Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
How good are you at bass? (read 1st post before voting)
- Thread starter DanielleMuscato
- Start date
I'd say the 7 rating fits me to a tee, other than sight reading (so maybe I'm a 6, I don't know). I am the absolute worst sight reader on planet Earth.
I minored in music, and I've had lots of theory and training, blah blah blah. I am comfortable playing and improvising in most scales.
Do I ever conciously use any of that really complex stuff? No. 75-80% of what I do is by ear anyway. I do use all the basic scales and some of the more common modes, but they are pretty much automatic to me.
I also teach for my primary occupation while I finish up the last little bit of college I have.
What I want to see is the "how advanced are you in gear/amounts of gear poll?" because I am lagging way behind there.
I minored in music, and I've had lots of theory and training, blah blah blah. I am comfortable playing and improvising in most scales.
Do I ever conciously use any of that really complex stuff? No. 75-80% of what I do is by ear anyway. I do use all the basic scales and some of the more common modes, but they are pretty much automatic to me.
I also teach for my primary occupation while I finish up the last little bit of college I have.
What I want to see is the "how advanced are you in gear/amounts of gear poll?" because I am lagging way behind there.
I think Dave (OP) made a good point in one of his replies that this poll is about level of standard musical knowledge and training, and not on overall musicianship. Clearly many aspects of being a "good musician" (groove, feel, tone, being reliable, easy to work with, good look, stage presence) cannot be quantified, but it seems level of music knowledge can be.
Also, it sparked some good debate, and that's worth something.
Also, it sparked some good debate, and that's worth something.
My theory knowledge was slowly gained over the years from playing keys as a hobby. I'll rate my theory at 6.
My Bass playing has not caught up to my keyboard proficiency. Far from it, but getting there. Bass playing 4.
I'll split the difference and go with a 5 overall.
My Bass playing has not caught up to my keyboard proficiency. Far from it, but getting there. Bass playing 4.
I'll split the difference and go with a 5 overall.
I voted 5. I thought I was a 6, but then I realised it was probably best to be a little more... Hmm... Diplomatic. I don't think I'd say a 5/6 is intermediate, though... I'll ask my bass teacher what he thinks I am.
I always thought I was an intermadiate player, but according to your poll I am advanced.
You made my day!
I voted 7
You made my day!
I voted 7
It's not so easy to rate yourself according to this scale if you don't develop evenly over all areas (and I think most people don't develop that way).
I know a lot of theory but have a hard time implementing it - maybe because my old brain is slow. I can read but not at tempo.
I know *what* to do for better technique but cannot do all of it - still working on it.
I can pick up bass lines from recordings pretty easily now but since my band plays a lot of originals I don't know if I could play a sollid set of covers - maybe.
So I could probably squeek into level 5 but am pursuing improvent in all areas. Sure feel I *need* improvement in all areas! In January I will have been playing 4 years.
I know a lot of theory but have a hard time implementing it - maybe because my old brain is slow. I can read but not at tempo.
I know *what* to do for better technique but cannot do all of it - still working on it.
I can pick up bass lines from recordings pretty easily now but since my band plays a lot of originals I don't know if I could play a sollid set of covers - maybe.
So I could probably squeek into level 5 but am pursuing improvent in all areas. Sure feel I *need* improvement in all areas! In January I will have been playing 4 years.
you scale is skewed. all the levels are for those of learned bass players. what about those of us who have learned by ear? what about the people who don't wanna arrange and learn theory, and just wanna groove your pants off?
This poll has kinda boosted by self-esteem. Ive only been playing for not even 2 years, but put myself at a 6. I was lucky enough to take up clarinet when I was 9, and then progressed to bassoon at the age of 10. I spent about 10 years of my life working toward becoming a professional bassoonist, I played in all kinda of wind ensembles/orchestras/small ensembles (which REALLY helped my ear training), spent alot of time studying theory, and even spent 3 years of high school at a highly regarded private music school here in NC, I believe all that time spent learning music with a focus on bassoon has given me a huge boost in bass, and given me a better feel for melody, rhythm, etc... I also just really enjoy bass, I wind up playing/practicing an average of 3 or 4 hours a day minimum.
Prior to this poll, I really felt like I was wayyy behind on my progress on bass...
Prior to this poll, I really felt like I was wayyy behind on my progress on bass...
this poll is really not fair, because what about those of us who have been playing for years by ear, but don't read any sheet music? Where do we fit in?
I'm definiately a seven. Can't see myself getting any better though. Not that can't, music isn't my purpose in life.
I like the idea of this poll, and way you can grade yourself. Great for setting goals perhaps?. very clever I think.
EDIT: on 2nd thought, I'll go with 6
I like the idea of this poll, and way you can grade yourself. Great for setting goals perhaps?. very clever I think.
EDIT: on 2nd thought, I'll go with 6
I put 8 
.....
I've been playing since I was 10 yrs old(43 now), Have formed MANY successful bands( by that I mean- we're gigging regularly, making $$$$$, recording, & generally playing live 2/3 times/week.) Arranged the band-ie-musical director
Written MANY songs that were/are either recorded or successful live, improvise readily, learn almost instantly by ear, read pretty well & sub regularly.
Just a pity that where I live there has NEVER been much of an assortment of gear( isolated Island state) so haven't been able to own/try/use a GREAT variety of gear.
So THANX to Talk BASS- I've ordered in my current rig & it is probly my fave of all time!
.....I've been playing since I was 10 yrs old(43 now), Have formed MANY successful bands( by that I mean- we're gigging regularly, making $$$$$, recording, & generally playing live 2/3 times/week.) Arranged the band-ie-musical director
Written MANY songs that were/are either recorded or successful live, improvise readily, learn almost instantly by ear, read pretty well & sub regularly.
Just a pity that where I live there has NEVER been much of an assortment of gear( isolated Island state) so haven't been able to own/try/use a GREAT variety of gear.
So THANX to Talk BASS- I've ordered in my current rig & it is probly my fave of all time!
Give yo'self a 7-8 IMHO - if U R good at playing/arranging/learning & ...subbing "on the fly" reading aint everything- seen Standing in the shadows of motown?????????
I know a lot did/do read, but EARS are THE most important part-IMHO.
I said six because I majored in music composition but I can't really sight read. Sad, too much theory and not enough practice. I've been playing for 24 years and I'm just starting to get decent, I think.
I fit the 5 category pretty well, although if you had included something about tone in there I probably would drop a notch or two. I really have been just trying to improve that lately, more than anything. I need lessons!!
I gave myself a 6, but it would probably be more accurate to say 5.5 or 5. I'll give myself the benefit of the doubt!
On this rating scale I would rate myself as a 7 as I:
-have played for a number of years, 9 years in total
-have formal music theory training, 2 years in high school, private lessons as well
-have taught privately, sporadically
-can arrange for a band with horns, I've played valve trombone for 6 years
-can transcribe and improvise
but I don't have a music degree and my sight reading is a little rusty
However, in graduate school and in my day job (teaching the staff of psychiatric units) I've studied the design and evaluation of measurement tools and I can tell you without a doubt that this a poor measurement tool for measuring "how good are you at bass". As others have said, you can score well on this tool and not be all that great to a listener and alternatively you can have an average score on this tool and be an amazing player.
-have played for a number of years, 9 years in total
-have formal music theory training, 2 years in high school, private lessons as well
-have taught privately, sporadically
-can arrange for a band with horns, I've played valve trombone for 6 years
-can transcribe and improvise
but I don't have a music degree and my sight reading is a little rusty
However, in graduate school and in my day job (teaching the staff of psychiatric units) I've studied the design and evaluation of measurement tools and I can tell you without a doubt that this a poor measurement tool for measuring "how good are you at bass". As others have said, you can score well on this tool and not be all that great to a listener and alternatively you can have an average score on this tool and be an amazing player.
- Jun 19, 2004
- 4,782
- 83
- 42
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist, Schroeder Cabinets
Thanks for your posts, guys. As I mentioned in an earlier reply, I started this poll because I was really curious about how "good" TBers are in the traditional sense (formal training in theory). This wasn't supposed to be about groove, overall success, income, etc... just wondering about how far the range of TBers have taken the theory side of playing the bass, that's all.
As I mentioned before, this is kind of a response to another poll on TB, which asked about what percentage of your total income comes from playing the bass. That poll was interesting, too, but didn't address formal music education, skill, etc. I wanted to know the "other side" of that equation.
I think it would be really interesting to now compare who makes their income from music with who knows the most theory. My guess is that there is a severe level of diminishing returns after about Level 6 on my scale from the first post (lots of full-time musicians in working cover bands or everyday music teachers have no need for much beyond that).
No offense intended to anyone; this was just a curiosity poll. Thanks for participating.
As I mentioned before, this is kind of a response to another poll on TB, which asked about what percentage of your total income comes from playing the bass. That poll was interesting, too, but didn't address formal music education, skill, etc. I wanted to know the "other side" of that equation.
I think it would be really interesting to now compare who makes their income from music with who knows the most theory. My guess is that there is a severe level of diminishing returns after about Level 6 on my scale from the first post (lots of full-time musicians in working cover bands or everyday music teachers have no need for much beyond that).
No offense intended to anyone; this was just a curiosity poll. Thanks for participating.
