Lots of good reading material on this post that made me feel a little better about myself!
Am I a hack? Maybe, to some people, depending upon their definition of what they think a hack is.
I began playing the bass guitar fifteen years ago, when I was 35. I wanted to start playing back in Junior High School (in 1976 or '77) when my friends wanted to start a rock cover band, but my parents would never let me, or even buy me a bass. Long story short, my dream didn't come true until I was 35. Up until then I remained a "bass geek", always interested in the bass guitar.
As far as practice time, I'm lucky to have a job where I'm off work a couple of days a week and don't have to worry about my wife complaining about the "noise", because she's at work. My daughter's in high school and I have a son that's out of school and is home sometimes during the day, but he doesn't mind the "noise" because he's into music himself, though he doesn't play an instrument. If I do want to practice when my wife's home, I hook up headphones to the amp. (BTW, my practice area is down in the basement, which is just that; not a finished basement).
So, playing the bass guitar is mostly, for all intents and purposes, a hobby for me. I play a few hours or so a day when I'm off work.
Let's see if I'm a hack:
When I learn a new song I try to play it note-for-note of how the original bassist played it, though it isn't always possible, but the bass line winds up about 90% or better of what it's supposed to sound like. Only a boorish imp would say I was playing it totally wrong.
A couple of years ago when I was in a rock cover band I was told by the drummer that I play very well in the pocket. That boosted my confidence a lot because that's about the best compliment a bassist can get.
I know very little about music theory. I cannot sight read. Chords? Circle of Fifths? What the hell is all that about? I AM, though, in the middle of reading "Bass Guitar For Dummies" (1st Edition, though I know the 3rd Edition was just released) AGAIN, because I DO want to know more about music theory. I'm not content with "just" learning to play rock songs (I don't play country, reggae, jazz, R&B or pop, though I do play some blues). I'd like to know why I'm playing the notes instead of just playing them.
It's a bit embarrassing to admit, but after fifteen years I STILL don't readily know where every note is at on the neck of the bass. For some reason this has always been difficult for me to memorize. I'm now in the process of working on it....AGAIN!
Improvise? Solo? Haven't been able to do those things too effectively. If only I knew theory better, maybe!
I have good intentions of sitting down in front of the computer and watching all of these online bass lessons (TalkingBass.net, Scott's Bass Lessons, etc.) but I rarely take the time to do it. I really want to but I find it more fun to jam out to a cd.
I was self-taught, though I have taken several lessons. One of my instructors taught me bass/music theory. He was a Berklee graduate and was a real pro; he really knew his stuff. A lot of it I've forgotten but I'm studying it again by reading "Bass Guitar For Dummies" and "The Complete Idiot's Guide To Playing Bass Guitar."
I only know TAB. I learn songs "by ear" (or by watching YouTube bass covers videos) and TAB things out if a tune seems too difficult to learn by memory. (Yes, I know a lot of those bass cover videos aren't correct). I was beginning to learn to read music when I was taking lessons about seven years ago, but then I stopped taking lessons.
I only play with my fingers, though I have attempted to teach myself to also play with a pick, to be more versatile. But so far I haven't accomplished this. I can wing it but I'm no expert.
I play 4-string basses. 5 or more strings are too many for me; I like 4.
I've never been told by fellow musicians that I suck; and they were the type who would've told me if I did!
I do NOT go around telling people that I'm "really good" on bass. I'm the first one to admit that I'm no Geddy Lee or Jaco. I can handle myself pretty well in most playing situations, but I'm no pro.
So....am I hack?! Yes and no, IMHO. In some aspects, yes; others, no, at least not according to others in their comments previous to my post. After playing the bass for fifteen years I'm nowhere near where I "should" be for having played this long. A full-blown hack?! I'm not so sure.
But, hey, at least I have pretty decent gear: a 2011 Fender MIM Jazz Bass, a 2014 Fender MIM P-Bass, a Yamaha BB300, and a Peavey Max 115II 300 watt combo amp. If I can't be a pro, at least I can feel like one (well, sort've).
