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Double Bass How many years for intermediate/advanced playing?

C

curtisclassof16

Jan 3, 2011
4
0
Houston, TX
#1
Hi, I'm new here and I was wondering...how many years should I play to be intermediate or advnaced as a bass player???
Right now I am working on Caputsy, Korstevisky, and Toobin concertos (sp?) and I want to get into Curtis next year. My teacher says I have a lot of hard work ahead of me, but the other people in wind ensemble at my school say I'm really good. I don't think I have intonation problems, and my tone is good, I just think sometime I need more experience.
When is a good time to get a lessonwith Hal Robinson or like Ed Barker? I've been playing for 3 years.
Thanks!
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#2
Who is your teacher in Houston? It sounds like you might want to hang out on this forum more and see where other people your age seem to be in preparing for this. Curtis is a very competitive program, and it definitely would be to your benefit to practice less diverse repertoire and hone in on the material your schools are asking for. Have you played any Bach yet? How about orchestra excerpts?

I think we may need to redefine intermediate and advanced based on the current level of bass playing in the world, in which case, I might tentatively rank you (at least based on spelling) as a gifted beginner or early intermediate player.
Good luck!
 
#4
How much practice do you guys do? I have been getting away with liek an hour the day before my lessons, my teacher doesn't even say anything about practicing more! I think I am good enough now, but the only person I ever hear is my freinds in wind ensemble and Im way better than them. Anyway I heard that Curtis will have like 6 openings next year and I am Latino, so I think they will want to get diversity in thier studio.
 
#5
curtisclassof16 said:
How much practice do you guys do? I have been getting away with liek an hour the day before my lessons, my teacher doesn't even say anything about practicing more! I think I am good enough now, but the only person I ever hear is my freinds in wind ensemble and Im way better than them. Anyway I heard that Curtis will have like 6 openings next year and I am Latino, so I think they will want to get diversity in thier studio.
Click to expand...

I practice 4-6 hours a day. no joke. Want to get into a University like Curtis? do at least that and then some.

eerbrev
 
#9
Haha, very funny. I am a real guy, guys. I always heard talkbass was a hard crowd to run wtih. Anyway, I decided I am going to practice every dya, but only 15 minutes because the rest of the time I should be sending off emails for lessons. It's all about getting lots of lessons and people knowing you, not how you play anyway. The other time in my day I'll be reading on here for how to get better too.
Tanks for the help everyone!
 
#10
curtisclassof16 said:
Anyway, I decided I am going to practice every dya, but only 15 minutes because the rest of the time I should be sending off emails for lessons. It's all about getting lots of lessons and people knowing you, not how you play anyway
Click to expand...

First of all whoever told you lessons are more important than your own personal time with the instrument needs to reexamine the situation. THats complete BS. What matters is how good you are on bass and thats it. HOW WELL YOU PLAY. If you want to play well its going to happen in the practice room. A teacher is simply a guide. If it takes you 15 minutes great! But that doesnt seem very likely, especcially if your planning on swimming with the sharks at curtis.
 

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