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Self Taught

#5
I'm self taught and play mostly by ear. I can read music, but very slowly. I can pick stuff out really quickly though. I guess I have to agree that a major downside is that music theory is hard to wrap your head around, but as long as you learn some scales and practice technique and you have a good ear, you'll be fine. It never hampered me anyway.
 
#6
i bought a pawn shop special (a St. George), took advice from friends (informal lessons), and performed for two decades (put food on the table). NO DOWN-SIDE!!! i can't read music that well and i don't care,... i still played beside music professors who were very impressed with my technique (i practiced 2-4hrs/day).
this is not rocket science!!!!
 
#7
I realize no one came out and said it explicitly, but it sure sounds like the implication is "I have a good ear *because* I'm self-taught rather than having studied under a good instructor". If that's the case, that's simply a false statement. I'm not saying you can't become an accomplished player on your own because a lot of people have done it, but doesn't it make sense you could progress a lot farther a lot faster learning under someone who knows their stuff and can teach it effectively? Why be proud of not knowing what you're doing?

:eyebrow:

FWIW, the reason I started taking lessons is because I was self-taught and was getting frustrated trying to learn things the hard way for so many years. After a year, I was amazed at how far I had come - and at how far I have to go!
 
#8
I'm self taught on bass but I did take piano lessons for 10 years and am still taking guitar lessons going on 6 years. A lot of my guitar instruction applies to bass with the exception of technique.
 
#9
The potential downsides are not learning "proper" tenchnique, possibly not learning to read music, etc.

The potential upsides are developing a good ear; not being restricted to playing only chords, scales, etc. that you know the "proper" names and theoretical uses of; being able to think in terms of the sound itself, rather than in terms of the names and symbols for sound.

It's always good to take a couple of college-level courses in basic music theory and composition, even if you don't end up using or retaining every detail that's taught. You will retain enough to help you understand how and why things work and fit together musically, basic principles and terminology for musical concepts, etc. The really basic stuff like dynamics, major vs. minor, octaves, steps, half-steps, common intervals, tension and resolution, etc.
 
#12
Self taught and never really regretted it. Ya, I know I can't read music and don't know musical theory from a toilet flush, but it has taught me to think 'outside the box' when it comes to learning or improvising bass lines, and I kinda have to laugh when I see guitar/bass players striving to make a song perfect. Like the man said, "its only rock and roll, but I like it!"
 
#13
I do wish I knew a little more music theory as well as how to read music (I only know how tabs).

I like the idea of not having guidlines to play by. Espeacially considering that music is art there's really no wrong way to do it.

I read somewhere, "Play like you like and do what ever you think sounds good. Even if throwing rocks at your bass sounds good to you."
 
#15
xxfaux_punkxx said:
I do wish I knew a little more music theory as well as how to read music (I only know how tabs).

I like the idea of not having guidlines to play by. Espeacially considering that music is art there's really no wrong way to do it.

I read somewhere, "Play like you like and do what ever you think sounds good. Even if throwing rocks at your bass sounds good to you."
Click to expand...

Good for you! I like your attitude! But please, don't say you play like Sid. Sid couldn't play, and never really tried. He could be a nice guy (when he wanted to be), but never had much interest in playing bass.
 
#16
becker4567 said:
Good for you! I like your attitude! But please, don't say you play like Sid. Sid couldn't play, and never really tried. He could be a nice guy (when he wanted to be), but never had much interest in playing bass.
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Lol I know Sid couldn't play. It's more of a joke then anything else. My fiance' has a huge obsession with him and I like to mess with her about him not being able to play.
 

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