How long did it take you to learn Bass

[quickfix]

Been playing bass for about six months, and guitar for 50 years. Started guitar when I was eight.

About six months ago I was asked by the bassist if I could replace him for a month. I usually replace the vacationing guitarist in this group. They play and sing just about anything, but mostly old pop tunes and standards from the 20's-90's. I wasn't sure as I'd not touched a bass in 40 years, and that was only a for couple of gigs during high school.

So he loaned me his gear for the next two hours of practice. It took about 5 minutes to get comfortable doing root-5th, walking and doing bass runs between chords. I was astounded at how easily it came to me, and the band, especially the permanent bassist was flabbergasted. Maybe they were just being kind.

It was pretty much the same as boom chuck, bluegrass, western swing, rhythm on the guitar, especially as I usually play alternating bass lines and bass runs while comping/chording. The guitar style I use seems to be a lost art these days, but used to be very popular years ago when there was no bass instrument in the band. On the bass I generally stay at the low end of the fretboard (nut to 10th fret), as I'll normally do when playing guitar for fiddlers or with country bands. I've pretty much stopped playing jazz and swing guitar. No real call for that here in Hicksville, Wanker County.

If I know, or have heard the piece I can play it...on the bass or guitar. However, my technique sucks as I still tend to fall back on using just the index finger, or sometimes the thumb for plucking. Can't slap...never tried. No left hand problems and can assign all four fingers their own fret without pain or issue.

My styles need constant updating as I'm starting bass very late in life. I have to constantly work at it in order to catch up to the music and styles of those around me who've been playing bass for decades. My music is out of date. The bass players that my style is closest to are long dead. Dunn, Jamerson, and etc.

So...I'm still learning, and it's not likely to end 'till I'm in the ground.

 

[Neveragain55]

Been playing bass for about six months, and guitar for 50 years. Started guitar when I was eight.

About six months ago I was asked by the bassist if I could replace him for a month. I usually replace the vacationing guitarist in this group. They play and sing just about anything, but mostly old pop tunes and standards from the 20's-90's. I wasn't sure as I'd not touched a bass in 40 years, and that was only a for couple of gigs during high school.

So he loaned me his gear for the next two hours of practice. It took about 5 minutes to get comfortable doing root-5th, walking and doing bass runs between chords. I was astounded at how easily it came to me, and the band, especially the permanent bassist was flabbergasted. Maybe they were just being kind.

It was pretty much the same as boom chuck, bluegrass, western swing, rhythm on the guitar, especially as I usually play alternating bass lines and bass runs while comping/chording. The guitar style I use seems to be a lost art these days, but used to be very popular years ago when there was no bass instrument in the band. On the bass I generally stay at the low end of the fretboard (nut to 10th fret), as I'll normally do when playing guitar for fiddlers or with country bands. I've pretty much stopped playing jazz and swing guitar. No real call for that here in Hicksville, Wanker County.

If I know, or have heard the piece I can play it...on the bass or guitar. However, my technique sucks as I still tend to fall back on using just the index finger, or sometimes the thumb for plucking. Can't slap...never tried. No left hand problems and can assign all four fingers their own fret without pain or issue.

My styles need constant updating as I'm starting bass very late in life. I have to constantly work at it in order to catch up to the music and styles of those around me who've been playing bass for decades. My music is out of date. The bass players that my style is closest to are long dead. Dunn, Jamerson, and etc.

So...I'm still learning, and it's not likely to end 'till I'm in the ground.

Loved your reply, and it makes sense because you had so much guitar experience behind you, also it's obvious from your post that you know your music theory.

I started out on guitar as well when I was seven but I didn't stay with it, so when I picked up the bass....it truly was from scratch.

Keep at it man, we need all the bass players we can get......

 

[Jamvan]

As everyone has already said, I'm still learning to this day but to answer your primary question; I picked up my first bass around the age of 13 and was playing along with songs in the span of a couple weeks...with a little help from my brother. REO Speedwagon and Journey primarily (it was the early 80's, what do you expect?!) I had never played guitar prior to that but had been playing trumpet for a number of years so had developed a bit of an ear for notes and understood rhythms and melodies and was able to translate that into bass.

By the age of 15, I was playing in a Guitar Group for church, school's Jazz Band, but had also picked up an electric guitar by that point and was playing that with a bunch of friends in a garage band. Good times.

Still learning though...

 

[gnarlyWarlock]

Anytime I start feeling comfortable and confident, I look up some Jaco videos. Puts me right back down to Earth.

One never truly "learns" bass.

 

[Neveragain55]

As everyone has already said, I'm still learning to this day but to answer your primary question; I picked up my first bass around the age of 13 and was playing along with songs in the span of a couple weeks...with a little help from my brother. REO Speedwagon and Journey primarily (it was the early 80's, what do you expect?!) I had never played guitar prior to that but had been playing trumpet for a number of years so had developed a bit of an ear for notes and understood rhythms and melodies and was able to translate that into bass.

By the age of 15, I was playing in a Guitar Group for church, school's Jazz Band, but had also picked up an electric guitar by that point and was playing that with a bunch of friends in a garage band. Good times.

Still learning though...

Wow, that was fast man, I wish it came that fast for me.

It was 1984 when I got my first bass so I know what you mean about the 80's......trust me

 

[tangentmusic]

Got my first bass at age 14. Picked apart songs off records for a little over a year.
Was playing in high school bands by 15

 

[QweziRider]

... how long did it take all of you...

Depends. I was gigging with a Southern Gospel quartet a week after picking the thing up. So I learned enough in a week to get through that unscathed. BUT...I am always still learning things I never knew or tried before. 34 years later.

 

[DavC]

when I started on bass (1973 ) I already had 10 years of piano under my belt , about 6 years of trumpet , and 1 year of guitar .... but it was a new experience learning to 'play by ear' ...! I'm sure knowing rhythms , chords , scales , theory all helped quite a bit to pick up just about any instrument fairly quickly ...

 

[Lownote38]

I picked "longer" because even after playing for 26 years and having a degree in music, I will always still be learning. For me, that will never end.

 

[Biggbass]

It took me about 5 minutes to learn the root-five bass parts for the first money making country
music band I joined.
But I already had a couple of years of "private instruction" from Paul McCartney under my belt, havinglearned all of Sgt Peppers and MM Tour by ear from the record player in my room. I had a strong foundation in bass though, from having spent a few years in school orchestra as a string bass player. The migration from orchestral to rock bass was fast and easy..especially with Sir Paul leading the way.
But All in all, six years of formal bass tutorial in school really paid off down the road. (So did typing class!)

 

[29A]

How long to play bass? I'd been a drummer for 30 some-odd years before getting interested enough in bass to start getting more serious about it. After getting some basic dexterity issues and theory sorted out over about the first year, I decided it was time to join a band - not because I suddenly thought I was good enough, but because I couldn't come up with a better way to get "good enough". Trial by fire is such an excellent educator!

I still don't think I have a good handle on things, but I don't remember waiting for any amount of expertise on drums before playing out either. Again, that was straight to the deep end.

Can't recommend this approach strongly enough. I see too many people, especially on forums for some reason, that want to wait until another year of lessons or whatever before going all-in.

As so many others have already pointed out, the rabbit hole goes ever deeper and you're never gonna find the bottom of it anyway, so may as well just have at it with others at similar points along their journey - or if you're lucky, a fair bit ahead of you.

 

[Neveragain55]

It took me about 5 minutes to learn the root-five bass parts for the first money making country
music band I joined.
But I already had a couple of years of "private instruction" from Paul McCartney under my belt, havinglearned all of Sgt Peppers and MM Tour by ear from the record player in my room. I had a strong foundation in bass though, from having spent a few years in school orchestra as a string bass player. The migration from orchestral to rock bass was fast and easy..especially with Sir Paul leading the way.
But All in all, six years of formal bass tutorial in school really paid off down the road. (So did typing class!)

Sweet, I failed typing class because I worked nights through high school and I always fell asleep during that class.

The music theory, notation, scale, structure thing is what's killed me my whole life regarding music & instruments.

I also owned most of the Beatles albums along with Earth, Wind & Fire and dozens of other rock & R&B groups. They also helped me to develop my ear which thank goodness is strong.

I have a strong sense of rhythm, and I can easily distinguish notes via sound so I'm able to listen to music & pick it up fairly quickly, but after years of classes & private tutors trying to learn to read music................nothing.

It's all good though, I play well enough to not only keep a smile on my face but those around me as well, and I get great compliments.

Thanks for sharing your story.

 

[Smashsquatch]

I picked it up right away (2-3 weeks I was recording) since I've played music since I was 4 and had a lot of theory and several other instruments under my belt, but I've never stopped learning how to play bass. The day I do will either be the day my arthritis takes my hands from me or the day I'm dead...

 

[Jools4001]

I started teaching myself when I was 14 and I guess it must've taken around 3 years to be competent enough to be in a band and do some gigs. The first thing I ever remember playing in front of an audience was just a few months before I left school, in a school music competition backing a singing pianist doing Elton John's 'Rocket Man'...it was...adequate.

Joined the usual sort of school/college bands around the same time. The bands were rubbish at first but got better as I gained more experience and played with bands in different genres. Like everyone else, I'm still learning.

 

[Neveragain55]

How long to play bass? I'd been a drummer for 30 some-odd years before getting interested enough in bass to start getting more serious about it. After getting some basic dexterity issues and theory sorted out over about the first year, I decided it was time to join a band - not because I suddenly thought I was good enough, but because I couldn't come up with a better way to get "good enough". Trial by fire is such an excellent educator!

I still don't think I have a good handle on things, but I don't remember waiting for any amount of expertise on drums before playing out either. Again, that was straight to the deep end.

Can't recommend this approach strongly enough. I see too many people, especially on forums for some reason, that want to wait until another year of lessons or whatever before going all-in.

As so many others have already pointed out, the rabbit hole goes ever deeper and you're never gonna find the bottom of it anyway, so may as well just have at it with others at similar points along their journey - or if you're lucky, a fair bit ahead of you.

Amen, I think Joe Walsh said it best..."get out there and play, even if you suck, go play"

 

[Neveragain55]

I started teaching myself when I was 14 and I guess it must've taken around 3 years to be competent enough to be in a band and do some gigs. The first thing I ever remember playing in front of an audience was just a few months before I left school, in a school music competition backing a singing pianist doing Elton John's 'Rocket Man'...it was...adequate.

Joined the usual sort of school/college bands around the same time. The bands were rubbish at first but got better as I gained more experience and played with bands in different genres. Like everyone else, I'm still learning.

Very cool...............

 

[PortlandBass77]

I guess 14 to 18 months? I'm not exactly sure as I started learning bass a month before I turned 10 and I'm not sure when I would have been considered "good enough" to have learned it. I could play Smoke on the Water after 1 month if that counts for anything.....

 

[lfmn16]

It's so subjective, I'm not sure you can quantify it. One person may have sucked after a few months, but thought they got it. Others may underestimate how well they were playing after a short time.

I think with some hard work, most people are able to learn songs and play in a band at some level in well under a year. Your background and resources have a huge impact. I studied piano and played guitar before I picked up the bass at 13. My older brother was in a band and got me started, so that sped up the learning curve tremendously. Also, I started with a method book so I read music and understood fingerings at a rudimentary level from day 1.

 

[Kukulkan61]

Been playing for 35+ years and I'm still learning...

 

[Neveragain55]

It's so subjective, I'm not sure you can quantify it. One person may have sucked after a few months, but thought they got it. Others may underestimate how well they were playing after a short time.

I think with some hard work, most people are able to learn songs and play in a band at some level in well under a year. Your background and resources have a huge impact. I studied piano and played guitar before I picked up the bass at 13. My older brother was in a band and got me started, so that sped up the learning curve tremendously. Also, I started with a method book so I read music and understood fingerings at a rudimentary level from day 1.

I whole-heartedly agree with everything your saying, that "aha moment" is different for all of us.

My hope is that many more will share their stories, and new people joining the forum or young kids looking to learn bass will come across this thread and realize that everybody learns at different rates (to your point) and hopefully that will keep them interested instead of giving up because maybe they thought they've been at it to long and they aren't where they should be.