• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

What is your skill level?

What is your skill level?

  • Beginner

    Votes: 19 7.1%

  • Bedroom Warrior/Tab only

    Votes: 41 15.3%

  • Can learn almost any piece if given time

    Votes: 138 51.5%

  • Can improvise over anything/Theory Renegade

    Votes: 54 20.1%

  • On call session musician/Recording artist

    Votes: 16 6.0%
  • Total voters
    268
#41
I'm kinda all over the place. I'm no Claypool, but I can sight read without issue and am often calle dup last minute whenever someone needs a bassist on something. Then again, I spend a lot of time sat in my bedroom trying to work out Rush tabs...
 
#42
I roll 20s ;)

Seriously, though, I've been told I'm one of the more reliable go-to bassists for rock and have not failed an upright bass (read: classical) audition since 7th grade region orchestra. That being said, my jazz improv has taken a serious nosedive to the point where it's almost nonexistent and I can't slap to save my life.
 
#44
Been playing the viola classically for 8 years (grade 7 standard) so I can read music (but not the bass clef, so I have tab to help me along). After 5 years of bass I can play the grade 8 rockschool pieces with a bit of work, but my theory isn't up to scratch to take the exam. I play mostly by ear, given the choice.
 
#47
When I play the bass I tell people the guitar is really my instrument.

When I play guitar I tell people the bass is really my instrument.

Skill then doesn't come in to it as people are very forgiving.
 
#48
I can sight read most music, and can improvise bass lines in jazz music. I don't do tab, though! I teach lessons occasionally, but more importantly, take lessons myself with an orchestral bassist. I can play slap style on electric, but don't know or do all the tricks one sees on so many youtube clips (triple slaps, etc..) On upright, my slap technique is better then some, but not as good as some pro rockabilly bassists, though I can and do slap on steel strings, no problem! I have done some pro gigs, studio sessions, have been on TV a few times, and various bands I have worked with have opened for a lot of famous bands. But, I don't do music as a main gig, never having enjoyed the "vampire" hours most musicians are forced to keep!
 
#51
I've been playing for the past 12 years.

After 4 years I did a college degree in classical music ( on the upright ). So I can read in Treble and Bass clef, I know how to read Middle clef ( clef D'ut in French ).

I don,t have the skill to slap like Wooten. Otherwise I haven't found something that I can't play.

I'm very very bad at learning something by ear. It is what I have to work on to got to the next level for me.
 
#53
Jazzdogg said:
When I was coming up the stages of development for most bass players I knew were all over the map. Some people stay in one stage for several years, while others resemble prodigies.

1. Absolute noob. Has not yet learned that he doesn't know what he doesn't know.

2. Knows just enough to impress people who don't know any better, but manages to act self-confident, nonetheless.
Click to expand...

Nice! A great description of my skill level. I'm right below your # 2 here: I know enough to impress people who don't know any better but I can't BS those who do know better.

I started playing in 1979, where I was a #1, gigged for a while in the 80's and then again in the mid 90's. Got me to about 1.5. Now I'm a solid and proud bedroom warrior around a 1.8.....

Love it - great poll!

LS
 
#55
slaps76 said:
In between "Bedroom warrior/tab" and "can learn any piece given time." I'm more than a bedroom warrior, I play in two cover bands(first picked up bass, my first instrument 6 years ago), and do a decent job with the stuff we play(none of which is very difficult), however I'm not very technically proficient, and still have a lot of theory to learn.
Click to expand...

Sound like me. I play out and do a good job on rock covers, know a little theory, can simprovise a little over simple changes. My enjoyment level far exceeds my skill level.
 
#56
Steady gigging on electric bass since 1988, but studied classical upright in college as a music theory major. Played with the Columbia Philharmonic from 1976-82. On electric, I am competent, better than the average local, but not the best in the region. I've played lots of jazz, rock, country, you name it in eight different bands since switching from guitar to bass in '88. Still at it with three bands at once. Whew. Opened for ARS once in the '90s.

Ear training is good, since I've been a musician all my life (piano, clarinet, sax also). Played guitar full-time in a jazz trio for a living for a few years in the '70s. My theory background has helped immensely in my development.

Like I said, I'm not the best, but do pretty good.
 
#58
RobJ said:
my skills as a bass player are high enough to keep me very busy playing, recording and producing, but not high enough to lose my day job.
Click to expand...

I suspect there are quite a few of us here who are in a similar position to you. I'm good enough to be in a lot of demand locally, but not quite at the level where I can start charging large fees for my time. Which is why I'm posting this during a break at work. *cries*
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back