Hm. Depends on how you look at it.
See, a buddy of mine bought a bass, and I had some joy with it without "picking up bass" or practising, even though I admittedly did "pick up a bass". This was in '81-'82. I never learnt to play bass, but did find out how to play "Games Without Frontiers", and taught it to another buddy so as to get him to start playing an instrument.
Mind you, this was just about where to put one's fingers. No technique or stuff.
Some years later ('85?) I had to pick up the bass without being able to play the bass, when, as an accomplished musician in other areas, I was asked to dep the very next day. So I did.
You choose: one day or three/four years.
BTW, roughly thirty years later, I still can't play the bass, and I'm still not practising as I should. But noise is emitted from the thing, and I enjoy myself.
best,
bert