Thing is, I picked up my bass the other day and just played the same old tired sh;te as normal. I suck. So I feel I should go and get lessons with a human coz getting nowhere with trying to suss things for myself.

However, I imagine that the first thing a tutor will ask is "what do you want to do?" and I shall be unable to answer in a constructive way. "Be better"; "Feel more confident"; "Get decent ideas"; "Find my own voice" and so on are my goals. Couldn't even tell you what style of music I play really.

So: does anyone know of any tutorial books (or real people) that take this more mental approach to teaching? Or have any insights of their own?

I think first your in a place everyone gets into over and over thru out your musical life. Mainly just need something new to inspire you to dig in and learn some new skills. Sometime listening to some new music, or different player, or style of music can get the fire burning again.

As for you lesson comment. IMO those are valid things to tell a teacher why you want to take lessons. Then it's their job to sus out what that means for you.

I just think the fire under your butt is down to a simmer and you want/need something to turn up the heat. That might be a teach or could be as simple as hearing a new bass player or band. Or see some really hot babe getting into a limo then ya wanta to go home and spank that bass to become a star.