Shall I give (it) up?

[Odinbass]

Dude if you like the idea of playing bass, stick it out. Despite what the bass elite would like you to believe, bass isn't that hard to get going with and the music theory required to play is minimal.

I HIGHLY HIGHLY RECOMMEND:
"The Bass Player Book: Equipment, Technique, Styles & Artists" May 1, 1999 by Karl Coryat

It is an all encompassing book about bass; gear, theory, technique, styles, famous players, and more. Yeah it's from 1999 but it's surprising how little has really changed. I still look at my copy 16 years later. Best bass book I ever bought.
Stick with the drum loops too! Electronic music is big right now and will probably continue to grow as more people make music electronically. It will give you a leg up on some of the old schoolers who abhor that sort of thing.

 

[TrevorOfDoom]

A wise man once said, "you've gotta suck at something for a while before you can be good at it."

 

[basspraiser]

I have not read everything here but what I have read I like and it is GREAT advice...MOST OF ALL - IF YOU ENJOY IT - DO NOT GIVE UP!

I will never be (in my definition) a "musician" either.

I "played" in high school which meant I jammed in a band where we learned mostly by ear (with a few good points from a talented guitarist I knew).

I gave up laying from about 25 to 40 due to a job that required a lot of travel, raising kids, etc.

picked up bass playing again about 10 years ago (very part time).

The advice on practice and learning notes in important.

A few more things you might try (helped me):

1) Get a chart that shows you the notes on a bass neck and start to memorize where the different notes are on the strings.
2) Pick out 2-3 songs you like
3) Find "good" tabs and guitar charts on line (the ones with the notes above the words) (books are better and more accurate than the internet but you can find several decent tabs and charts on the internet as well...but keep in mind that the songs on line are often changed "slightly" to keep from any potential copyright laws etc.
4) Work with the tabs and charts (slowly and piece by piece) until you can play the 2-3 songs "decent" (with a youtue or mp3 accompaniment)
5) Repeat with a few more songs

If the initial songs are "too hard" - don't fret....work on others and come back to the "tough songs" - and work on them section by section.

One thing I learned (over time) is that some songs that appear "easy" on the surface are not always "easy to play"...BUT I have also learned that (over time) - songs that seem "way above my talent grade" become manageable if i work on them little by little.

In this way, you learn the notes using "fun songs" (i.e. songs you like) and grow in your talent and knowledge.

I am not trying to downplay reading, lessons etc but am just telling you something you can do in addition to keep it fun.

MOST OF ALL - ENJOY IT!

And when you feel "good" about your playing (I said "good" NOT excellent!) find some others to jam with - this will also assist in your progression...I became MUCH better - MUCH quicker when I started playing with my church band...

 

[bolophonic]

I learned from all the greats. I have studied thousands of awesome bass lines, learned them, analyzed them, joined bands with players who were much, much more knowledgeable than I was and learned from them. It's possible to teach yourself, but unlikely most of the time. I could never teach myself a language, or math, but bass... I have gotten really good at it by sticking with it. I only took one lesson, 25 years ago. I don't know how any of that applies to you, though. Good luck.

 

[Kmonk]

So you decided to teach yourself. If you do that your teacher does not know how to play the bass, and I bet that teacher does not have a clue how to teach you how to play the bass. Good luck. Got your attention?

I don't agree with your first sentance. I am completely self taught and never learned theory or how to read music. I have been playing since 1978, have a lot of touring experience and have done music for television, movies and TV and Radio commercials.

Some people just can't learn to play. I have a friend who has been trying to play since the late 1970s and has never improved. He plays for his own enjoyment but realized many years ago that he would never be good enough to play in a band. He decided to run sound instead does an excellent job.

It's no different than being an athlete, some people are better than others. Some can play at a professional level, some people play at the college level, some in beer leagues and some never get good enough to play in anything more than a pick up game.

The most important thing is to have fun with it. The OP might never get any better but if he has fun thats all that matters.

 

[Big Hoss]

Greetings.

I am kinda confused, to say the least.
I picked up bass guitar some years ago, after getting hooked on reggae/dub.
From thereon, there was no return for me.
I just loved the sound of it, I started noticed it in other genres as well
and I decided to give it a try.

So far so good.

I got the instrument, and a small amp and forgot about.
Family issues (among others) didn't leave me any room for practice/play.

After moving on my own I decided to give it another try.
I am thinking often about baselines, trying to create new ones, etc etc
All in my head.

I decided to start lessons, but failed miserably.

I tried twice. Two lessons each time and never went back.

I came to the conclusions that I will never become a musician.
I don't know theory, I can't read notes, scales, scores, etc etc.
All I know is that I am willing to pick it up, listen to a bassline
and try to play/imitate it. Often with positive results.

Lately, I started using drum loops, and I got hooked.
I am talking about 2-3 hours (with brakes - due to untrained muscles)
and I am really enjoying it. I improvise and trying new stuff

And there where my question arises.
What shall I do with it? I really enjoy playing
but I will never become a musician (not at the age of 38).

I would really like to start jamming with other
but I feel my lack of musical knowledge is too much.
I tried couple of time with a friend, but when he used to tell me thing like
"give me an E+" or "play on Gmaj scale"
I was completely lost...

I hope you understand my point.
Any advice would be much appreciated

Cheers

PS: Sorry for the long post

You say "I came to the conclusions that I will never become a musician."

To which I respond, whether you believe you can, or you cannot do a thing, You are right.

Unless there is some physical, or mental issue blocking you, the only thing stopping you from learning to play is yourself, your patience, and your attitude.

Now once you get your mind set, you are determined to not let anything stop your progress, you have taken the biggest leap toward growth as a musician, or, well anything in human experience... Now you can move forward...

I highly suggest once your head is in that good place, grabbing the Ultimate Beginner Series: Bass Complete. Covers the basics of Bass including Rock Bass, and Blues Bass with video instruction from Tim Bogert, Dale Titus, and Roscoe Beck. Price is VERY reasonable on Amazon.

Work your way through those and when you are comfortable with that, get a teacher. Probably at some point of you working through those you will want a teacher to help you grow your technique...

Whatever you do, don't let a bad attitude wreck it for you...

 

[interp]

All the advice about not letting your age stop you is good.

Here's another thing to keep in mind. Every single great bass player at some point in their lives knew less about playing bass than you know right now. The only difference between you and them is that they kept it up.

 

[D.A.R.K.]

I wouldn't let the myths about age which our culture perpetuates bother you. Don't think about too big a picture, just try to learn something every day. Slow and steady wins the race!

 

[tr4252]

Like someone previously wrote; I also jumped ahead from page 1 without reading the entire thread, so please forgive me if any of this has been said already.

And now for the bad news. I've known a lot of musicians in the past 50 years (started at age 13), and one thing the successful ones have in common is an untiring drive to get where they want to be musically, regardless of the effort. It's not a question of how long it takes, or how many hours of practice, or how difficult. The fact is, you want to be good at something, you gotta work hard to achieve it. Sure, some people have a natural ability to pick up an instrument and play it fairly well right at the start, but for the rest of us it means dedication and drive, and lots of sweat, to become proficient. As the old saying goes; if it was easy, everybody would be doing it.

If you are really serious about this, I'd suggest you see as many acts as possible, and study what the bass player does. Talk to them if you get the opportunity; lots of musicians are willing to share advice.

Good luck!

Tom

 

[mikeyjm2]

Lately, I started using drum loops, and I got hooked.
I am talking about 2-3 hours (with brakes - due to untrained muscles)
and I am really enjoying it. I improvise and trying new stuff

I've been playing for over 30 years and I still play along w/ drum loops. To me it is a great creative tool as well as a training tool to hone your sense of timing. Play along w/ different patterns, speeds, etc. Agree with what others have said about learning scales. That is important, but I think timing is just as important if not more so.

More to the point though; don't give up playing if you love doing it! Why would you?

 

[tbz]

Music is complicated, learning theory takes work. Much like everything else worthwhile in life.

 

[vishalicious]

To the OP: Like the majority of people here have said - don't give up. Age really isn't a deciding factor. I'm going to be 40 in May and I'm only learning to play bass now. I tried a little before, didn't get very far, and put it down for about 15 years so that work and family could take over. I then tried again a little more when I was 36, and kept stopping for months at a time. This January, I started again, and I'm making headway. I'm working through the Hal Leonard Bass Method, by Ed Friedland, which others here have also suggested. Its a great book. Also, Bass Guitar for Dummies will give you all the basic theory that's been eluding you. It really simplifies things.

To catcauphonic: I clicked your Bandcamp link. You and your band sound great. Like a lot of the stuff on Cleopatra that I used to listen to, years ago. I just wanted to let you know.

 

[catcauphonic]

To catcauphonic: I clicked your Bandcamp link. You and your band sound great. Like a lot of the stuff on Cleopatra that I used to listen to, years ago. I just wanted to let you know.

Thanks for taking the time to listen, and the kind words
Not bad for a dude that started 2 years ago in the mid-40's, eh?

The Hal Leonard (Freidland V1-3) and the For Dummies books you mentioned are where I learned most of my theory from.
30 solid minutes a day of well spent practice time will take you far

 

[zontar]

Age doesn't matter in regards to learning an instrument.

I don't think 4 lessons is enough to "get it". Also, you may have had the wrong teacher(s).
There are also many excellent, free online classes you can try.

Nothing wrong with learning by ear, but since you sound frustrated with your lack of knowledge I'd recommend learning some theory. It's not just for 'real' musicians.

Maybe the wrong teachers, or maybe not enough time given to give it a fair shake.

 

[zontar]

I am completely self taught and never learned theory or how to read music.

Nobody is "completely self taught"--everybody learns something from somebody, somewhere at some time.
You may be "mostly self taught"--but not completely.

 

[pcake]

my husband is one of the best - and fastest - guitar players i ever worked with, and he's 100% self taught. he can't read music, and his theory is spotty, but that didn't prevent bands from wanting him to join them because he's really good.

knowing theory doesn't make you a musician or not, although it can be handy. and finding the RIGHT teacher as opposed to a teacher can make a huge difference, too. i quit playing the guitar for years after my parents found me a guitar teacher who made me miserable, always feeling defeated and not wanting to play, and he was my teacher for over 2 years. the second teacher they found me was a nicer person who had no interest in the type of music i liked at all. after giving up on guitar for years, i started playing again, and first thing ended up in a super project, then a couple bands i really liked, and overall discovered it was my teachers rather than playing guitar that made me want to give up.

as far as age? i started playing the bass after 30 and soon discovered i loved doing it, hearing it and everything about it.

please don't stop playing!

 

[ghandee]

CASE CLOSED!
I am not giving up. I will keep on having fun
and occasionally I will run into book/teachers/vids/references for theory.
If something comes up then it is mostly welcome.
I am enjoying it more and more
playing along a drum pattern
creating basslines on the fly
and experimenting.

I also bought a B1xon pedal
and I am pretty happy.

Next time someone tells me to "keep it on G#7mol" or something
I will -simply- troll back.

Thanks a lot for your answers and your time.

Be all well

 

[drumsnbass]

I worked my way thru Ed Friedlands (Hal Leonard) Bass Method and only skipped what held no interest to me.

Now I'm just scratching the surface of Teach Me Bass Guitar. In this you get a bit more experience with the various scales/chords etc in a very interactive method. Plus I believe you can now do it online or download if you want. It really is a 'fun' way to improve your weaknesses.

The quality of learning resources today is just incredible compared to even a half dozen years ago. I honestly thing you can move in light years of learning compared to the past. All you need to do is be motivated to 'do the work' and find the 'system' that works for you. In my own case it is progressive systems, and not haphazard and non-progressive lessons. TMMV.

There are a few threads in the instructional forum covering various choices available. Pick one and give it a go!

CASE CLOSED!
I am not giving up. I will keep on having fun
and occasionally I will run into book/teachers/vids/references for theory.
If something comes up then it is mostly welcome.
I am enjoying it more and more
playing along a drum pattern
creating basslines on the fly
and experimenting.

I also bought a B1xon pedal
and I am pretty happy.

Next time someone tells me to "keep it on G#7mol" or something
I will -simply- troll back.

Thanks a lot for your answers and your time.

Be all well

 

[Super Iridium]

Two things for you -- and I know you've gotten more than enough advice above, so maybe this is for someone else who discovers this thread in the distant future.

First, I'm self-taught, like a lot of players who have picked up the bass later in life, and I must repeat the point above about Ed Friedland's Bass Method 1 through 3. THESE ARE THE BOOKS YOU WANT. EVEN IF YOU HAVE ALREADY BOUGHT 10 OTHERS. In fact, do yourself a favor and buy the "combined" volume 1-3, which is spiral bound, so it lays flat on your music stand. I promise you, once you start on page 1 of the first book, you will not be able to stop. Each exercise follows the previous one in logical, simple steps, and almost involuntarily, you will become a real player.

Second, some have used the metaphor of becoming a musician is like becoming an athlete in a particular sport, like baseball, but I think there's a better way to think about this. I look at it as though becoming a musician is like becoming a cook or chef in the kitchen. You might only know how to make three simple things in the kitchen -- spaghetti, scrambled eggs and grilled cheese -- but guess what, these three simple things are STILL FOOD WORTH EATING, and preparing them with skill and love is STILL WORTHY OF YOUR TIME AND ATTENTION. For myself on bass, I'm a little bit past the spaghetti, scrambled eggs and grilled cheese stage. Musically, I think I'm up to making simple pieces of meat, salads, maybe a few soups. I'm probably never going to get up to the level of a Cordon Bleu trained professional chef, and I'm not looking to open my own restaurant empire. But I still enjoy making my own dishes/music enough that I like to do it in my free time and want to learn more about how to get to the next stage. And that's why the cooking/chef metaphor works for me. No matter what my current skill level, the time I put into practice and playing is still worth doing, even if it's the musical equivalent of spaghetti, scrambled eggs and grilled cheese, because even these simplest of dishes are still food (and even potentially a banquet!). And by the way, that's all that the "music theory" is trying to teach you too--it's just like learning the difference between a chef's knife and a paring knife or the difference between cilantro and oregano. Knowing these terms doesn't make you a chef, but it does make it easier for people to communicate with you in the kitchen, and you can be a lot more useful to your co-workers if they can just say "hand me a paring knife" without having to explain in detail which knife that is.

Anyway, I hope this is useful for you or someone like you! And please keep playing!!

 

[drumsnbass]

Super I, great way to put it!