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How Long Does It Take?

BulbousMoses

BulbousMoses

Jun 26, 2008
1,412
142
Ottawa, Canada
#1
Maybe this is an impossible question to answer but I'll ask anyway. How long does it take to become proficient playing bass. Can it be done in 3 years? 5? 10? I realize it depends on how much time and effort you put into it but let's say I practice 6 hours a week and take a 1 hour lesson each week. Could I get to a good level in 3 years?
 
#4
Define proficient. I've been playing (trying) going on 3 years now (started at age 50+), totally self taught, not one lesson, yet. Been playing with our church worship team on a regular basis for over a year now and with my son's youth group band as well. Currently trying-out with the top garage band in our area [NH Lakes Region]. Done one successful gig with them so far and scheduled to do some more gigs with them. Working very hard to be their new regular bass player. So, I guess depending on your def, 3 years is possible with regular, hard work at it. Still got a looong way to go to get to where I want to be!
 
#6
gnjpowell said:
Define proficient. I've been playing (trying) going on 3 years now (started at age 50+), totally self taught, not one lesson, yet. Been playing with our church worship team on a regular basis for over a year now and with my son's youth group band as well. Currently trying-out with the top garage band in our area [NH Lakes Region]. Done one successful gig with them so far and scheduled to do some more gigs with them. Working very hard to be their new regular bass player. So, I guess depending on your def, 3 years is possible with regular, hard work at it. Still got a looong way to go to get to where I want to be!
Click to expand...

Good for you...keep going. As for where I'd like to be...well I'd like to be the next John Paul Jones but I'll settle for being competent. I'm 46 and a long time guitar player. About 5 years ago I bought my first bass but never really took it seriously but now I want to be much more serious at learning the instrument properly.
 
#8
it varies so much from person to person. i know people who've played for 12 years and cant play in a band. ive also had students take 4 lessons and be able to play rock gigs.

what i've found it comes down to is inspiration. who, what, and how often you are inspired to pick up your instrument, tends to show where you'll end up as a musician. if your practicing for an hour a day, that can result in wonderful finger dances you can do on the fingerboard, without ever playing a musical phrase. if you can manage to be legitimately inspired every now and again, that will get you making music and not just "practice" as if your working out a muscle. being open minded and hungry for new music is the key to becoming a competent musician- far more than "i just practiced for 4 hours, so i must be getting better." whats important is "i just saw yo yo ma play the most beautiful cello concerto, and i wish i could be that expressive and musical." (or anyone else, or any style of music, ext ext)
 
#14
Unanswerable question I think.

The reason is that so much depends on your natural aptitude for music and we all have some hardwired abilities and handicaps.

Take rhythm for example...reading music, scales, playing techniques...these are all things that can be learned and refined with practice, but if you can't FEEL where the downbeat is in a piece of music that is damn near impossible to teach someone IME.

You will never be a proficient bassist without solid timing.

I also think the 10,000 hours thing is suspect. Practice makes perfect, but only if you practice perfectly. Many players (and I'm certainly guilty) tend to pick up the bass and play familiar lines that are fun and comfortable for us. Playing only your favorite licks for 10,000 hours will not make you an expert in anything except those licks.

I had a music teacher once tell me he thought it took 10 years for the average player to develop all the skills and more importantly their own unique STYLE of playing to really be a mature developed player.

I don't know if that's true, but I think it's probably more likely than 3 years, unless studying, practicing, and gigging is all you have to do with your time.
 
#16
Sparkdog said:
Unanswerable question I think.

I don't know if that's true, but I think it's probably more likely than 3 years, unless studying, practicing, and gigging is all you have to do with your time.
Click to expand...

Well, I definitely have many things to do with my time other than practice. Full time job, married, school aged kids etc etc. So I'm more likely looking at a longer time frame. I'm ok with that as long as I'm progressing.
 
#19
Depends on what you call "proficient." Honestly you can't answer this question. There are people I know that have been playing for 10 years that get outgunned by guys who have only been playing for one. It depends on you, your aptitude for music, your dedication, drive, motivation, live playing experiences...there's just too much to lump into a blanket statement.
 

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