[quote name='RhysP' timestamp='1330861501' post='1563821']
I think it makes a huge difference actually.
If you grew up learning to play in 70's there wasn't the astonishing amount of tutorial material available like there is today.
You had two options:
1. The schooled approach, which was impossible if you're family had no spare cash (and also there were no electric bass teachers around then, and a hell of a lot fewer guitar teachers who would have been pretty much all classical). Schools didn't teach guitar when I was there - it was piano, violin or nothing, and that was all extra curricular.
2. The learn by ear, noodling around approach, which is what, in my experience, the majority of players my age (47) did.
You never developed a disciplined practice regime, as there was nowhere to get the lessons from (no internet, no "Guitar Techniques" type magazines).
If I was starting to play now I would probably be as good in a couple of years as I am now after 33 years of playing.
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In 1961, when I bought my first bass, a Framus, there was nothing, I repeat nothing, I was incensed when the Piano player was playing the bass line with his left hand and I had to use two. I knew so little about playing I chose bass 'cos, 6 string hard 4 string easy. By 1965 I was playing regularly on the Mersey Scene and two Bass players I knew decided to go thethe Mathay Scool of music