How good are you at bass? (read 1st post before voting)

[bradjonesbass]

I voted 6. 2 years of music theory, but I don't read very often anymore other than simple lead sheets. The style of music I most often am employed to play just doesn't require it. My improvisational skills are pretty high as I spend much of my time in jam bands and improvisational jazz settings as well as lead sheet gospel gigs.

 

[Tony G]

The problem is that you can get really far with only ear training without having formal music training. It kinda kills the whole rating system. I am a 3 (as far as theory/reading goes) but also a 6 (as far as hearing, improvising goes). On a good day I could be a seven. It's just not as easy as picking a number. If I had to I would say 5 is fair, but someone classically trained who would pick 5 would disagree.

Exactly.

 

[Ed Goode]

It can be quite easy to delude yourself about your skill level, although the descriptions go a long way to outline what each level is. And, I think, it's also not so important to assign a value (even though it is fun and interesting ), since everyone has a different idea as to what is a necessary skill for the gig they have.

Just based on the descriptions provided, I placed myself at an 8. I have had many years of formal training at a high-level institution, I can sight read without any issues, I do all of the arrangements for any band I'm in, and I have a ton of theory under my belt. So based on that, I'm kind of an 8 ....

However, I can immediately name 10 local players who will kick my *ss on a hard core jazz gig, and some of them don't even know how to spell their own names . So, while it's fun to see what everyone feels about themselves, it really doesn't have any practical application in the real world. But, it is cool to see the responses .....

 

[permagrin]

This poll is far from perfect, no doubt, but any poll like this is necessarily quite subjective.

The description for 7 fits me pretty well - been playing 21 yrs, lotsa bands and gigs orig and cover, play some woodwinds and sing in a chorus group, took several recording/engineering and theory/composition classes at UCLA while getting my aerospace eng degree, have taught bass lessons. I did a few studio sessions in the early 90s (while I was otherwise unemployed) and did well at some things (improv background music for three minute sex call recordings, singer demos) but saw what what is needed of a 'real' studio bassist (sight reading, and then truly nailing it from take one five minutes later, that calibur/pressure was not for me). I arranged horns parts for a three song recording once (but not well, the players had to rework the parts with me). My sight reading skills are poor simply because that has nothing to do with what I do now.

Maybe I'm a 7-minus since I'd guess a Neopolitan sixth is two scoops of three-flavor ice cream.

 

[fountain boy]

I'M A SOLID 3!

 

[chutsk10]

There needs to be exceptions to this rating scale . . .

Perosnally, I have no music theory, no formal training, can't read sheet music but I can hold my own in a jam and I can blast through covers people would consider challenging.

 

[Phalex]

I went with 4. I've never had a lesson and I can't read music. I do however gig every weekend. I guess it's not that important to me. I do it for fun, and it is.

 

[morf]

is that a metric 5?

smartass

 

[stedtale]

smartass

you expect less

 

[zcwilkes]

My playing goes to 11.


Seriously, I think I rate a 7. I majored in music education, but never finished school. I've been playing for almost 20 years. I try to stay fresh on sight reading and theory.

I'd say I'm in the same boat (or van). I was a music ed. major and switched degrees. I've also played for 19 years. I know a fair amount of theory(and forgot a lot too) and sight read okay. I can transcibe and arrange parts but don't really do it.

So 7 sounds good.

 

[colorblindbass]

i diddnt see anything about "improvize" or "succesful bands"

where are they?

 

[Darkstrike]

True. It is certainly interesting, but with this poll, "progression" up the ladder seems to be more about knowledge and training than about talent.

In my case, I am an honest 5 or 6 with many of the 7 skills, but there is no doubt there are some honest 3-4s out there that could out-play me on a tune they know. I have the experience, but there are some things that are just never going to come for me.

I may know how to play it or be able to easily figure it out, that doesn't mean I can make my fingers get it done.

Exactly, I put down 4 but probably would be higher, only for having took no lessons or sight reading skills.

 

[stedtale]

i diddnt see anything about "improvize" or "succesful bands"

where are they?

1) band success does not equal skill

2) the OP did mention "improvising", nothing about "improvizing" however.

 

[jperalta]

Well, I gave myself a 4. I've been playing bass for about 2 months and I've never taken lessons. I'm not a terribly proficient technical player, but I'm working on it. I can't sight read, I've never been very good at that and I don't really like memorizing either.

On the other hand, for my theory and general music knowledge I'd put myself probably around 8 or 9. I can write music, make arrangements for small ensembles and I understand chord theory and music theory very well.

Now if I can just catch my bass playing up with the rest of my music skills

 

[JKT]

Once again it shows life is just one big Bell curve !

JKT

 

[morf]

you expect less

No this is good, you gave me a good laugh

 

[HamOnTheCob]

I don't think "formal training" has really anything to do with whether or not you're a good musician. I've met some formally trained pianists and such who had absolutely no groove whatsoever, and no concept of improvisation, which in my opinion makes them less musicians and more robots, even though they could sight read an uptempo classical piece they'd never seen before. I also know people who have had no training and couldn't play you a scale if you paid them to, but could knock your socks off with an improvisational piece, or really stand out playing in a band (either covers or originals). I hardly play these days and by the scale here, I'd say I'm a 4 or 5, but in my more active period playing several shows a week, touring a bit, recording for several bands, and teaching a bit on the side (I taught my students how to approach things a little more out of the box instead of approaching music in the classical ways, etc), I was still a 4 or 5 by your scale, even though I was 10 times the musician I am now. My technique was as fluid and dependable as anyone I knew, my timing, rhythm, and ear for improvisation were spot on, and my performances were always energetic and crowd pleasing. On a scale of 1-10 just based on those aspects of music, I would have given myself a solid 8 or 9, though right now I would give myself about a 2 or 3 on those aspects.

It's all relative. Basically, what I'm trying to say is I'm not very good any more! haha

I'm not really trying to give you a hard time about your poll. It's a good topic, and it's interesting to see the kinds of things people go by to assess where they are in their musical journey. I never saw my lack of formal training or my inability to read sheet music as any kind of impediment, though a lot of people would dismiss me for those inabilities.

Jake

 

[stedtale]

No this is good, you gave me a good laugh

 

[T-MOST]

Half the bassists out there (pro and otherwise) recording and making $$$ would not rate higher than a 6 according to this scale. I know a few guys who can play anything and have done major work with major artists but don't rate higher than a 6 by this scale but make a good living playing only music. So to me it's invalid.

 

[BassChuck]

Well I gave myself a 9 cause I can do all that stuff. I have two degrees in music and have sold arrangements to all kinds of groups from symphony orchestras, to cruise ships and production companies using MIDI backups.

I teach 7th grade computer based music arranging.

All that said.... formal music training is good for cutting through the BS and giving you the tools you need quickly. Its even better at giving you the paperwork to get gigs that some people think are important. Frankly, I've learned more about bass playing and a hell of a lot about music by playing in garage bands (real people in real garages). It's too involved to get into here, but the short story is that intelligent people who have had to figure it out for themselves (and are successful) will alway have something to teach a formally trained musician. It's a fascinating and informative study to listen to someone tell you how to learn music who doesn't read or know theory beyond what they've put together for their own playing.