What makes a good musician?

[Shimmi]

Lately I've realized I have a long way to go, I started playing just 5-6 years ago and only REALLY been playing for 3 years(practice almost every other day, with a band 2-3 times a week for past year and a year before that played just a tad under. I feel I have a better grasp on harmonica even though I play it waaay less... I guess it comes more natural...good wit dem lips... ha

I've heard a lot of people tell me I need to learn to read music if I ever wanna be good enough to be a pro. This is mainly the opinion from older people that don't know music... and well some that do. Like friends of parents or step brothers pretty much whoever over 40.

BUT I also know they told me the same thing when I started painting(only they said I needed art school) and when it comes to art I am professional and get paying commissions fairly regular. I feel people these days...or those days just feel "education" is always the answer.

I read tabs for covers but everything else I play by ear. A guy I jammed with the other day told me he really loved my style and could tell I was a geeky jazz band player in school... I never took any music classes in any school...

Another random "reviewer" also mentioned I have a jazzy style, I like it a lot it makes me feel cool.

But in your opinion should all musicians learn to read music and all the proper know how or can one wing it and still make it to pro?

Just curious I know there is no real right answer and sorry if this has been asked before.

 

[fendermademygibson]

OK, now I'm offended. What does being over 40 have to do with anything?! Ha!

Seriously though. Knowledge is key but education is overrated. What I mean is, there are many, many musicians who never "learned" music and had much success, some beyond mine and your wildest dreams. They were not "taught" but once they immersed themselves and left to their own devises it became part of their existence.

Imagine being dropped into a culture whose being is completely foreign to you. Eventually you will learn. It almost certainly won't hurt you to learn to read music or understand theory but don't let it preempt your focus and goals.

From what I have read of your threads you seem to have a wealth of MUSICAL EXPERIENCE beyond mine. I am way to introverted and at this point and stuck in my ways, or maybe lazy, to pursue the rock 'n' roll dream.

To be fair though I have always taken the less traditional path in life and am just trying to offer a few words of encouragement.

Reggie: You said bullsh*t and experience is all it takes, right?

Invalid Link Removed: Right.

Reggie: Come on in and experience some of my bullsh*t.

"48 Hours"

 

[loveandbass]

listening ability

 

[flyswatter]

I think it's important to know theory -- i.e. know your scales, keys, fretboard, chord sequences, time signatures, etc, like the back of your hand. These are the basic tools of communication between musicians, and the key to learning songs quickly, picking up things on the fly, covering yourself when you make a mistake, and improvising when it is called for.

As to whether you can actually read these things from a musical score, it is neither here nor there -- unless you are heavily into classical or jazz. I've been gigging blues, rock, soul, country for 30 years, and never once has a bandleader or studio producer handed me a sheet of music and said "play this." Usually they give you a key, a chord sequence, and tell you what sort of groove/ feel is wanted and off you go.

 

[Muddslide]

Regardless of the relative merits of being "schooled" and knowing theory, having the ability to sight read, etc. (all of which are worthy pursuits that typically make one a more well-rounded and professional musician, definitely,) unless someone is a solo performer, or primarily a soloist, I feel that the key to being a "good musician" has a lot to do with the ability to play WITH other musicians.

That, in part, has something to do with knowing when NOT to play--to leave space, to support the actual music being played as opposed to showboating/grandstanding.

I believe bass players in particular have a knack for this.

Otherwise, it's like having a soup that is all out of balance...where instead of the ingredients mixing and melding and marrying together into something delicious, it all tastes like nothing but pepper, or it's way too bland, or too salty...

I feel that music is humankind's greatest discovery, and that making music with other humans not only makes us better musicians; it makes us better human beings.

 

[fendermademygibson]

I feel that music is humankind's greatest discovery, and that making music with other humans not only makes us better musicians; it makes us better human beings.

It truly is one of the very few universal languages. Music and mathematics (numerology) go hand in hand.

We can all relate to one another through music without ever verbalizing a single "word". Absolutely fascinating.

 

[Muddslide]

It truly is one of the very few universal languages. Music and mathematics (numerology) go hand in hand.

We can all relate to one another through music without ever verbalizing a single "word". Absolutely fascinating.

Yes, absolutely. I have a story and I hope it's not too (tl/dr) long and boring, but back in 2003, my family and I went on an extended trip through Central Europe, staying mostly in Romania and the Czech Republic, with some time in Hungary.

In case I sound like a rich person, we sold everything of value we owned to do this, including computers, vehicles, etc. We thought it might be our only shot at a trip like this.

Anyway, we were traveling (rented a car) between the towns of Brasov and Sibiu in the upper part of beautiful Romania and it was getting to be evening, we needed a leg-stretch...so we came upon this inn/gas station/little store that was literally in the middle of nowhere in these beautiful big hills.

The only instrument I had with me on this trip was a steel-bodied resonator ukulele.

Well, as we pulled up to the place, there were three older gypsy guys sitting at a table out front having a little jam session. One guy was playing concertina, one was playing something like an oud, and one was playing a Django-style nylon string guitar.

While my wife and kids were inside, I broke out the uke and raised my eyebrows as if to ask "Can I join in?" Their eyes lit up, they offered me a seat and some beer and they proceeded to start playing. Unusual scales, unfamiliar melodies, but I was able to join in on some chording and even a bit of soloing. We were all laughing and cheering each other on.

After several minutes of this, they looked at me and one of them sort of pointed at me with an open hand and I started in on some old country blues number. They fell right in! We ended up playing quite a while, different things from old American folk tunes to some real gypsy jazz sort of stuff. By this time my wife, kids and other people from inside the place were outside at tables watching and listening.

I've played hundreds of gigs, but this may have been my favorite "live" music making experience ever. It was (not to get overly cheesy) magic.

I knew about a dozen words in Romanian and I think these cats knew even less English, but yes--we communicated for sure.

 

[DWBass]

I am of the opinion that all musicians should know how to read music. At the very least know every note on your fretboard in case folks are calling out notes so you can follow as you're learning. By knowing how to read, you can walk into a situation without knowing the songs and be able to play by reading a chart or sheet music. I learned by ear but there was a point that I felt I needed to know how to read and bought a book and taught myself.

 

[dmac1961]

If it makes you better than you currently are, why wouldn't you??

 

[bholder]

Carrots.

 

[tfer]

Recognize the difference between being a bass player and a bassist/musician.

If my band needed a bass player for a show on Saturday, and I sent you a set list, you'd probably be fully capable of playing adequately.

However, if I called you to a recording studio this afternoon at 2:00 to record 2 singles for a rising Country star, and we had 30 minutes to lay down both tracks, live with a drummer, could you do it cold? Brand new songs - the music I give you has an notated intro and Nashville numbers for the verses and choruses and a notated bridge.

That is what a bassist/musician can do. And out of that 30 minutes, he'll have enough time to make sure that he shakes the producer's hand so that he gets the next call as well. And that is for an R&B gig.

 

[kwaping]

That sounds more like the difference between an amateur and a pro.



Ohhhh, I see what you did there.

 

[joebar]

a good musician is someone who ultimately can bring justice to a given song.
a good musician should have the ability to figure out much of what he will play on a given song away from his instrument.
a good musician adds just enough and never too much; has impeccable taste.
a good musician should be able to hear in his head what he wants to play.
a good musician thinks of the total product and understands his role in a band.

 

[Joce]

Check this out: Anthony Wellington Bass Masterclass | TalkBass.com

 

[Shimmi]

That sounds more like the difference between an amateur and a pro.

If you look up the definition an amateur is someone who does what they love.

"a person who engages in a study, sport, or other activity for pleasure rather than for financial benefit or professional reasons."

A professional simply gets a paycheck. Technically I am both but if I had to choose I'd rather be an "amateur."

Then again, if I ever wanted to quit my day job I'd need to leave the little leagues and go pro.

How has everyone here learned? College, self taught? Youtube videos? Private lessons? I'm pretty resourceful but my mind works a mile a minute and I have a somewhat issue of attention span.

I've actually been contacted by a friend who has a solo project, for his gigs he hires musicians and same with recordings(I think he had a pretty bad experience with bands so now he just pays people to play with him to avoid drama...something to admire about this...). When I told him about my band breakup he said he's been needing a bass player, asked my style and my method of learning songs and said he'd give me a call when he has a gig for me. I have no idea the type of music he plays, I know he used to play with a punk band but since has gone brass. Either way I'm excited as this would be a totally new experience for me and if I can pull it off and make a little cash here and there all the better.

 

[Shimmi]

If it makes you better than you currently are, why wouldn't you??

That is a great point. I suppose time and general stubbornness. I'm self taught for the most part and I like learning new skills on my own and in most cases not in the traditional format. I learn what not to play first... LOL

Thanks for all the input guys some really insightful replies! I think I'm going to try and take baby steps and dabble with some learn to videos.

 

[Neveragain55]

The Musical, Musicology, Musician argument summed up…….

If any person has the ability to listen to music, any kind of music at any tempo, and “instinctively” connect to it and be able to tap their foot on 2 & 4 instead of 1 & 3 (you know who you are) then you have the raw, natural ability to take it to the next level and actually “play” music.

All it takes is tons of repetition and a hunger/love for it.

I’ve attempted to play many instruments over the course of my life and I pretty much failed at all of them until I picked up my first bass at the ripe old age of 20. (that’s incredibly old in the guitar world)

Yes being able to read music or being able to also learn piano or the stand up double bass definitely helps any bass player because your musical abilities have expanded, but make no mistake…….we have geniuses walking & breathing amongst all of us that can’t read music to save their lives and they have the chops, Grammy awards, billion dollar record sales, and fanatical fan base to back them up.

These people are insanely good, and they can’t read a lick of music………….have any of you ever heard of Prince?

He could play over 20 instruments “WELL” by the time he was 16 and he played all of the tracks & instruments on his first few albums himself.

Play your instrument my friend, play it like it’s the last instrument on earth, play it night & day. Pour all of you into your instrument and miracle’s will happen……..

 

[leegreenman]

Good hair, and vintage Levi's.

 

[Nephilymbass]

F

Lately I've realized I have a long way to go, I started playing just 5-6 years ago and only REALLY been playing for 3 years(practice almost every other day, with a band 2-3 times a week for past year and a year before that played just a tad under. I feel I have a better grasp on harmonica even though I play it waaay less... I guess it comes more natural...good wit dem lips... ha

I've heard a lot of people tell me I need to learn to read music if I ever wanna be good enough to be a pro. This is mainly the opinion from older people that don't know music... and well some that do. Like friends of parents or step brothers pretty much whoever over 40.

BUT I also know they told me the same thing when I started painting(only they said I needed art school) and when it comes to art I am professional and get paying commissions fairly regular. I feel people these days...or those days just feel "education" is always the answer.

I read tabs for covers but everything else I play by ear. A guy I jammed with the other day told me he really loved my style and could tell I was a geeky jazz band player in school... I never took any music classes in any school...

Another random "reviewer" also mentioned I have a jazzy style, I like it a lot it makes me feel cool.

But in your opinion should all musicians learn to read music and all the proper know how or can one wing it and still make it to pro?

Just curious I know there is no real right answer and sorry if this has been asked before.

First thing i would say is there is no "pro". The music industry has totally changed. If you want your music online on iTunes or whatever with the biggest artist it's now possible. No record deal required. Booking agents and YouTube fame are more important than record companies these days.

Secondly my opinion of a good musician is someone who can play to suit the song and understand what makes a great song. A great musician is someone who can do that and play interesting parts while not playing "over the audiences heads".

As far as reading i don't think its a requirement but I think it helped me. I started my music journey wih a trumpet and learned to read treble cleft first. Then in high school I played bass in jazz band and learned to read bass cleft. I think the biggest thing about learning to read music is it helps expose you to different music. Helps with thinking outside the box when working on your own material when you've been exposed to more. Imo most musicians who can't read are typically pretty one dimensional compared to those who can. Not always the case as some of the most popular musicians can't read music. But imo it ties back the good musician/great musician thing. You don't have to be a great musician to write good songs that people like.

 

[Reverend T]

If you wanna make original music all you need is intent, a banged up instrument and a lump in the throat that you need to express.

If you wanna play classical or jazz then sight reading may be a tool of the trade, making it a necessary skill.