pretty accurate. Listening those recorded rehearsals/shows today they are not even close to the original line. I was in tempo played the right notes but not with the same groove, same fills etc.
When you're getting better and better you'll hear a lot of things differently.

 

[SunByrne]

You are unbelievably good. In the literal sense.

 

[kmon]

I’ve been playing as a hobbyist/hack for 10+ years. I’ve been working on Hysteria for a while and am just starting to approach minimal competency...like it’s not a disaster but I’m still not where I’d be at all comfortable playing it with a band. I’m not nailing it.

if you can play it after 2 months I salute you.

 

[Ric5]

I have no idea about how good or bad i am, i just want to know if i am skilled or not by the pieces im able to play.
First 2 weeks, simple stuff like another one bites the dust and are you gonna be my girl.
At the 1 month mark i was able to play songs like hysteria and the trooper with a pretty good accuracy. In the second month i was able to play some megadeth songs like peace sells. I am in my third month now and i just played Orions bass solo.
Sorry if this is the wrong category to post this, im new.

learn chords from a piano and or an acoustic guitar, learn some theory. Learn to get a feel for a groove and work on timing.

Find some musicians to play with and learn to play off of other people.

 

[Polish Thunder]

You can check out this video to check your progress. I know that this is for intermediate, but I guess it is a decent guideline to start with.

 

[MrLenny1]

Try recording yourself. That will tell you.

 

[Rib 13]

It would be helpful if you post a clip or a video.......otherwise, there is no way for us to answer this

 

[Gustopher]

If you are pulling these songs off after that much time, way to go. If you had never played a stringed instrument before, then you may be a prodigy... if you come from a guitar background, it makes a lot more sense. Keep rocking out!

 

[BtaylorTheRogue]

I agree with all the cautiously stated approval. My approximation of pulling off a song in 9th grade is not the same as it is now in senior year college my amateur career my early professional career.

The world is full of Paganinis and Johnsons, and I don't wanna sound like a Dick Johnson myself (even though he went by Robert), but we have no idea what you sound like, and the Devil is in the details with this stuff.

Record yourself, even on a crappy cell phone.

 

[DrayMiles]

I know those songs very well, and was playing them years ago...
But...

Your post feels like the post of a young student that’s wanted to have his ego stroked because you’ve decided you’re pretty good already...

So, we can applaud your technical accomplishments, but that’s not important. You’re going to meet someone way more accomplished that is the same age as you.. and how you respond to that is what I’m curious about...
The stuff you mentioned is okay, but nothing that will set the world on fire...
But if you can add calcium to your humility bone until your dying breath, continue learning, and pass it on....
I’ll visit you as a wandering spirit and say...

Way to go kid!

 

[LBS-bass]

We would need to see a video or hear a clip to answer your question. I know people who have been playing in bands for years that will say they can play certain songs, but when I hear them play, they aren't being played correctly. It's more common than not for a student to need quite a lot of ear training and there are thousands of incorrect charts online, so someone telling me they can play X song doesn't mean anything unless I hear how they play it.

Maybe you've pulled down a great chart, or maybe you've got a great ear and you're hearing every note correctly. Maybe you're playing all the correct notes, but your timing needs work. Or maybe you're just brilliant at this!

I have no way to know that, so I can't help except to make you aware of these possibilities and suggest that, if you haven't done it already, you consult with an actual teacher and get THEIR feedback on how you're doing. That will be way more helpful than anything we can tell you here.

 

[DrayMiles]

Yeah, after reading your post again... I'm sure you need to be a grasshopper to a Sensei somewhere...
Because...
I suspect you're going to have a sore butt when another bassist, with a similar view that you're (possibly )
displaying, blows you off the stage with taste, tone, AND technique.
We've all been there, but most of you young's' these days really have fragile musical demeanors, and most old farts like me won't risk advice falling on deaf ears. It's hard advising a self declared genius, I mean... Who am I anyways? especially if you don't hear watcha wanna hear....
Don't worry about silly crap like am I any good? Do you enjoy it? As someone that's done a fair amount, I've learned more from casual listeners, recordings, and peers when I just concentrate on the blessing of being able to play...

BUT!!!!!

When COVID is over, and jam sessions are going again... Go to the largest city near you, find an appropriate jam session for your genre, and have a play...

But, make sure you STAY and watch the other players when you're finished. Don't run out the club...

Then tell us how ya feel bruh... that's your litmus test fo sho' ...

Good Luck!

 

[Les Fret]

Where is the OP? I guess he is practicing....

 

[DrayMiles]

Where is the OP? I guess he is practicing....

Most doubtful Obi Wan...

 

[smeet]

Most doubtful Obi Wan...

Once one has achieved nirvana, no further improvement is possible. At this point it is best to move on to solve other things, such as world hunger, global warming, or MMA.

 

[Eddie LeBlanc]

Best to consider Whirled Peas....... now that the bass was conquered. LOL

 

[Spin Doctor]

Everybody thinks they sound awesome till they hear themselves on a recording

 

[WrapRough]

Recording yourself and isolating the bass may be an eye opener.

I also think it's much better to think you are crap

Everybody thinks they sound awesome till they hear themselves on a recording

It's true. It's the same for a lot of things in life where we need to look at it like a 3rd party to get a proper look. Like when you look in a mirror and think you look slim and trim, and then you see a photo and think daaaaaaaamn, thats not me is it?

 

[Polish Thunder]

Everybody thinks they sound awesome till they hear themselves on a recording

Not me. When was starting out, I thought I sounded like crap. Then I recorded myself and confirmed that I sounded like crap.

I am my biggest critic. It is tough to judge your playing while you are playing. You either need another set of good ears or just listen to your recorded self with a good set of headphones and it will let you know how you are doing.

 

[Spin Doctor]

Where is the OP? I guess he is practicing....

LOL well, I suppose he is. And I don't wanna beat the guy up too much, since he did say he was new. I'm thinking he's probably pretty good for a beginner.

A little hubris is a good motivator. People who kinda think they suck usually never become very good.