[dyu-]

It took me around 10yrs to be able to identify the notes immediately just by listening. I didn't really had to study it to learn ... it just came naturally for me. It correlates easily to the music theory that you know, which is the main foundation that you need to get acquainted with.

I play a lot of instruments but bass is my main instrument.

[osrec]

Interesting. Did you have a particular moment when you just "got it", or was it a gradual build up of ability over the 10 years?

[throwaway8879]

For me, it suddenly clicked after a decade or so. The same thing happened with improvisation and keeping excellent time. I felt like I was always struggling until one day whatever I heard in my head came out my fingers.

It's just that the process is very gradual and takes a long time. I suppose the 10k hour rule applies here.

[dyu-]

exactly my thoughts.

[dyu-]

For me it was gradual build up. Also I forgot to mention that I never put that much time into learning music theory. I was too busy with programming (that's why we're here right? haha)