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Potential new bassist.

M

Mastodon

Aug 20, 2011
1
0
#1
So, I'm an aspiring musician and I like to write lyrics and perform. I'm trying to get vocal lessons but it's been real difficult practicing and I'd feel more comfortable with an instrument. I really love music and I'd love to learn something. My best friend is in a band with two other guys. Him (my best friend, lead guitarist) and the drummer are both extremely talented and dedicated for their age, and I'd love to join the band. Vocals doesn't seem to be cutting it and they aren't too happy with their bassist. He's got talent but no drive or motivation to do more than just covering songs. I'd love to learn the bass and I'd practice all the time, but how hard is it? How long would it take me to get talented enough to be able to jam well, especially considering the talent of the drummer? I really want this and I'd need to be better than the other guy to be able to do this.

I'm 15.
 
#2
I think that difficulty really depends on how you set your goals, and if you have some natural musical ability. I started seriously playing when I was 15 also. I'm only 18 now, but I feel like I've developed my skill to where I can meet most challenges that come my way.

That being said, if you really want to learn an instrument, then you're already part way there and it shouldn't be much of a challenge getting started and figuring things out. Many people here will counsel you to find an instructor, but I never took lessons, and I don't think it is strictly necessary to do so, especially if you'll be playing with other good musicians.

If you are as dedicated and enthusiastic as your post makes you sound, you will be able to overcome any difficulties that come your way. Working on the coordination of playing, and producing clean notes would be the first step, and once you are physically comfortable with the instrument, you should start listening to your favorite music and trying to pick out the bass line. Using only your ear and learning your fingerboard that way will help for improving or jumping back into a song when you lose your place, once you are playing with friends.

Bass is a ton of fun to play, and I hope you decide to go for it!
If you would like to chat about playing or have any specific questions, or if you need more reasons to play, feel free to PM and we'll talk.

Good luck!
 
#3
I barely play bass myself; I've only recently bought a cheap one off of Craigslist for fun to self-teach myself.

I have, however, played the drums for the better part of my life, and recently completed a 4-year music degree in music performance. What I've learned is that for any instrument, the amount of time it takes to "get good enough" at it is fully dependent on the player. If you're disciplined enough to practice regularly and effectively, then you can pick anything up in a fairly reasonable amount of time. What you'll probably find out as well once you get started is that you'll want to keep learning as you go along, and really there never will be a good enough/talented enough etc. That's really the beauty of music and learning an instrument.

I'd recommend really assessing whether or not you'd be committed enough to picking up the instrument, and if so, then go for it! Once you do, be sure to practice practice practice and never settle for less. Everyone is just as capable as the next person to reach a certain level of expertise on their instrument; it just takes discipline, commitment, and of course passion for what you're doing. Good luck!
 
#5
channerdrums said:
What I've learned is that for any instrument, the amount of time it takes to "get good enough" at it is fully dependent on the player. If you're disciplined enough to practice regularly and effectively, then you can pick anything up in a fairly reasonable amount of time. What you'll probably find out as well once you get started is that you'll want to keep learning as you go along, and really there never will be a good enough/talented enough etc. That's really the beauty of music and learning an instrument.
Click to expand...
+1. :hyper:
 
#6
What's really nice about bass is that it doesn't have to take long to be able to add something to a song. I mean, just playing the ground notes can be sufficient for a lot of songs. It's way more important to play tight and lock into the drummer than to play a lot of notes.

I had played bass for just three months when I performed a song in highschool with some of my classmates. Okay, it wasn't particularly good (it was more meant to be funny anyway, a song about beer and hangovers) but I remember getting kudos from a classmate who had played bass for a couple of years already for the progress I had made in those three months. That was a great confidence boost.

I did practice three hours a day.

Well, that was 18 years ago, I'm still playing, still learning, obviously got a bit better at it over the years but looking back I do think I didn't do half bad that day.

Anyway, my point is: While it may take years before you're - what people would say - good at it but if you have some talent, it shouldn't take years before you can add something to that band.

Start practicing now.
 
#7
Mastodon said:
So, I'm an aspiring musician and I like to write lyrics and perform. I'm trying to get vocal lessons but it's been real difficult practicing and I'd feel more comfortable with an instrument. I really love music and I'd love to learn something. My best friend is in a band with two other guys. Him (my best friend, lead guitarist) and the drummer are both extremely talented and dedicated for their age, and I'd love to join the band. Vocals doesn't seem to be cutting it and they aren't too happy with their bassist. He's got talent but no drive or motivation to do more than just covering songs. I'd love to learn the bass and I'd practice all the time, but how hard is it? How long would it take me to get talented enough to be able to jam well, especially considering the talent of the drummer? I really want this and I'd need to be better than the other guy to be able to do this.

I'm 15.
Click to expand...

All the advice so far is very good. I do how ever detect some impatience in your post, which I know is only natural for someone of your age. If you set your goals too high, especially at the start you will become frustrated and wont enjoy the learning experience, resulting in the possibility of giving it up. My advice is to take all the advice given here, but be patient with yourself, and realise that while you will make steady progress if you practice regularly, things are not going to happen over night. I dont mean all this in a negative way, just something I think is worth pointing out.

Best of luck with it. :bassist:
 
#8
Bass is a great place to start.

I thought I'd be a singer way back when and I was, but I quickly found out that bass players were always in demand. So I grabbed a bass and started learning.

That was thirty years ago and I still gig as much as I care to with great players. Though I sing lead and harmonies, I'm not getting hired for that.

Even if you don't end up with this particular band, learn to play and another band will come along. Singers are easy to replace, just run down to the karaoke bar and grab another one. As far as I know, there isn't bass-aoke.
 
#9
monkeyking said:
Even if you don't end up with this particular band, learn to play and another band will come along. Singers are easy to replace, just run down to the karaoke bar and grab another one. As far as I know, there isn't bass-aoke.
Click to expand...

If you're going to spend time learning a musical instrument, you have to do it for yourself not to be cool in a specific band.

Bands come and go.

You have to love music and practicing. It takes a lot of time. It's not a social activity. IME, rehearsals with a group are just that. You go there to plays tunes, not to learn how to play.

Some groups do write tunes together but they are not learning how to play their instrument at the same time.

Check out the link in my sig. below for some TB info that may help you along the way.

Good luck.
 
#11
GhostKey said:
Hey! You sound really enthusiastic, which is pretty important, and really helps when learning.

For me, It was:

  • To learn simple songs to jam with a band (Basic root note lines, Crazy Train, Blink-182 songs, Black Sabbath basslines): About a week to a month.
  • To learn faster, harder rock songs (The Trooper, Blood Brothers, My Last Words): About 3-4 months.
  • At about this time, I learned enough about theory to randomly throw in a fill every now and then, to make simpler songs more interesting.
  • To learn more difficult songs (Schism, The Pot, YYZ): About 6-10 months of playing.
  • To learn how to improvise basslines within keys/scales: About
    8-12 months.

FWIW, I started when I'm 13, I'm 14 now, and haven't had any lessons. I'm considering getting lessons to improve my theory. I practise anywhere from an hour to four each day.

I'm lucky to have not picked up any bad techniques or habits, I really recommend getting a teacher.

Obviously, YMMV - I'm obviously no teacher, but hopefully my experience can help you out.

Hope to see you playing bass soon! :bassist:
Click to expand...

You are either ridiculously talented/committed or twisting the truth. I doubt that anyone just starting out and without lessons could play ANYTHING in a group within a month, let alone a week and the rest sounds exaggerated too. You're not helping people by giving them unrealistic expectations of themselves and you don't need to think you have to prove something to the rest of us on here.

To the OP- learning an instrument can be frustrating as hell and it WILL take time before you can play anything, especially in a band setting, that will sound good. Chances are you will never be in the band you're friends have and that band will probably dissolve. If you have a PASSION for bass guitar you will pick it up, if you don't you still may pick it up but it will be gathering dust before you know it. The truth is only you know if you want to be a bass player or not, so the decision if you should pick it up is yours and we shouldn't be trying to convince you either way. I will tell you this though, it is going to take WORK and it is essential for you to have the drive to put that work in. Remember, you're doing this because YOU want to, not because you want to be in a particular band.
 
#12
Bands come, bands go rather than expend all your energy to a particular goal oriented set list, it would behoove you to set aside a segment of your practicing to explore the concept of 'time' and how it relates to the dynamics of music.
 
#13
Quote "You are either ridiculously talented/committed or twisting the truth. I doubt that anyone just starting out and without lessons could play ANYTHING in a group within a month, let alone a week and the rest sounds exaggerated too."

I started gigging after 2 months of playing bass; BUT, I had played guitar for nearly 20 years before I picked up the bass. I do agree that the progress that he listed would be amazing if true...The Trooper in 4 months, wow! Let's see a youtube post of your playing.
 
#14
Quote"Bands come, bands go rather than expend all your energy to a particular goal oriented set list, it would behoove you to set aside a segment of your practicing to explore the concept of 'time' and how it relates to the dynamics of music."

Fantastic advice.
 
#16
Venom of God said:
You are either ridiculously talented/committed or twisting the truth. I doubt that anyone just starting out and without lessons could play ANYTHING in a group within a month, let alone a week and the rest sounds exaggerated too. You're not helping people by giving them unrealistic expectations of themselves and you don't need to think you have to prove something to the rest of us on here.
Click to expand...

I'm honestly not exaggerating. I really don't mean to give people unrealistic expectations of themselves; that's the last thing I want to do! If you'd like, I'll remove the post. I don't feel a need to show off, I especially wouldn't at a place like talkbass. I practised for about 6 hours a day, back then, which I forgot to mention. After reading my post I must really look like an ass and show off. I've never thought of myself as anything exceptional. The only other bass player I know personally is a friend who's been playing as long as me and is giving me a run for my money. Again, I'm really sorry. And I played the trooper with three fingers, which is much easier than with two.

Sorry to the OP, as well. :(
 
#17
Woah, dude, don't listen to me! I think you took my tone a bit more seriously than I intended. That's great that you play that much and improved so quickly, all I was trying to say is that MOST people won't improve that fast and shouldn't expect to.

All good!
 
#18
Venom of God said:
Woah, dude, don't listen to me! I think you took my tone a bit more seriously than I intended. That's great that you play that much and improved so quickly, all I was trying to say is that MOST people won't improve that fast and shouldn't expect to.

All good!
Click to expand...


That's okay. We're here to help the OP right? It was my fault for being ignorant on something I was giving advice on. :)

Anyway, to the OP; you probably don't want someone younger than you analysing your post and trying to give advice. :D Everyone else has said what's on my mind. Good luck!
 
#20
I understand it is not "cool" however, if you practice Arpeggios up and down the neck, you'll get a much better grasp of the fretboard than simply learning tabs. The skill set gained can be utilized in any genre be it queercore, elvis-metal or zydeco.

Dude, do not be discouraged if you find singing while playing bass beguiling, many of us find that a challenge
 

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