Self taught bassist

[acts2-38]

...can you really become an accomplished self taught musician?

[Dtuned]

bro w/ your screen name you can do anything!!!

[uprising_bassist7]

of course you  ;Dcan man all it is is practice

[BimmerFan99]

Yes!!!!  It's all about vision, determination and being picky about your practicing techniques.

I think it's even easier if you've already learn another instrument.

[mr.dj]

I would say yes but it all about what you feel is a accomplished bassist.

I am a self taught bassist, but I don't feel I am a accomplished one.  Althought others feel I'm ready for bigger and better I feel there is a lot more for me to gain.

[djgroovin]

I believe so.  That is one of my goals.  It takes the same dedication that it would take if you where to go to school for it.  Probably more since you are self taught.  But the point is to learn the same material and network with those in the industry.

[ddwilkins]

Yes you can.  Everything that I play I was self taught with the help of God.  I play keys, organ, drums and bass.  Never had any formal training on either instrument.  I just put the time in and practiced.  My next instrument will be lead guitar and acoustic.  Actually I'm teaching myself how to read sheet music as well.  One thing that has helped me was taking theory classes in school.  I'm just applying what I learned to each instrument as I go.

[BassAddict]

To be honest with you, I believe you can be a pretty good bassist being self taught as I believe that I am pretty good to be self taught. At some point though you HAVE to network and learn things from others. I say that because you will find yourself at a plateau in your playing and I found that getting others point of view can totally show you something that you never would have known on your own. That's why I thank God for learngospelmusic.com, gospelchops.com, and all the Christian artist that are willing to share what they know because you and myself may not have had a chance to go to Berklee or tour with Karen Clark-Sheard and all those resources are things that us develop our skills.

[cordney]

Some of the best musicians are self taught...my father taught himself how to play the guitar and likewise my uncle taught himself the bass.  All it takes is practice, our Heavenly Father, and some good genes(lol.)  I pretty much learned the bass on my own with the guidance of some of the older bass players in my community...who took the time out to show me what I was doing wrong and how to improve on my hand speed and etc.

[Andrzej]

I'm totally self taught and I think I have done ok so far.  I dunno if anyone else will agree with me here, but I feel that I have developed a technique, perhaps even style, that I like to think is individual...like a second voice I guess.  When you engross yourself in music theory I think it's too easy to over develop your technical ability as oposed to your style.  In the first 10yrs of playing the bass I never had a lesson by a professional musician, picked up a book or even watched a video.  I learn't by listening and emulating my favorite bass players and mixing everything I have picked up into my own expression.  I'm not saying you don't need to study...far from it.  Music theory is very important to become a professional musician.  I only started to learn music theory about 5yrs ago when people started to ask me to teach them.  I didn't know what what to teach them as I didn't it understand myself!  I didn't understand what I could already play and why I played it.  My good friend Jon Caulfield gave me a few theory lessons to help me glue it all together.  Basic scales and modes to start off with and applying it to different styles of genres.  It didn't sink in for a while until I was asked to perform on my first jazz recording.  It was all very free form and I was incredibly nervous as I was stood in a room full of very experienced jazz musicians.  Up until that point I used the theory I had learnt for warm up excercises, but after a couple of hours playing with those guys everything started to fall in into place!  The music that I listened to started to make more sense to me.  It only made me wish that I learnt it all that theory years ago when I was a kid, but I am glad I didn't in a sense because I think I would be more mechanical in my style and techniques.  I now teach a couple of very talented young musicians, but I only teach them basic theory.  I encourage them to listen to as many genres of music, styles and techniques as they can so that they can find their own voice.

Whether you self teach or go to a tutor once or twice a week you have to practice, practice, practice.  You must nail the basics and keep those fingers supple and dexterous.  Most of all, you must have patience.  We all can't play like Stanley Clarke in just a few days!  Don't be afraid to ask!  If you are having difficulty ask a well tuned musician to help you through any difficulties you may have.  It took my 10yrs to do that because my pride got in the way, but take it from me...if you are not humble, pride will grind you to a halt.  Being a musician is all about self improving and leaving yourself open.

Be inspired, be blessed!!!

[ddwilkins]

I'm totally self taught and I think I have done ok so far.  I dunno if anyone else will agree with me here, but I feel that I have developed a technique, perhaps even style, that I like to think is individual...like a second voice I guess.  When you engross yourself in music theory I think it's too easy to over develop your technical ability as oposed to your style.  In the first 10yrs of playing the bass I never had a lesson by a professional musician, picked up a book or even watched a video.  I learn't by listening and emulating my favorite bass players and mixing everything I have picked up into my own expression.  I'm not saying you don't need to study...far from it.  Music theory is very important to become a professional musician.  I only started to learn music theory about 5yrs ago when people started to ask me to teach them.  I didn't know what what to teach them as I didn't it understand myself!  I didn't understand what I could already play and why I played it.  My good friend Jon Caulfield gave me a few theory lessons to help me glue it all together.  Basic scales and modes to start off with and applying it to different styles of genres.  It didn't sink in for a while until I was asked to perform on my first jazz recording.  It was all very free form and I was incredibly nervous as I was stood in a room full of very experienced jazz musicians.  Up until that point I used the theory I had learnt for warm up excercises, but after a couple of hours playing with those guys everything started to fall in into place!  The music that I listened to started to make more sense to me.  It only made me wish that I learnt it all that theory years ago when I was a kid, but I am glad I didn't in a sense because I think I would be more mechanical in my style and techniques.  I now teach a couple of very talented young musicians, but I only teach them basic theory.  I encourage them to listen to as many genres of music, styles and techniques as they can so that they can find their own voice.

Whether you self teach or go to a tutor once or twice a week you have to practice, practice, practice.  You must nail the basics and keep those fingers supple and dexterous.  Most of all, you must have patience.  We all can't play like Stanley Clarke in just a few days!  Don't be afraid to ask!  If you are having difficulty ask a well tuned musician to help you through any difficulties you may have.  It took my 10yrs to do that because my pride got in the way, but take it from me...if you are not humble, pride will grind you to a halt.  Being a musician is all about self improving and leaving yourself open.

Be inspired, be blessed!!!

Totally Agree!!!