How long does it take to get good?

[Thunderthumbs73]

Once I found out that I am ADHD, it really explained a lot about how I approach things. One weakness I have is backing off of things without trying for fear it will take too long. In grad school I fought that tendency by saying no one writes a dissertation quickly. When it gets to writing, shoot for a page a day.

In music, I often have found myself thing “I’ll never learn all of that or I’m too old.” The truth, however, is more about being focused and intentional when studying or practicing. A great example is Marcus Miller. He got bass a at 14 and he was doing major gigs at 18. Of course, he could already read, but he went from Kool and the Gang to Coltrane on bass in four years because he put in the work. I think about Tracy Wormworth, a former girlfriend of Marcus Miller who went on to a great career on bass herself in a few short years because Miller’s example inspired her to work hard on bass.

I just want my goal in 2026 to be major progress on my instrument. I will know in my heart if I have done it because I will know if I have put in the work.

For every person the "how long" is different. Every variation from very quickly to, frankly, NEVER.

In 1994, I went from never having owned a bass to owning a fretless four-string, playing in a band and also learning some upright. In 6 months I was more technically capable than any other electric bass player I knew in six months, but for one person. Fairly soon thereafter- maybe a year/year 1/2 I was one of the go-to bassists and I got the top gig as a big band bass player on electric and upright, reading big band charts in the University Jazz Band (and also combos). I became the "it" bass player. The top dog. I was at a time in my life where I was musically a sponge, and in music school getting a classical degree on French Horn, and I had time to be all-in.

I say that only because my growth curve at the beginning was incredibly steep. That was 30 years ago. I'm still learning and improving while maintaining skills but learning and improving is SLOW and is ABSOLUTELY NOT at this time in my life about a linear "the more time you put in, the better you will be". It worked like that at the beginning. It doesn't work like that now. "Getting good" is also about musicality, and not always about absolute technical ability. I can play most of the same stuff I used to, but I feel my playing is more purposeful, more musical and I'm still finding nuances in music that make me a better player, and hopefully that keeps me as a first-call tasty, professional player that gets the job done, whatever it is. I would have to say I'm a more tasteful player now than I was all those years ago, and that's part of getting good too. And that's an ongoing process, 30 years in.

I think setting a goal of "major progress" is a tough, although admirable and understandable goal. I just give a gentle cautionary note again that progress is NOT always proportional to the work you put it. To put it another way, this is NOT like a Marathon race, where every stride you make is one less stride to the finish line. First, there is NO "finish line" in music. Everyone can always improve, and improvement is not linear and consistent like a runner's stride. But a lot of people think about improvement in music in this way

I wish you the very best in 2026.

 

[BassicJazzy]

For every person the "how long" is different. Every variation from very quickly to, frankly, NEVER.

In 1994, I went from never having owned a bass to owning a fretless four-string, playing in a band and also learning some upright. In 6 months I was more technically capable than any other electric bass player I knew in six months, but for one person. Fairly soon thereafter- maybe a year/year 1/2 I was one of the go-to bassists and I got the top gig as a big band bass player on electric and upright, reading big band charts in the University Jazz Band (and also combos). I became the "it" bass player. The top dog. I was at a time in my life where I was musically a sponge, and in music school getting a classical degree on French Horn, and I had time to be all-in.

I say that only because my growth curve at the beginning was incredibly steep. That was 30 years ago. I'm still learning and improving while maintaining skills but learning and improving is SLOW and is ABSOLUTELY NOT at this time in my life about a linear "the more time you put in, the better you will be". It worked like that at the beginning. It doesn't work like that now. "Getting good" is also about musicality, and not always about absolute technical ability. I can play most of the same stuff I used to, but I feel my playing is more purposeful, more musical and I'm still finding nuances in music that make me a better player, and hopefully that keeps me as a first-call tasty, professional player that gets the job done, whatever it is. I would have to say I'm a more tasteful player now than I was all those years ago, and that's part of getting good too. And that's an ongoing process, 30 years in.

I think setting a goal of "major progress" is a tough, although admirable and understandable goal. I just give a gentle cautionary note again that progress is NOT always proportional to the work you put it. To put it another way, this is NOT like a Marathon race, where every stride you make is one less stride to the finish line. First, there is NO "finish line" in music. Everyone can always improve, and improvement is not linear and consistent like a runner's stride. But a lot of people think about improvement in music in this way

I wish you the very best in 2026.

You have very high standards. Sounds like you went from "good" to "very good" but perhaps reached a plateau somewhere. Nobody is going to progress infinitely, everyone will reach a plateau eventually. Personally, I would be pleased to just reach the level you were at in your university jazz band.

 

[pepj]

True; early on the learning curve is steep because you are young.
I'm sure there is stuff learned back then that I can't still play...but I'm a way way way better player in other ways.

The young kids can display chops but they all sound the same, pretty much.
Far better to get personality and character in your playing than tech chops you can't use on the gig.

 

[BassicJazzy]

True; early on the learning curve is steep because you are young.
I'm sure there is stuff learned back then that I can't still play...but I'm a way way way better player in other ways.

The young kids can display chops but they all sound the same, pretty much.
Far better to get personality and character in your playing than tech chops you can't use on the gig.

You are right. My old ears are so much better now, and my note selection is tastier than what I could deliver in my younger days.

 

[Aussie Player]

Good Vs good enough.
Sometines it pays to remember all of those very early 20's and even teens band in the 60's that became legends with a very short time comparitavely speaking on their instruments.

Simon Kirk said that Buzz Burrell had only being playing about 18 months when he auditioned and he had already been the bassist for King Crimson.

The hours spent can be more important than the calendar days evolved.

 

[Thunderthumbs73]

You have very high standards. Sounds like you went from "good" to "very good" but perhaps reached a plateau somewhere. Nobody is going to progress infinitely, everyone will reach a plateau eventually. Personally, I would be pleased to just reach the level you were at in your university jazz band.

I can say with every confidence I am a better bass player than I was 30 years ago, and it still seems completely reasonable to continue to think I can be a better bass player than I am.

Why?

Because the idea I was as good as I ever was going to be 30 years ago is hugely depressing and discounts all the growth and experience since that time. Because the idea that I can't improve even 1% more in the future is also hugely depressing.

I may not actually get better. That is possible. I could die tomorrow. But I'd REALLY like to think that I CAN get better, and I want others to believe they can as well. I REALLY hope and DEEPLY BELIEVE we are ALL on a shared continuum of improvement even if in different spots on that continuum. and the journey of the joy of music which we can share regardless of where we are on that continuum.

And personally, the idea of a plateau seems to run contrary to my very strongly-held ideas that not only can we ALL improve, but even those who we acknowledge as the "masters" (who we may believe cannot improve or no reason to improve because we think they are "masters") are NOT being disingenuous about their own personal and professional statements about continual growing, exploring, and still having something new to say on the instrument.

Thank you kindly for your thoughts.