What Should I Do??

[MarkB187]

I am 17 years and I just graduated from my local community college. I have been playing guitar for about 5 years and bass for 2. I also have been doing some drums. The question is I want to narrow down to playing one instrument and mastering it and my dream is to get with a band. I seam to get frustrated when playing the guitar. So I am now thinking of leaning the bass and mastering it. About how long does it take to master the bass to the point of going with a band? I have some of the basics already down. One thing I never did was learn to read music. I only did chords. So I would have to learn that too. I would have to get a new bass, amp, ect.

Thanks guys!

-Mark

 

[SurferJoe46]

Like guitar - I don't really think anyone has really 'mastered' it even yet.

Good? Yup.

Great? A few.

Decent? Many

Mastered? Nope

Biggest question is: are you up to a challenge and will you learn to read music?

Most people can play a bass well enough with lessons in a few months - but the learning curve goes in all sorts of squiggly directions with the individual person and their willingness to learn attitude.

If you just want to hammer out your own skill at backing up and laying down a groove - it takes a little longer. I don't know of any idiot/savant bassists though.

If you can hear the drummer and the chord changes, you're at the first rung though.

Just My Very Humble Opinion.

 

[Korladis]

Pretty much what SurferJoe said.

I think it's a bit conceited to think that one can "master" an instrument. Even the best musicians out there are still learning all the time. In fact, for many, the fact that they continue to seek to get better is probably a big part of why they're so good. There's always more to do on an instrument.

 

[MarkB187]

When I was saying mastered I was more implying learning enough to play with a band. I started drumming because I can hear chord changes very well. I have never really got lessens but I can hear in a song when the changes are. But I think I would enjoy the bass more than drums

 

[SurferJoe46]

When I was saying mastered I was more implying learning enough to play with a band. I started drumming because I can hear chord changes very well. I have never really got lessens but I can hear in a song when the changes are. But I think I would enjoy the bass more than drums

That's all good - but are you capable of anticipating the changes and be able to bring the music to the next chord with your bass?

That's a great player's ability to do that. Listen to a lot of the Funk Brothers and especially to the bass lines as they tug you to the next musical expression.

Playing by ear is certainly do-able and a lot of bassist got their start that way (I certainly did) - but you will grow tired of the same ol' lines and comebacks all the time if you can't read what the musical writer wanted to happen.

Sure - you can play boxes and stay in key - but being able to express yourself and your qualities is where the mastery comes in.

At least learn some of the jazz boxes and forms and that's a good start. Jazz will never let you down and as far as I am concerned will open all the doors to whatever music you eventually play.

There are other arcane considerations too: weight and complications in the amounts of gear.

Weight-wise - basses and drums might be in the same category. Bass gear is heavy. Drums are multiples and heavy.

Hmmm. I wonder if I should get a bass kazoo?

 

[Munjibunga]

While everyone learns more about playing the instrument all the time, I think it's fair to say that after reaching a certain level of virtuosity one could be considered to have mastered the instrument for all practical purposes. I'd say folks like Nathan, Jeff, Victor, Stanley and others have certainly mastered the instrument.

Anyway, go with bass. It's a lot easier.

 

[SurferJoe46]

While everyone learns more about playing the instrument all the time, I think it's fair to say that after reaching a certain level of virtuosity one could be considered to have mastered the instrument for all practical purposes. I'd say folks like Nathan, Jeff, Victor, Stanley and others have certainly mastered the instrument.

Anyway, go with bass. It's a lot easier.

I don't want to cause derision - but 'for all practical purposes' is not 'mastered' as I see it.

I will now put words in your post and say that I bet you really meant: "Comparatively, they are about as good as it gets" for bass players - and then someone else would say we are both nuts.

Nah - I'm gonna stick with the idea that neither the bass nor the guitar will ever be 'mastered' in the finest sense of the phrase.

But at the mo, I am going to sleep to dream about perfecting the bass for myself.

 

[nostatic]

You can play by ear or you can read. Or you can do both. You can start playing in a band even if you can barely play - it just won't be a very good band. There is no substitute for playing with live humans, so find some other similarly skilled players and play. At the same time, get lessons.

There is no right or wrong way to become a musician. I do however have strong opinions, an my 13 year old son is getting the "fruits" of my approach. He has been taking piano (mostly pop songs - he digs The Beatles) for a few years, and has been studying drums for almost a year. On both he started reading from day one (I insisted) but he prefers to learn by ear and memorize. He is teaching himself guitar with some help from me (I won't give him proper lessons, and I'm only willing to pay for 2 different instruments at a time). At any rate, here are a few things I suggest:

1. Study piano. It is the "mother" instrument, and gives you insight into a lot of the basics of music. You can play any style of music on the piano, and by learning to read on piano you learn both treble and bass clefs. Even if you don't stick with it, a year of studying piano is worth it in the long run.

2. Study whatever other instrument you want. I recommend learning to read music and learning by ear - both will serve you well down the road.

3. There is no need to focus on only one instrument. You can have one be your main instrument, but knowing different instruments makes you better on your main instrument. I am primarily a bass player these days, but I've been playing guitar for 40 years, am so-so on keyboard, and can play drums in a pinch. Knowing guitar helps my bass playing in a variety of ways, as do both piano and drums. But find the instrument that really speaks to you. For me I "discovered" bass after playing guitar for 20 years. I found that I really liked the bridging of rhythm and melody. Plus guitarists are a dime a dozen

4. Practice, practice, practice. And play with other people often. I drag my son to some of the pro bono nursing home gigs I do. He plays cajon, and he'll thank me later when he wants to have a band with his friends and already understand the dynamics that take place when humans play music together.

5. Learn to read, have a good attitude, show up on time, and have good meter. The last one takes a lot of work, but is worth it. Guys who can do all of those things will gig often.

 

[Matt-77]

I took up bass 20 years ago and my mate took up guitar, we started a band straight away and started writing songs. Tho they were simple songs that were rubbish it learn't us timing and listening to each other. I have tried to play in as many bands as possible over the years just to learn from different musicians. Me and my mate are still in a band together aftar all these years and we are tight and our band is rockin now. we have learnt together we have messed up together and we have argued together but it's ALWAYS been fun and as long as you enjoy playing, things will come easy and you will learn quicker. Don't limit yourself to 1 instrument if you enjoy guitar play that aswell I do and it helps with my bass playing. Plus it a great feeling to walk into a jam room with your band mates as a bass player pick up a six string and say, Lads what do you think of this RIFF and watch them look at each other and say yeah man show me that. New song in the bag. whoo hoo. Enjoy the ride and practice and listen to all sorts of music to get ideas. Hope that helps

 

[Munjibunga]

I don't want to cause derision - but 'for all practical purposes' is not 'mastered' as I see it.

I will now put words in your post and say that I bet you really meant: "Comparatively, they are about as good as it gets" for bass players - and then someone else would say we are both nuts.

Nah - I'm gonna stick with the idea that neither the bass nor the guitar will ever be 'mastered' in the finest sense of the phrase.

But at the mo, I am going to sleep to dream about perfecting the bass for myself.

OK, then we're going to have to disagree. I consider the guys I named and many others to be masters. That is, they have mastered the bass, without qualification.

 

[TolerancEJ]

What is it about guitar that makes you frustrated? It could be the same issues are also prevalent for the bass. Never desert an instrument out of frustration. It will lead to self-doubt; which in turn will form mental playing restrictions that you will carry with you to the bass. The bass can be simple or complicated, depending on the song (both cover songs and original tunes).

Pick up the bass, practice it. Don't forget the guitar; you should also practice it from time to time. Continue to play drums. A bassist is a musician. A well-rounded musician can sit down with any instrument and create music.

 

[Stumbo]

Here's a link you may want to check out for more input: How "good" do you have to be to be in a band?

If you take a look at the link in my sig. below, you'll find lots of great TB info that will help you along the way.

Good luck.

 

[ggunn]

When I was saying mastered I was more implying learning enough to play with a band.

How good you need to be in a band depends entirely on the band. I'd advise getting together with folks who are a little bit better than you as soon as you can whether it be for jamming or a band project. Nothing speeds up your progress more than collaboration.