Do you consider yourself an "expert" bass player?

[Jam]

Looking for a new singer, have found someone locally who plays bass and guitar as well as singing, and on their profile they have to state their proficiency on their instruments. Guitar: Intermediate, Vocals: Lead, Bass: Expert.

As far as I can tell from their blurb they've only been playing bass about 4/5 years...I've been playing for twice that and I still feel like a complete beginner... Stupidly, I'm quite annoyed!

What about you guys, do you consider yourself an "expert"?

[LiamPodmore]

Nowhere near. I think bass is one of those instruments that takes years upon years of constant practice to even get anywhere near that. I've been playing nearly 5 years and i'd probably consider myself intermediate at best.

Liam

[Doctor J]

The more experienced you are, the better your ability to recognise how far away you are from being an expert.

Edited May 19, 2012 by Doctor J

[Judo Chop]

Yes, I'm the best bass player on this site. In the world even, nobody comes close to my outstanding playing.





Nah, I'm alright I suppose.

[bobbass4k]

Someones probably told him he's the best bassist they've ever seen or he can play a few Vic Wooten tunes. True masters recognise that there's always more to learn.

[neepheid]

No chance.

[Twigman]

No way - I'm pants.

been playing over 30 years and am distinctly average

[rOB]

[quote name='Jam' timestamp='1337467334' post='1660609']
What about you guys, do you consider yourself an "expert"?
[/quote]

Not even close. Intermediate is looking ever further away too.

[Jam]

[quote name='Doctor J' timestamp='1337467794' post='1660618']
The more experienced you are, the better your ability to recognise how far away you are from being an expert.
[/quote]

I like that.

Glad it's not just me that feels this way!

[gjones]

Sometimes you have to blow yer own trumpet.

[flyfisher]

[quote name='Doctor J' timestamp='1337467794' post='1660618']
The more experienced you are, the better your ability to recognise how far away you are from being an expert.
[/quote]

Yep, I'd say that applies to almost anything in life and certainly in music. I wonder how many musicians would ever claim to be 'expert' on their chosen instrument, never mind someone who has only been playing for 4/5 years.

Perhaps they're using a different definition of 'expert'. Expert in playing root notes in 4/4 time perhaps?

[risingson]

[quote name='Jam' timestamp='1337467334' post='1660609']
on their profile they have to state their proficiency on their instruments. Guitar: Intermediate, Vocals: Lead, Bass: Expert.
[/quote]

Oh dear. My advice is don't bother. The thing about the 'expert' players in this world is that they're getting their heads down and just doing the playing instead of disappearing up their own arse.

Me personally, I just play, and if people like what I play then I'm happy to be a part of what they're/we're doing!

[Hobbayne]

I,m not bad, certainly not an expert, but I can get by with what I can do.
Theres always someone better than me out there.

[wateroftyne]

Depends on the context.

When I'm playing in a great venue with musicians I really admire and respect to a horde of punters who've paid for the privilege, I sometimes think 'Yeah.. I must be doing this right'.

...then someone posts a clip on here of their latest solo bass composition, and suddenly I feel hopeless.

[Chris2112]

No, and I've been at it for ten years!

[paul_5]

It's like a finger pointing at the moon - DON'T concentrate on the finger or you will miss AAAAAALLLLLLL the heavenly glory....


I suppose I'm pretty good, I've also got computer hacking skills and bow-hunting skills.

[MrTaff]

No where near expert & I doubt even in another 20 years I'll be anything more than average.

[lurksalot]

one of the greatnesses on here is in the modesty , and I think it generally is to be a sign of a certain expertise in itself .

[Lfalex v1.1]

[quote name='Jam' timestamp='1337467334' post='1660609']
Guitar: Intermediate, Vocals: Lead, Bass: Expert.
[/quote]

There is a great danger that they may believe a fallacy that bassists know to be false;

[b]Intermediate guitar ability = Utter bass awesomeness[/b]

I myself have a great deal to learn after playing for a... err... long time.

[discreet]

What? I've been playing bass for 38 years and I'm bloody great, me. Expert? Oh, yeah. No doubt.
But I'm also an expert at delusion, so what does that tell ya??

Edited May 20, 2012 by discreet

[chrismuzz]

[quote name='Jam' timestamp='1337467334' post='1660609']
Guitar: Intermediate, Vocals: Lead, Bass: Expert.
[/quote]

Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha

[Chrismanbass]

[quote][color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]The more experienced you are, the better your ability to recognise how far away you are from being an expert. [/font][/color][/quote]

nailed it

however how would you define expert? is it being professional? in my opinion being professional is not about being expert at all its about doing the right things consistently so in reality is it neccisary to consider yourself an expert surely as long as your professional standard then is being (or considering yourself to be) an expert that important at the end of the day i would be focused on the amount/quality of the calls your getting? i would hazard that its more than him

[Hector]

The more I learn, the less I seem to know!

[Booooooom]

When I was younger and better toned I was pert. So I suppose I must be an 'ex'pert now...

[Ed_S]

[quote name='Jam' timestamp='1337467334' post='1660609']
Guitar: Intermediate, Vocals: Lead, Bass: Expert.
[/quote]

Are you sure he's not just telling you how far he's got playing Rock Band on his Playstation?