Sure, it's possible to play out in public at any point. Go for it. If you're any good at it, well, that's a different matter. And if you suck, you certainly won't be the only one out there doing that.
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How long will it take for me to learn/play out live?
- Thread starter ArkhamAsylum
- Start date
Sure, it's possible to play out in public at any point. Go for it. If you're any good at it, well, that's a different matter. And if you suck, you certainly won't be the only one out there doing that.
I played my first "gig" a month after taking up the bass and I was playing out every weekend after a single year. Hell, I played out more the first years of my bass playing career than afterward. It really depends on how much you practice, your previous experiences with music and knowing your role as a bass player : ie. keeping time is the priority when you start out, after, it becomes a given that you'll keep good time and you'll be able to branch out more.
30 minutes of solid practice everyday with a goal and purpose (and a metronome) is way better than noodling for 4 or 5 hours two times a week.
30 minutes of solid practice everyday with a goal and purpose (and a metronome) is way better than noodling for 4 or 5 hours two times a week.
The hang up will not be your skill level or theory knowledge as much as who do you know and what is the demand for bassist in your area. Many of us have stepped in with friends after a couple of weeks, mainly because others didn't want to hold down the supporting role and on the friend level we moved in. On the other side of the scale is being an on call sessions guy
This reminds me of an old bass player joke... (stop me if you've heard this one!)
After seeing a Victor Wooten video on You Tube, young Johnny pestered his parents for weeks to buy him a bass guitar and lessons - PROMISING that he would keep with it and not lose interest.
His parents were skeptical, because they knew that their son got very excited about new hobbies, but tended completely lose interest just as quickly. But Johnny's persistence payed off and his parents eventually gave in, buying him a shiny new Squier and arranging lessons with a local teacher...
Upon returning home from his very first lesson, his parents enquired: "What did you learn at your bass lesson this week, son?"
To which Johnny excitedly responded: "I learned the first 5 notes on the 'E' string!"
"Well, that's great!" his parents replied, heartened by his enthusiasm.
The next week when Johnny came home, they asked again: "What did you learn at your bass lesson this week, Johnny?"
"I learned the first five notes on 'A' string!"
Again, they were supportive but still wary, knowing that their son tended to lose interest in things rather quickly.
The third week rolled around and once again, his parents asked what he learned at his lesson.
"Oh, I blew that off..." Johnny nonchalantly replied.
"WHAT??!!" exclaimed his mother "I can't believe it! After all the promises you made to stick with it this time!!??"
"Mom, relax!" Johnny said, "I had a freakin' gig!"
You may now groan loudly.
After seeing a Victor Wooten video on You Tube, young Johnny pestered his parents for weeks to buy him a bass guitar and lessons - PROMISING that he would keep with it and not lose interest.
His parents were skeptical, because they knew that their son got very excited about new hobbies, but tended completely lose interest just as quickly. But Johnny's persistence payed off and his parents eventually gave in, buying him a shiny new Squier and arranging lessons with a local teacher...
Upon returning home from his very first lesson, his parents enquired: "What did you learn at your bass lesson this week, son?"
To which Johnny excitedly responded: "I learned the first 5 notes on the 'E' string!"
"Well, that's great!" his parents replied, heartened by his enthusiasm.
The next week when Johnny came home, they asked again: "What did you learn at your bass lesson this week, Johnny?"
"I learned the first five notes on 'A' string!"
Again, they were supportive but still wary, knowing that their son tended to lose interest in things rather quickly.
The third week rolled around and once again, his parents asked what he learned at his lesson.
"Oh, I blew that off..." Johnny nonchalantly replied.
"WHAT??!!" exclaimed his mother "I can't believe it! After all the promises you made to stick with it this time!!??"
"Mom, relax!" Johnny said, "I had a freakin' gig!"
You may now groan loudly.
